Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

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Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Milan name squad for Juve

Feb 6, 2015
 
Filippo Inzaghi has named his squad for tomorrow’s match at Juventus, with Milan’s new signings included.

Mattia Destro is suspended, but Salvatore Bocchetti, Gabriel Palletta and Luca Antonelli are all in the squad which will travel to Turin.

The Rossoneri are currently 21 points behind the Old Lady, and will be looking to cut the 10 point gap to Napoli in the third and final Champions League place.


Milan squad to face Juventus: Abbiati, Gori, Diego Lopez, Albertazzi, Antonelli, Alex, Bocchetti, Paletta, Rami, Zaccardo, Essien, Mastalli, Muntari, Poli, Suso, Van Ginkel, Bonaventura, Honda, Menez, Pazzini, Cerci

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Tassotti: ‘We’ll attack Juventus’

Feb 6, 2015
 
Assistant coach Mauro Tassotti insists Milan will go to Juventus Stadium to attack tomorrow night.

The former midfielder was asked to attend today’s pre-match Press conference as Coach Filippo Inzaghi is ill, and says the Rossoneri won’t sit back in Turin.

“[Playing against Juventus] has never been easy, even for [Fabio] Capello and [Arrigo] Sacchi’s teams” Tassotti reflected.

“[but] We’re ready to do battle with Juventus. We like to play every game in an attacking style.

“Tomorrow we want to play our game, but our opponents are aggressive too. These games are a little bit like a tug of war.

“We’ll have to play with organisation and aggression. If we do that for 90 minutes we’ll have our chances.

“Tomorrow’s game is the most difficult one we could have at this moment in time. They’re a team that collects a lot of points, and doesn’t concede many goals.

“I think they have one of the best defences in Europe, it’s hard to play at Juventus Stadium.

“Allegri has led the team toward playing with a 4-3-1-2 patiently, they can switch from one formation to another with ease.

“His talent was not letting anything clog up a machine which was running smoothly.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus name Milan squad

Feb 6, 2015
 
Juventus name the squad to face Milan, with Arturo Vidal back in the team, but no Martin Caceres or Alessandro Matri.

The Chilean appears to have recovered from his knee trouble and will likely flank Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba in the midfield.

Martin Caceres, however, is still struggling with a thigh strain and will not join his teammates.

Young new signing Stefano Sturaro is also part of the expedition, but Alessandro Matri, returning from Milan themselves, was seemingly deemed not ready for the game.


Juventus squad to face Milan: Buffon, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Pogba, Pepe, Marchisio, Morata, Tevez, Coman, Llorente, Barzagli, De Ceglie, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Vidal, Sturaro, Storari, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Padoin, Paletta, Antonelli to start

Feb 6, 2015
 
Juventus could pick Simone Padoin at right-back and welcome Arturo Vidal back, while Milan may debut their winter signings.

The Bianconeri are without Stephan Lichtsteiner through suspension and Martin Caceres through injury, so are expected to run Padoin at full-back for tomorrow’s clash at Juventus Stadium.

Arturo Vidal is at his first game after recovering from a knee injury, but La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Sky Sports and Sport Mediaset all expect him to start.

Carlos Tevez was reported today to have a fever, but should make it on to the pitch, to be flanked by Alvaro Morata. Otherwise, Fernando Llorente may replace him.

Rossonero Coach Filippo Inzaghi, also struck with flu for the day, has to deal with the injuries of Riccardo Montolivo and Nigel de Jong, which compel a midfield trio of Andrea Poli, Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien.

In defence, new signings Gabriel Paletta and Luca Antonelli are expected to be given their debut, while Alessio Cerci fights for a place against Keisuke Honda, each favoured respectively by the giornalaccio rosa and by Sports Mediaset.


Probable line-ups

Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Morata

Milan: D. Lopez; Rami, Paletta, Alex, Antonelli; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Cerci, Menez, Bonaventura

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Vidal and Tevez are Juventus' key men vs. declining Milan

Feb 6, 2015
 
It's a clash that pits two great rivals against one another but, while one remains at the top of the Italian game, the other is in a state of decline. Juventus host Milan on Saturday in a match that once decided championships but now should see a routine win for The Old Lady.

Juventus enter the game in good health. The Bianconeri not only are at the top of the Serie A table but also have reached the semifinals of the Coppa Italia and qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League.

By contrast, the Rossoneri have only the league to play for as they deal with a bloated squad of 31 players -- Juve have 27 - and are paying half of Alessandro Matri's wages after the Milan forward joined Juventus on loan last week. The player will not take part on Saturday.

Yet despite the disarray, Milan are still a proud club with talented individuals capable of hurting their opponent. As such, Massimiliano Allegri, a former Milan coach of course, must be careful not to get carried away by his club's current superiority, especially as the Rossoneri have impressed against quality opponents this season including Napoli, Roma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria.

Filippo Inzaghi's men have impressed when allowed to play a reactive game, one that sees them defend before taking their opportunities either though a vertical play or a long ball forward. When asked to actually create attacking of passages of play from the back and move forward in unison, Milan have faltered due to the lack of talent in midfield and their inability to cope under pressure.

In truth, this is a game made for two Juventus men -- Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez -- to shine and attack Milan's obvious weaknesses.

A side that cedes possession with ease when faced with an opponent who can press intelligently and apply pressure on their ball carriers, Milan will struggle to create if Vidal is on hand to hassle. Invaluable when it comes to winning back possession high up the pitch, the Chilean will facilitate the route to goal especially as he's likely to be deployed in the trequartista role.

Meanwhile, Tevez will most likely have plenty of time and space to roam between the lines to find his right position to strike. The Argentine is likely to be flanked by Alvaro Morata instead of Fernando Llorente, which means Juventus will be more mobile in the final third.

A third potential weapon would have been Martin Caceres but the Uruguayan is unlikely to be available due to a groin injury. His stamina and strength always add value to the team but it is his ability from set-pieces that Allegri will miss the most, especially against a side that by January had conceded 35 percent of their goals from dead-ball situations despite the arrival last summer of set piece coach Gianni Vio from Fiorentina.

While earlier reports suggested Juve would opt for a 3-5-2 formation, the shape that could only muster a draw against Udinese last week, it seems Allegri has since changed his mind and will look to deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation with Patrice Evra and Simone Padoin in the full-back roles.

In truth, the formation will have little bearing over the side if the right attitude is not adopted. Intensity, hunger and sacrifice are the only way to get past a side led by the most passionate of all men in football and one Allegri would like to defeat.

While the current Juventus coach maintained a generous tone when quizzed about Inzaghi's abilities, their past squabbles can never truly be forgotten. Most infamously, the two clashed during Allegri's time at Milan when Inzaghi was a youth team coach.

What better way to have the last laugh than by producing a vicious Juventus side that fight for the win.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

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Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Tacchinardi: ‘Milan are unwell’

Feb 6, 2015
 
Alessio Tacchinardi expects former team Juventus to 'dominate the game' tomorrow against a Milan side he sees as ‘unwell’.

The Old Lady and Il Diavolo will confront each other tomorrow at the Juventus Stadium in the highly anticipated anticipo of Week 22.

The Bianconeri’s five-time Scudetto winner, interviewed by Tuttomercatoweb, is confident about which team should be called the favourite.

“I think that Juve will dominate the game, because they're in a top moment physically and psychologically, and also because they play at the Juventus Stadium, which is now a factor,” Tacchinardi has said.

“Above all else, though, they're aware of the difficulties of Milan.

“Juventus will try to press them, using their technique, and face up to a team that is a bit unwell because they have lost their way since [the 4-2 victory against Real Madrid in] Dubai.

“I don't know if it's for physical reasons, since they worked so hard in Dubai, or if they just lost faith after the goal they took against Sassuolo.

“Milan are sick, and Juve will have the opportunity to dominate the game.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

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Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus vs. Milan Preview: Round 22 —
il Diavolo is coming to town

Feb 6, 2015
 
Over the last few days, I've had this inner monologue or thought process running through my head on a regular basis. Am I supposed to get truly hyped up because it's Milan-Juventus like the good old days? Do I forget about how much Milan has struggled as of late because this is one of the best historic rivalries in Italy's history?

Juventus vs. Milan isn't the glamorous fixture it was 10 or 15 years ago when the Scudetto truly did hinge on its outcome. Milan enter the weekend as many points away from the relegation zone as they are to pulling even with third-place Napoli and a Champions League qualification spot. This current Milan truly isn't anywhere close to the level that Milan was at when they were challenging for European glory on a regular basis. And, to be honest, who knows how long it will take the club to get back to that level the way they're going these days.

But it's hard to not look forward to Juventus and Milan squaring off against one another — especially when it's being played at Juventus Stadium and all the excitement that comes with rivals making the trip to Turin. There's going to be no awkward and long-winded "It's Max Allegri's comeback and first game against his former team!" kind of talk this time around. It's more about the game itself rather than the guy who is managing his current team against his former team.

That means it's first-place Juventus against Milan, which currently sits in ... ninth? Yeah, ninth.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "Milan may have had a few problems in January but played well in December, beating Napoli and drawing with Roma."

Who knows what kind of team will show up wearing Milan jerseys on Saturday night. It could be the one we've seen over the last month, it could be the one Allegri spoke to from the final games of 2014.

Here's something I do know: Juventus Stadium will be packed to the roof because Milan-Juventus is still a pretty big deal no matter where each team is in the table. And those fans will be looking for their bianconeri to provide a subsequent performance that makes Milan remember who the best team in all of the country is.

Why? Because extending the Milan slump will be just as satisfying as getting another three points and momentarily extending the lead over Roma. That is fun, really fun.

 

GOOD NEWS

Milan's form the last six games: D-L-D-L-L-W. That's not very good. At all.
 

 

BAD NEWS

Resident Swiss badass Stephan Lichtsteiner is suspended after his yellow card last weekend against Udinese. Martín Cáceres, as noted by Max Allegri in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, is a 'big doubt' after training separate from the group during the week. You know what that means, people.
 

 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. Can Juventus snap out of this recent funk?

Juventus' recent funk is different than that of their opponent Saturday night. MIlan are just flat out struggling this season and not getting results on a regular basis. Juve are getting points — for the most part — but just not playing all that well at the moment. Allegri's men have won two of their last three in all competitions, but haven't been all that convincing against teams you would think they might be. The Juventus offense has been just a bit off its usually high standard in those games, and because of it, the scoring chances haven't been so plentiful as a few weeks ago when they were running wild on Hellas Verona in back-to-back games. Maybe a Milan defense that is far from stellar will be the cure. I sure hope it is considering the month of February is easily the most important four-week stretch to date this season.

2. The Simone Padoin extravaganza at right back.

With two right backs likely out tomorrow night, it's time for the latest edition of the Simone Padoin Show. And, oh what a wonderful show it is. Okay, maybe not wonderful, but just unspectacular and easy going. Padoin has been the ultimate utility man for Allegri this season, playing at left back one week and now (likely) shifting across the back four this weekend. Padoin won't wow you, won't do amazing runs down the right wing like Lichtsteiner or Cáceres, but he has also proved to be a solid replacement for whomever he's replaced in the lineup this season. This is the world of Padoin, where things are more about not majorly screwing up rather than doing a ton of amazing things. That's just Padoin in a nutshell.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "Padoin always guarantees top rate performances when given the nod."

3. The Arturo Vidal extravaganza at trequartista.

Just when you thought Arturo Vidal was starting to turn a corner form-wise, he gets hit in the face (no pun intended) with tonsillitis and has to spend time in the hospital. Vidal's first two games back in the starting lineup against Chievo and Parma in the Coppa Italia haven't been all too impressive, and missing out on the scoreless draw with Udinese due to a minor knock on the knee wasn't too helpful in its own right. But the other three midfield standouts are healthy and likely to start, and that means Vidal will almost certainly play behind the two starting strikers whomever they may be. As much as we want to give him the benefit of the doubt because of what has happened to him over the last couple of weeks, Vidal needs to be the kind of player we saw at the beginning of January more often than not going forward. That Arturo Vidal is better than just about everybody else.

4. Keeping Jérémy Menez under wraps.

Without looking, who is the No. 2-ranked scorer behind Carlitos Tévez this season? Go ahead, guess away. Think about it for a second or two. Did you have Mr. Menez as the second-best scorer in Serie A through 21 games this season? Probably not, but that's what we're seeing in the race to be the capocannoniere. Menez has accounted for over 40 percent of Milan's goals this season with his 12 goals and two assists. That's easily the best season of any individual Milan player, no matter how depleted their roster is compared to years prior. And a lot like Toto Di Natale last week, you don't need to look far to see who is priority No. 1 for the Juventus defense. Simple is as simple does.


My starting XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Morata, Tévez

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

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Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus V AC Milan – Team News, Tactics, Lineups And Predictions

Feb 7, 2015
 
Last week’s draw against Udinese ultimately did not have much impact on Juventus’ league standing thanks to Roma dropping points at home. Still points were dropped and they looked sluggish last Sunday. This upcoming match versus Milan is both an opportunity to make up for those points, and of course another chance for Max Allegri to get revenge on his ex-employers. Obviously, Juventus did beat Milan earlier this season. Since then, the two teams’ fortunes have gone in opposite directions.

After the winter break, Milan have won only one Serie A match out of five, the most recent one against Parma. In the other four, they have been defeated by Sassuolo, Atalanta and Lazio and they tied against Torino. In the meantime, they beat Sassuolo in Coppa Italia, but Stefano Pioli’s squad crushed their hopes of winning a title two weeks later. It’s been an awful month for them and the rookie coach Filippo Inzaghi is on the hot seat, with the rumors about his potential replacement at the end of the season gaining more and more steam.


Team news and tactical brief

Juventus

Max Allegri does have a few injuries to fret over: Martin Caceres is most likely going to miss the game. Additionally Arturo Vidal is not confirmed to return from his latest knock either. Vidal’s status is questionable, but if he is healthy he will likely start. Caceres’ status, while more doubtful, is also more important in regards to the formation. If Caceres is healthy, the 4-3-1-2 is likely to appear. If not, Max Allegri will probably go with a 3-5-2. There have been some suggestions that new signing Stefano Sturaro might be used as a right back tonight. Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini are expected to start in defence. On the flanks the choices are limited. Stephan Lichsteiner is suspended, and while Roberto Pereyra can sort of play right wing back – as Simone Pepe has a few times, but, not for years – Martin Caceres is really the only available player who is comfortable there. So, if it’s not Caceres then Stefano Sturaro is expected to be on the right flank. Simone Padoin could be picked to start at right back, in a four man backline. Evra will start on the left. He will probably play the full match, as well.

Due to Vidal’s injury the midfield picture is cloudy. Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, and Paul Pogba should start. Simone Padoin will probably start in place of Vidal if he the Chilean is still hurt. Carlos Tevez is a guarantee and he will definitely start. There is a legitimate battle between Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata for that other starting striker spot. Morata is favored to start over Llorente in this game as he has looked much sharper than his compatriot this season and will be looking to make an impact in this game early on.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-1-2):Buffon; Sturaro, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Llorente

 

AC Milan

Inzaghi prefers an offensive-minded approach, but he probably doesn’t have good enough roster to deliver it as he would like to. The defensive blunders have been countless, especially on set pieces, and the midfield lacks the needed quality, quick-thinking and sharp passing. The attack is loaded and Jeremy Menez has been a star this season, Keisuke Honda has been very prolific early in the season while Giacomo Bonaventura has been a useful jack-of-all-trades that allowed them to switch comfortably from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 when they wanted to. On paper, it looks good, but the problems lie elsewhere. The defense probably started to tail off when Alex first got injured and then had some small relapses and never quite managed to play as well as he was doing in the very first part of the season. Due the suspensions of Philippe Mexes and the injuries to Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio, Cristian Zapata and Daniele Bonera, they’ll be forced to field a four-man defensive line composed basically by three centre-backs. Alex and newcomer Gabriel Paletta will be in the heart of the defence. Adil Rami has played as a right back this season so he should be confident with his new position this time around while Luca Antonelli on the left would add some pace.

With Riccardo Montolivo and Nigel De Jong unlikely to play, Andrea Poli, Micheal Essien and Sulley Muntari will have the task to hold the fort in the middle of the pitch. It’s blatant that there’s not much creativity there and this is where Milan have struggled the most. Honda and Bonaventura are slated to flank Menez in the trident, even though it’s possible that Cerci will be able to win the starting spot in place of Bonaventura, who’s nursing a bruised shoulder, or with the former Atalanta player in the midfield. The numbers of Milan aren’t horrible: 31 goals scored (5th best in Serie A) and 26 conceded (tied-8th), but the last few performances have been frankly disheartening and they inexplicably dropped too many points that would have been very helpful in the race for a Champions League spot (that was wide open until Napoli broke away from the pack). They are in eight position, ten points behind Benitez’s side and five points behind the fifth place occupied by Sampdoria, which guarantees the qualification to Europa League. Milan have quality, especially up front, but they have been a one-trick pony so far. If you take away the counter-attacking game, the first option, they become predictable due to the lack of a harmonious team play and of a smart distributor in the middle: 52% of ball possession per game is historically abysmal for possession-oriented team like Milan. Their defense, not only their defenders, is pretty sloppy and suffers when put under pressure. They concede more than 14 shots per game, which is worse than Empoli, Parma and Empoli (13th overall). As far as performances on the road are concerned, they are in the middle of the group with two wins, six draws and two losses.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-1-2):Diego Lopez(Gk); Rami, Alex,Paletta, Antonelli; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Honda, Menez, Bonaventura


Key Facts

This will be the 160th Serie A meeting between Juventus and AC Milan: the Bianconeri lead by 57 wins to 48
Juventus have won each of their last four league encounters with AC Milan, keeping a clean sheet in three of these
Juve have won their last three Serie A matches against AC Milan at home, scoring on average two goals per game


Players to Watch Out For

Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)

Veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo was offered a short-term contract by the Rossoneri as his deal neared its expiration, but felt he was worth much more and left following a decade of service. He then crossed the divide to achieve legendary status with the Turin giants and continues pulling the strings to devastating effect at the age of 35.

Jeremy Menez (AC Milan)

Having made a bright start to his career with Milan, Jeremy Menez has a final chance to resurrect a career that has so far disappointed. With twelve goals this season in Serie A mostly as a ‘False 9’, Menez is soon becoming a fan favourite. With Mario Balotelli, Fernando Torres both gone and Mattia Destro suspended, Menez has made the central position in the attacking trio of Inzaghi’s 4-3-3 his own. At 27, the talented forward still has time to resurrect his career and regain his status as the gem of ‘Generation 1987’ but much depends on how he takes it from here.


Prediction

Juventus 1–1 AC Milan

Juventus dropped two points without suffering in terms of the table as Roma also drew. The Bianconeri are still 7 points clear and looking in better form than any of their rivals. The victory over Parma let AC Milan back into the top 10, but beating the last team in the table while they are also going through financial problems is by no means a sign of recovery. As it happened with Lazio twice recently, this game could get ugly for the Rossoneri since despite a lot of movement in the transfer market in January, they don’t really seem to have improved their squad, especially in midfield. The rivalry with Juventus may have been weakened by the recent poor results of the visitors, but do not expect Max Allegri to tell his players to let up against his former club.


Blast From the Past

In the first match of the season, when both teams were still searching for their identities, Juventus won 1-0 with a Tevez goal in the second half.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBOFnbgmfk

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Emotional Juve-Milan - MATCH PREVIEW

Feb 7, 2015
 
The gap between heavyweights Juventus and Milan has rarely been this big, but Saturday night’s fixture remains a Serie A classic.

Champions Juventus hold a seven-point lead at the top of the table, despite a surprising goalless draw away to Udinese on their last outing.

Dynamic midfielder Arturo Vidal is expected to feature amid rumours of an alleged row between the Chilean and Coach Massimiliano Allegri, with long-term casualty Andrea Barzagli aiming for a spot on the bench, but Martin Caceres is now in doubt.

Left-back Patrice Evra has recovered from tonsillitis, while Allegri must choose between out-of-sorts Fernando Llorente and young striker Alvaro Morata up-front.

Milan employee Alessandro Matri is also unavailable following his loan return to Turin and Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner serves a one-match ban.

Under-pressure Milan Coach and former Juventus striker Filippo Inzaghi received a vote of confidence from Silvio Berlusconi on the back of their 3-1 victory over struggling Parma last weekend, yet must be feeling the strain having lost three of his last five games.

It’s a familiar scenario for Allegri, who was sacked by Berlusconi just over a year ago. Few expected the fired tactician to start his Juve experience so strongly.

Inzaghi has numerous injury worries to contend with. Cristian Zapata, Mattia De Sciglio, Daniele Bonera, Stephan El Shaarawy and Ignazio Abate all fail to figure in his plans.

However, Captain Riccardo Montolivo, Hachim Mastour and Nigel de Jong have a chance of making it and will be assessed.

New forward Mattia Destro is suspended after picking up a yellow card on his debut, whilst fiery Frenchman Philippe Mexes continues his four-match ban for performing a choke-hold on Lazio star Stefano Mauri.

Recent defensive recruits Luca Antonelli and Gabriel Paletta began training with their new team-mates at Milanello this week, but are likely to begin life with the Rossoneri as substitutes.


Keep an eye on: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) – Max Allegri isn’t the only former Milan man with a score to settle. Veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo was offered a short-term contract by the Rossoneri as his deal neared its expiration, but felt he was worth much more and left following a decade of service. He then crossed the divide to achieve legendary status with the Turin giants and continues pulling the strings to devastating effect at the age of 35.


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

Last season: Juventus 3-2 Milan

Stat fact: Juventus have triumphed over Milan on four consecutive occasions, with the Rossoneri’s last Serie A victory in this contest arriving in November 2012.


Juventus (probable): Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vidal; Tevez, Llorente

Suspended: Lichtsteiner


Milan (probable): Diego Lopez; Zaccardo, Alex, Rami, Bocchetti; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Honda, Menez, Bonaventura

Suspended: Mexes, Destro

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Tassotti: Milan would be happy with Juventus draw

The Rossoneri assistant coach admits avoiding defeat in Turin
would be a positive outcome for the side on Sunday.

Feb 7, 2015
 
Milan assistant coach Mauro Tassotti admits his side would be happy with a draw in Saturday's clash with Juventus.

The Rossoneri have struggled for form under new coach Filippo Inzaghi and find themselves eighth in the Serie A table ahead of the weekend’s clash in Turin.

They are now 10 points behind third-placed Napoli and Champions League qualification, though Tassotti admits avoiding defeat against the reigning Italian champions on Saturday will be seen as a positive outcome.

“A draw would be a positive result and it would be even more so should it come after a good performance. We have to bring the team through in order to start off at a better pace next year,” he said.

“It’s never been easy in Turin, even for the Milan sides coached by Sacchi and Capello. It’s a tough ground to play at, but we are ready to battle.

“In football you go through these negative moments, even Juventus experienced them before they got back to being successful. It’s fundamental that this club gets back to competing for the top places. This is what we want."

Saturday will see the 160th league meeting between the two sides, with Juventus leading the way with 57 wins to Milan’s 48.

Milan are without a win on the road since December’s 3-1 victory over Verona and have lost 37 away games at Juve, more than they have against any other Serie A side.

"Juve are a side that drop very few points and concedes very few goals. They are capable of changing from one playing system to another easily and Allegri has done well to gradually bring his own ideas into an already settled context. If we are organised and aggressive for 90 minutes we have a chance.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Antonelli: 'Juve will regret tweet'

Feb 7, 2015
 
Luca Antonelli makes his Milan comeback tonight and said they want to “make Juventus regret that tweet.”

“This is certainly a difficult match, but we are Milan and we’ve come here to pick up three points,” Antonelli told Milan Channel.

He’s expected to be in the starting XI just days after completing his move from Genoa.

It’s a return for the full-back, who grew up in the Rossoneri youth academy.

“We prepared this game in the best possible way and hope to take away the victory. We will also try to make Juventus regret that tweet.”

The official Juventus Twitter account had sent out a message that read: ‘Against the Rossoneri we want six points from two games.’

Juve already beat Milan 1-0 at San Siro earlier this season.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Line-ups: Juventus-Milan

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus host Milan in a classic Serie A fixture, as Max Allegri, Pippo Inzaghi and Andrea Pirlo face their past.

The game can go ahead at the Juventus Stadium despite the heavy snowfall in Turin over the last few days.

Juve are runaway Serie A leaders with a seven-point lead, but were pegged back 0-0 by Udinese, so a victory is not to be taken for granted.

Milan have been struggling badly in 2015 and Coach Inzaghi was thought to be on the verge of dismissal before a 3-1 win over bottom club Parma.

It was reported that Inzaghi and Allegri had a very tense relationship at Milan, almost coming to blows at the training ground when Pippo was the youth team Coach.

Allegri has had the last laugh, as he was fired just over a year ago, but the Rossoneri have been through Clarence Seedorf and Inzaghi without finding success.

Pirlo has faced Milan many times now, but the decision to let him go as a free agent after a decade of service still stings.

Stephan Lichtsteiner is suspended with Alessandro Matri, Kwadwo Asamoah, Martin Caceres and Romulo injured.

Carlos Tevez was suffering from a mild fever yesterday, but is still in the starting XI with Alvaro Morata.

Milan could put together a whole other team from their absentee list, including new signing Mattia Destro and Philippe Mexes out on bans.

Clogging the treatment table are Stephan El Shaarawy, Nigel de Jong, Riccardo Montolivo, Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio, Cristian Zapata, Daniele Bonera and Hachim Mastour.

Giacomo Bonaventura had returned, but his shoulder pain flared up again at the last minute, so he moved to the bench in favour of Keisuke Honda.

Gabriel Paletta and Luca Antonelli are thrown straight into the starting XI just days after arriving from Parma and Genoa respectively.

Cristian Zaccardo also keeps his spot, having scored on his season debut last week.


Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba;Vidal; Tevez, Morata

Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Barzagli, Ogbonna, De Ceglie, Pereyra, Sturaro, Pepe, Coman, Llorente


Milan: Diego Lopez; Zaccardo, Alex, Paletta, Antonelli; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Cerci, Menez, Honda

Milan bench: Abbiati, Gori, Albertazzi, Bocchetti, Rami, Van Ginkel, Mastalli, Bonaventura, Suso, Pazzini

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

.-

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

HT 2-1: Juve lead plucky Milan

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus lead Milan 2-1 at the break in an exciting encounter in Turin with Carlos Tevez, Luca Antonelli and Leonardo Bonucci on target.

There was a big gap between the giants going into this game, as Juve hoped to extend their seven-point lead at the top of the table and the Rossoneri wanted to build on last week’s win over Parma, their first Serie A success of 2015.

Giacomo Bonaventura had a shoulder problem, while Mattia Destro and Philippe Mexes were suspended. Injury absentees included Stephan El Shaarawy, Nigel de Jong, Riccardo Montolivo, Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio, Cristian Zapata, Daniele Bonera and Hachim Mastour, so Gabriel Paletta and Luca Antonelli got their debuts. Stephan Lichtsteiner sat out a ban with Martin Caceres, Kwadwo Asamoah and Romulo sidelined.

Diego Lopez was tested by Alvaro Morata after 90 seconds, but Carlos Tevez – who started despite suffering from flu symptoms – opened the scoring. He sprung the offside trap in the centre-circle, surged past Paletta to score at the end of a strong run. However, replays suggest his toe was offside.

Sulley Muntari acrobatically cleared when Patrice Evra knocked an Andrea Pirlo free kick back into the middle, then the Frenchman nodded over from another Pirlo set play.

However, Milan equalised with their debutant Luca Antonelli, who got a glancing header from a corner. He had already beaten Juve this season with Genoa and it was a special moment for the man who grew up in the Rossoneri youth academy only to return years later.

The celebrations did not last long, as Muntari was caught in possession and Morata forced a great fingertip save out of Diego Lopez. From the resulting corner, Tevez knocked it down for a Leonardo Bonucci flick from six yards with his back to goal. The defender’s run to the crowd didn’t quite go to play, as he fell head-first over the advertising boards.

Menez went off after suffering from a dizzy spell to make way for Giampaolo Pazzini. Bonucci had penalty appeals for an Essien handling offence on another corner, but as it was headed on to the arm, it could not be considered voluntary.


Juventus 2-1 Milan (Half-Time)

Scorers: Tevez 15 (J), Antonelli 29 (M), Bonucci 32 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez, Morata

Milan: Diego Lopez; Zaccardo, Alex, Paletta, Antonelli; Poli, Essien, Muntari; Cerci, Menez (Pazzini 37), Honda

Ref: Damato

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus 3-1 AC Milan: Tevez on target
to heap more misery on Inzaghi

Leonardo Bonucci and Alvaro Morata added to the Argentine's goal after
Luca Antonelli had equalised as the Serie A leaders cruised to three points in Turin.

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus tightened their grip on top spot in Serie A and piled more pressure on Filippo Inzaghi as they beat AC Milan 3-1 in Turin on Saturday.

In what is traditionally a clash between title rivals, the contest at Juventus Stadium highlighted the current gulf between the two sides, as Massimiliano Allegri completed a league double over his former employers in a dominant display.

The reigning champions, who are now 39 unbeaten at home in the league, edged ahead in the 14th minute through Carlos Tevez, despite calls for the Argentina international to be given offside.

Luca Antonelli, one of two Milan debutants alongside Gabriel Paletta, levelled just before the half-hour mark, though they were level for only a few minutes, with Leonardo Bonucci restoring Juve's lead.

Milan produced a slight improvement after the break, though Juve also took things up a notch and opened up a two-goal deficit with 25 minutes to go through Alvaro Morata, who finally appears to have dislodged fellow Spaniard Fernando Llorente.

Filippo Inzaghi, who reportedly endured a fractious relationship with Allegri in their time together at Milan, saw his side's late efforts count for nothing, while Juve moved well clear of second-placed Roma ahead of their trip to Cagliari on Sunday.

Juve began the contest in purposeful fashion, pushing forward in numbers and pressing fiercely in midfield, forcing early errors from Milan.

And it came as little surprise when the hosts broke the deadlock 14 minutes in, as Tevez, who looked to have strayed marginally beyond the last defender, latched on to Morata's header and tucked an effort under Diego Lopez after charging away from the helpless Paletta.

The home side crafted another opportunity a few moments later, as Patrice Evra knocked Andrea Pirlo's free kick delivery back across goal, but nobody could capitalise.

And Milan made the most of that let-off, drawing level with 28 minutes on the clock thanks to Antonelli's fine glancing header.

The visitors were level for barely three minutes, though, as Bonucci stabbed home after Tevez headed Pirlo's corner back into the danger area.

Milan's chances suffered a further blow eight minutes before the break, with top-scorer Jeremy Menez forced off and replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini.

Juve continued to dictate proceedings in the second half, though Milan spurned a good opportunity to equalise for a second time in the 54th minute, Gianluigi Buffon producing a smart save to deny Pazzini.

The hosts swiftly came to grips with Milan's brief improvement and effectively secured all three points in the 65th minute, as Morata was left with an easy tap-in after a Claudio Marchisio effort came back off the post.

Milan's attempts to force an unlikely late comeback left the visitors vulnerable on the break, but Juventus were unable to punish Inzaghi's men further, with Lopez doing well to deny Marchisio with eight minutes left.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus 3-1 AC Milan: Rampant Bianconeri
Sweep Past Toothless Rossoneri

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus defeated AC Milan 3-1 at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday night.

The hosts took the lead through Carlos Tevez early on in the game, before Milan equalised via Luca Antonelli, the Rossoneri’s lead did not last long though as Leonardo Bonucci made it 2-1 before Alvaro Morata scored the third in the second half.

The Bianconeri opened the scoring early on in the game when Argentine international Carlos Tevez exploited Milan’s high line before going through on goal and finishing past Diego Lopez.

Paul Pogba could’ve made it 2-0 soon after, but his driven volley from outside the box was blocked by Alex.

Juventus came close once again, this time Patrice Evra latched onto Andrea Pirlo’s cross, but the former’s lay-off was cleared away by Sulley Muntari.

The Rossoneri found an equaliser minutes later through new signing Luca Antonelli who latched onto Keisuke Honda’s cross before guiding his header to Gianluigi Buffon’s right.

Massimilano Allegri’s men thought they had scored their second of the game when Alvaro Morata finished past Diego Lopez, but the goal was flagged for offside.

Marchisio was next to come close for the Bianconeri when he made use of Muntari’s poor control before unleashing a left-footed strike that was saved by Lopez.

Juventus got their goal from the resulting corner when a header by Carlos Tevez found Leonardo Bonucci who made no mistake from close range.

Milan could’ve had an equalising goal in the start of the second half when substitute Giampaolo Pazzini unleashed a powerful left-footed finish, but Buffon was equal to it.

Morata made it 3-1 approximately 10 minutes later; Lopez spilled Marchisio’s shot before the Spaniard calmly finished past his former teammate to extend the Bianconeri’s lead.

The striker thought he had scored a brace against Filippo Inzaghi’s men but his finish was once again ruled out for offside.

Morata was once again at the centre of trouble when he notched onto a cross from the right-hand side before trying a side-footed volley, but his attempt went over the bar.

Juventus came agonsingly close to scoring their fourth when Tevez played the ball to Simone Padoin on the right-hand side who played a dangerous ball in the six yard box that was eventually cleared by Gabriel Paletta.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juve brush Milan aside

Luca Antonelli scored on his Milan debut, but Juventus emerged
3-1 winners as Max Allegri beat Pippo Inzaghi.

Feb 7, 2015
 
There was a big gap between the giants going into this game, as Juve hoped to extend their seven-point lead at the top of the table and the Rossoneri wanted to build on last week’s win over Parma, their first Serie A success of 2015.

Giacomo Bonaventura had a shoulder problem, while Mattia Destro and Philippe Mexes were suspended. Injury absentees included Stephan El Shaarawy, Nigel de Jong, Riccardo Montolivo, Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio, Cristian Zapata, Daniele Bonera and Hachim Mastour, so Gabriel Paletta and Luca Antonelli got their debuts. Stephan Lichtsteiner sat out a ban with Martin Caceres, Kwadwo Asamoah and Romulo sidelined.

Diego Lopez was tested by Alvaro Morata after 90 seconds, but Carlos Tevez – who started despite suffering from flu symptoms – opened the scoring. He sprung the offside trap in the centre-circle, surged past Paletta to score at the end of a strong run. However, replays suggest his toe was offside.

Sulley Muntari acrobatically cleared when Patrice Evra knocked an Andrea Pirlo free kick back into the middle, then the Frenchman nodded over from another Pirlo set play.

However, Milan equalised with their debutant Luca Antonelli, who got a glancing header from a corner. He had already beaten Juve this season with Genoa and it was a special moment for the man who grew up in the Rossoneri youth academy only to return years later.

The celebrations did not last long, as Muntari was caught in possession and Morata forced a great fingertip save out of Diego Lopez. From the resulting corner, Tevez knocked it down for a Leonardo Bonucci flick from six yards with his back to goal. The defender’s run to the crowd didn’t quite go to play, as he fell head-first over the advertising boards.

Menez went off after suffering from a dizzy spell to make way for Giampaolo Pazzini. Bonucci had penalty appeals for an Essien handling offence on another corner, but as it was headed on to the arm, it could not be considered voluntary.

Pazzini tested Buffon twice after the restart, including a desperate one-handed save at the near stick after a poor clearance.

Juve extended their advantage when Claudio Marchisio’s snapshot cannoned off the upright and into the path of Alvaro Morata.

Morata had the ball in the back of the net again, but was offside on Simone Padoin’s scuffed finish. Diego Lopez stuck out a foot to deny Marchisio from point-blank range.

There wasn’t even a free kick when Chiellini ran into Pazzini elbow first, but Tevez was booked and will be suspended for next week’s trip to Cesena.


Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Marchisio (Ogbonna 84), Pirlo, Pogba; Vidal; Tevez (Llorente 91), Morata

Milan: Diego Lopez; Zaccardo (Rami 78), Alex, Paletta, Antonelli; Poli (Bonaventura 61), Essien, Muntari; Cerci, Menez (Pazzini 37), Honda

Ref: Damato

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus consolidate lead at top
of Serie A with AC Milan victory

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus have extended their advantage over Roma at the top of Serie A to 10 points this evening courtesy of a 3-1 victory over AC Milan.

A strong start from the home side saw Arturo Vidal come close to opening the scoring with a strike from inside the area, before Carlos Tevez was played clean through on goal.

The former Manchester City striker looked to be borderline offside, but kept his composure to tuck the ball coolly beyond Diego Lopez for his 14th league goal of the campaign.

Gianluigi Buffon was needed to deny Jeremy Menez's effort shortly after, and that proved to be a warning sign for the hosts because Milan were not going to roll over having fallen a goal behind.

With a little under 30 minutes played, debutant Luca Antonelli leaped highest to superbly flick home Alessio Cerci's corner to level things up in Turin.

Yet it was to be Juventus, now unbeaten in 13 top-flight outings, who edged ahead prior to the interval courtesy of Leonardo Bonucci's smart finish.

Tevez headed the ball into his teammate's path from a corner, with Bonucci smartly flicking the ball beyond Lopez for the Old Lady's second of the evening.

A lively Tevez came within inches of adding another before the break when he struck from distance, only to be denied by Lopez as Milan kept in touch at the interval.

Milan were still in the contest as the hour mark approached and came close to drawing level through Giampaolo Pazzini's shot, which Buffon had to turn behind.

Juve finally earned some breathing space five minutes later when Alvaro Morata showed striker's instincts to roll the ball into an empty net after Claudio Marchisio's long-range effort came back off the post.

Morata, who scored and assisted in the Bianconeri colours in a single Serie A game for the first time, should have had a second to his name before the end only for his strike to be ruled out for offside.

While Juventus remain in control at the top of the table, Filippo Inzaghi's fallen giants now have just one win in seven games and are down in ninth place.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juventus open 10-point lead in Serie A
with win over AC Milan

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus pulled 10 points clear of Serie A title rivals Roma with a convincing 3-1 victory over AC Milan.

Despite their inconsistent form, the Rossoneri certainly have the potential to match Juve and the league leaders made sure to put them in their place early on through a goal from Carlos Tevez.

Recent signing Luca Antonelli pegged the reigning champions back ever so briefly but Leonardo Bonucci's strike gave Juve the confidence to push on and consolidate the win through Alvaro Morata.

The fixture was afforded extra spice by the element of revenge on offer as home boss Massimiliano Allegri looked to get the better of the man he suspected was behind his ousting from Milan last year.

And Juve would draw first blood against Filippo Inzaghi's Rossoneri as Tevez notched on 14 minutes.

Alex's poor header in midfield allowed Morata to send the Argentinian through on goal and Diego Lopez could not resist his searing left-footed finish.

The game remained wide open from that point forward and Tevez drew ripples of applause when he whipped a second screamer just past Lopez's far post.

But it was Milan who scored next, with Antonelli opening his account on his debut.

In the 28th minute Alessio Cerci took a corner that found the former Genoa defender and he headed home.

Juve responded immediately but would have to knock twice before re-establishing their lead.

Lopez was at full stretch to tip Claudio Marchisio's low effort around his far post after Sulley Muntari had lost concentration in defence.

From the resulting corner, though, Bonucci converted an easy tap-in.

Milan suffered another setback as in-form French forward Jeremy Menez limped off to be replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini, but they would avoid conceding in embarrassing fashion as Lopez managed to cover Michael Essien's careless backpass in the 41st minute.

Gianluigi Buffon turned on the heroics to deny Pazzini when play resumed -- the former Inter Milan striker had snaffled Antonelli's clever through-ball before being denied.

Juve shrugged off the reaction and extended their lead in the 65th minute.

Marchisio wriggled into enough space to drive a low shot against the far post, and the rebound fell kindly for Morata to steer it into an unguarded net.

The Bianconeri had a fourth goal ruled out for offside. A great attacking raid saw Paul Pogba try his luck with a bicycle kick, yet Morata was in an illegal position as he stuck away the loose ball.

Ninth-placed Milan were deflated but did well to survive another Juve raid which saw Gabriel Paletta anticipate Tevez's movement and Lopez close down Marchisio before he could exploit the chaos.

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Marchisio: 'Juve had wrong attitude'

Feb 7, 2015
 
Claudio Marchisio felt Juventus “didn’t have the right attitude” in the second half against Milan, despite winning 3-1.

His effort came off the woodwork for Alvaro Morata to score after goals from Carlos Tevez, Luca Antonelli and Leonardo Bonucci.

“I was unlucky as I could’ve scored there, but what counts is the three points,” Marchisio told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was not an easy game. It’s true we managed to get right back in front after the equaliser, but in the second half we didn’t come out with the right attitude and were under pressure. It wasn’t a proper Juve performance.

“After the third goal we controlled the game again, but at the moment we are struggling to keep our concentration for the whole 90 minutes.”

Tomorrow afternoon Roma travel to Cagliari in a bid to stop Juventus going 10 points clear at the top.

“This is one down, there are another 16 rounds to go and these are three very important points.

“We are proud of our records, but they don’t change anything. Tomorrow the other teams play, but their results are irrelevant to us. We just have to go out and aim for the win every time.”

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Player Ratings: Too Much Tevez For AC Milan

Feb 7, 2015
 
Juventus defeated AC Milan 3-1 at home on Saturday evening in Serie A.

A dominant Bianconeri display took full advantage of an out-of-sorts Milan side as goals by Carlos Tevez, Leonardo Bonucci and Alvaro Morata deservedly gave Massimiliano Allegri’s team all three points.

The loss heaps further pressure on Rossoneri tactician Filippo Inzaghi who continues to struggle in his first season as a top flight coach.
 
 

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 6.5 – Experience - Some good interventions though could do little with Antonelli’s goal. One crucial save from Giampaolo Pazzini showing he can still be relied upon.

Simone Padoin – 5.5 – Functional - Worked the right hand side with mixed success, no more than a squad rotation player for the league leaders.
 

Leonardo Bonucci – 7 – Vital - A great poachers goal but messed up his celebration by falling over the advertising hoardings as he ran to fans. Despite that, an excellent night’s work for the talented defender.

 

Giorgio Chiellini – 6 – Tower - Strong as expected but no real threat from the Milan forwards. A relaxed evening for the Italy international.

 

Patrice Evra – 6 – Effective - Good movement down his flank in attack and dealt with the potential danger offered up by Alessio Cerci. A decent display by the Frenchman.

Claudio Marchisio – 6.5 – Inexhaustible - Good distribution and worked hard for the team. Blocked up all the gaps that Milan might have hoped to exploit and his great strike that hit a post, gave Morata his fifth goal of the season.

Andrea Pirlo – 6 – Clever - Always a threat from set pieces and still manages to find time and space within the field to spray his passes. Slightly subdued but remains a critical part of this dominant Juve side.

Paul Pogba – 6 – Subdued - A quiet evening for arguably the most complete midfielder in Europe but maybe we expect too much these days. Still managed to knit the midfield and attack with some tough tackling and neat passing.

Arturo Vidal – 6.5 – Threatening - Looked dangerous in early exchanges and was a menace in his role just behind the front two. Not quite the phenomena he was last season but signs of improvement are encouraging for Allegri.

CARLOS TEVÉZ – 7.5 – Masterful - Their are never enough superlatives for the Argentine when it comes to describing his performances in a black and white shirt. Goals and industry, the perfect mix for the complete forward. Should he leave in the Summer, Juventus will have one huge player to replace.

Alvaro Morata – 7 – Dynamic - Without doubt a star in the making. Incredible amount of running from the Spaniard both in terms of attack as well as helping his team defensively. Deserved his goal, reacting first to Marchisio’s shot that hit a post.


Substitutes

Angelo Ogbonna (84 mins) – N/A

Fernando Llorente (92 mins) – N/A

AC Milan

Diego Lopez – 6 – Plasticine - Incredible agility kept the scoreline respectable with an array of great saves but a poor clearance for Bonucci’s goal blotted his copy book on the night.

Cristian Zaccardo – 5 – Lacking - Kept Tevez onside for opening goal and failed to link up with Alessio Cerci on the right hand side. Suffered the attacking incursions of Patrice Evra which sums up his torrid evening

Alex – 5 – Troubled - Poor header led to Tevez goal. Looks a long way past his best and certainly his supposed aerial ability has not helped much in terms of defending set pieces.

Gabriel Paletta – 6 – Decent - Not a vintage defensive display but certainly looked more mobile than his defensive team mate Alex. Going to take Inzaghi a while to figure out what the best central pairing really is but early signs say it should include Paletta.

Luca Antonelli – 7 – Bright - Dream debut for the ex-Genoa full back. Plenty of industry on the left and his headed equaliser from a corner was imperious. Has he solved the long-standing Milan left back issue in his first 90 minutes?

Andrea Poli – 5.5 – Swamped - Had no reply to the Pirlo – Pogba – Vidal trident in the centre of the park. Was well out his depth in but hampered by his own midfield compatriots who offered little assistance.

Michael Essien- 5 – Aimless - Poor midfield display by the former Chelsea player. Lacking any quality and his tackling looked a yard off the pace. Not sure what he brings to the Rossoneri side.

Sulley Muntari – 5 – Liabilty - Endless missed passes and loss of possession makes it difficult to understand how the Milan captain continues to get a game for the club.

Alessio Cerci – 5.5 – Wasteful - Nowhere near the Cerci of last season, failing to beat his man on most occasions and constantly looking for a free kick. His corner did however create the Antonelli goal which briefly put his side on level terms with Juventus.
 

Jeremy Menez – 5.5 – Headache - Some nice early touches but subbed after only 36 minutes with what was reported to be flu-like symptoms.

 

Keisuke Honda – 5 – Invisible - Who? Was non-existent throughout the first half and only marginally improved in the second period.


Substitutes

Giampaolo Pazzini (36 mins) – 5.5

Giacomo Bonaventura (62 minutes) – 5

Adil Rami (78 mins) – N/A

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Juve Take Down Milan, 3-1

Feb 7, 2015
 
Carlos Tevez rolled back the years to inspire Juventus to a 3-1 victory over AC Milan which extended their lead at the top of Serie A to 10 points.

The former Manchester City and United forward opened the scoring for the Turin club in the 14th minute before assisting Leonardo Bonucci's 31st-minute strike after Luca Antonelli had equalised for Milan.

Tevez also set in motion the move which saw Alvaro Morata add a third goal midway through the second period, as Milan briefly threatened a second equaliser.

Milan looked to have weathered an early Juventus storm in the opening period of the game, but had not reckoned on Tevez, who broke clear in the 14th minute to slot home under Diego Lopez.

The Argentinian had appeared to be offside as he collected the ball, but replays appeared inconclusive after he beat Gabriel Paletta for pace.

In the 21st minute, Patrice Evra did well to place the ball in the danger area from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick, but there were no takers inside the six-yard box.

The same combination almost added a second for Juve four minutes later, but the former Manchester United defender headed over the crossbar.

Arturo Vidal teed up Tevez from an Alvaro Morata cross, but the striker was wide of the target with his effort from the edge of the area.

Juventus were made to pay for those misses in the 28th minute, as Milan levelled. An Alessio Cerci corner saw Antonelli get in front of Vidal at the near post, and he glanced a header beyond Gianluigi Buffon.

Moments later, Lopez saved brilliantly from a Claudio Marchisio drive, but the subsequent corner gave the home side the lead once more. Tevez headed the ball goalward and Bonucci flicked it past Lopez to make it 2-1.

In the 37th minute, Filippo Inzaghi made a surprise change with Jeremy Menez brought off in place of Giampaolo Pazzini.

Lopez was required again in first-half injury-time when Paul Pogba found Tevez with a ball along the edge of the penalty area, and the Milan goalkeeper saved well at his near post.

Milan entered the second period with renewed positivity, and Buffon had to be alert to deny Pazzini. The veteran Juventus goalkeeper was called upon again in the 53rd minute to parry another effort from the substitute.

Inzaghi switched Andrea Poli for Giacomo Bonaventura in the 62nd minute of the game, as he sought a spark to carve out an equaliser for his team.

Instead, however, it was the Old Lady who extended their lead three minutes later. Tevez played the ball across the edge of the box to Marchisio, who struck the woodwork again with his drive. But the ball fell to Morata, who controlled and then sent it beyond Lopez.

Morata had the ball in the net again in the 71st minute, but was adjudged to have been offside when Marchisio's deflected drive was struck.

Marchisio left the field to a standing ovation in the 84th minute after a tireless display, as he was replaced by Angelo Ogbonna.

Tevez was cautioned in the final minute of the game, though, to rule him out of the next match against Cesena, which will leave Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri with a hole to fill.


Selected Player Ratings

Carlos Tevez: A+

At 31, the Argentina international is in the autumn of his career but shows no signs of slowing down with Juventus. Tremendous run for the opening goal and assisted the second. But late booking will see him ruled out of the next match for Juventus.

Diego Lopez: A-

The Milan goalkeeper kept his side in the game with a number of first-half saves, but perhaps could have done better for Bonucci's strike.

Patrice Evra: A

The former Manchester United defender offered a lively presence on the left flank, worked hard in tandem with Pogba.


What's Ahead

Juventus will look to maintain their Serie A title charge next Sunday when they travel to Cesena.

AC Milan will be at home to Empoli on the same day in league action.


Post-Match Reaction

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@bonucci_leo19: "We worked on our corners during the week and it's always important to attack the ball with purpose. Tonight it paid off."

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@bonucci_leo19: "We showed a great response to their equaliser. This team knows how to react, dig deep and strike at the right time."

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "It was a good performance from us tonight but there are still many areas in which we can improve."

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "When things seem easy we tend to take our foot off the gas, and we often chose the wrong pass this evening."

 

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Bonucci: 'I practiced that fall!'

Feb 7, 2015
 
Leonardo Bonucci joked about his goal celebration tumble after Juventus beat Milan 3-1. “I practiced that!”

The defender scored the third goal of the game and fell head-first over the advertising hoardings.

“Oh yeah, we practiced that jump over the boards in training,” he laughed on Sky Sport Italia.

“We are usually a tank that doesn’t concede goals, but we were lucky tonight. When there’s a set play, the important thing is to be decisive on the ball. We worked through these moves in training.

“We hadn’t risked anything and conceded a goal we really could’ve avoided, even just giving the corner away. This is Juve: we fight back when it’s needed and bring out all our determination to win.

“There’s a long road ahead, we need to be concentrated and hungry for victory in every game in Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia.”

Jeremy Menez went off in the first half, but Bonucci insists Giampaolo Pazzini was more difficult to deal with.

“Pazzini is tough to mark, as it’s always difficult when he runs at your shoulders and attacks the space. Menez needs more space to explore his creativity and doesn’t thrive as much under the pressure of a defender.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Allegri: 'Juve lacked concentration'

Feb 7, 2015
 
Max Allegri complained Juventus “weren’t concentrated enough” against Milan, but reassured his former club.

This was a particularly special game for the Coach, who was fired by the Rossoneri just over a year ago, and beat them 3-1.

“Unfortunately we gave away too many chances and especially set plays because we weren’t concentrated enough,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“There was a great Gigi save on Pazzini, but of the goals we have conceded this season, a large part of them were balls we had given away.

“We also need to be sharper when going clear on the counter, as we don’t always make the right choices in those situations.”

Milan are in crisis at the moment with just one Serie A victory in 2015, but still took a more attacking approach than when they met back in September.

“I expected this attitude because Milan are a good side and played well tonight. We could’ve been more in control and while we were dangerous on corners when attacking, we were also less focused when defending corners. Sometimes the situations where you feel most confident can lead to relaxation and that is to be avoided.

“I was pleased to score from a corner. This was only our third from a set play and with Pirlo’s prowess from dead ball situations and the strong players in the air we’ve got, we really ought to be scoring more.

“The team defended in an organised fashion under pressure and that is a bonus too. A team should be able to soak up pressure and go on the counter at times.

“When you have possession for a long time, there can be a lack of concentration. Those are the worst moments, as you are then at risk of a counter-attack. It shouldn’t happen, but sometimes it does.”

Milan received another heavy blow in their attempts to qualify for Europe, but Allegri reassured his former club.

“I think this Milan has some excellent players and above all improved over the January transfer market. Let’s not forget how many players are out injured. It is a moment of difficulty, but with balance they can get back into the race for Europe.

“Juve-Milan is never easy and these were three important points. It only takes a minute to turn the psychological strength around and if we had drawn a second consecutive match it would’ve allowed Roma to close up.”

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Zaccardo, Paletta, Muntari, Essien -
and Milan expect to beat Juventus?

The Rossoneri were completely dominated as they went down 3-1 in Turin,
but what could they really hope for given the standard of some of their players?

Feb 7, 2015
 
By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent

We should have expected nothing else.

The result, the flow of the game, the manner of the approach. It was almost all Juventus, and it was almost all as many would have predicted before kick-off. AC Milan’s latest defeat hardly comes as a surprise, but the 3-1 loss at Juventus Stadium served simply to underline the current trajectory of the club.

Whereas in 2004-05, Milan arrived at the Stadio delle Alpi with the likes of Alessandro Nesta, Cafu, Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko donning red and black, 10 years on they were replaced by the far more underwhelming Michael Essien, Cristiano Zaccardo, Gabriel Paletta and Sulley Muntari.

The very sight of the former Portsmouth midfielder wearing the captain’s armband once adorned with such pride and passion by the likes of Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini speaks volumes about the dire state of affairs at Casa Milan right now.

Once upon a time this fixture was a clash of giants. This time around it was men against boys.

A flu-ridden Carlos Tevez struck in the opening 15 minutes of a match for the sixth time this season, breaching an offside trap set in haste just a few yards from the halfway line. Why a defence with such a high average age and low propensity for running was holding such a high line is anybody’s guess.

While Luca Antonelli rose superbly to equalise it wasn’t long before normal service was resumed as Leonardo Bonucci volleyed home after more disarray in the Milan back line from a left-wing corner.

In truth, Juve could have scored a lot more than the one additional strike netted by Alvaro Morata in the second half, and it was more by luck than judgement that the Rossoneri didn't concede five or six goals.

There was no structure to their play at all. Shapeless at the back, ragged up front and with a midfield barely capable of holding the ball for more than three passes at a time, this was just another reminder of how far Milan have fallen.

It doesn't help that the rumours of Filippo Inzaghi getting the sack grow louder. The coach has had plenty of time now to add some solidity and direction to his squad on the training field, but they appear to be getting worse rather than better.

Football can change very quickly, but any hope of Milan again returning to the levels of 2004-05 in the near to medium-term future is quickly extinguishing. They used to turn up at away games against Juventus as true contenders, and often as favourites. Nowadays they are patted on the heads for holding the champions to a 3-1 result like patronised schoolchildren.

Whatever happened to Milan? That romantic old institution whose love affair with the biggest prizes captured the hearts of football fans worldwide is now little more than a plucky underdog. They are in amongst the Palermos, Genoas and Veronas of the Italian game in terms of league placing, squad talent and – most strikingly – optimism for a brighter future.

And why should anyone hold any optimism? Not one of their current squad would have even been considered for selection in Carlo Ancelotti's XI of a decade ago.

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

[Socrates 8516]

JUVENTUS - MILAN

3 - 1

Carlos Tévez (14')

Luca Antonelli (28')

Leonardo Bonucci (31')
Álvaro Morata (65')

Saturday, February 7th, 2015 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Antonio Damato

Inzaghi: 'Milan gain belief'

Feb 7, 2015
 
Pippo Inzaghi said Milan should gain “a lot of self-belief” from the performance, even if they lost 3-1 at Juventus.

“Apart from the result, these performances give you a lot of self-belief,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was tough to play on a par with Juve, especially with so many players out of action, but we managed it for a long period of the game.

“Now we hope to change the trend of results, but with this hunger and attitude that will happen soon enough.”

The Rossoneri seemed far more determined and attack-minded than in recent outings against weaker teams.

“We conceded the second and third goals during our best moments of the match. We had possession and were pegging Juve back at the time.

“I was impressed by the new signings and now we need to get players back in order to have some alternatives. We never clung to that, but we do have so many injuries at the moment and it’s not easy.”

Jeremy Menez went off midway through the first half and Inzaghi revealed what happened.

“Jeremy had a bit of flu yesterday, told me he was ready to play, but then he had shivers and had to come off. I also had to risk Bonaventura, who had told me he didn’t feel fit to play.”

Inzaghi watched the replays of the opening Carlos Tevez goal and realised it was valid.

“From the bench I honestly would’ve given that as offside. He looked a metre in front from there, but seeing it again...

“In any case, we conceded that too easily and should’ve been more reactive on the loose ball. We have to begin again from the hunger and performance of these lads to build for the future.”

Luca Antonelli got the temporary equaliser for Milan on his debut, having arrived from Genoa.

“There are regrets, as Antonelli did well to pressure the defenders and win back possession, we sent Pazzini through, but Buffon made a great save. Now we have two important home games and we have to do well.

“I wanted Antonelli and the President got certain players for me, which proves there is faith in my ideas. Luca did very well tonight and has real character. These are the players I like.

“I am convinced of my choices, I didn’t think I’d be able to perform miracles, but I hope with hard work we can see a Milan side up to the task.”

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