Juventus Season 2015-2016

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Montolivo injured in training

http://www.football-italia.net/82374/montolivo-injured-training?

Apr 5, 2016
 
Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo is a doubt to face Juventus, as he was injured in training.

The Rossoneri welcome the League leaders to San Siro on Saturday night, in a match which is being billed as crucial for the future of Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

With Andrea Bertolacci also suspended, it appears the Serbian may be without another of his midfielders, as Sky reports that he left training early today with an injury to his right thigh.

The severity of the injury will be evaluated in the coming hours, but the news outlet believes it’s unlikely that Montolivo will be fit to face the Bianconeri.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Milan-Juve: Balotelli to start

http://www.football-italia.net/82403/milan-juve-balotelli-start?

Apr 6, 2016
 
Mario Balotelli could start in Milan-Juventus, while Paulo Dybala and Sami Khedira seem doubtful.

The 25-year-old hasn't been in great condition since returning from injury in January and still hasn't notched a goal this year.

Even so, La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport report that Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic is thinking of fielding him as a starter in the big match against Juventus next Saturday evening.

In spite of his notorious indiscipline, the striker provides Mihajlovic with the kind of tactical unpredictability that may trouble the Bianconeri.

It will all depend on the player's condition of form, and on the drive that he shows this week during training.

Mihajlovic will make his final decision on Saturday, just before the game. He also has to deal with the injury of Riccardo Montolivo and the doubtful condition of form of Juraj Kucka. The two midfielders may not be able to make the game.

Juventus have several injuries to confront as well, starting from star striker Paulo Dybala, who reported muscular trouble after his international duty with Argentina.

The 22-year-old continues his recovery and is reportedly optimistic that he will make the game, but nothing will be decided before the weekend.

Sami Khedira is also an uncertainty. The German midfielder is healthy, but is still serving a two-match ban.

Juventus appealed the ban and may have the penalty reduced to one match, allowing him to play against Milan, but a verdict won't be reached until Friday.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Embarrassment vs. Juventus could spell
the end for Mihajlovic at AC Milan

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/ac-milan/103/blog/post/2844972/embarrassment-v-juve-could-spell-end-for-mihajlovic-at-milan

Apr 6, 2016
 
Following Sunday's loss at Atalanta, the AC Milan squad have gone on a training retreat this week as Sinisa Mihajlovic runs out of solutions to the club's problems.

giornalaccio rosa dello Sport reports that a disappointing performance and defeat to Juventus at the San Siro on Saturday could spell the end for the Serbian tactician, with a whole host of coaches being linked as his successor. Having personally made a case in favour of Mihajlovic staying at the helm all season, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see a scenario in which he continues in his current position beyond the summer.

Milan have now gone four games without a win, which in turn has seen them slip 14 points adrift of third-placed Roma as their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League are now all but over. Furthermore, Sassuolo are now just a point behind the Rossoneri, who continue to risk falling down the standings and suffer another disappointing campaign in which they failed to achieve their objectives.

While the Coppa Italia final could perhaps be Mihajlovic's saving grace when they take on Juve on May 21, there is a growing sense that not even silverware will be enough to earn the faith of president Silvio Berlusconi for another season.

Various names have been linked with the position moving forward. With Berlusconi sitting down with vice-president Adriano Galliani and former coach Arrigo Sacchi earlier this week, the topic of who should be Milan's next boss came up in discussion, according to reports.

While Berlusconi reportedly prefers promoting Primavera coach Cristian Brocchi, Galliani has identified Marcello Lippi as the right man for the job. Naturally, Sacchi has a different alternative to further complicate matters, as he sees Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco as the ideal appointment.

The mere fact that conversations are taking place, though, is an indictment of where the club's thoughts currently are as they potentially eye another managerial change. Massimiliano Allegri, Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi and Mihajlovic have been in charge in the space of just over two years, and the struggles have continued regardless of who's in the dugout.

Former Milan star Alessandro Nesta conceded this week that it is always the coach who gets the blame, but the players must also take responsibility for the club's failings. While that is certainly a valid point, it is increasingly difficult to use that as an excuse for Milan's problems given that they invested well in the squad last summer and they simply haven't improved enough in proportion.

The emergence of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessio Romagnoli and Giacomo Bonaventura as the core to this side has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of Mihajlovic's season. In turn, perhaps the solution is that more time and more money invested in the squad is needed with the same coach offering stability.

That is backed by the fact that there have been a few spells this season during which Mihajlovic had seemingly cracked the code, namely in wins over Lazio and Sampdoria in November, as well as the nine-game unbeaten run through January and February.

Nevertheless, the issue has always been about consistency, and recent results have simply not been good enough. Additionally, the same problems continue to resurface with an inability to dominate inferior sides coupled with a lack of chemistry and understanding between the lines being recurring issues.

Mihajlovic has improved the culture and mentality at the club and has added steeliness to the side. However, he has made sacrifices in other departments and that was always a concern from when he first took the job and how it would impact his relationship with Berlusconi.

Captain Riccardo Montolivo described his side's recent form as "unacceptable". It's all well and good stating the obvious, but Mihajlovic has now had eight months to figure out the solution, and he has failed to do so.

It's harsh to solely blame the coach and especially in a situation such as the one Milan are currently in, as key players haven't had the impact that they are capable of. If Berlusconi is to act before the end of the season or in the summer, there really is no guarantee that anything will change in the long term.

For now, the focus will be on Juventus this weekend. Mihajlovic needs a response from the players, as if he doesn't get one, it could prove to be the final straw for the Milan hierarchy.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Orsato to ref Milan-Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/82457/orsato-ref-milan-juve?

Apr 7, 2016
 
Daniele Orsato will take charge of Milan-Juventus on Saturday as Week 32 referees are announced.

The Rossoneri were sent to a training retreat following last weekend’s defeat to Atalanta and face the league leaders at San Siro on Saturday evening.

Orsato has been designated the week’s showcase clash, an experienced official who won the Giovanni Mauro prize for referee of the year in 2012.

Napoli will be hoping to take advantage of any Bianconeri slip as they host Verona and Domenico Celi will be in charge of that clash.


Referees for Serie A Week 32

Chievo-Carpi: Fabbri

Empoli-Fiorentina: Damato

Frosinone-Inter: Tagliavento

Milan-Juventus: Orsato

Napoli-Verona: Celi

Palermo-Lazio: Gervasoni

Roma-Bologna: Massa

Sampdoria-Udinese: Russo

Sassuolo-Genoa: Gavillucci

Torino-Atalanta: Di Bello

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Dybala set to miss Milan

http://www.football-italia.net/82458/dybala-set-miss-milan?

Apr 7, 2016
 
Paulo Dybala will reportedly miss Juventus’ trip to face Milan on Saturday as he struggles with an injury.

The Argentine had to skip the win over Empoli last weekend but had hoped to return in time to take on the Rossoneri at San Siro.

However, La Stampa has reported that the Juve medical team have advised against using him as he continues to struggle with a muscular problem.

The forward is reportedly disappointed about his slow recovery, but barring a huge surprise he won’t be available this weekend.

The 22-year-old has had a hugely impressive debut season in Turin, scoring 14 goals and contributing eight assists in 29 Serie A apperances.

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Barzagli: ‘Scudetto getting closer’

http://www.football-italia.net/82463/barzagli-%E2%80%98scudetto-getting-closer%E2%80%99?

Apr 7, 2016
 
Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli knows beating Milan would be “a major step toward the fifth Scudetto”.

The Bianconeri have recovered from a poor start to the season, and are now six points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A.

“With less and less games to go it’s normal that you’re getting closer and closer to the finish line,” Barzagli acknowledged in an interview with Sky.

“In spite of that, there will be six other big games. If we win in Milan though, it would be a major step toward the fifth Scudetto.”

The veteran has already announced he will retire from Italy duty after this summer’s European Championship, and was asked about the future of Italian defending.

“[Milan’s Alessio] Romagnoli is a player who I think is very good. He’s young and has personality, he’ll have a great future if he has the will to improve and has the mentality of wanting to be number one.

“I think there are two in Italy, without taking anything away from anyone else, one of them is here with us, Daniele Rugani, and the other is Romagnoli.

“I see a big gap behind them, but I don’t know why. But I think [clubs] have to have a bit more confidence in young players and throw them in.”

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Juventus striker Paulo Dybala will miss
Saturday's game against AC Milan

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/4/7/11383314/paulo-dybala-injury-juventus-striker-will-reportedly-miss-ac-milan-game-2016-serie-a

Apr 7, 2016
 
It looks as though we're going to have to wait a little bit longer before we have a little La Joya back in our lives.

According to La Stampa's Max Nerozzi, Juventus striker Paulo Dybala will miss his second consecutive game due to the muscle injury he picked up in the Turin derby three weeks ago. That means no Dybala stepping onto the San Siro field when Juve face rival Milan on Saturday night. That also means that easily one of Juventus' best players — and arguably the team MVP this season — will miss out on another chance for Juve to get closer to the Scudetto.

Good thing there's Álvaro Morata. And Mario Mandzukic. And Simone Zaza.

Depth is good. Yes, very good.

Ever since he returned from international duty with Argentina — why he actually made the trip in the first place is beyond me, but what do I know anyway, right? — Dybala has been on his own individual rehab program away from the team at daily training sessions. As recent as Wednesday it was still that way, with Dybala not taking part in first team training.

With no Dybala — who had the game-winning goal against Milan back in November — expected to be in the lineup, it is likely that we will be seeing the same Morata-Mandzukic partnership up front as was the case in the 1-0 win over Empoli in Turin this past Saturday. Morata may very well be playing as well as he has all season, while Mandzukic was the one who got the game-winner against Empoli.

So, there may be no Dybala, but it's not like a bunch of scrubs are going to be filling his shoes once again this weekend.

No matter what, though, we await your return, Paulo. Just don't be like Giorgio Chiellini and get hurt in your first game back. (Just an idea I had, you guys.)

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Honda: 'Many ways to beat Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/82486/honda-many-ways-beat-juve?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Milan's Keisuke Honda believes there are 'many ways to beat Juventus', though it will be 'very difficult'.

It kicks off tomorrow evening at 19:45, and most of the Rossoneri environment is wondering how exactly the leaders of Serie A can be defeated.

“For every problem there are many solutions, but choosing the best one will be complicated,” Honda told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “Now we need to find the key that will let us take a leap forwards.

“We'd have preferred going home than the ritiro. But here we can spend a lot of time together and I hope the effects will be visible against Juve.”

Milan notoriously perform better when placed against bigger teams than against the small ones.

“We have greater trouble against teams that close up shop and leave the initiative to you. Perhaps we prepare the game better on a mental level when we're up against big teams.

“All of the players want to play the Champions League and win trophies. But you've got to be realistic. It isn't easy to be satisfied with minimal objectives, but right now we must make as many points as possible.

“Everything is possible, even beating Juve. Though it's certainly very difficult. To make it happen, we must believe in ourselves.

“Juve are stronger than we are, but Milan played well against Napoli, Roma and Inter.

“Juve's strongest quality is their defence. They are the classical Italian team. I prefer the way that Napoli plays, that's my style.

“I have many favourite players at Juventus. But football is played with eleven men: it's the team that wins, not the individual.

“Juve are strong and we know that. They're the number one in Italy. But we want to beat them by playing well.

“We'll have to be compact and shut down spaces, trying to reach the halfway point on a 0-0. After that, who knows.

“Football's beauty is that unexpected things happen all the time.

“There are many ways to win, we must be able to adapt to the game as it develops.”

Honda was also asked about the controversy surrounding Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain, but he feigned ignorance.

"I didn't know he was banned, what for?"

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Donnarumma: 'Milan must unite'

http://www.football-italia.net/82493/donnarumma-milan-must-unite?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma calls for a 'united Milan to fight for every ball' against Juventus.

It kicks off tomorrow evening at 19:45 UK time. The game will pitch against each other Bianconeri veteran Gianluigi Buffon and his much younger, promising counterpart who is attached to the Rossoneri colours.

“It was Antonio who passed on to me the passion for Milan,” he told La Stampa. “It would be nice to have him here next year, but that comes down to the club. When they called me, I thought they were joking.

“About Milan, our situation is difficult, we only picked up two points in four games. We're here in the ritiro so we can think and emerge from this situation all together.

“Milan have to be united and fight for every ball. We must win this at all costs.”

Finally, Donnarumma recollected the time when Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic first gave him a chance to play for the Diavolo.

“When we played at home against Genoa, Mihajlovic turned around and said 'Warm up!' I looked the other way because I thought he was talking with somebody else.

“I'll never thank him enough. I always dreamt of defending Milan's goal, but I never thought it could happen so early.

“I found out the day before and I had trouble sleeping.

“People say that I'm immune to pressure? Only on the pitch. When I have an exam in class, I break a sweat!”

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

AC Milan V Juventus – Preview: Bianconeri Travel
To Battle Against Rossoneri In Freefall

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/04/ac-milan-v-juventus-preview-bianconeri-travel-to-battle-against-rossoneri-in-freefall/?

Apr 8, 2016
 
AC Milan host Juventus on Saturday night as they try to get back to winning ways against the Serie A leaders, having gone over a month without tasting victory.

The Rossoneri have not won in the league since February 27, when they defeated Torino 1-0 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, and they go into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Atalanta, prompting more speculation about the future of their coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. Currently the Diavolo are sixth in the Serie A table with 49 points after 31 matches.

The Bianconeri won 1-0 against Empoli in the previous round of league action thanks to a solitary goal from Mario Mandzukic, who scored his first goal for Juve since December 2015. Massimiliano Allegri’s team have won their last five Serie A games and now they have 73 points for this season, leading Napoli in the Scudetto chase by a four-point margin.

A Paulo Dybala goal was enough to give Juventus the three points when they faced AC Milan in Week 13 and the Bianconeri have not lost to the Rossoneri since November 2012, when a Robinho penalty was enough to give the Milanese side a 1-0 victory.

Andrea Bertolacci will miss this game for Milan after picking up his fifth yellow card for the season and must serve a one-match suspension while M’Baye Niang will miss out because of an injury to his ankle. Keisuke Honda is expected to make his return to the Rossoneri starting line-up after missing the defeat to Atalanta.

Sami Khedira still has one more match to serve of his suspension while Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini are unavailable for Juventus because of muscular injuries.


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


Expected Starting XIs

AC Milan:

Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Honda, Kucka, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Bacca, Luiz Adriano

Juventus:

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Lichsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Morata

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Why Carlos Bacca vs. Andrea Barzagli Will Be
Key AC Milan vs. Juventus Battle

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2630432-why-carlos-bacca-vsandrea-barzagli-will-be-key-ac-milan-vs-juventus-battle?

Apr 8, 2016
 
AC Milan vs. Juventus. The latest instalment of one of European football’s biggest and most prestigious fixtures takes place on Saturday, the two Italian giants going head-to-head on the imperious stage provided by the San Siro.

Sadly, however, this once-great arena has come to all too aptly represent the ailing club it hosts, aging badly and in desperate need of repair. While the Rossoneri discuss possible renovations with neighbours Internazionale, the team on the field is almost certainly in need of an even more far-reaching overhaul.

Faced with a Juventus side that has gone undefeated in Serie A since late October, coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will approach this clash with some trepidation given Milan’s recent results. Sunday saw a 2-1 loss to Atalanta, and the Rossoneri are without a league win since beating Torino back in February, prompting a harsh reaction from the boss.

“We can only apologise to the supporters because this was an unacceptable performance,” Mihajlovic told Mediaset Premium after the Atalanta game (h/t Football Italia). “This is why we are going into a training retreat—at least until Saturday—to prepare for the match with Juventus."

The former Serbia coach will hope that punitive measure will bring the best from his players, but Milan—who sit sixth in the table and a staggering 24 points behind the Bianconeri in first—will almost certainly need Carlos Bacca to be at his best if they are to enjoy any measure of success against the reigning champions.

OptaPaolo ✔ ‎@OptaPaolo
35% - Bacca has the highest shot conversion rate (35%) among the players with 11+ goals in the top 5 European Leagues this season. Clinical.

Per BBC Sport, the striker arrived at the club last July after Milan activated the £21 million buyout clause in his contract with Sevilla. He has since gone on to become their most potent attacking weapon. Netting 14 league goals—plus a further two in the Coppa Italia—Bacca has arguably been one of the most deadly strikers on the peninsula this term.

Gonzalo Higuain leads Serie A with a staggering 30 goals in 31 appearances, but according to statistics on WhoScored.com, he has taken an average of 5.4 shots per game to do so. The same source shows that figure ranks as the second-highest of any player in Europe’s top five leagues, trailing only Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo's 6.3 attempts.

Furthermore, Higuain’s tally is three times the number taken by Bacca, WhoScored.com showing the Colombia international averages just 1.8 attempts per game. His accuracy with those shots is highlighted in the Squawka graphic above, showing his 67 per cent rate as being markedly higher than the division's other top scorers.

Yet he is fully aware he must do more than just hit the target, explaining in a recent candid interview with the official FIFA website a forward is expected to do much more than simply find the back of the net in Italy:

For a striker, Italian football is tough. But the coaching staff have put faith in me, my team-mates have helped me a lot and the club has made things easier for me—and bit by bit the results are coming.

For a striker here, it’s difficult to stand out just in attacking terms, just in terms of goals. Here, a striker has a lot more work to do tactically, in supporting other areas of the team’s play. But I was really excited about coming and playing in Italy and I’m enjoying every day of it.

There are certainly areas in which Bacca could improve his contribution, with the Squawka graphic below noting no fewer than 12 of his 14 goals have come via his favoured right foot. Bagging just one each with his head and his left boot, he could work on his finishing with those to become even more lethal.

But Milan are fortunate Bacca has shown he does have more to his game that just goals, also weighing in with two assists. Numbers from WhoScored.com show only Giacomo Bonaventura (2.2) and Keisuke Honda (1.3) have created more scoring opportunities than the Colombian's average of 1.2 per game this term.

The same source indicates the 29-year-old could do more when his side lose the ball, however, his poor averages of 0.3 tackles and 0.2 interceptions per game perhaps hinting at something of a problem ahead of the clash with Juventus.

Bacca will line up opposite Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, two men among the best ball-playing central defenders in Serie A. Their club’s official website recently revealed Giorgio Chiellini had been ruled out for 20 days with a torn thigh muscle, meaning coach Massimiliano Allegri is likely to go with a four-man defence on Saturday.

That will see almost certainly see Bacca go head-to-head with Barzagli, who has averaged 61 passes per game, according to WhoScored.com, and he will relish the extra time in possession allowed by the Colombian’s apathetic approach to chasing the ball.

That figure sees the Juve man rank third-highest in the squad, trailing only Claudio Marchisio (66.4) and Bonucci (62.9), while he connects with an impressive 88.6 per cent of those attempts. Barzagli has also netted some key goals, scoring against Atalanta, as well as in his side’s Coppa Italia semi-final penalty-shootout victory against the Nerazzurri.

His spot-kick helped seal Juve’s date with Milan in the final of that competition, but it has undoubtedly been his defensive contribution that has most caught the eye. According to WhoScored.com figures, the 34-year-old has averaged a respectable 0.9 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and 2.8 clearances per game while winning 1.2 headed duels per game this season.

His dominance in the air is further reinforced by the above Squawka graphic, showing Barzagli has triumphed in an impressive 63 per cent of such battles. The man himself is convinced his side is ready to clinch yet another league title.

“Until now we’ve done very well, but won’t have achieved anything unless we’re sitting at the top of tree come the end of the season,” he told Sky Italia in March (h/t the Juventus website). “From now on in, all the fixtures are very difficult, so we need to have the correct approach throughout, which is something I’m confident we’ll do.”

OptaPaolo ✔ ‎@OptaPaolo
10 - Juventus have conceded no goal in their last 10 league’s games, a record in the Serie A history. Wall.

His contributions were also a major factor in helping Juve register 10 consecutive clean sheets earlier in the season—a new Serie A record—and have seen the defender earn the praise of his team-mates and appear ready to extend his stay with the Bianconeri.

Having broken the clean sheet record, Gigi Buffon took to social media to thank his fellow players (h/t Tom Sheen of the Independent) and said Barzagli “needs to be cloned." Shortly after, La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) reported the club would offer the defender a new 12-month contract.

Both are undoubtedly deserved, and Barzagli will certainly have no fear for his chances of keeping the Rossoneri at bay when he steps out at San Siro, no matter how in form his opponent appears to be.

“It’s the match everyone wants to play in," Bacca noted in his aforementioned interview with FIFA.com. "We’re facing the league champions, the [uEFA] Champions League runners-up and the league leaders, who have truly great players. We’re really keen to do a good job on our home ground. I’m feeling good and I’ve come back [from international duty] bursting with confidence to try and do my bit.”

He will need to do just that if Milan—who last won at home against Juventus in November 2012—are to have any hope on Saturday evening, with Bacca’s battle against Barzagli likely to be hugely influential in the final result.
 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Juve: Cuadrado out, Pereira in

http://www.football-italia.net/82499/juve-cuadrado-out-pereira?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Juventus may return Juan Cuadrado to Chelsea, while they'll attempt to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid for Corinthians midfielder Matheus Pereira.

The Colombian winger is on loan from the Blues and means to stay in Serie A after a successful first season with the Bianconeri.

According to Tuttosport, however, Antonio Conte's recruitment by Chelsea could bring Cuadrado to change his mind.

Furthermore, the player is now apparently being sought after by Atletico Madrid, who are believed to have already asked Chelsea for information.

The same newspaper also confirms Juventus' interest in Pereira for the midfield, but reports of a complication.

Apparently Barcelona and Real Madrid have joined the race for the promising 18-year-old, which is likely to push his price higher.

The Old Lady may then decide the player is no longer worth the investment.

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Milan v Juventus: Morata wants Serie A glory

Bianconeri striker Alvaro Morata expects the Rossoneri to pose a stern test on Saturday
as the Turin side continue their chase for a fifth successive Serie A title.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-juventus/2120693/preview

Apr 8, 2016
 
Alvaro Morata has warned his Juventus team-mates they cannot afford to lose focus ahead of Saturday's trip to Milan if they are to win the Serie A title this campaign.

The reigning champions have moved six points clear of second-placed Napoli with seven games to go after a disastrous start to the season.

Morata is quick to stress Juve have not won anything yet, though, and is adamant they must be on top of their game against Milan at the weekend.

"Milan are always tough opponents to face, especially at San Siro. It will be tough because they really need a win, especially at this moment in time," Morata told Sky Sports.

"The league title has always been our aim. We didn't begin the season well and have given all we've got to get back on the right track, but it doesn't mean anything if we're unable to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

"One off-day is all it would take for our rivals to close in, even Roma aren't far off the pace. We've got a great chance of lifting the title, but only if we're able to focus solely on ourselves. We must consider every game a final."

Milan, meanwhile, are battling for Europa League football and desperately need the full three points against Juventus if they are to stay clear of Sassuolo and maintain sixth place.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's men were somewhat surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Atalanta last week, with the Milan boss consequently ordering a training retreat until Saturday's encounter.

Alessio Romagnoli does not see the training camp as a punishment, though, and feels it serves as a good preparation for the clash with Juventus.

"It is the first time I have found myself in a situation like this. It isn't a punishment, but a week to spend time together, reflect and prepare in the best manner possible for the game with Juventus," Romagnoli told Corriere dello Sport.

"We definitely have an objective and that is to qualify for Europe. We're far off the Champions League places, but we want direct qualification to the Europa League and so we're targeting fourth place."

Juventus have won their last six Serie A clashes against Milan - neither side has ever previously recorded a longer winning run in the fixture.

A single strike from Paulo Dybala made the difference for Juventus when they hosted Milan in November.


Key Opta facts

- Milan have failed to score in both of their last two home games against Juventus in Serie A. They have never previously gone three in a row.
- Juventus have won 13 out of 14 league games in 2016 (1D), scoring 28 goals and conceding only two.
- Carlos Bacca has scored 14 goals in the league this season, but only two of those have come against sides currently above Milan in the table (Inter and Fiorentina).
- Paulo Dybala has scored a goal in each of his last three Serie A appearances against Milan, making them his joint-favourite target in the top flight.
- Massimiliano Allegri is unbeaten in seven Serie A clashes as a coach against Sinisa Mihajlovic: two draws and five wins.


OPTA FACTS

Juventus have won their last six Serie A clashes against Milan: neither side has ever previously recorded a longer winning run against their opponent.

AC Milan have failed to score in both of their last two home games against Juve in Serie A, while they have never previously gone three in a row.

Juventus have won 13 out of 14 league games in 2016 (1D), scoring 28 goals and conceding only two (at least 10 less than any other side during this period).

The Bianconeri have won 18 of their 20 Serie A games played in April in the last five seasons.

AC Milan have picked up just two points from their last four league games, however, the Rossoneri have lost only one of their last 12 games at home.

Three of the last five goals conceded by AC Milan have come from corners, while Juventus have shipped just one goal from a corner in the whole season.

Juventus are the only team yet to concede a goal scored by a substitute, while they have scored nine goals by substitutes themselves (only Lazio and Carpi have more with 10).

Massimiliano Allegri is unbeaten in seven Serie A clashes as a coach against Sinisa Mihajlovic: two draws and five wins (four of which by 1-0 scoreline).


LAST FIVE MATCHES

Milan L D D L W

4/3/16 - Atalanta 2 - 1 AC Milan
3/20/16 - AC Milan 1 - 1 Lazio
3/13/16 - Chievo Verona 0 - 0 AC Milan
3/6/16 - Sassuolo 2 - 0 AC Milan
3/1/16 - AC Milan 5 - 0 Alessandria


Juventus W W L W W

4/2/16 - Juventus 1 - 0 Empoli
3/20/16 - Torino 1 - 4 Juventus
3/16/16 - Bayern München 4 - 2 Juventus
3/11/16 - Juventus 1 - 0 Sassuolo
3/6/16 - Atalanta 0 - 2 Juventus


HEAD TO HEAD

11/21/15 - Juventus 1 - 0 Milan
2/7/15 - Juventus 3 - 1 Milan
9/20/14 - Milan 0 - 1 Juventus
3/2/14 - Milan 0 - 2 Juventus
10/6/13 - Juventus 3 - 2 Milan

 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Preview: AC Milan vs. Juventus

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/ac-milan/preview/preview-ac-milan-vs-juventus_270187.html?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Juventus will attempt to open up a nine-point lead at the top of the Serie A table when they travel to an out-of-form AC Milan team on Saturday night.

With second-placed Napoli not in action until Sunday, Juve have the chance to take a big leap towards another Italian title and they will fancy their chances of making it seven straight league victories over Milan.


AC Milan

Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic ordered double training sessions following his team's 2-1 defeat at Atalanta last weekend, which left the San Siro outfit in sixth position in the table and now six points behind fifth-placed Inter Milan.

The reverse last Sunday made it four league games without a win for Milan, who have drawn with both Chievo and Lazio, in addition to losing at Sassuolo since the start of the month. A top-five finish would be good enough for a spot in the Europa League for next season, but they have work to do with just seven games of the campaign left.

Eight league defeats this term is not a disastrous record, but they have only won 13 times, with 10 draws harming their challenge for a European finish. They have recorded nine wins at San Siro, however, and only conceded 14 home goals, which is among the best defensive records in the division.

It does appear that the Red and Blacks will improve on last season's 10th-place finish in the table, but for a club that has won the Serie A title on 18 occasions, it does promise to be another underwhelming campaign.

They will have the chance to pick up some silverware this season, however, as they prepare to face Juventus in the final of the Coppa Italia next month - a competition that they have not won since 2003.

Despite Milan's hit-and-miss form this season, they will face Sampdoria, Hellas Verona and Frosinone in three of their next four in the league and a strong run of form could well move them to within touching distance of rivals Inter. They have only won one of their last six in Serie A, however, which is an indication of their troubles.

Recent form: D W L D D L


Juventus

An incredible start to the season saw Juventus lose each of their first two league matches and only record one victory in their opening six fixtures. That poor start boosted their rivals' confidence, but with seven games of the campaign left, Juventus are now six points clear of second-placed Napoli at the top of the table.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have not lost in the league since the end of October and since then, they have recorded 20 wins. Bologna were the last team to take points off Juventus in the league, with a goalless draw on February 19. Juventus have responded by winning their last five, however, including a 1-0 success at home to Empoli last weekend.

The reigning champions are not the leading scorers in the league this season, with second-placed Napoli and third-placed Roma both hitting more goals, but the Old Lady have comfortably the best defensive record in the league having only conceded 16 times.

Napoli have collected one more home point than Juventus this season, but Allegri's side have the best away record in the division - winning 11 of their 16 matches and only losing three times in the process.

Juventus are fast closing on a fifth straight Serie A title, but they fell short in the Champions League this season - losing 6-4 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the round of 16. A domestic double would be seen as another impressive campaign, however, and as mentioned, Milan are the team standing in their way in the Italian cup.

In 2016, Juventus have won 13 of their 14 league games - scoring 28 times and conceding twice, which is at least 10 fewer than any other side during the same period. Milan are a wonderful name in Italian football, but there is no question that the visitors will be confident of recording another victory this weekend.

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


Team News

AC Milan will be without the services of M'Baye Niang and Juraj Kucka through injury, while midfielder Andrea Bertolacci misses out through suspension.

Andrea Poli is expected to replace Bertolacci in the middle of the park, but Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano are set to continue in the two striking positions, leaving Mario Balotelli on the bench once again.

Juventus, meanwhile, have both Sami Khedira and Leonardo Bonucci unavailable through suspension, while injured duo Giorgio Chiellini and Paulo Dybala will miss out for the Italian champions.

Chiellini's absence could see Patrice Evra drop into central defence, allowing Juan Cuadrado to come into the team at wing-back. Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata, meanwhile, will continue in the final third.


AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Abate, Zapata, Romagnoli, Antonelli; De Sciglio, Montolivo, Poli, Bonaventura; Bacca, Adriano


Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Barzagli, Rugani, Evra; Cuadrado, Pogba, Marchisio, Pereyra, Lichtsteiner; Mandzukic, Morata


Head To Head

Milan have lost each of their last six Serie A fixtures against Juventus - including a 1-0 defeat in the reverse match earlier this season, when Dybala scored the only goal of the match.

The Red and Blacks also lost 1-0 at home to the Italian champions last season and have not beaten Juventus at San Siro in any competition since a 1-0 league victory in November 2012.

Saturday's match-up will be the second of three competitive fixtures between the two teams this season, with the pair due to meet in the final of the Coppa Italia at the end of next month.


We say: Milan 0-1 Juventus

Milan are on a rotten run of form against Juventus and their recent form will not have handed their supporters much confidence ahead of this weekend's match. We are expecting a tight game at San Siro, but believe that the visitors will record a narrow victory to move a step closer to another Serie A crown.

 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Miha: ‘Looking for Milan reaction’

http://www.football-italia.net/82503/miha-%E2%80%98looking-milan-reaction%E2%80%99?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic “expects a reaction” from his Milan players against Juventus tomorrow.

The Rossoneri have won just once in their last six Serie A games, and are now just a point ahead of Sassuolo, leaving them in danger of missing out on Europe for a third consecutive season.

“It hasn’t been much fun from my point of view, because we haven’t been able to find consistency,” Mihajlovic admitted in his pre-match Press conference.

“This year at Milan has been like five somewhere else, because I think we’ve tried everything to find the right solution.

“At one point I thought we’d turned the corner, instead we lost suddenly and I wasn’t expecting it.

“There are still seven finals to be played [in the League] and we have to finish at least sixth and try to win the Coppa Italia.

“I expect a reaction tomorrow. The result can come down to chance, but not the attitude. We have to shift gears and find consistency.

“The problem is in our head and our spirit, not in our legs.”

The Bianconeri are closing in on a fifth-consecutive Scudetto, and Mihajlovic respects the will-to-win of tomorrow’s opponents.

“We’re meeting Juventus in our most difficult time. It’s a game which has value for the table, for morale, for prestige, to give a minimum of repayment to our fans and try to end this season differently.

“I really respect Juventus for the anger and will-to-win that they always bring to the pitch, they’re an example for everyone.

“It’s a very difficult game, in which we have to play our own in the sense that we have to start playing as we were in the months where things were going well.

“This ritiro has helped us confront and correct the mistakes we made in the last few games, and I hope that tomorrow, more than the result, the team’s attitude is correct and we put in a great performance.”

 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

AC Milan v Juventus: Preview

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/match/431955/ac-milan-juventus/preview

Apr 8, 2016
 
Massimiliano Allegri has rejected talk that his Juventus side have already sewn up the Serie A title before returning to face his former club AC Milan.

The Bianconeri are six points clear of Napoli with seven games remaining but defeat at San Siro could open the door for the southerners to halve that deficit.

Allegri, who guided Milan to the Scudetto in 2011, before Juve won three straight titles under Antonio Conte, has demanded a display that proves his players deserve to be in pole position for the championship.

He told a pre-match press conference: ``The Scudetto is all to play for. As things stand we've achieved nothing. I've heard it said that we already have the title in our back pockets, but that is not true.

``To win a game that will bring us closer to winning the Scudetto, we will need to produce a great performance.

``We have to maintain that psychological edge because we know Napoli won't give us an inch.

``We have to keep heading down this winning path. The fact we've won 20 of our last 21 matches will not be enough.''

Allegri is still on good terms with the players and staff he left behind when Milan sacked him in January 2014, but he knows there are no favours owed to him.

He added: ``It's always a strange match for me as I have kept in touch with the people that are still there.

``Milan will be ready to do battle with us on the pitch tomorrow and they will certainly make life difficult for us.''

The Rossoneri have no choice but to give their all against Juve on Saturday evening as they risk missing out on European football for another season.

Last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Atalanta left them six points adrift of city rivals Inter Milan in the nearest Europa League berth and forced head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic to impose a six-day lockdown at the club's Milanello training base.

The Serbian hopes his underachieving squad have learned their lesson and will at least match the team they will play in May's Coppa Italia final for effort.

``We're going to be facing the strongest side in the league at our most testing moment,'' he told acmilan.com. ``These types of games are sink or swim, and I'm hoping my players do the latter and play with pride.

``We want to put in a good performance and enjoy a positive end to the season. We have to start playing like we did when we strung together a number of good results.

``The training retreat has been useful for exchanging ideas and talking things out among ourselves, as well as helping us address our mistakes.

``I hope the team put on a good display and play with the right attitude.''

Striker M'Baye Niang is injured while midfielder Andrea Bertolacci is suspended. Juve, meanwhile, are without crocked defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Martin Caceres, with 18-goal forward Paulo Dybala not yet fully recovered from a muscle complaint.

 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Allegri: ‘Scudetto race not over’

http://www.football-italia.net/82506/allegri-%E2%80%98scudetto-race-not-over%E2%80%99?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri warns “the Scudetto is not already won” ahead of tomorrow’s Milan game.

The Bianconeri stretched their lead at the top of Serie A to six points last weekend, and can go nine clear with a win at San Siro, at least temporarily, as Napoli play on Sunday.

Having won the Scudetto at Milan in 2011, and with the Old Lady last year, the tactician was asked about the differences between the clubs.

“There’s no difference, because it’s very satisfying when you win the Scudetto,” Allegri replied in his pre-match Press conference.

“They were two different Scudetti, because at Milan we won the Scudetto after seven years, while at Juventus I arrived on the back of three Scudetti.

“I spent three-and-a-half wonderful years at Milan, and now I’m enjoying a great spell here at Juventus. It seems like yesterday, but I’ve been at Juventus for almost two years now, and it’s just as wonderful.

“There’s still a lot to do, especially this year where we still have to win the Scudetto, despite the fact I’ve heard all week that Juventus have already won the Scudetto and the only discussion is second-place.

“However, I don’t think Juventus have mathematically won the Scudetto, there’s still a lot to do and tomorrow is a game which would be a really nice step toward the Scudetto.

“There are six games to go, four at home and two away from home. We haven’t done anything yet, and yet it’s made out that Juventus have already won the Scudetto.

“That could create a drop in intensity, but that’s not certain because we all know the importance of tomorrow’s game, and I know the players, they’re responsible lads.

“Tomorrow we’ll have to play a good game, we have to put in a great performance because we’re playing against Milan.

“Milan-Juventus is always Milan-Juventus, they have to get into the Europa League and they’ll want to unleash all their tension on the pitch, which they have indubitably built-up in their week of ritiro.

“We can’t think about winning the League, we have to think about playing a good game tomorrow which will be a step toward the Scudetto, and to do that we have to put in a great performance.”

Mario Balotelli is expected to play for the Rossoneri tomorrow, and Allegri was asked for his thoughts on the striker.

“As I told him at Milan, at a certain point God helps those who help themselves. Mario is a player with great potential, he’s 25-years-old.

“I can’t say anything [bad about him] because in that incredible race for third-place [in Allegri’s third season at Milan] he scored 14 or 15 goals in six months, if I’m not mistaken.

“After that unfortunately he got a bit lost. He’s still a young man, so he has plenty of time to recover, but it’s down to him.”

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Allegri: ‘Juventus ignore controversy’

http://www.football-italia.net/82507/allegri-%E2%80%98juventus-ignore-controversy%E2%80%99?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri “is not interested in controversy” surrounding Napoli and Gonzalo Higuain.

The Partenopei striker has been banned for four matches after his reaction to a red card in last Sunday’s defeat to Udinese.

The decision has sparked controversy, with the player’s agent claiming Juve’s Leonardo Bonucci headbutted referee Nicola Rizzoli and got no sanction.

“I’m not interested in controversy,” Allegri told journalists in his Press conference ahead of the Milan game.

“We can’t expend energy looking backward at what is said or written during the week, not just this week where there’s been a week of controversy after Udinese-Napoli, but every week there’s some little controversy.

“I don’t want to comment on these things, because we’ve had a week where - as is always the case in these situations - there’s been so much controversy.

“That’s why we can’t afford to be distracted, I want to get to May 15 or 16 with the clear goal of being in front and getting the Scudetto.

“I’ve said many times, it wouldn’t be just a Scudetto, it would be the fifth Scudetto, and it’s not like if we lose it then five years from now we’ll have won five Scudetti in a row, football isn’t that simple.

“Juventus’ numbers this year have been great, but to make them extraordinary we have to win the Scudetto first of all, then we’ll see about the Coppa Italia.

“We have to continue on our path, we need to reach our target which is the Scudetto for which everyone gave us up for dead after 10 games because we were a team in crisis.

“We’ve won 20 out of 21 matches since, but that’s not enough for the Scudetto, to win the Scudetto will still take a lot of points.

“Roma can get to 84 points. If Roma get 84, Napoli can’t get more than 85, so therefore the Scudetto is 86 points.

“If Napoli get 88 then we need 89 for the Scudetto, as that would mean Napoli had won every game.”

Surely a team which has dropped just two points in their last 21 games won’t drop six points in the next seven?

“In football nothing is easy or set in stone. The mental battle can be changed, and that’s why we have to come away from Milan tomorrow with a positive result.

“Even if we’ll be in the lead whatever happens, the maths tells us that, there would still be six games to go so we have to keep the mental battle in our favour, above all because Napoli won’t drop-off one iota, they still have the chance to win the Scudetto and have second place to defend.

“Roma are doing great things too.

“I’ll tell you a fact which speaks volumes about what these teams are doing in the Italian League: there are 108 points available in the second half of the season, between us these three teams have taken 89 points, showing why we’re the top three.”

Gigi Buffon has said that the Coach was crucial to the Old Lady’s comeback, but Allegri has been linked with Real Madrid, who lost 2-0 to Wolfsburg in the Champions League this week.

“First of all I thank Gigi for his kind words,” Allegri replied.

“They did the comeback though, because the lads are the ones who go out onto the pitch, I only gave them a helping hand in what was definitely a difficult time.

“The club was good too in that period, as were the Coaching staff and the players.

“As for my not having signed a new contract, it’s just a matter of meeting and talking.

“There’s no problem, and I’m definitely not waiting for Real Madrid, because I’m at Juventus.

“I’m happy at Juventus, there are objectives to achieve and it’s just a matter of seeing each other and talking.”

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Dybala misses Milan

http://www.football-italia.net/82510/dybala-misses-milan?

Apr 8, 2016
 
As expected, Paulo Dybala has not been deemed fit enough for the Juventus squad to face Milan.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed in his pre-match Press conference that he wouldn’t risk the striker, who has a muscular injury.

Sami Khedira is still serving a suspension after his red card against Torino, while Giorgio Chiellini is once again injured.

The Bianconeri have the opportunity to go nine points clear at the top of Serie A, at least temporarily, as Napoli don’t play until Sunday.


Juventus squad to face Milan:

Buffon, Zaza, Marchisio, Morata, Pogba, Hernanes, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Lemina, Bonucci, Padoin, Asamoah, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Evra, Rubinho

 

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Pereyra out for a week

http://www.football-italia.net/82513/pereyra-out-week?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Juventus will be without Roberto Pereyra for at least a week with a thigh injury.

The Bianconeri have been plagued by muscular injuries all season, with Paulo Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini already sidelined for tomorrow’s Milan game.

“Roberto Pereyra, who reported a thigh problem during yesterday's training, underwent medical tests this morning,” the Old Lady announced in a statement.

“These ruled out any tears but did reveal a semimembranosus muscle strain. The Argentine is expected to return to action within seven to ten days.”

 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Montolivo to start Milan-Juve?

http://www.football-italia.net/82521/montolivo-start-milan-juve?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Riccardo Montolivo is back training with the squad and could well start for Milan against Juventus tomorrow night.

It kicks off at San Siro at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) on Saturday.

The captain had been struggling with a muscular problem, but resumed full training with his teammates today.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Montolivo will even be fit enough to start the Serie A clash.

Keisuke Honda and Juraj Kucka also return to the side, but M’Baye Niang is injured and Andrea Bertolacci suspended.

Jeremy Menez has been given permission to leave the training retreat for a family matter, while Christian Abbiati is suffering from a heel problem.

There are strong reports Mario Balotelli will be given a big opportunity to partner Carlos Bacca.

It is also rumoured Milan President Silvio Berlusconi will make a rare appearance in the stands.


Milan squad for Juventus:

Donnarumma, Diego Lopez, Livieri; Abate, Alex, Antonelli, Calabria, De Sciglio, Ely, Mexes, Romagnoli, Zapata; Bonaventura, Honda, Jose Mauri, Kucka, Locatelli, Montolivo, Poli; Bacca, Balotelli, Boateng, Luiz Adriano
 
 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Milan - Juventus MATCH PREVIEW

http://www.football-italia.net/82521/montolivo-start-milan-juve?

Apr 8, 2016
 
Juventus travel to San Siro for Saturday night’s anticipo hoping to hammer a final nail into Napoli and Milan’s respective coffins.

The Bianconeri are flying high at the moment, and their maulings of Torino and Empoli prove that they haven’t really let their Champions League disappointment affect them. Six points clear at the top of Serie A, they need a Higuain-less Napoli to slip up once more to seal their fifth Scudetto in a row, and have recently discovered that promising youngster Daniele Rugani is ready for primetime.

Their rivals, on the other hand, are going from one disaster to the next. Two points in four games is bad enough, one win in six is even worse for a side that was previously aiming to make a late run for third place.

The truth is, ever since M’Baye Niang was involved in a car crash in late February, the Rossoneri’s form has dipped, leaving Carlos Bacca isolated in attack and the Rossoneri toothless.

Whilst President Silvio Berlusconi has seen fit to destabilise his squad CIA-style and blame Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic (he recently had to be talked out of sacking him and bringing in Primavera Coach Cristian Brocchi. Sounds familiar!), the Diavolo’s problems are deeper. The squad lacks alternatives, whether to replace exhausted wingers Giacomo Bonaventura or Keisuke Honda, or in the middle, where Andrea Bertolacci had a stinker against Atalanta.

In attack, nobody is quite sure what Jeremy Menez and Mario Balotelli (who is slated to start on Saturday) are up to, whilst the defence’s set piece woes (responsible for 43 per cent of their conceded goals) returned in their 2-1 loss to Atalanta at the weekend.

The good news for Milan is that the squad has repeatedly expressed support for Coach Mihajlovic, and could use this game to test out its tactical approach to the Coppa Italia final, where they are slated to face Juve. Even better, the Bianconeri’s injuries now top the 50 mark for the season, and they could well have to do without both Paulo Dybala (an injury risk) and Sami Khedira (who is suspended).

Will it be enough?


Keep an eye on: Mario Balotelli (Milan) — Super Mario Balotelli has only faced Juventus six times in his career, and has scored four times… but also picked up just as many yellow cards. If Milan have a knuckle ball to throw at Juventus, it’s Balo.


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

Last season: Milan 0-1 Juventus

Stat fact: This wouldn’t be the first time that Milan have put a spanner in Juventus’ spokes. Remember 2005-2006, and the Bianconeri’s spectacular start to the season? Coming off the back of nine wins out of nine, it looked like a Shevchenko-less Diavolo had no chance. Wrong! A mere four minutes in, Clarence Seedorf smashed in a (deflected?) effort to open the scoring, and it was all Milan from there. 3-1 the final score, and though Juventus would go on to win a (later rescinded) Scudetto, the Rossoneri proved that they’re never to be toyed with at San Siro.


Milan (probable):

Abbiati; Abate, Alex, Romagnoli, Antonelli;Honda, Kucka, Pol, Bonaventura;Adriano, Bacca

Suspended: Bertolacci


Juventus (probable):

Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Barzagli; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Mandzukic, Morata

Suspended: Khedira
 
 

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Juventus' critics should look in the mirror before judging the Old Lady

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2846447/juventus-critics-should-look-in-the-mirror-before-judging

Apr 8, 2016
 
"Juventus stripped their opponents of all excuses," remarked Gianluigi Buffon in his Friday news conference. "When you start with a handicap of 12 to 13 points and you find yourself at plus-six at the end of the championship, there's little you can say."

Juve are, once again, in the midst of a controversy. Critics of the club are up in arms over Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain being handed a four-match ban for pushing a referee in last weekend's loss to Udinese, while Leonardo Bonucci's similar actions the Turin derby went unpunished -- which, as video evidence showed, was the correct decision.

Winners are always hated. Football-crazed Italy has long hoped for another Serie A champion, another team that can challenge to allow for a more exciting competition. Napoli looked to be the real deal, playing champagne football and winning comprehensively, putting Juventus and their dull-but-proven style to shame.

Struggling to manage wins against the likes of Sassuolo and worse still, Frosinone, the Bianconeri's detractors laughed at the early-season struggles experienced by a side that had swept all before them for four consecutive seasons. When, in the loss to the Neroverdi, Juventus were harshly dealt with by a referee who sent off Giorgio Chiellini but failed to recognise Francesco Acerbi's elbow on Paulo Dybala, Italy turned its back on justice and revelled in the ignominy. The Old Lady deserved it.

After that match, Massimiliano Allegri, passionate but relentlessly classy, chose not to seek alibis for the loss and instead focused on all the mistakes committed by his inexperienced squad. Calmly criticising the men he trains every day, he expected more, demanded better and chose not to blame anyone but those who should always perform perfectly to merit those coveted wins. He was right to do so, Sassuolo were the better team and deserved the win.

Clawing her way back from the bottom half of the table, the Old Lady has since managed an impressive winning run, and while some victories may have been far from beautiful, Juve's clinical methods have earned the results that sees them lie atop the Serie A table with a six-point advantage. No one handed them the results. Not even the psychological blow of narrowly losing to Bayern Munich in Europe has stopped the Juventus machine from churning out professional wins.

We can all understand the familiar feeling of injustice; Juventus faced it in Europe, yet Serie A is a marathon. Teams must consistently perform for 38 weeks to win the title; there are no knockout games where a refereeing mistake ensures an exit from the competition.

Yet it seems everyone from Higuain's agent to Maurizio Sarri to the casual football observer feel the Partenopei have been shafted. Those who make such accusations in leagues and championships outside of Italy are criticised, dubbed fantasists or worse, but inside the peninsula, they're encouraged, ever expanding and full of vitriol. Cheap entertainment at its finest.

Can it honestly be said that Juventus have never benefitted from a referee's decision? Of course not. But in that same vein, can it genuinely be said that they have not deserved to win the title four seasons in a row and deserve to do so again this year? It is time Italy begins to discourage this climate of suspicion and change the dialogue for the sake of future generations and the reputation of a league that, to many, is no longer worth watching.

When our very idols and our most respected critics allow their every opinion to be potentially bought or changed depending on what can be gained from the outcome, how are we to grow, to learn and to develop? If Napoli, their football family and fans believe they are being unfairly treated, will they continue to invest in their team or the sport as a whole?

This is is a delicate moment in Italian football, for after the effort made to create a clean league, the lingering feeling of injustice feeds our paranoid nature. Fans, coaches and clubs must reflect on their own shortcomings, work on their own mistakes and ensure that their every performance and behaviour is beyond reproach. If every club worked on strengthening their own weaknesses and less on what potential benefits they think the competition are gaining, there would be genuine challengers for the trophy.

Yet Juventus, in Allegri's words, must ignore the outrage and continue to perform at the highest levels to prove themselves. On Saturday they will face an AC Milan side desperate to meet expectations, and the Bianconeri must remain mature and vigilant to continue their winning streak.

The Old Lady is expected to rely on a 3-5-2 formation with Stefano Sturaro replacing Sami Khedira in the middle and Daniele Rugani starting at the back. Allegri has never lost to Sinisa Mihajlovic before in the seven matches they have played against one another as coaches. Juventus will be hopeful that trend will continue.
 
 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Del Piero: 'Juve will beat Milan'

http://www.football-italia.net/82545/del-piero-juve-will-beat-milan?

Apr 9, 2016
 
Alessandro Del Piero predicts a Juventus victory against Milan tonight and is amazed by the Bianconeri’s Scudetto comeback.

“For many years this was the most eagerly-awaited fixture in the Serie A calendar, especially in the 1990s,” Del Piero told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

“There are Inter and Roma too, of course, but it’s difficult to match the aura of playing the Rossoneri at San Siro.

“The first Milan side I took on had Tassotti-Baresi-Costacurta-Maldini in defence. I always had great respect for the team and club.

“I believe tonight Juve will take the initiative and maintain possession. Milan will try to remain solid and focus on the counter-attack. In the end Juventus to win 2-1.”

Max Allegri’s men had a disastrous start to the Serie A season, yet with 20 wins and a draw have surged six points clear of Napoli at the top of the table.

“After such a bad start, it really is a huge achievement,” continued Del Piero. “Juve’s mental strength certainly has no rivals.

“Their legs have also been crucial this season. In order to make such a comeback and then stay up there once reaching the summit takes a lot of gas.

“The essence of the sport is beating your opponent, giving everything to win and having victory as an obsession. That is the only way to respect and honour the sport.

“Winning is the only thing that counts is not a slogan, but what it means to be champions. This is very clear at Juventus, both when you win and when you don’t.”

The extraordinary run of 21 rounds began in October after Gigi Buffon and Patrice Evra slammed their teammates for an “embarrassing” defeat to Sassuolo.

“At the start their words seemed almost excessive, but then I realised what they had in mind and why they expressed themselves that way.

“Napoli are still in the running, but I would honestly be surprised if Juve let this Scudetto slip through their fingers. Napoli played wonderful football and will react. I admired Maurizio Sarri’s work and it’d be a shame if they let go now, because it’d be throwing away something great that is also building for the future.”
 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8523]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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MATCHDAY 32
Saturday, April 9th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Sheva: 'Milan-Juve a battle'

http://www.football-italia.net/82548/sheva-milan-juve-battle?

Apr 9, 2016
 
Andriy Shevchenko expects “a tense battle” between Milan and Juventus tonight, admiring Max Allegri and Carlos Bacca.

“This might not be worth the Champions League Final anymore, but it is still important in different ways,” the Rossoneri icon told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

“It’s rarely spectacular between Juve and Milan, but it is always tense and that too is in its own way spectacular. It means even when the result counts for little, this game feels like it really matters.

“Never more than in a match like this must a striker know how to battle in order to find that extra centimetre of space that can make all the difference.

“Juve always had a solid defence and I encountered several generations of the Bianconeri, including Zidane, Del Piero, Inzaghi, Conte, Deschamps, Nedved, Vieri and Trezeguet.

“Obviously, as I was a striker, I had to study their defence. Buffon, Cannavaro, Montero, Ferrara, Iuliano… It was always tough against them.”

Milan are going through a very rough time amid reports Sinisa Mihajlovic will be fired.

“Every club goes through difficult moments. In order to get back to winning ways, Milan must first of all qualify for the Champions League. The team is coming together with new players like Bacca, a striker I really admire a lot.

“This sort of thing requires patience. Juve are ahead in the table, but I am sure this game will be hard-fought and decided by details.”

Allegri went from being sacked by Milan to securing a Scudetto, Coppa Italia and reaching the Champions League Final at Juventus.

“I met Allegri in London a while back when he was on a sabbatical,” continued Shevchenko.

“I appreciate him a great deal and think he surprised many people with his progress. He has grown enormously as a Coach. He was still young when he arrived at Milan and nobody imagined his potential. Even fewer expected him to have such success at Juve after Antonio Conte.

“Instead Allegri was able to overcome difficulties and get the team on track. Juventus went out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, but played fantastically well.

“I believe Allegri to be one of the best Coaches in Europe.”
 

SERIE A TABLE