JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

-

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Sevilla condemn fans’ actions

h ttp://www.football-italia.net/94686/sevilla-condemn-fans’-actions?

Nov 22, 2016

Sevilla “repudiate and condemn” any fans involved in fighting which saw a Juventus supporter stabbed.

Following clashes in Seville last night, it’s reported that one supporter of the Bianconeri is in intensive care after being stabbed, with at least two more injured.

While all the facts of the situation are not yet clear, the Spanish club have condemned the actions of their supporters.

“The club have asked police for information about all fans involved in the fighting, and whether they’re season ticket holders,” a statement reads.

“Sevilla repudiate and condemn those who were the protagonists of the fight with the Juventus fans.

“These Sevilla fans don’t represent the values of tolerance and respect which the club embodies.”

Meanwhile, ANSA reports that the Juventus fan, who resides in Belgium, has undergone an operation at Virgen del Rocio hosptial.

His condition is considered to be serious, but improving, with two cuts wounds to his stomach and one to his leg, probably inflicted by a bottle.

The agency reports that the man in question is 25-years-old and part of the Drughi del Belgio supporters' group.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

-

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

'Juve fans ambushed by Sevilla'

http://www.football-italia.net/94699/juve-fans-ambushed-sevilla?

Nov 22, 2016

Police confirm Juventus fans were “quietly dining” in a bar last night when ambushed by “40-50 masked people shouting Sevilla slogans.”

Government representative Felisa Panadero confirmed the group of 10-12 Juventini were “quietly dining” in a bar at 23.00 last night in the Reyes Catolicos area when around 40-50 men wearing ski masks and hoods broke in shouting Sevilla slogans.

The investigation has so far found that the Italian fans were “peaceful” and “tried to get away from the situation after the attackers threw furniture.”

Police arrived within three minutes, but the group had already run off, not before stabbing at least one supporter with a broken bottle.

Agents identified “some people who may be related to the events under investigation and soon there will be arrests with the full weight of the law” used against them.

There is one Juventus fan who suffered serious injuries to his chest and leg, undergoing surgery.

“All Sevillanos are outraged because Seville is a charming, friendly city and we will not allow people who are quietly having dinner to be attacked in an intolerable situation like this.

“It was unexpected, but apparently they came prepared, as they arrived in 40 or 50 with bricks, sticks and other weapons.”

Security has been stepped up outside the stadium ahead of tonight’s Champions League match, which kicks off at 20.45 CET - 19.45 GMT.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

-

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Line-ups: Sevilla-Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/94701/line-ups-sevilla-juventus?

Nov 22, 2016

Juventus field Juan Cuadrado, Mario Mandzukic and Alex Sandro in the Champions League decider with Sevilla, but there’s no Samir Nasri.

It kicks off at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan at 20.45 CET - 19.45 GMT.

The Spaniards are top of Group H with 10 points, followed by Juventus on eight and Olympique Lyonnais four.

These sides drew 0-0 in Turin on September 14 and last season the Bianconeri were beaten 1-0 in Sevilla, which cost them the top spot in the group and prompted a very tough draw with Bayern Munich.

Max Allegri is forced into a corner by the injury crisis that has ruled out Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Marko Pjaca, Andrea Barzagli and Medhi Benatia.

It means there is only one fit striker available, Mandzukic, and he’s flanked by wingers Cuadrado and Alex Sandro in a new 4-3-3 formation.

Claudio Marchisio returns, but Giorgio Chiellini is not risked in what would be his first game since October 29, so Daniele Rugani plays.

Stephan Lichtsteiner is not eligible for the Champions League.

Moise Kean is on the bench just days after making his Serie A debut, becoming the first top flight player in Italy to have been born in the new Millennium.

Dani Alves gets to face his former club, having played here from 2002 to 2008.

Sevilla receive a massive boost with news Samir Nasri is available again for the first time since his Achilles Tendon injury on October 30, but he will be in the stands tonight.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli’s side fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Franco Vazquez won’t be reunited with former Palermo teammate Dybala, but starts here with Vitolo and Luciano Vietto.

Ex-Sampdoria winger Joaquin Correa is also not even on the bench.

Expect it to be a tight match, because Sevilla haven’t conceded any goals in the Champions League this season and Juve let in just one.

Juventus are unbeaten on their European travels within 90 minutes since the 1-0 defeat here in December 2015, while Sevilla haven’t lost on home turf since a 3-1 to Manchester City over a year ago.

The last Bianconeri victory on Spanish soil was 2-0 at Real Madrid in the Champions League on November 5, 2008, when Alessandro Del Piero famously received a standing ovation at the Bernabeu. That was followed by three defeats and a draw.

There was crowd trouble last night when Sevilla fans ambushed Juventus supporters in a bar and one man is in serious condition after he was stabbed with a broken bottle.

Sevilla: Rico; Mercado, Pareja, Rami; N’Zonzi; Mariano Ferreira, Iborra, Vitolo, Escudero; Vazquez, Vietto

Sevilla bench: Sirigu, Kranevitter, Carrico, Ben Yedder, Kiyotake, Sarabia, Ganso

Juventus: Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Rugani, Evra; Khedira, Marchisio, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Alex Sandro

Juventus bench: Neto, Chiellini, Asamoah, Sturaro, Lemina, Hernanes, Kean

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

-

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Marotta: 'Juventus must do well'

http://www.football-italia.net/94704/marotta-juventus-must-do-well?

Nov 22, 2016

Juventus director Beppe Marotta warned their depleted squad “absolutely must do well” against Sevilla this evening.

There is heightened security at the stadium after last night’s ambush, where 40 masked thugs attacked Juventus fans who were dining in a local café.

“What happened yesterday is deplorable. I spoke to the Sevilla President today, who apologised, affirming it was an act of vandalism and not to be linked with their fans,” Marotta told Mediaset Premium.

This evening Max Allegri uses a 4-3-3 formation, as they are missing Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Marko Pjaca, Medhi Benatia and Andrea Barzagli, with Giorgio Chiellini on the bench.

“We know how much Sevilla can play dynamic football on home turf. We are facing this side with a few absentees, but the 11 starting tonight are important players, so we absolutely must do well.

“We want to be protagonists, but this is a tournament where luck counts too. Tonight we are targeting full points so we can get through to the next round.

“We are Juventus, a team accustomed to picking up trophies. We’ve made some improvements, but above all in terms of the club infrastructure, to have more economic power.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

-

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

HT 1-1: Juve peg back 10-man Sevilla

http://www.football-italia.net/94705/ht-juve-peg-back-10-man-sevilla?

Nov 22, 2016

Claudio Marchisio’s penalty on the stroke of half-time allowed Juventus to equalise, though Franco Vazquez was sent off for Sevilla.

The Spaniards had a two-point advantage at the top of Group H, so this was a head-to-head for not only qualification, but also the prestigious leadership role and in theory better draw going forward. Juve had huge injury problems, missing Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Andrea Barzagli, Medhi Benatia and Marko Pjaca, while Giorgio Chiellini was only fit for the bench. They adapted to a 4-3-3 formation. Samir Nasri and Joaquin Correa weren’t even in the squad after failing late fitness tests, but hoped to rely on the defensive solidity that saw them not concede a single goal so far in the tournament.

Sevilla took the lead with their first chance of the game, as a corner wasn’t cleared effectively and Nico Pareja’s sensational volley from the edge of the box zipped through a sea of legs into the near bottom corner.

Escudero also blasted a scorching strike just over the bar, while Juan Cuadrado stung Sergio Rico’s gloves at the near post with a powerful cross-shot.

Mario Mandzukic failed to make the most of a promising counter-attack, curling well wide, but Sami Khedira’s first-time strike skimmed the near top corner.

There was a turning point on 37 minutes when ex-Palermo star Franco Vazquez foolishly received his second yellow card from English referee Mark Clattenburg, leaving Sevilla down to 10 men.

Juve continued to be poor, Khedira over-hitting a pass for Cuadrado to waste another promising move.

On the stroke of half-time, Clattenburg pointed to the spot after Leonardo Bonucci appeared to be pulled down on a corner by Mercado, though Sevilla and Juve players alike seemed stunned by the decision. Claudio Marchisio stepped up and converted the penalty, even though Rico got his hand to it.

The half-time whistle was met with loud jeers and a furious Jorge Sampaoli.

Sevilla 1-1 Juventus (Half-Time)

Pareja 9 (S), Marchisio pen 45 (J)

Sevilla: Rico; Mercado, Pareja, Rami; N’Zonzi; Mariano Ferreira, Iborra, Vitolo, Escudero; Vazquez, Vietto

Juventus: Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Rugani, Evra; Khedira, Marchisio, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Alex Sandro

Ref: Clattenburg (ENG)

Sent off: Vazquez 37 (S)

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Sevilla 1-3 Juventus: Late drama

frustrates 10-man hosts

Two efforts in the final six minutes settled a feisty Champions League clash at Ramon

Sanchez Pizjuan, with the result enough to send the Serie A side through to the last 16.

<a href="http://oi68.tinypic.com/2ivmssn.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

h ttp://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/sevilla-vs-juventus/2348406/report

Nov 22, 2016

Brilliant late strikes from Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic secured injury-hit Juventus' passage to the Champions League knockout phase with a dramatic 3-1 win at 10-man Sevilla on Tuesday.

Sevilla could have secured top spot in Group H for themselves with three points, but their indiscipline counted against them as the persistent Italians clinched the win in the final 10 minutes thanks to Bonucci and Mandzukic.

Jorge Sampaoli's men began with great intensity and looked set to give Juve a torrid time after Nico Pareja's coolly taken early opener, but things soon turned sour.

Creator-in-chief Franco Vazquez picked up two needless yellow cards to earn his dismissal nine minutes before the break and then Claudio Marchisio struck from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time – the first time Sevilla had conceded in this season's competition.

Sevilla's situation forced them to adopt a more defensive approach after the break and they had generally equipped themselves well, despite the visitors becoming the dominant force in possession.

But Juve ensured their efforts did not go to waste, as Bonucci struck with six minutes to go and Mandzukic wrapped things up at the death to see Massimiliano Allegri's men through, while Sevilla still need to finish the job in the final match against Lyon.

ng8tzzcj7z801cp26gvi8c2jl.jpg?t=-1913632

After playing for a 0-0 draw in Turin in September, Sampaoli warned Juve before the match that his side were going to be far more menacing in attack this time around and the players certainly seemed to be on a similar wave length early on.

It took just nine minutes for the hosts to break the deadlock, as Juve cleared Vazquez's corner as far as Pareja on the edge of the box and the Argentinian centre-back found the bottom-left corner with a fine volley.

But the visitors then received the boost they needed late in the first half, as Vazquez first clattered Juan Cuadrado for not putting the ball out of play when Sergio Escudero was injured, before then catching Sami Khedira to pick up a second booking in six minutes.

And Juve ultimately levelled on the stroke of half-time – Marchisio squeezing a penalty under the left hand of Sergio Rico after Gabriel Mercado dragged Bonucci to the ground.

Sevilla's numerical disadvantage resulted in them sitting back more after the break and looking to catch Juve on the counter.

juventus-champions-league_cwkvy5027wve1n

Such a scenario presented itself early in the half, but Vitolo was starved of support following Luciano Vietto's half-time withdrawal and had to settle for a corner after Bonucci forced him out wide.

Things got no easier for Sevilla as Sampaoli was sent to the stands for protesting just before the hour mark.

And just when the home side looked destined to hold on to the point that would see them through to the knockout phase, Juve struck the hammer blow.

Cuadrado's right-wing cross was cleared to the edge of the box and Bonucci latched on to it, sending a rasping first-time drive past the helpless Rico and into the bottom-right corner.

Mandzukic then ended Sevilla's hopes of a late equaliser with a cool finish across Rico into the bottom-right from 16 yards, leaving the hosts sweating on their chances of qualification with one match to go away to a Lyon side chasing second spot.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 22, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Juve come from behind to qualify

<a href="http://oi66.tinypic.com/34iilpi.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.goal.com/en/match/sevilla-vs-juventus/2348406/ratings

Nov 22, 2016

TEAM RATINGS

Sevilla

Juventus

Substitutes

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

CL: Juve conquer 10-man Sevilla

Claudio Marchisio’s penalty and a late Leonardo Bonucci volley saw Juventus win

3-1 away to 10-man Sevilla and qualify for the Champions League Round of 16.

<a href="http://oi67.tinypic.com/juybft.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94706/cl-juve-conquer-10-man-sevilla?

Nov 22, 2016

The Spaniards had a two-point advantage at the top of Group H, so this was a head-to-head for not only qualification, but also the prestigious leadership role and in theory better draw going forward. Juve had huge injury problems, missing Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Andrea Barzagli, Medhi Benatia and Marko Pjaca, while Giorgio Chiellini was only fit for the bench. They adapted to a 4-3-3 formation. Samir Nasri and Joaquin Correa weren’t even in the squad after failing late fitness tests, but hoped to rely on the defensive solidity that saw them not concede a single goal so far in the tournament.

Sevilla took the lead with their first chance of the game, as a corner wasn’t cleared effectively and Nico Pareja’s sensational volley from the edge of the box zipped through a sea of legs into the near bottom corner.

Escudero also blasted a scorching strike just over the bar, while Juan Cuadrado stung Sergio Rico’s gloves at the near post with a powerful cross-shot.

Mario Mandzukic failed to make the most of a promising counter-attack, curling well wide, but Sami Khedira’s first-time strike skimmed the near top corner.

There was a turning point on 37 minutes when ex-Palermo star Franco Vazquez foolishly received his second yellow card from English referee Mark Clattenburg, leaving Sevilla down to 10 men.

Juve continued to be poor, Khedira over-hitting a pass for Cuadrado to waste another promising move.

On the stroke of half-time, Clattenburg pointed to the spot after Leonardo Bonucci appeared to be pulled down on a corner by Gabriel Mercado, though Sevilla and Juve players alike seemed stunned by the decision. Claudio Marchisio stepped up and converted the penalty, even though Rico got his hand to it. It was the midfielder’s first Champions League goal since 2013, but also the first goal conceded by Sevilla in this tournament after five clean sheets.

The half-time whistle was met with loud jeers and a furious Jorge Sampaoli, as Clattenburg needed a police escort to leave the pitch.

Adil Rami nodded a corner wide from five yards, but Sampaoli continued to protest angrily at every decision and was eventually sent off.

It was very difficult to tell that Sevilla were down to 10 men, though Rico did get down to fingertip away a Miralem Pjanic daisy-cutter from distance.

Stefano Sturaro replaced Patrice Evra, moving Alex Sandro into defence, but Juve were frustratingly sluggish and slow. They dominated possession without causing real danger to the hosts. Moise Kean was introduced, becoming the first Champions League player born in the year 2000.

They did finally get the breakthrough with a moment of magic, as the ball was knocked down to the edge of the D, where on-rushing Bonucci hit a left-foot missile into the far bottom corner.

Sevilla weren’t going down without a fight and spent the remaining minutes pouring forward. They were left open on the counter and with practically the last kick Mandzukic placed a snooker shot into the far bottom corner.

Sevilla 1-3 Juventus

Pareja 9 (S), Marchisio pen 45 (J), Bonucci 84 (J), Mandzukic 94 (J)

Sevilla: Rico; Mercado, Pareja, Rami; N’Zonzi; Mariano Ferreira (Kranevitter 77), Iborra, Vitolo, Escudero; Vazquez, Vietto (Sarabia 46)

Juventus: Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Rugani, Evra (Sturaro 72); Khedira, Marchisio, Pjanic (Kean 84); Cuadrado (Chiellini 87), Mandzukic, Alex Sandro

Ref: Clattenburg (ENG)

Sent off: Vazquez 37 (S)

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Bonucci: 'Juve crossroads win'

<a href="http://oi65.tinypic.com/2rpqul4.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94707/bonucci-juve-crossroads-win?

Nov 22, 2016

Leonardo Bonucci said Juventus won “the crossroads of the season” by beating 10-man Sevilla and booking a spot in the Champions League knockouts.

Nico Pareja had opened the scoring for the hosts, but Franco Vazquez saw red before Claudio Marchisio’s penalty, a Bonucci volley and last-gasp Mario Mandzukic angled drive turned it all around.

It puts the Bianconeri first in Group H and secures qualification, but top spot is not mathematically certain yet.

“We have to think about beating Dinamo Zagreb, as there is nothing to be taken for granted in football,” Bonucci told Mediaset.

“Sevilla did well to take the lead with their first shot on target, but we worked so hard and got the victory.

“Sevilla closed up all the spaces, we made mistakes, but fortunately my left foot gave us a hand.

“It’s normal in the Champions League that every game is difficult and extremely balanced. We knew this game was the crossroads of the season and we achieved our first target.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Juventus overcome Sevilla to reach

Champions League knockout stage

<a href="http://oi64.tinypic.com/263d4y8.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/sevilla/champions-league/

result/result-juventus-beat-sevilla-to-reach-cl-last-16_285845.html

Nov 22, 2016

Sevilla have succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Juventus in Tuesday night's Champions League Group H clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The hosts took the lead after just nine minutes when Nicolas Pareja showed good technique to latch on to a loose ball in the box and drilled a volley low into the bottom corner past Gianluigi Buffon.

Jorge Sampaoli's charges, however, were reduced to 10 men when, in the 36th minute, Franco Vazquezwas shown a second yellow card in the space 10 minutes after clipping Sami Khedira's heel.

The visitors were given the chance to equalise on the stroke of half time when they won a penalty after Gabriel Mercado shoved Leonardo Bonucci to the ground inside the Sevilla box during a corner kick.

Claudio Marchisio stepped up and duly converted the penalty to the right-hand side as Sergio Rico, despite getting a hand to the ball, was unable to keep it out.

Sampaoli was sent to the stands after the interval for reportedly remonstrating with match referee Mark Clattenburg over the decision.

Despite Sevilla's setbacks, they still matched their opponents on the field and were level late on in the game, but ultimately their resistance gave way as Bonucci lashed home a volley from just outside the penalty area.

The hosts then tried desperately to claw back an equaliser, but they were caught out in injury time when Marchisio laid the ball off to Mario Mandzukic, who fired from close range into the bottom right corner to confirm the outcome of the game.

The result means that Juventus leapfrog Sevilla at the top of Group H with 11 points - four ahead of third-placed Lyon - and secure qualification to the last 16 of the competition, while the La Liga side are still in contention to reach the knockouts on 10 points.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Allegri: 'Juve must be sharper'

<a href="http://oi68.tinypic.com/f59kjl.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94709/allegri-juve-must-be-sharper?

Nov 22, 2016

Max Allegri was still not entirely content with Juventus after a 3-1 victory away to 10-man Sevilla. “We have to be sharper.”

The Bianconeri fought back from an early Nico Pareja goal to win 3-1 with Claudio Marchisio’s penalty, a Leonardo Bonucci volley and Mario Mandzukic goal.

“We conceded a goal on the only real chance, a corner after 10 minutes,” the Coach told Mediaset.

“In the second half Sevilla took away lots of spaces and there were many tactical fouls.

“It’s not easy to win here, as Sevilla have some excellent players and a great Coach. This now puts us in a position to lock down the top spot in the final game.

“We achieved one target. Now there are two more, to be top of the Serie A table before Christmas and win the Super Cup in Doha.

“We had to win, the lads won it and we’re taking it all one step at a time. In the second half we should’ve moved the ball quicker and not been so hasty with our decisions.

“It was a very physical match and we had to do different things, as Sevilla took away all reference points in attack.”

“It’s not easy with one centre-forward when nine men are behind the ball. We got the win because the kid went to jump for a loose ball and Bonucci fired it in on the rebound.”

‘The Kid’ is 16-year-old Moise Kean, the first Champions League player to be born in the year 2000.

“He is maturing, he’s growing. He had a moment, as all lads do, of peak and then a dip, now he’s getting back to being able to show what he can do.

“We are happy, as we achieved one of our objectives. We have to improve and be sharper. I get angry when I see crazy things like giving the ball away in the final minutes or allowing cheap corners against a team so strong in the air.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Juventus hit back to see off Sevilla

and seal spot in round of 16

<a href="http://oi66.tinypic.com/2lu71q1.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/report?gameId=466190

Nov 22, 2016

Late goals from Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic saw Juventus seal their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a 3-1 win over 10-man Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The Italians trailed to Nico Pareja's ninth-minute strike but the sending-off of Franco Vazquez proved a turning point and a Claudio Marchisio penalty drew the visitors level on the stroke of half-time.

Bonucci lashed a left-foot effort from outside the box to put Juventus in front with six minutes left and Mandzukic made the game safe when he swept his side's third past Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico deep into injury time.

The result saw the Serie A giants leapfrog their opponents to the top of Group H with just a game against Dinamo Zagreb to come, while Sevilla will face Lyon in the knowledge a defeat could conceivably see them miss out on a top two spot.

It had all looked so much better for the home side who had started the night with a two-point cushion at the top and were plainly in the mood to extend their lead when Pareja's superb volley put them in front with just nine minutes on the clock.

But the hosts were hampered by the unnecessary dismissal of Vazquez in the 37th minute for a second yellow card, and Marchisio stayed calm to fire home the penalty before the Italians would ultimately make their numerical advantage count.

Juventus had travelled to Spain with a lengthy injury list and the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Samir Nasri sidelined, and it was the hosts who dictated much of the early play.

Failure to clear an early corner allowed Pareja to fire his superb low opener and Sergio Escudero missed the chance to add a second as the visitors struggled to settle.

Juan Cuadrado had Juve's first chance when his shot at an angle was saved by Rico, and a swift counter-attack ended in Mandzukic firing just wide.

Sami Khedira came even close for the visitors just before the half-hour mark and the momentum swung further in the visitors' favour after Vazquez's dismissal, with Cuadrado guilty of spurning another chance.

The visitors made their breakthrough in first-half injury-time when Gabriel Mercado was penalised for shirt-pulling in the box, allowing Marchisio to step up and fire the equaliser.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Sevilla pressed well after the break, Vicente Iborra and Adil Rami both heading inches wide from crosses by the lively Pablo Sarabia.

Rico had to stay alert to save in the bottom corner from Miralem Pjanic, and as Juventus began to press home their advantage Cuadrado again missed an opportunity from long-range.

Defender Bonucci made the decisive breakthrough six minutes from time with his powerful shot into the bottom right-hand corner and with the hosts stunned Juventus would seize their opportunity to make sure of victory.

Four minutes into injury-time they extended their advantage and made the game safe when Marchisio found Mandzukic and the Croatian fired past Rico from the left side of the box to compete their victory.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Juventus' mental strength a

stark contrast to stupid Sevilla

The under-strength Bianconeri were there for the taking at the Ramon

Sanchez Pizjuan but the hosts gifted them a crucial 3-1 win.

<a href="http://oi67.tinypic.com/b71fns.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

h ttp://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2016/11/22/29780602/-?

Nov 22, 2016

The front page of Tuesday's Tuttosport described an injury-ravaged Juventus travelling to Sevilla as a "test of strength". It also became an examination of their character. They passed both with flying colours.

Despite finding themselves a goal down to a side that had yet to concede in this season's Champions League, the Bianconeri managed to turn the game around and claim a crucial 3-1 victory that not only sealed a spot in the last 16 but also means that a win at home to basement boys Dinamo Zagreb on matchday six will see the Italian champions progress as group winners.

As Juve discovered last season, being seeded for the knockout stage can be decisive. Just 12 months ago, a defeat in Sevilla resulted in Juve gifting top spot in their group to Manchester City. So it came to pass that while the Bianconeri were being beaten by Bayern Munich in an epic last-16 encounter, City were easing past Dynamo Kiev.

Upon his return to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri had tried to play down the significance of finishing first in Group H but he was fooling nobody. The result of the game in Andalusia could be the difference between facing Barcelona rather than Bayer Lerkusen in February.

Still, top spot looked a long way off after just nine minutes, when Nicolas Parejo beat Gianluigi Buffon with a bouncing volley from the edge of the area.

ng8tzzcj7z801cp26gvi8c2jl.jpg?t=-1913632

The early goal only further invigorated a Sevilla side that were causing Juve all sorts of problems with their high pressing and impressive work-rate all over the pitch.

When asked before the game who would be his side's principal creator, Allegri had replied: "There will be two: Claudio Marchisio and Miralem Pjanic." However, both players were hassled and harried into anonymity in the opening quarter, as Sevilla threatened to put the game - and indeed the group - to bed.

However, Sevilla's frenzied, frenetic approach to the game ultimately proved their undoing. When players are asked to play at such pace, with such intensity, sometimes they will step over the line. That is precisely what happened to Franco Vazquez, who was booked twice in the space of 10 minutes.

In relation to the attacking midfielder's first yellow card, Sevilla supporters will claim that Juve should have kicked the ball out of play when Sergio Escudero went down clutching his face moments before, trying desperately and pathetically to convince referee Mark Clattenburg that he had been elbowed by Juan Cuadrado. They will argue that it went against fair play. However, was Escudero's exaggerated reaction to the slightest of contact really in the spirit of the game? Why should an opposition attack be disrupted by an obvious dive?

1v20ijviwbre81fsr3efmmbu3s.jpg?t=-191363

Furthermore, just because one side does not play by an 'unwritten' rule, it does not entitle the opposition to break a real one, which is exactly what Vazquez did by deliberately scything down Cuadrado in what was a clear act of retaliation. Vazquez could, thus, have no complaints when he picked up another booking in the 35th minute for cynically felling Sami Khedira as Juve tried to launch another counter-attack.

Of course, the Argentine's dismissal changed the entire momentum of the match but Juve, unsurprisingly lacking a cutting edge up front in the absence of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain, still would have gone in a goal down at the break had it not been for another show of Sevilla's stupidity just seconds before half-time.

Shirt-pulling is one of the most common fouls in football, particularly in the penalty area, and there is no doubt that so much of it goes unpunished. However, that does not mean that Clattenburg should be castigated for awarding Juve a penalty when Gabriel Mercado tugged back Leonardo Bonucci as the Italy centre-half tried to connect with a corner from the right-hand side.

1uo7j7l786kyc1t3wn9gaktyn4.jpg?t=-191363

Claudio Marchisio's subsequent successful spot-kick was the just punishment for such a senseless foul - not that Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli saw it that way, of course. The Argentine coach had to be restrained by his colleagues when the half-time whistle blew and his second-half dismissal for railing against yet another correct decision was sadly inevitable.

Predictably, Parejo pinned the blame for Sevilla's defeat on Clattenburg. "The Vazquez red card was harsh. He didn't deserve that second yellow, while the penalty seemed very dubious to me. The shirt tug [by Mercado on Bonucci] did not seem excessive. The referee cancelled out our work with two decisions that channelled the match in a certain direction." :261:

However, whether Parejo admits it or not, Sevilla paid the price for their own stupidity. The late goals from Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic were undeniably harsh on those Sevilla players who had spent the second half fighting valiantly to keep Juve at bay but the truth of the matter is that they were not let down by the referee but their own team-mates, and indeed their coach.

The Bianconeri had arrived at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with a weakened squad but it was they who had the mentally stronger side on the night.

Essentially, Juve played with their heads; Sevilla lost theirs - and with them the game, and control of Group H.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 23, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Juventus 3 - Sevilla 1: Initial reaction

and random observations

<a href="http://oi66.tinypic.com/29em8mg.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/11/22/13717972/sevilla-juventus-

2016-champions-league-group-stage-final-score-result-initial-reaction

Nov 22, 2016

On a night where Juventus were playing without two of their best strikers, leave it up to one of their central defenders to score one of the biggest goals of the season to date.

Leonardo Bonucci’s 83rd-minute left-footed rocket of a strike — with the help of a slight deflection — gave Juventus the lead once and for all against 10-man Sevilla. Thrown in Mario Mandzukic’s stoppage-time goal and Juve, maybe not totally deserved based on how they played through the entire game, were able to claim a 3-1 win and both leapfrog Tuesday night’s opposition to take over the top spot in Group H and book their spot in the Champions League knockout stage.

It was not pretty.

Not even close to it, actually.

Juventus were without two of their best strikers — and it looked like it.

Juventus, even up a man, were playing a little too conservative — and it looked like it.

No, seriously, Juventus were struggling to generate much of any kind of offense even after Franco Vazquez was sent off for two very much deserved yellow cards. I understand that Sevilla are a solid defensive team and pretty much embody the mentality of their ultra-intense manager Jorge Sampaoli, who also got sent off on Tuesday night. But Juventus, even without the likes of Dybala and Higuain, still had enough talent on paper to at least do something going forward.

And yet, it was an absolute struggle. It was an absolute grind. Juve were way too stagnant in attack, with players just standing around while one of their teammates was on the ball in Sevilla’s half of the field on more than just a few occasions.

Yet somehow, the final score read 3-1 in favor of Juventus.

I have no idea how anything of this happened. I sit here writing this post-game thread thinking that with the quality of Juve’s performance that they don’t deserve the three points at all. But they got the three points. I guess that’s a good thing considering Sevilla entered the game as one of two teams to have not allowed a goal through the first four group stage games.

Terrible performance aside, we sit here after Tuesday’s results and Juventus is atop the group and once again have their own fate in their hands. That’s better than the alternative, I suppose. I don’t really know how Juventus were able to score three goals against Sevilla, but they did. And hey, they got the win, so that’s a good thing.

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Juventus did not play very well. Seriously, they did not play very well at all.
A happy thought? Leonardo Bonucci is a wonderful, wonderful player and I am so happy that he is a Juventus player. Give that man as long of a contract extension as he wants. He should never wear another team’s colors in his career.
Just in case you were wondering, Gigi Buffon ain’t havin’ any of Sevilla’s post-game nonsense. God I love that guy.
Dani Alves is such a frustrating player to watch sometimes. I have no idea how he finished with one of Juve’s highest pass success percentages (96) in the game based on simply watching him turn the ball over a handful of times in the first half. And while I know he’s not directly responsible for Sevilla’s opener, but Nico Pareja was Alves’ man before he was drawn back inside after Daniele Rugani’s attempted clearance wasn’t totally knocked out of trouble. But I guess seeing Alves have issues on defense shouldn’t be a shock to us at this point. He’s never been a defensive-minded fullback.
WE GOT TO SEE MOISE KEAN PLAY IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
Seriously, Moise Kean played in a Champions League game where Juventus came back and won it. Who had that taking place when the season began back in August?
There was a point in the first half where pretty much anything positive Juventus did offensively was involving Juan Cuadrado down the right wing. Getting Cuadrado involved is good. But it’s also a case where Cuadrado’s game can sometimes leave something to be desired. You win some, you lose some.
Who else gets filled with joy whenever they see Claudio Marchisio score a goal and he immediately starts putting his right hand to the Juventus crest on his jersey? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.
Juventus closes out the group stage at home in a couple of weeks against a Dinamo Zagreb team that has been outscored 13-0 in their first five Champions League games this season. If Juve can’t win that one...

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Marchisio: 'Goal was a liberation'

<a href="http://oi68.tinypic.com/29dk0nk.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94710/marchisio-goal-was-liberation

Nov 22, 2016

Claudio Marchisio revealed what he was thinking when taking a penalty at Sevilla and why it’s “a liberation to celebrate after all this time.”

The midfielder had not scored in the Champions League since 2013, but above all it was his first goal since returning from six months out with a torn ACL.

“I am very happy to have achieved such an important objective as qualification for the Round of 16,” he told Mediaset Premium after a 3-1 victory in Spain.

“It was not easy here. The fans were really fired up, even when we scored the third goal. Our performance was not bad, as Sevilla are strong on home turf and rarely concede goals, but we scored three.

“We still need to improve, because we have the quality to do so much better in this team. I was out for a long time, so it’s natural that I struggle a little in matches. My eyesight goes fuzzy!”

It certainly wasn’t fuzzy when Marchisio stepped up to convert the penalty on the stroke of half-time.

“I just tried to focus on keeping it as low as possible. In fact, I had to move the ball to just behind the penalty spot, because there was a divot and I was afraid of hitting it from beneath.

“It was a liberation to celebrate a goal after all this time and what I’ve been through.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Sampaoli: 'Sevilla defeat unfair'

<a href="http://oi64.tinypic.com/28inm0p.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94711/sampaoli-sevilla-defeat-unfair

Nov 22, 2016

Jorge Sampaoli admits Mark Clattenburg was right to send him off for dissent, but thought Sevilla’s 3-1 defeat to Juventus was “unfair.”

The Coach was sent to the stands in the second half for repeated protests on the touchline.

“The referee was right to send me off, because I was protesting,” said Sampaoli.

“It was a painful night, because we took the lead and thought we were going to qualify this evening. Unfortunately because of the incidents, we couldn’t hope for that tonight.

“My team put in so much effort and worked so hard, but came away with nothing. It was difficult to tell we were down to 10 men, as we barely allowed any chances until the final minutes.

“It’s just a pity we couldn’t make more of our own opportunities. I think we lost this game unfairly.”

When Sampaoli was asked about Clattenburg’s officiating, he shrugged.

“It is not up to me to analyse.”

Franco Vazquez was sent off for two bookable offences and Claudio Marchisio converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Until this match, Sevilla hadn't conceded a goal yet in the Champions League this season.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Cuadrado: 'Juve solid in Seville'

<a href="http://oi67.tinypic.com/20upbg2.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94713/cuadrado-juve-solid-seville?

Nov 22, 2016

Juan Cuadrado credited Juventus “solidity” with their victory away to Sevilla and confirmed he is “very happy to be back in Italy.”

The former Chelsea winger started tonight’s 3-1 Champions League win in a new role as part of the 4-3-3 system.

“It was a very important victory, as our first objective was to qualify for the next round and we achieved it,” the Colombian told Mediaset Premium.

“With great solidity, we took home the result. In every match I try to give me best for the team, whether it’s in the Champions League or Serie A.”

Cuadrado struggled at Stamford Bridge and revealed it was his off the field life that caused more problems.

“In the summer it was so important that I return to Italy. I am very happy here and so is my family.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Marchisio steers Juve in Seville

While Juventus spent heavily for Champions League glory, Adam Digby notes the one Turin native proved vital against Sevilla.

<a href="http://oi66.tinypic.com/wmdxqw.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.football-italia.net/94714/marchisio-steers-juve-seville?

Nov 22, 2016

As Juventus stumbled through the early weeks of 2016-17, common wisdom among regular observers of the Old Lady was that things would improve once Claudio Marchisio was back in action.

Sitting out as he recovered from surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered back in April, the 30-year-old only returned late last month, managing 73 minutes during a 4-1 win over Sampdoria.

Coach Max Allegri has been cautious with the homegrown midfielder, using him as a late substitute in the win over Napoli before fielding him for the entire clash with Olympique Lyonnais. Marchisio was again rested by the Juve boss for Saturday’s comfortable victory over Pescara, with the specific intention of ensuring he was fit and ready for the crucial Champions League date with Sevilla.

Included in the starting XI once again, he could do nothing to prevent the Bianconeri falling behind to Nico Pareja’s opening goal, but as the match descended into chaos it would be the Juve No. 8 who took control. After taking the lead, the Andalusian side seemed intent on engaging in a physical war with Juventus, their roughhouse tactics eventually leading to Franco Vazquez’s dismissal 10 minutes before half time.

Miralem Pjanic and Juan Cuadrado both got caught up in angry exchanges, but Marchisio would rise above it, turning in exactly the kind of performance those who lamented his absence have come to expect. When English referee Mark Clattenburg awarded Juve a penalty moments before half-time, the home side and the vociferous Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium erupted in anger, and still Il Principino remained calm.

He dragged his side level with a well-taken spot kick, and after the break it was his steady influence that pushed Juve on in search of a winning goal. His presence and poise allowed Allegri to sacrifice Pjanic for Moise Kean, and moments later the visitors took the lead through Leonardo Bonucci.

Sevilla crumbled, and Marchisio would ensure victory by picking out Mario Mandzukic with an excellent ball that led directly to the Croatian striker sealing a 3-1 victory. By full time the Azzurri star had connected with 62 of his 69 pass attempts (90 per cent), recovered the ball 12 times, made two tackles and one interception, showcasing his importance to the side in an accomplished display.

As with many aspects of modern life, the Italian language has numerous words that have been adopted into English analysis of football. It is not uncommon to hear words like regista or trequartista pop up during conversations about the beautiful game, but perhaps for once it is Calcio that would do well to borrow a foreign term to describe one of its most under-appreciated players.

Not as incisive in his passing as predecessor Andrea Pirlo, Marchisio occupies the central midfield role as what Brazilians would call a volante. The term describes a player who not only protects the defence, but also ensures the ball continually flows in the right direction, literally translating as ‘steering wheel.’

Tactically aware and technically superb, he may lack the other-worldly passing ability of the man who left for New York City FC, but he brings increased physicality, stamina and awareness to the position. On Tuesday night, when the Old Lady most needed him, it was Marchisio who drove her to victory. It was not the first time, and it will not be the last.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Allegri: Juve achieved one target

Manager’s post-match comments after critical win

<a href="http://oi66.tinypic.com/2qbrr44.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/11/23/13719966/allegri-juve-

achieved-one-target-juventus-sevilla-3-1-champions-league-group-h

Nov 23, 2016

Juventus won a bad-tempered game 3-1 away at Sevilla to leapfrog their Spanish rivals to the top of Group H. After the game, manager Massimiliano Allegri wasn’t entirely satisfied with his side’s performance.

“We have to be sharper. We conceded a goal on the only real chance, a corner after 10 minutes.

“In the second half Sevilla took away lots of spaces and there were many tactical fouls.

“It’s not easy to win here, as Sevilla have some excellent players and a great Coach. This now puts us in a position to lock down the top spot in the final game.

“We achieved one target. Now there are two more, to be top of the Serie A table before Christmas and win the Super Cup in Doha.

“We had to win, the lads won it and we’re taking it all one step at a time. In the second half we should’ve moved the ball quicker and not been so hasty with our decisions.

“It was a very physical match and we had to do different things, as Sevilla took away all reference points in attack.”

On how he attacked the home side after the sending off in the first half -

“It’s not easy with one centre-forward when nine men are behind the ball. We got the win because the kid went to jump for a loose ball and Bonucci fired it in on the rebound.”

‘The Kid’ mentioned here is 16-year-old Moise Kean, who over the weekend became the Serie A’s first player to be born after the year 2000, and added the Champions League to that list of accomplishments.

“He is maturing, he’s growing. He had a moment, as all lads do, of peak and then a dip, now he’s getting back to being able to show what he can do.

“We are happy, as we achieved one of our objectives. We have to improve and be sharper. I get angry when I see crazy things like giving the ball away in the final minutes or allowing cheap corners against a team so strong in the air.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Marchisio demands much more from

Juve despite win over Sevilla

The Serie A champions came from behind to beat the Spanish side and secure a place

in the Champions League last-16, but the midfielder was not too impressed.

<a href="http://oi64.tinypic.com/10rr3ty.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2016/11/22/29795962/-?

Nov 23, 2016

Claudio Marchisio believes Juventus have the ability to do "so much better" after they stuttered to a late 3-1 win at 10-man Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The win secured Juve's passage to the round of 16 but Marchisio was not overly impressed with the team's performance, as they only clinched the victory thanks to goals from Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic in the final six minutes.

Marchisio had previously levelled from the penalty spot just before the break, taking full advantage of Franco Vazquez's red card after Nicolas Pareja had opened the scoring.

Though Juve were under significant pressure from Vazquez's dismissal, Marchisio urged the Italian champions to do better.

"We still need to improve, because we have the quality to do so much better in this team," he told Mediaset.

"It was not easy here. The fans were really fired up, even when we scored the third goal.

"Our performance was not bad, as Sevilla are strong on home turf and rarely concede goals, but we scored three."

Coach Massimiliano Allegri agreed with Marchisio with respect to expecting more and criticised his men for making mistakes when the match was still in the balance.

"We are happy, as we achieved one of our objectives," he added. "But we have to improve and be sharper.

"I get angry when I see crazy things like giving the ball away in the final minutes or allowing cheap corners against a team so strong in the air - we conceded a goal in their only real chance – a corner – after 10 minutes."

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Champions League Results 2016: Tuesday

Scores, Latest Tables and Qualified Teams

<a href="http://oi68.tinypic.com/359lixs.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2677705-champions-league-

results-2016-tuesday-scores-latest-tables-and-qualified-teams?

Nov 23, 2016

Leicester City and Monaco both qualified as group winners in the UEFA Champions League in a night of goals for the continent's top club competition on Tuesday. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus also guaranteed places in the knockout rounds, but there was disappointment for Tottenham Hotspur as they crashed out.

The Foxes defeated Club Brugge 2-1 at home to collect the three points they needed, as Monaco defeated Spurs 2-1 in a one-sided affair.

Madrid also ran out 2-1 winners on the road as they skipped past Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

Juventus cantered to a 3-1 victory at Sevilla, but the night's outstanding scoreline occurred at Dortmund as they smashed Legia Warsaw, 8-4.

Here are the confirmed scores from Tuesday, per the Champions League's official Twitter feed:

Here are the latest standings:

Group E
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
Monaco	5	3	2	0	9	4	5	11
Bayer Leverkusen	5	1	4	0	5	4	1	7
Tottenham Hotspur	5	1	1	3	3	5	-2	4
CSKA Moscow	5	0	3	2	4	8	-4	3

UEFA.com

Group F
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
Borussia Dortmund	5	4	1	0	19	7	12	13
Real Madrid	5	3	2	0	14	8	6	11
Sporting Lisbon	5	1	0	4	5	7	-2	3
Legia Warsaw	5	0	1	4	8	24	-16	1

UEFA.com

Group G
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
Leicester City	5	4	1	0	7	1	6	13
Porto	5	2	2	1	4	3	1	8
FC Copenhagen	5	1	3	1	5	2	3	6
Club Brugge	5	0	0	5	2	12	-10	0

UEFA.com

Group H
Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
Juventus	5	3	2	0	9	2	7	11
Sevilla	5	3	1	1	7	3	4	10
Lyon	5	2	1	2	5	3	2	7
Dinamo Zagreb	5	0	0	5	0	13	-13	0

UEFA.com

Tuesday Recap

Cristiano Ronaldo was a winner on his return to former club Sporting on Tuesday, as Real collected three points in Portugal.

Raphael Varane opened the scoring after 29 minutes for the reigning champions of Europe, but it appeared the hosts had stolen a point after an Adrien Silva penalty with 10 minutes to play.

However, Real remained dangerous and Karim Benzema wrapped up the victory with only three minutes of normal time remaining.

Dortmund will join Real in the next round after already previously qualifying from Group F, and they slammed Warsaw 8-4 at the Westfalenstadion.

Shinji Kagawa and Marco Reus both bagged a brace each, and efforts from Nuri Şahin, Ousmane Dembele, Felix Passlack and a deflected own goal by Jakub Rzezniczak in injury time wrapped up the hammering for the Poles.

Juve were in convincing form as they qualified, winning 3-1 against Sevilla in Spain.

Claudio Marchisio's penalty equalised at the end of the first half after Nicolas Pareja gave the hosts the lead. Second-half strikes from Leonardo Bonucci and Mario Mandzukic completed proceedings.

The Champions League highlighted the Old Lady striker's form:

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Monaco ended Spurs' Champions League interest for another season as they ran out 2-1 winners in the south of France.

Goals from Djibril Sidibe and Thomas Lemar gave the hosts the win, after a Harry Kane penalty had given the Premier League side hope, equalising in the second half.

Leverkusen's 1-1 draw in Russia against CSKA Moscow was enough for them to make the last-16 from Group E, claiming second spot to advance behind Monaco.

Leicester are through to the knockouts as group winners after they defeated Brugge at the King Power Stadium.

Shinji Okazaki opened the scoring after just five minutes, and RiyadMahrez's penalty on the half-hour mark gave the Foxes a commanding lead.

Jose Izquierdo pegged the score back to 2-1 on the night, but the Premier League champions' European endeavours will continue into 2017.

Lyon grabbed a slim 1-0 win at Dinamo Zagreb, as Alexandre Lacazettefired home the decisive strike.

Leicester's dream of silverware is evaporating in domestic competition, but they have continued to impress during the group stages of the Champions League.

Their resolve has once again seen them overachieve as they run out as group winners, and they have a puncher's chance against any side remaining in the last-16 of the tournament.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Bonucci stands tall for Juventus but

Pjanic flatters to deceive in victory

<a href="http://oi67.tinypic.com/4se07a.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/3001565/leonardo

-bonucci-stands-tall-for-juventus-but-miralem-pjanic-flatters-to-deceive

Nov 23, 2016

A depleted but lucky Juventus side defeated Sevilla 3-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium to jump to the top of their Champions League qualifying group.

Vibrant and dynamic, Sevilla's brand of high energy and vertical football immediately placed pressure on a Juventus side that looked visibly rattled by the chaos. Before the Italians even had a chance to come to terms with the quick tempo of the game, Los Nervionenses scored the opening goal to dampen hopes.

Fortunately for the Italians, their opponents were in a foolish mood, earning a red card before then giving a penalty away to permit Juve the equaliser all before half-time.

However, despite boasting the advantage, the Bianconeri were void of any ideas as to how to overcome a tactically organised defence, playing the ball sideways in hope that someone would err to allow another gift. It was Leonardo Bonucci who eventually scored the second goal to momentarily reignite Sevilla's determination only for Mario Mandzukic to strike the third and seal the win for the undeserving Italians.

Positives

Forced to play without three of their forwards and many of their defenders, Juventus, as bland and as mediocre as they were, still had enough character and fight to snatch a win. Whether it was Mandzukic defending the corner kicks or Bonucci bustling forward to exploit attacking opportunities, key characters within the side ensured a win that ought to facilitate their onward journey in the Champions League.

Negatives

One could blame the injuries or perhaps Sevilla's tight defending but it seems there is no point to Miralem Pjanic in this Juventus side. Looked upon as the man who could provide the inspiration or create a move out of nothing, he is hindered by the lack of movement ahead of him. There is no need for his vision considering few of his teammates have offered a passing option, made an incisive run or dragged defenders away to create space and opportunity. Juventus have bought an Andrea Pirlo and asked him to be Paul Pogba.

Manager rating out of 10

5 -- Massimiliano Allegri is dealing with too many injuries so is forced to make certain decisions on formations and personnel. However, the lack of support offered to Mandzukic as evidenced by playing the ball short or crossing too close to the goalkeeper demonstrates poor preparation. Allegri is too reliant on his players' intelligence to handle the task at hand when a better prepared strategy would have facilitated the win.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Gianluigi Buffon, 6 -- A harsh critic would say he could have done better on Sevilla's goal but alert and concentrated thereafter.

DF Dani Alves, 5 -- He was brought in to provide a winning mentality but Alves looked out of his depth, choosing to push forward rather than help secure the defence.

DF Daniele Rugani, 6 -- Composed and calm under pressure. Pushed forward intelligently and ensured solidity at the back.

DF Leonardo Bonucci, 8 -- Juve's one-man show. He won the penalty, scored the winner and made key defensive interventions to keep Sevilla at bay. Excellent.

DF Patrice Evra, 6 -- Cautious and alert defensively, provided little going forward.

MF Sami Khedira 6 -- One of the few who played with intelligence in midfield but well-controlled by the opponent.

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci — Leonardo Bonucci netted the winner to give Juventus maximum points in Seville.

MF Claudio Marchisio, 6 -- Scored the equaliser with a mediocre penalty but failed to really control the game when Sevilla played with 11 or provide much quality when they were down to 10.

MF Miralem Pjanic, 5 -- Simply unreliable. Not much movement ahead of him to allow him to unleash his vision. However, he lost the ball, looked perturbed by the tempo and physicality of the game and struggled to impose his character.

FW Juan Cuadrado, 6 -- He dazzles with his dribbles and ability to overcome players but he disappoints with his final product and decision-making. So much talent but yet to understand how to be incisive. Played to the beat of his own drum too often.

FW Mario Mandzukic, 6 -- Too static but was barely helped by his teammates who sought to play short balls or crossed too close to the goalkeeper rather than seek him out with precise actions. A fine finish to score the third goal.

FW Alex Sandro, 6 -- Moved up and down tirelessly, trying to provide numerical superiority and deliver the contribution needed to the attack, but less polished than usual.

Substitutes

MF Stefano Sturaro, N/A -- Always looks clumsy on the ball. More heart than intelligence.

FW Moise Kean, N/A -- Barely allowed the time to make an impact.

DF Giorgio Chiellini, N/A -- Offered a few minutes but enough to ensure solidity at the back.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Bravo, Allegri: How Juventus subdued Sevilla

Massimiliano Allegri did not enjoy Juventus's 3-1 win at Sevilla but Graham Hunter

says his tactical bravery in the final phase was something to be proud of.

<a href="http://oi68.tinypic.com/10nghvs.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2017/matches/

round=2000783/match=2019353/postmatch/quotes/index.html?

Nov 23, 2016

By normal criteria this should have been a night of clear and lasting satisfaction for Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

To face the three-in-a-row UEFA Europa League winners without Gonzalo Higuaín, Paulo Dybala and Andrea Barzagli, go 1-0 down and face a typhoon of attacks but still win 3-1 is no small achievement. However, his satisfaction lasted the blink of an eye after the final whistle before he began to analyse and deconstruct the parts of a successful evening which would irk him all the way home to Turin.

Allegri did not like the way his team went behind and was unhappy with their approach to breaking down the Sevilla defensive block in the second half, when the hosts tried to compensate for the absence of red-carded Franco Vázquez.

Moreover, he was niggled by the fact that, prior to Juventus' third goal, it was his side who looked a little like they were "holding on" rather than the exhausted and depleted Sevilla.

Using phrases like "we needed to be less frantic" and "I didn't enjoy those last five minutes when things were too crazy and we failed to hold on to the ball sufficiently", Allegri shrugged off some deserved praise.

However, there was a passage about which the former Cagliari midfielder could afford to feel proud. Juventus were certainly trying to win the match at 1-1 while the other Group H encounter was 0-0 in Zagreb, but the instant that word reached him that Lyon had scored, meaning a draw was no longer sufficient to guarantee Juventus qualification, he made a daring structural alteration that helped yield Leonardo Bonucci's goal.

Allegri took off Patrice Evra, moved Alex Sandro wide left, used only two at the back, Bonucci and Daniele Rugani, and had Claudio Marchisio protecting in midfield. It meant that, with Stefano Sturaro on in midfield, there was often – from the 72nd minute onwards – a line of five Juve players strung out across the pitch, from touchline to touchline, in front of the Sevilla penalty area.

Sevilla pulled players back from midfield to cover the full-back positions and required Steven N'Zonzi – the home side's best player on the night – to drop deeper from central midfield to a position in front of the centre-backs.

That left, it transpired, empty space for Bonucci to time his run to the edge of the box, unmarked and unblocked, and fire in a dramatic goal which brought Juve within sight of their firmly stated objective – qualification for the knockout rounds before matchday six.

The Juve coach's tactic had pinned Sevilla back and left nobody in position to clear the loose ball. Allegri may not be thrilled by everything his team did, but he can be pleased with his own role in how the most important box, qualification, was ticked.

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http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Juventus vs. Sevilla 2016: Final score 3-1,

Late drama sends Juve top of group

Juventus edge out Sevilla in fiery contest in Spain

to take control of Group H in the Champions League.

<a href="http://oi66.tinypic.com/28ck2vp.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/11/23/13725538/sevilla-

juventus-2016-champions-league-group-stage-final-score-result-recap

Nov 23, 2016

Well, that was a strange game of football if ever I’d seen one.

Nevertheless, it was our heroes from Turin who managed to get the job done at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, a difficult stadium to visit, against a physical, determined and excellently drilled Sevilla side. Having done so, Juve take complete control of the group, and provided we can get the three points at home against a poor Dinamo Zagreb side who haven’t won a point or scored a goal in the group stage so far, our status as group winners ought to be secured! It feels nice to be completely in control of our own fate at the end of a Champions League group stage for a change.

Straight to the action then.

The game began in a cagey, yet intriguing manner, as both teams sought to test the waters and gain an understanding of the opposing side’s tactics, but it was the home side that quickly took control of proceedings. With virtually the first shot of the match, Sevilla took the lead. A corner and its follow up cross were not convincingly dealt with, and Daniel Rugani’s headed clearance was expertly volleyed home by center back Nicolas Pareja from just outside the box. It was a brilliantly well taken goal.

Juventus immediately tried to respond by droning forward in numbers, but were unable to get their offensive fluidity going, and this gave a large chunk of space between the Juventus midfield and backline for Sevilla to exploit, and they began to do so — looking threatening every time they attacked our third of the pitch. One such moment found Sevilla breaking forward in a 4 v. 3 situation, and Franco Vasquez’s pass found Sergio Escudero in space beyond Dani Alves, and his shot from outside the box was just above Gigi Buffon’s crossbar.

Juve’s first chance of the game came when Juan Cuadrado broke forward with speed and intent, and his forward pass found Mario Mandzukic with space in the box. He took a touch to steady himself, but his shot went well wide of goalkeeper Sergio Rico’s far post.

Another forward foray between Alves and Cuadrado found the Colombian in space down the right flank, and he fired in a low cutback to Sami Khedira, whose first time shot from just outside the box was inches away from the top corner.

Then came the game changing moment. Having just collected a ridiculous first booking for cynically taking Cuadrado out, Vasquez stopped a Khedira counter attack by clumsily sticking a leg out very late and catching the German on the ankle. It was a bookable offense, and as such, the Italo-Argentine got his marching orders.

Sevilla slowly began to lose the plot, as they got more physical and cynical in their approach, and having already given the Italian champions the man advantage, they gifted them a way back into the match in silly circumstances. A Juventus corner was headed out only for the referee to stop play, and to the shock of most watchers, grant Juventus a penalty. Upon viewing the replay, it was clear to see why. In full view of the referee, a Sevilla player had a hold of Leonardo Bonucci by the shirt. As Bonucci lost his man to attack the header, the player continued to hold his shirt, despite being a solid few feet away, and hauled the defender down. The Sevilla players, managing staff, and fans were all livid. In the midst of this fiery atmosphere, Claudio Marchisio stepped up in composed fashion, and tucked the penalty into the bottom corner, although a case can be made that Rico ought to have done better considering he got a hand to the shot. Either way, it was the kind of stroke of luck rarely enjoyed by this Juventus side in Europe, and they went into the break with scores equal, a man to the good, and momentum completely on their side.

However, if you expected Juventus to exploit the momentum shift and come out guns blazing to take the lead, BOY were you mistaken. It is hard to look at the second half Juventus performance and make a case for Max Allegri’s men playing for anything other than a draw. Despite the man advantage, and a growing dominance of possession, it was mostly sterile possession with zero sense of urgency or intent. Sevilla for their part did their best to counter when possible, but spent the bulk of the half resolutely defending within their box.

A Miralem Pjanic shot that was well saved by Rico from distance aside, there were zero chances for the first 35 minutes of the half. The Spanish side were displaying admirable solidarity and positioning to lock Juventus out almost completely.. Until the 84^th minute. Moise Kean came on for the woeful Miralem Pjanic, becoming the first player born in the 21^st century to compete in the Champions League, and the giant Italian teenager had an almost instant effect.

Alves did brilliantly well to find space on the right flank and fire in a dangerous cross. Kean was there to put tremendous pressure on the defender, something Mandzukic struggled to do all night, and the headed clearance, in almost identical fashion to the opener, set itself up for Bonucci to come flying in and fire a beast of a left footed shot first time straight into the bottom corner of the goal. The game looked to be heading towards a drab draw, and it needed a moment of genius to decide itself, and man, did Big Leo provide!

The home side tried their best to fight their way back into the game, winning a number of freekicks and corners, but in stark contrast to recent times, the Juventus defense accounted well for itself. In the very last minute of injury time, with the game all but decided and an exhausted Sevilla side having no fight left in them, Marchisio played a wonderful ball through to Mandzukic, who broke into the Sevilla box, dummied his man, and fired in a wonderful placed finish beyond Rico’s desperate dive.

It was a fiery first half, followed by a drab second, and its hard to think that this game was not decided by a few key moments, yet the boys did well to not lose their heads the way the Spanish side did, and came away with the crucial three points.

TACTICS

With no attacking options besides Mandzukic and the 16-year-old Kean, Allegri made the most of his available personnel and rolled out a 4-5-1 formation, with Sandro and Cuadrado playing as orthodox wingers and Mandzukic leading the line. Naturally, though, Cuadrado was the more attacking of the two wingers, and was the primary source of creativity for the side. Sevilla for their part lined up in BWRAO readers’ favorite formation, the 3-5-2, but one that looked very different to what we would be used to. Both wingbacks, Mariano Ferreira and Escudero attacked freely and frequently found themselves in very advanced positions. Vitolo played in a sort of mezzala role, doing the free roam style to support the forwards, very similar to how He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named (read: most expensive player in the world) used to play within our 3-5-2 setup last year.

Following their early lead, and our attempts to make an instant response by droning forward in numbers, the X-factor for all the wrong reasons seemed to be Marchisio, who struggled with their press, and to affect proceedings. In rare circumstances, he and Khedira left acres of space between them and our centerbacks for the likes of Vitolo and Vasquez to exploit, and as a result Sevilla were able to look menacing every time they won the ball and broke forward. However, slowly Marchisio grew into the game, and its no surprise that simultaneously our offense began to click, and we began to threaten the Sevilla defense more. Cuadrado was crucial to this as he used his quick turn of pace and feet, and the advanced passes from those behind him, to break the Sevilla press and attack the space between the midfield and defense.

Vital to these proceedings was the red card to Vasquez, as he had been the primary culprit when it came to shackling Marchisio. Losing him not only lost Sevilla a creative brain to link the defensive and attacking phase, but also their shackled hold on Marchisio. Such games really do highlight the Turin native’s importance to the side. Despite not having the best start to the game, the moment Il Principino finds his footing, everyone’s game seems to raise a notch and the chemistry and wavelength start to establish itself. Marchisio completed a dominant 90% of his passes, misplacing only seven. His positioning was also crucial in keeping Sevilla quiet after the first 20 minutes, as seen by his impressive 12 recoveries of the ball.

Alves and Cuadrado were crucial down the right, as they did very well to keep Escudero quiet, and their chemistry was the biggest source of creativity to the side. On the other side, this is exactly where Sandro and Evra struggled. They were unable to bring each other into the game, and team up to double up on Ferreira and threaten from the wing. Sandro in particular, while having a very decent and fighting game, lacked his usual sharpness in the final third, and this did hurt us, considering we were targeting the wings in the absence of Paulo Dybala and Marko Pjaca.

Alves’ positional heatmap, displaying how much ground he covered along the right flank

In the second half, Sampaoli and Sevilla changed things up by taking Vietto off, bringing on the tricky Sarabia to play on the left, and pushing Vitolo up into a kind of false nine position. They also transitioned into a more classic 4-4-1 formation, with Escudero and Gabriel Mercado playing as fullbacks, and Mariano Ferreira and Sarabia playing as wingers. The biggest struggle Juventus faced was trying to bring Mandzukic into the game. Pjanic’s complete no show as a mezzala, meant that Sevilla could task the industrious duo of Vicente Iborra and Steven N’Zonzi to keep an eye on him, leaving the big Croat alone against the Sevilla center backs. And considering we were playing with wingers, a lot of Bonucci, Marchisio and Pjanic’s attempts at incisive long balls, were aimed at the wing instead of forward towards Mandzukic, hence making no use of Mario’s physicality. Sandro’s struggles in the final third meant that Mandzukic was feeding off scraps for most of the game, and barely got involved. I am still not convinced that Mandzukic can be of use when there isn’t a player playing off him, and the play isn’t directed through the center. Unless of course we have wingers like Robben and Ribery delivering monster crosses for him, which we don’t.

The heatmaps give us a straightforward assessment of the match, and second half in particular, as Sevilla were pushed further and further behind, and we began to dominate possession all over the pitch, all the way up to their 18-yard box, yet we had next to nothing to show for it. In between Marchisio’s penalty and Bonucci’s winner, we mustered only a single shot at all, which is quite poor.

PLAYER RATINGS

Buffon: 6.5

Perhaps could have done better on Sevilla’s goal, but his vision was obscured by a large number of players and the chances that none of them would get even a touch on the ball were slim, so its hard to fault him. Had little to do after the first 20 minutes.

Alves: 7.5

I was actually very impressed with Alves tonight. He showed excellent chemistry with Cuadrado, and was very sound defensively. Most hearteningly, his random positional changes and flair moves were kept in check and not overdone. He had the most touches of anyone on the pitch, and had a stunning 96 percent passing accuracy rate.

Rugani: 8.5 (MotM)

My personal choice for Man of the Match, Rugani had a monster game. He was instrumental in not letting Sevilla run away in the first 20 minutes, as he wonderfully stemmed the flow of Spanish attacks, with wonderful positioning, and reading of the game. He had Vietto in his pocket throughout the first half, and won a number of headers and balls that made me think he was Bonucci. His new found composure on the ball is very impressive, as he confidently brought the ball forward and was not afraid to play the odd long ball. Still managed an impressive 88 percent passing rate. Did not put a foot wrong all game, in a difficult stadium with an electric atmosphere against a strong and physical team. His composure belies his age, and sky’s the limit for him!

Bonucci: 8

Continues to establish himself as not only one of most important outfield players, but also one of our most clutch game winners. Despite question marks (unfounded, in my opinion) about him in a back four, he too didn’t put a foot wrong, on the ball or positionally, all game. Capped off a solid defensive performance, with a stunning match winner from distance on his “weaker” foot.

Evra: 6.5

I’m starting to have my doubts over Evra being more “safe” than Sandro, and Max’s first choice on European nights. It’s not that he isn’t solid, it’s that he’s slowly starting to show signs that he’s going to lose every 50-50 occasion most of the time, even occasionally losing fights/moments/positions where he ought to be the favorite. This is a serious concern. A solid game is pointless when he loses focus in a key moment, which is far likelier to be punished in Europe. Didn’t offer much going forward either.

Cuadrado: 8

The Colombian is fast earning a place in my good books, after a series of impressive performances over the past month and a half. Shockingly, he had a 90 percent passing rate, and he seems to be in the kind of form where all his dribbles and moves end up being productive in one way or another, even if all they’re doing is making space for a teammate, which is extremely important. He’s found his niche within the team, and I’m very grateful to have his skillset within the squad!

Khedira: 6.5

Solid, if unspectacular game from the German. Struggled to get into the game early on, similar to Marchisio. However, there onwards, he was always where he needed to be. Came agonizingly close with a first time shot from outside the box, and his improved shooting/attacking positioning this year is turning out to be a hidden weapon for us. Still, with Mandzukic struggling to effect the game, he didn’t have anyone to play his usual quick passes with in the final third.

Marchisio: 7.5

Vital to this squad. The first half is the clearest indicator of what he brings to this squad. When absent or off his game, the team struggles to find cohesion going forward, and the defense is far more exposed than they normally would be. His composure, quick thinking and efficiency on the ball is what can make the difference in games like today, where one team lost their heads and the plot completely, while the other, his team, didn’t. A little lucky with his penalty, but fully deserved his first European goal in almost four years. Loses half a point for a poor opening 20 minutes.

Pjanic: 5

Dire performance from the Bosnian, who is really struggling. Struggled to get into the game, and Marchisio next to him had almost double as many touches and passes as him, which is quite startling. When he did get the ball, he didn’t do anything useful with it, and lost it often. He also reacts to fouls/referee decisions with far too much impulsiveness, and it’s only a matter of time before he collects a booking at a very bad time for him and the team.

Sandro: 6.5

Decent game from our Brazilian bomber, who was absolutely everywhere down the left flank. Very solid defensively, and after the opening 20, he did well to understand the threat Ferreira was posing down the left, and help Uncle Pat to double team him. Lacked his usual sharpness going forward, in the final third in particular, but that is to be expected considering the stunningly high levels he’s displayed this season so far.

Mandzukic: 6.5

Struggled badly. This game wasn’t for him, and it brought back flashbacks of how he looked in comparison to a more dynamic forward like Morata in this 4-5-1 setup vs Bayern Munich last year. That said, he was isolated against two, if not three defenders, and he received very little service, or crosses to attack. However, full marks for a wonderful composed finish at the very end to leave the game beyond doubt.

Sturaro: 6

He is such a mass of contradictions. His positioning is actually surprisingly brilliant, but it’s his finesse, or lack thereof, that keeps letting him down. That said, on two separate occasions he did lose the ball, only to immediately hunt it down and win it again. In that sense, he is reliable but for his atrocious passing and touch on the ball, which are glaring flaws for a midfielder to have.

Kean: N/A

Don’t know what to rate the young lad, but he showed what a more agile and physical threat can do, although it was against 10 pairs of tired legs. He is certainly an impressive specimen for his age, and his growth under Allegri will be interesting to see. With the number of injuries we are accumulating, and both Mandzukic and Higuain entering the tail end of their careers, it will be interesting to see Allegri’s plans for him. I think he has an excellent sense of developing youngsters, so fingers crossed..

Chiellini: N/A

Didn’t get injured on his return game. Shocker. He stupidly had his hands all over Iborra on a late corner, and had the midfielder gone down, who knows how the referee might have ruled. Its annoying he doesn’t seem to be able to change this aspect of his game..

Allegri: 7

Got the lineup right, but his hand was forced. Going behind early in that fashion certainly had an impact on our poor opening 20 minutes, but the team did very well to fight their way back into the match for the remainder of the half, and credit has to go to his setup for that. That said, his negative approach in the second half was very obvious, and very very annoying. Normally you’d expect the side to at least try to take the initiative for 10-15 minutes, before going into safe mode, but they came out in the second half aiming not to lose, and that is shameful. Still, gave Kean a chance in a key game, and in some small way it made a difference, which took guts.

Concluding Thoughts:

We need Dybala and Pjaca back soon.
More of this please, Cuadrado and Alves.
For heaven’s sake, there is zero need to rush Chiellini back into the starting lineup. Rugani’s performance ought to be enough to convince anyone that Chiellini does not need to be rushed back to fitness.
Bonucci is the real Clutchmeister.
I’ll end with a lovely paragraph I found on an Adam Digby article:

“As with many aspects of modern life, the Italian language has numerous words that have been adopted into English analysis of football. It is not uncommon to hear words like regista or trequartista pop up during conversations about the beautiful game, but perhaps for once it is Calcio that would do well to borrow a foreign term to describe one of its most under-appreciated players.

Not as incisive in his passing as predecessor Andrea Pirlo, Marchisio occupies the central midfield role as what Brazilians would call a volante. The term describes a player who not only protects the defence, but also ensures the ball continually flows in the right direction, literally translating as ‘steering wheel.’

Tactically aware and technically superb, he may lack the other-worldly passing ability of the man who left for New York City FC, but he brings increased physicality, stamina and awareness to the position. On Tuesday night, when the Old Lady most needed him, it was Marchisio who drove her to victory. It was not the first time, and it will not be the last.”

Sevilla FC v Juventus - UEFA Champions League

That’s all from me, guys, and thanks for reading! Top of the league, top of the Champions League group, it could have been worse! Forza Juve!

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

Socrates · November 24, 2016

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS

- 1-3

Nicolás Pareja (9')

Claudio Marchisio (Penalty - 45'+2)

Leonardo Bonucci (84')

Mario Mandzukic (90+4')

MATCHDAY 5

Tuesday, november 22nd 2016 - 08:45 p.m.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (England)‬

Sevilla 1-3 Juventus Champions League Match Report

<a href="http://oi65.tinypic.com/dmz0wx.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.juvefc.com/sevilla-1-3-juventus/?

Nov 23, 2016

I despised Sevilla after our first encounter earlier this season. Not just Sampaoli’s face and psuedo menacing posturing in the tightest shirt of his wardrobe, but their typically Spanish theatrics. And so, despite our patched up squad, missing two of our best defenders, two of our best attackers, I was desperate to see us put these swine to the sword…

The first half was fairly even. It would be fair to say the the home side showed more endeavour, but we were a threat on the break. When the goal came, it was thankfully down to no individual error, but a brilliant strike from Pareja, from just outside the box. Heads didn’t drop, at least not on the Juve side of the divide, yet Sevilla showed themselves as pigfuckers, as they demanded cards for every tackle they lost, hacked and wailed at every card or warning received and it came as no surprise to see Vazquez sent off for his second booking of the match with a pointless foul on Khedira, who was going nowhere.

We had conjured one decent chance through Mandzukic before deep into stoppage time, Bonucci invited the foul in the box from a corner. Clattenberg gave the penalty, which seemed fortuitous at first glance, but the replay showed this was a fine piece of officialdom at work.

Il Principino e tornato…

Marchisio stepped up and struck a decent effort which squirmed under the keeper for 1-1.

With the home side down to ten men, Sampaoli warned for disputing every single decision ferociously, Allegri held fire, kept faith with the same starting XI. And why not eh? For at 1-1 we had control not only of qualification, but also first spot, for if it came down to head to head results from a draw on points, we would go through above the filthy spaniards, as they couldn’t manage a goal in the draw in Turin.

Sevilla huffed and puffed. Their eagerness to remonstrate with the officials grew worse, and Sampaoli was finally sent to the stands. Pjanic had a decent effort saved. We then grabbed control of the game, slow, pedestrian probing, which seemed to be too easily defended against.

Allegri brought on Sturaro to try add some muscle and hustle in midfield, yet it was later in the game, with barely five minutes of official time remaining that he threw on Kean. Who made an instant impact. The 16 year old forcing the defender to clear to Bonucci from a corner, and the big man upstaged Pareja with a superb left foot drive from 25 yards out for 1-2.

Chiellini was brought on for a brief cameo to help shore up the back line and consolidate the victory, and yet it was our lads who scored yet again, very late on, with Marchisio finding Mandzukic in space, who dropped a shoulder, and placed a perfect pea roller into the corner for 1-3. Composed and clinical.

Player Ratings

Buffon – Could do nothing for the goal, other than which was largely untested. 6.5

Rugani – After his injury bothers he has recently represented his country magnificently in the draw with the Germans, then continued his return to form with a mature performance in this important tie. Passed well, tackled and covered fine and brought the ball out of defence intelligently. 7

Bonucci – A rock at the back, won the penalty and scored the winner. Big Leo has been exceptional for a while now, world class on occasion, yet this was the perfect performance of experience, guile and indomitable spirit. I know of no other centreback in the world game who is his equal. 10

Evra – Made up for his lack of youthful exuberance with a calm and composed showing. Far from wonderful with his distribution but to his credit he is playing different roles each game, and producing solid performance week in, week out. 6.5

Alves – Disciplined in his positional endeavour, allowing Cuadrado to take up positions the Brazilian naturally seeks, and kept his eye on the ball and players to defend soundly. 6.5

Khedira – Came close with a smart drive hit first time in the first half, then faded dreadfully in the second. 6

Marchisio – Leggy, as to be expected after such a long injury lay off yet stuck to his game, played some beautiful passes, screened the defence and scored the all important equaliser. His movement was laboured, and his distribution often telegraphed, but he brings so much more to the regista role than any other in the squad and I am so very glad to have him back in the ranks. And know he and the side in turn, will only improve as he regains his sharpness. 7

Pjanic – Other than the one decent drive towards goal, the Bosnian was largely uninvolved. We are yet to work out how to get the best out of him, but its the system not the player which is failing. He stood up to be counted when it mattered. 6.5

Cuadrado – Far from his finest or worst performance, Juan toiled and showed impressive discipline, yet found no major openings as he was very well contained by the home side rearguard action. 6.5

Sandro – Asked to play as a wide forward, Alex struggled to impose himself on the game. He was up against always two defenders, and worked damn hard to his credit, yet he is clearly more potent when deployed from deeper. 6.5

Mandzukic – His form of late has been improving, and such is the determination of the giant Croat that he was ready to plunder the third deep into stoppage time, taking his goal intelligently. Offered no support up top for most the game, he gave his all for the cause, and I am rekindling my love for his value. 8

SUBS

Sturaro – Still finding his feet. A few misplaced passes, little offered going forward, yet as always, Stefano gave in the least, a contribution of immense determination and hustle. Major room for improvement. 5.5

Kean made his debut in Serie A and the Champions League aged 16…all in the space of four days.

Kean – So little time, yet he made a major impact in forcing the defender to clear the ball from Alves to Bonucci, who scored a blinder. 6.5

Chiellini – N/A

Sevilla are the most solid team we have faced this season. As their record domestically as well as in Europe confirms. They are extremely well drilled, very hard to break down through open play and lively up top. However, they are also appallingly absent of sportsmanship, constantly faking injury and suffer from a warped sense of entitlement. They represent everything I hate about Spanish football. The diving, the theatrics, the demanding of the ref to award yellow cards. Which comes from the manager, who even after finding himself sent to the stands still basically said FUCK YOU to the officials by continuing to communicate directly face to face with his assistant on the bench. I hope he is punished, as per the rules. For he was atrocious from start to finish in both games. Absolutely classless. We need to see such antics crushed in football. The sooner, the better.

Perhaps we were lucky to have Clattenberg, the major superstar ref of the premier league, a man who is well aware of his power and adores the occasion of soaking up the limelight, knowing he has the final say.

Not so welcome were two yellows received for nothing challenges to those of our own ranks and the weird decision to avoid sending off Mercado yet awarding the penalty for his obvious foul in the box.

We did not play well. Which was to be expected with the absences, a new formation, a LWB playing up top, and Marchisio still finding his rhythm after so long spent recovering from his ACL horrors. What we did show however, was grit, belief, togetherness and calmness. All of which comes from the manager and the experienced members of the squad. This is why Marchisio played, when nowhere near match sharp, for it was not his form we needed, but his experience, intelligence and maturity. Which counts for so much in a volatile fixture such as this one, especially when playing away from home.

Cool, calm and collected. Allegri played his hand perfectly against a tough opponent.

Some could moan of Allegri’s moves from the bench, but consider that the sole attacking move we could make was to bring on a 16 year old, who has played a handful of minutes last weekend at senior level in Serie A and was to make his european debut at the same level in a cauldron atmosphere. I salute Allegri for his work. Outstanding, given the options available.

Bear in mind that Sevilla had lost just one game at home in La Liga and not conceded in the champions league before last night. With a side missing 4 key players, we beat them 1-3. Deservedly.

Which continues this uncomfortable grasping towards the old adage of great teams winning when playing badly, which sums up our season to date. The proof of the pudding will come when we have a full squad to choose from, and hope to find some momentum, and an upturn in cohesion and form. Despite which, Allegri has us top of Serie A by 7 points and already qualified for the knock-out stages of the champions league. Which has been achieved with a wretched injury crisis and the steady absence of one or more of our strongest players.

There are many more reasons to be cheerful, proud and hopeful of glory than despondent.

forza juve

(NB, the U19s won a handsome 0-2 victory away to Sevilla, goals from Clemenza and Zeqiri, leaving us placed brilliantly top of the group. I believe even a draw at home to Zagreb in the final fixture will see Grosso’s young guns progress to the knockout stage!)

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10?ICID=MP_TN_167

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JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

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