JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - SAMPDORIA

 

4-1-   

 

Mario Mandzukic 4'

Giorgio Chiellini 9'

Patrik Schick 57'

Miralem Pjanic 65'

Giorgio Chiellini 87'

 

 

MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Carmine Russo

 

 

 

Juventus 4 - Sampdoria 1: Initial reaction

and random observations

 

 

 

  http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/10/26/13414728/juventus-sampdoria-

2016-serie-a-round-10-final-score-result-initial-reaction-and-random-observations

 

 

Oct 26, 2016

 

For six months we waited for this day. Six long months of wondering just when Claudio Marchisio would make his first appearance in a game since having major knee surgery on his torn ACL that he suffered back in April. He’s been called up, but not playing in games, basically the ultimate tease when it comes to seeing Marchisio on the field again.

Against Sampdoria, the end was over. Marchisio was announced as a starter in Juventus’ lineup over the loudspeaker once more. And with all of that being said, you just had a hunch that they weren’t going to lose it, too.

They started out exactly how you wanted them to start, too.

Goals from Mario Mandzukic and Giorgio Chiellini within the first 10 minutes helped Juventus storm out to a 2-0 lead over Sampdoria at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night. There were some nervy moments when Samp cut the lead in half at 2-1 midway through the second half, but thanks to a goal from Miralem Pjanic and Chiellini’s second, all those fears of Juve losing their lead were squashed as they went on to capture the 4-1 win over Marco Giampaolo’s struggling side.

That’s how it should be done against a team that is hovering around the relegation zone. And it was the perfect way to ring in Marchisio’s return.

The best part of it all? Marchisio looked pretty good out there, too.

(“Ah, but how did he play?” somebody screams from the back of the room.)

Marchisio holding things down in the center of the Juventus midfield just seemed to bring balance. You look at when things were going well for Juve — mostly before they took their foot off the gas late in the first half — and Marchisio was involved in a lot of it. As a great man on Twitter said, Marchisio was putting on a positioning clinic, which isn’t earth-shattering news considering how tactically aware he is.

In his near-72 minutes of game time, Marchisio completed nearly 90 percent of his passes, led Juventus in interceptions on the night and filled our hearts with good feelings simply because he was back on the field for the first time in six months. It’s going to be a little sketchy whenever somebody goes in on a tackle on Marchisio for the next month or two in all likelihood, but he’s back, and that’s what we should all be the happiest about.

Oh, yeah. And Juventus won. I like when Juventus wins — especially by multiple goals.

Here’s something good, though: Juventus are undefeated when Claudio Marchisio is in the starting lineup this season. Welcome back, my friend. You were definitely missed.

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

 

• Initial reaction to the starting lineup being posted on Twitter: CLAUDIO BACK CLAUDIO BACK CLAUDIO BACK CLAUDIO BACK CLAUDIO BACK CLAUDIO BACK CLAUDIO BACK
• Giorgio Chiellini likes scoring goals against Sampdoria, doesn’t he? He may not find the back of the net often, but when he does, it’s against Sampdoria, I guess.
• You can also say that Chiellini played a role in three goals on Wednesday night. Problem is, one of those goals happened to be the only time Sampdoria scored.
• I like the midweek fixture in Serie A where everybody is playing at the same time if only because we get to hear the reaction of the Juventus Stadium crowd when a score comes up just a few seconds after we see it pop across the screen on Twitter. It didn’t end that way, but there were more than just a couple of people cheering when Sassuolo took a 1-0 lead over Roma. If only that game stayed that way...
• I guess we now have to wait for the medical update on Instagram from Patrice Evra. I suspect, no matter how good or bad the news is, that we will hear about how much Uncle Pat loves this game.
• I mean, it’s not the worst situation in the world where you can turn to Alex Sandro off the bench when Evra gets hurt. Having squad depth is cool.
• Pjanic might have had a goal and an assist tonight, but there’s just something about his game that is lacking right now. It seemed like we rarely heard his name after Juve went up 2-0 and then after he scored his goal. A lot like Sami Khedira, Pjanic just seems off. I would like to think that Marchisio’s return will free things up for the both of them, allowing Khedira and Pjanic to really show what kind of midfielders they are.
• Two assists from Juan Cuadrado. Good, very good.
• Considering that he has played all of about 45 minutes this season, it was about as good of a game from Neto has we could have hoped for. He commanded his box well, even crashing through his teammates a couple of times to collect a cross. (Which is also probably a sign that communication wasn’t the best out there.) He only had to make a couple of saves, one of them was really, really good from point-blank range. I guess the big thing we look for from a backup keeper is for nothing to be majorly screwed up. No screw-ups from Neto, so bravo to him.
• I couldn’t help but think that with Juventus up a couple of goals with 10 minutes or so to go that it would have been the perfect time to give Moise Kean his debut appearance and let the kid run around in a game that was basically done and dusted. I guess Max Allegri had completely different ideas. Dammit, Max.
• Napoli on Saturday, folks. Should be a fairly intense game, don’t you think?

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - SAMPDORIA

 

4-1-   

 

Mario Mandzukic 4'

Giorgio Chiellini 9'

Patrik Schick 57'

Miralem Pjanic 65'

Giorgio Chiellini 87'

 

 

MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Carmine Russo

 

 

 

Allegri: 'Aggressive Juventus'

 

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93505/allegri-aggressive-juventus?

 

 

Oct 26, 2016

 

Max Allegri praised Juventus for their “aggressive” approach and tempo to Sampdoria and welcomed back Claudio Marchisio.

 

The Bianconeri recovered from a defeat to Milan by sweeping Sampdoria aside 4-1, maintaining their two-point lead at the top of the table.

 

“It was important to start this aggressive, as that is how Samp won the Derby,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“I am happy that Mario Mandzukic scored, while Gonzalo Higuain had a great game and his goals will come soon enough. Everyone did well, as when Higuain was the centre-forward, Mandzukic went wide and vice versa. That’s a good sign.

 

“Neto also made two or three important saves. It was good to have Marchisio back. In terms of positioning and tactical intelligence, he’s very valuable to the team.

 

“We develop the football well when we move the ball quickly and that’s what happened today. When we slowed down the tempo, we allowed Samp back into the game.”

 

Dani Alves was a surprise pick in a three-man defence amid the injury crisis.

 

“He is so good on the ball and had a good game. He is a player who can fill that role.”

 

Juventus face last season’s Scudetto rivals Napoli on Saturday evening, so what form at the Bianconeri in?

 

“We need to improve the quality of our football. It will be an important match, but not as decisive as the meeting in the second half of the season,” concluded Allegri.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - SAMPDORIA

 

4-1-   

 

Mario Mandzukic 4'

Giorgio Chiellini 9'

Patrik Schick 57'

Miralem Pjanic 65'

Giorgio Chiellini 87'

 

 

MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Carmine Russo

 

 

 

Allegri: Good to have Marchisio back

 

Manager’s post-match comments

 

 

  http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/10/27/13430052/allegri-good

-to-have-marchisio-back-juventus-sampdoria-post-match-comments

 

 

Oct 26, 2016

 

Juventus put in a commanding performance to win 4-1 against Sampdoria and bounce back after a midweek loss. After the game, manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the press about his pairing of Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain.

"The two strikers system worked quite well, with Mandzukic next to Pipita.

"Higuain played a good game and I'm happy for Mandzukic who deserved the goal and did very well.

"Together Higuain and he moved well. It was the second game they played together and they did better than they did in the first.

"We have to work on their understanding and it was important that they were playing together. With the [next] game against Napoli, we will see if we play only one or even both of them."

There was a moment in the second half when Sampdoria pulled one goal back and looked more likely to get the next goal than the hosts.

"The boys were very good from the start. We unlocked them at the beginning, but then made a mistake which reopened the race. But then we closed it again and suffered no major problems.

"It was important to win again in view of the challenge against Napoli."

On the other performances on the day -

“Neto also made two or three important saves. It was good to have Claudio Marchisio back. In terms of positioning and tactical intelligence, he’s very valuable to the team.

“We develop the football well when we move the ball quickly and that’s what happened today. When we slowed down the tempo, we allowed Samp back into the game.”

What was his thinking with starting Dani Alves in a three-man backline -

“He is so good on the ball and had a good game. He is a player who can fill that role.”

The Bianconeri have another big game on Saturday, against Higuain’s former club Napoli -

“We need to improve the quality of our football. It will be an important match, but not as decisive as the meeting in the second half of the season.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - SAMPDORIA

 

4-1-   

 

Mario Mandzukic 4'

Giorgio Chiellini 9'

Patrik Schick 57'

Miralem Pjanic 65'

Giorgio Chiellini 87'

 

 

MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Carmine Russo

 

 

 

Marchisio and Chiellini mastermind

Juventus win over Sampdoria

 

 

 

  http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2982354/

marchisio-and-chiellini-mastermind-juventus-win-over-sampdoria

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

 

Normalcy resumed as Juventus bounced back from their defeat to AC Milan to win 4-1 against a Sampdoria side that lacked courage and organisation.

Marco Giampaolo had confessed that it would be a tough test against the champions of Italy yet bizarrely made several changes to the team that won the derby against Genoa. Within nine minutes, Juventus were already 2-0 up, enjoying the opponent's vulnerability at defending crosses.

As usual, Juventus thought their job was done and proceeded to play a dull game void of character or intensity until their mistake led to a Blucerchiati goal. Immediately Giampaolo introduced attacking changes, hoping to exploit the relaxed approach of the home side but Juve's quality is such that it took little effort to pierce through the timid Sampdoria backline to earn another three points and keep Roma at bay.

Positives

The return of Claudio Marchisio had an immediate effect on a side that sorely missed the balance and character he provides. On hand to shore up the backline with the security they lacked in his absence, Marchisio also boasted vision and tactical intelligence to play with confidence, guiding the team forward and producing the geometric passes and rhythm the team once relied upon.

Negatives

A team coveting trophies and familiar with winning should never feel satisfied. Not at 2-0, 4-0 or even 8-0. Juventus should always be looking to do better and to score more. The fact they took their foot off the gas after the break, dropping the tempo so low so as to encourage the opponent demonstrated a poor attitude and a weakness that will be exploited by better sides.

 

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Massimiliano Allegri teased us with the possibility of playing a 4-3-3 but in the end stayed true to the 3-5-2 formation yet neither he nor his players disappointed. Dani Alves may have looked uncomfortable in an unfamiliar role but there is potential to exploit in the Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain partnership.

 

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

GK Norbeto Neto, 6 -- Produced a wonderful save on Ante Budimir but doesn't quite provide the feeling of safety that Gianluigi Buffon does. He is, understandably, still trying to understand his defenders.

DF Dani Alves 5 -- Playing in an unfamiliar role, it was clear the Brazilian was uncomfortable especially as he's not the best when it comes to defending. Had the feet for it but not the toughest of opponents.

DF Leonardo Bonucci, 6 -- A few mistakes but he delivered 12 accurate long balls forward and provided safety at the back.

DF Giorgio Chiellini, 7 -- He not only managed to score a brace but he closed down well and read the danger. Brilliant performance had it not been for the mistake that led to Sampdoria's goal.

WB Juan Cuadrado, 7 -- Two assists and the relentless desire to attack, this was a more incisive Cuadrado who may still be guilty of a wrong decision but produced the results required. Well defended against in the second half.

MF Sami Khedira, 6 -- Always on hand to exploit space and make timely runs forward but not influencing the game as well as he did at the start of the season.

MF Claudio Marchisio, 7 -- Finally, the master of midfield is back and he made all the difference, slipping in to rescue the defence and adding control and measure to the midfield. Recovered the ball well and delivered a performance worthy of the standing ovation he received.

MF Miralem Pjanic, 6 -- Something is missing. Technically, the player is great and he not only scored a goal but he delivered an assist too. Yet he still seems to be playing within himself, shackled by nonchalance or fear. In a winning team, he must add character and impose himself.

WB Patrice Evra, 6 -- Always defensively cautious, he balanced the duality of his role well but went off with an injury just before half-time.

FW Gonzalo Higuain, 6 -- He is looking a little less sharp than usual and while he worked seemingly well with Mandzukic, he suffered in playing his usual brazen style. Not quite as clinical as we know him to be.

FW Mario Mandzukic, 7 -- Not only did he score the opening goal but he defended well from the top and tried to knock the ball down to aid his teammates and create a partnership with Higuain. A fighter, it was however strange to see him hesitate at the ball on one point, passing when he should have taken a shot.

Substitutes:

WB Alex Sandro, 6 -- Brilliant as usual, Sandro can always be depended on to dominate the left flank, tracking back to defend and storming forward with vigour. If we had to be picky, he should release the ball quicker when teammates are communicating with him.

MF Mario Lemina, N/A -- Took over form Marchisio and ensured the flow of the game.

MF Kwadwo Asamoah, N/A -- Barely given any minutes to add value to the game.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - SAMPDORIA

 

4-1-   

 

Mario Mandzukic 4'

Giorgio Chiellini 9'

Patrik Schick 57'

Miralem Pjanic 65'

Giorgio Chiellini 87'

 

 

MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Carmine Russo

 

 

 

Allegri heaps praise on Juventus duo

Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain

 

 

 

  http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2982408/allegri-heaps-

praise-on-juventus-duo-mario-mandzukic-and-gonzalo-higuain

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Massimiliano Allegri was pleased with Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain's contributions in Juventus' 4-1 home win over Sampdoria.

Mandzukic gave Juventus a fourth minute lead before Giorgio Chiellini made it 2-0. Patrik Schick pulled one back for the visitors but Miralem Pjanic and Chiellini added further goals to give the defending champions a comfortable win.

Despite Higuain's failure to get among the goals, Allegri noted that the Argentine's strike partnership with Mandzukic has finally started to bloom.

"The two strikers system worked quite well, with Mandzukic next to Pipita [Higuain]," Allegri said.

"Higuain played a good game and I'm happy for Mandzukic who deserved the goal and did very well.

"Together Higuain and he moved well. It was the second game they played together and they did better than they did in the first.

"We have to work on their understanding and it was important that they were playing together. With the [next] game against Napoli, we will see if we play only one or even both of them."

While his team were clinical in attack, Allegri has urged the players to cut out errors at the back if they are to retain their league title.

"The boys were very good from the start," he added. "We unlocked them at the beginning, but then made a mistake which reopened the race. But then we closed it again and suffered no major problems.

"It was important to win again in view of the challenge against Napoli."

Juventus continue to stay top of the standings, two points ahead of Roma as they prepare for their weekend's game against fellow title contenders Napoli.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - SAMPDORIA

 

4-1-   

 

Mario Mandzukic 4'

Giorgio Chiellini 9'

Patrik Schick 57'

Miralem Pjanic 65'

Giorgio Chiellini 87'

 

 

MATCHDAY 10

Wednesday, October 26th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Carmine Russo

 

 

 

Chiellini: Juventus wanted to send

a message after Milan defeat

 

The Italy international says it was important his side bounced back from their loss

at San Siro and says the team must keep developing and improving to win the title.

 

 

  http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/10/27/28901692/-?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Giorgio Chiellini has stressed Juventus were keen to send out a message against Sampdoria following their surprising loss versus AC Milan at the weekend.

 

The reigning champions were beaten 1-0 at San Siro on Saturday, but bounced back with a comfortable 4-1 win at home on Wednesday.

 

Chiellini struck twice to ensure Juve held onto their two-point advantage over Roma at the Serie A summit.

 

"We wanted to send out a message. The key was to put Saturday behind us and start again," Chiellini told the club's official website.

 

"We want to keep developing, keep getting better and keep winning.

 

"Only a fool would think the league was already won after just 10 games. We are never satisfied as a team and our performance proved that tonight, as individuals and as a group. The forwards, for example, showed their quality and worked really hard."

 

Juventus face fellow title candidates Napoli on Saturday and Chiellini has urged his team-mates to keep their calm.

 

"The match versus Napoli will be an important game but you have to keep a cool head whoever you are playing, as we have always done," he added.

"We can still gel even more, but we have the desire and determination."

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-   

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Volcanic Juventus-Napoli

 

Once a quietly simmering rivalry, Gaby McKay explains why tensions have erupted between Juventus and Napoli in recent years.

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93517/volcanic-juventus-napoli?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

When Juventus face Napoli on Saturday night, one of the biggest games of the season will take place with no visiting supporters. Just like last time, the Partenopei will walk out at Juventus Stadium without any fans to back them. The same has been true for the Bianconeri’s last two trips to the San Paolo. Such is the hostility, it’s just not deemed safe.

Much of the enmity is rooted in social and sporting history, and in truth runs deeper one way than the other. The South of Italy was - and to an extent still is - very poor. Turin, an industrial hub and the seat of Italy’s royal family, stood in sharp contrast to Naples, a sprawling and chaotic city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius.

The Northern stereotype ran that the South was corrupt and backward. For Southerners, the North was aloof and cold, its prosperity draining the best and brightest toward Turin, Milan and Genoa. On the pitch, Napoli remain the only mainland club south of Rome to have won the Scudetto - 85 have gone to the aforementioned cities.

For the people of Campania, Napoli’s rise in the 1980s was as much about North v South as taking on Juventus. Consider the Bianconeri and the Partenopei’s greatest stars of that era. In the black and white corner, the Frenchman Michel Platini - middle class, graceful, languid. In light blue Diego Maradona, a fiery midfielder from the slums of Buenos Aires. El Pibe de Oro was brilliant, but as volatile as the mountain whose shadow he played in.

Napoli wrested the Scudetto from the Old Lady’s clutches in 1987, adding another three years later, but it was a temporary upset of the established order.

As the Partenopei collapsed slowly into bankruptcy, so the significance of this fixture dwindled for Juventini - there may have been disdain, but no-one could call it a rivalry. When the two renewed acquaintances in 2006, it was in Serie B, Juventus having been brought to their knees by Calciopoli.

As Italy’s most-hated club, demotion brought much mirth on the peninsula, but the Bianconeri won the division. Napoli went up behind them and - though no Neapolitan would ever admit it - there may even have been a grudging mutual respect, two fallen giants climbing back to the top table.

The heightened tensions we see today began in the 2011-12 season. Under Antonio Conte, Juve secured the Serie A title unbeaten, but the rivalry became a two-way street. The 2012 Coppa Italia Final was supposed to be a glorious send-off for Bianconeri legend Alessandro Del Piero, but Conte’s side were beaten by Napoli. Seeing their captain leading a dejected squad under the Curva was no way to say goodbye, and hurt more than most Juventini would care to admit.

The pair jousted for the Scudetto the following season, with a rock smashing the window of the Juve team bus as a tempestuous title race reached its peak at the San Paolo. The Bianconeri took the Scudetto in the end.

Last season ratcheted things up further still, with Napoli winter champions only to see Juventus take the Scudetto again. Indeed, the turning point was a 1-0 win in Turin, Simone Zaza’s deflected effort winning the game in the last minute in a match where Napoli were on top. It was just so…Juventus.

Still, the San Paolo faithful could take comfort in the fact they had Capocannoniere Gonzalo Higuain…

“Higuain will not go to Juve,” Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis predicted in July. The Argentinian had a €90m release clause in his contract, but surely the Bianconeri wouldn’t dare activate it?

On July 26 it was official. Higuain made the move to Turin, becoming Serie A’s most expensive player ever. For Napoli fans, this was the ultimate betrayal - not just leaving, but for THEM? The rich Northerners opened their chequebook and took the San Paolo’s crown jewel - could there have been a slap in the face more emblematic of this complicated rivalry?

Higuain shirts were burned in the street, and even ‘Gomorrah’ scribe Roberto Saviano would feel more confident of walking the streets of Naples than Pipita these days.

“Juve have Maserati, Fiat, Ferrari and a century of history behind them,” De Laurentiis said recently, the film producer immediately seizing the narrative. “We don’t have the history of Juventus, but the image of Napoli is strong because Neapolitans are the true protagonists in Italy.”

This distinction is felt so keenly that rules introduced to fight racist chanting were extended to include ‘territorial discrimination’ – namely insults aimed at Southern Italians. Juventus paid many fines and had a partial stadium ban because of the repeated chant: ‘Vesuvius wash them with lava.’

There won’t be any of them in Turin on Saturday night, but as the two best sides in Italy face off, make no mistake: this is now the most bitter rivalry in Serie A.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Sarri: 'I'll salute Higuain'

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93506/sarri-ill-salute-higuain

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Maurizio Sarri tells off Napoli for “moments of superficiality” against Empoli and feels paternal towards Gonzalo Higuain.

 

The Partenopei were left with no centre-forwards for this evening’s game, but still managed to win 2-0 thanks to Dries Mertens and Vlad Chiriches.

 

“We still need to get rid of those moments of superficiality that already compromised other performances,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“We had 23 shots on goal, but cannot make such mistakes when the game is still open. The performance was not bad, all things considered, but 10 minutes of that complacency can make all the difference.”

 

This weekend it’s the showdown with Juventus, but Sarri is eager to play down the idea of this as a Scudetto clash.

 

“We should stop letting this false pressure be piled on to us. Everyone knows what our place is in the League. Before the season even began, we lost the top scorer in the history of Serie A, who got 36 goals last term.

 

“It was an enormous risk that could’ve lost us a lot of points. We filled the team with promising young players, then lost his replacement who had scored seven goals (Arkadiusz Milik).

 

“I want to see the potential of this squad when casting aside those moments of complacency.”

 

Sarri was asked how he will greet Higuain when they meet this weekend, the first encounter since Pipita pushed through a €90m transfer to Juventus.

 

“Higuain did well with me and was always hard working in training. I’ll salute him the way a father does with a son who made him cross.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Zoff: ‘Juventus difficult for Napoli’

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93519/zoff-‘juventus-difficult-napoli’?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Dino Zoff believes the trip to Juventus is “a delicate game” for Napoli, as defeat would be “a blow to morale”.

 

The Partenopei finished second behind the Bianconeri last season, but have already lost at home to another Scudetto challenger in the shape of Roma.

 

“Saturday is a delicate game for Napoli,” Zoff told Super News.

 

“After they’ve already lost against Roma, another defeat against a direct rival would be painful.

 

“Napoli are still a good team, we’ll see if they’re capable of getting a result or not. A defeat would be a blow to morale and enthusiasm.

 

“Juve? To me they seem more or less the same as last season, although in recent matches they’ve had some fatigue.

 

“I wouldn’t choose who has been worse out of one position or another, I’d just say that there have been some problems, but that’s normal because you can’t always win.”

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Dries Mertens: I'll give old friend Gonzalo Higuain slap round the face

 

 

  http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/2982528/dries-mertens

-ill-give-old-friend-gonzalo-higuain-slap-round-the-face

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Dries Mertens has joked that he intends to give Gonzalo Higuain a "slap round the face" when Napoli meet Juventus this weekend.

Mertens and Higuain are close friends from their days as colleagues in Naples, but the Blegium winger said that would be put to one side as Napoli attempt to narrow the gap on the league leaders.

"I'll give him a slap round the face," he told Mediaset television after scoring in Napoli's 2-0 win over Empoli on Wednesday.

"There is no such thing as friends on the field. It's an extremely important game."

Coach Maurizio Sarri, meanwhile, said he would greet Higuain "like I would a son who has annoyed you."

Napoli trail Juve by four points going into the top-of-the-table clash, with Mertens filling the void left by injury to Arkadiusz Milik.

But Sarri, who has no recognised striker with Manolo Gabbiadini suspended, said: "He's not a real centre forward.

"He needs to play with his characteristics. We don't have any real centre forwards right now, so we have to adapt."

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Ghoulam: ‘Higuain? Who cares…’

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93524/ghoulam-‘higuain-who-cares…’?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Napoli left-back Faouzi Ghoulam dismisses talk of Gonzalo Higuain - “he plays for Juventus now, I'm not interested”.

 

The striker controversially left the Partenopei this summer, moving to Turin for a Serie A-record €90m after the Bianconeri activated his release clause.

 

“He plays for Juventus now, I'm not interested beyond that,” Ghoulam shrugged, speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

 

“I won’t speak of him more than others. Football moves very fast, a lot of things can happen so now you’ll just have to talk to him.

 

“Juventus have a lot of champions, as do we. We shouldn’t focus too much on Gonzalo, he’s a player like any other.

 

“The important thing is to go there and play our football, if we do that we’ll get results 99 per cent of the time.

 

“We have to go there without fear, putting our heart and soul out there on the pitch. Every game is important, but this is a bit like the derby I played in France between Saint-Etienne and Lyon.

 

“We know it’s not a game like any other, but we’re still playing for three points. We have to sweat for the shirt and honour our fans.”

 

Napoli finished second behind the Old Lady last season, can they go one better this time around?

 

“We always take it one game at a time. We can’t say right now who will win the Scudetto. Everyone has seen how we, Roma and Napoli play.

 

“At the end of the season we’ll see which style brings the most points. The important thing is for us to give everything on the pitch.

 

“Our fans have put a lot of expectations on us, we’ll give the maximum, 100 per cent because we know how important it is to them.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Agent: ‘Koulibaly might kick Higuain’   

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93525/agent-‘koulibaly-might-kick-higuain’?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Kalidou Koulibaly’s agent urges Napoli not to focus on Gonzalo Higuain but his client “might rough him up a bit…”

 

The striker is public enemy number one in Naples, having left the Partenopei to join hated rivals Juventus this summer.

 

“At a defensive level it’s important not to concede goals, but now we’re talking about Juventus, an opponent on another level,” Bruno Satin told Radio Goal.

 

“It will be a tough game, I don’t think Kalidou can think about Higuain and the same goes for the others, all they need is a result at Juventus Stadium.

 

“For everyone it’s a clash with Pipita, branded a traitor, but right now all that counts is teamwork and the final result.

 

“Koulibaly won’t give anything to Higuain, maybe he’ll rough him up a bit. He’s tough and quick, and he also knows him and can anticipate some of his movements.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

Can Anyone Realistically Beat Juventus To Win The Serie A League?

 

 

  http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/10/can-anyone-

realistically-beat-juventus-to-win-the-serie-a-league/?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Juventus won their 32nd Serie A title last season, their fifth consecutive and this season they’re looking to make history by winning a sixth. Rival clubs like Internazionale, Napoli and Roma will all be hoping they can spoil the party and derail Juventus. The question remains if it can actually be done. 888sport favour Juventus to win the title once again, but here we look at some of the teams who can potentially stop them.

Napoli

Maurizio Sarri led his men to second in the table, nine points behind the Champions. Last season Napoli had the bragging rights that they had the top goalscorer in the league in Gonzalo Higuain. Were he still at the club, he’d be Napoli’s best chance of challenging for the title. However, Higuain has since moved to Juventus, and in doing so has strengthened the team that were already expected to run away with the league. Higuain cost Juventus £75.3 million, with funds that were probably available following the sale of Paul Pogba back to Manchester United. Napoli have since replaced the Argentine with Arkadiusz Milik from Ajax. So far in Serie A he has scored 4 goals, but it remains to be seen if he can match the 36 Higuain scored last season.

Roma

It has been over 15 years since Roma last won the Serie A, last season they finished a respectable third, although they were 11 points behind the champions. Things look more positive this season with the captain, Francesco Totti, rejuvenated, plus midfielder Kevin Stootman back to his very best. Roma fans will also be hoping for Mohamed Salah to have a repeat of last season where he was the clubs top goalscorer. Edin Džeko is the current top scorer this season with 10 goals, if his good form continues then Roma could be in store for a very good season.

Milan

AC Milan (along with Internazionale) are Juve’s closest rivals in the record books, with 18 all time league titles, but they’ve gone off the boil in recent years with their last league win not coming since the 2010-11 season. They’ve made a strong start to the season with 19 points from the first ten games, including an impressive 3-1 win over Chievo. In the summer they signed Gianluca Lapadula from Pescara in the hope of increasing their goal return, but so far he has struggled to find the net. The big test was passed as they bear Juventus at home on October 22nd, but followed that up with a disappointing 3-0 loss at Genoa, showing they lack the consistency of the reigning champions at this early stage of the season.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Report: Evra out for Napoli

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93529/report-evra-out-napoli

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Juventus will be without Patrice Evra for Saturday’s clash with Napoli, according to reports.

 

The Frenchman went off with a calf injury during the 4-1 win over Sampdoria yesterday, making him a doubt for the showdown with the Partenopei.

 

Now Premium Sport is reporting that Evra will miss Saturday’s match, but that the injury is not too serious.

 

The left-back should therefore be available to face Lyon on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Allan: ‘Losing Higuain was tough’

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93532/allan-‘losing-higuain-was-tough’?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Napoli midfielder Allan admits losing Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus was “a tough blow to take”.

 

The striker scored 36 goals in Serie A last season as the Partenopei finished second, but the Old Lady activated his release clause to take him to Turin in a €90m deal.

 

“His farewell was a tough blow to take,” Allan admitted, speaking to ESPN.

 

“Not least because he went to a direct rival. Those who have come in made us forget him though.”

 

The Brazilian also discussed the state of the team, as well as his desire to receive an international call.

 

“I’m doing great work in Italy, realising the dream that I had as a child. I hope to continue this level of performance to one day be called to the national team.

 

“Napoli is a big club in Italy, and they play in the Champions League. We had a great season last year, fighting for the Scudetto, but it was a shame we couldn’t win.

 

“This year we’re even stronger.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

ADL forgives Gabbiadini, ignores Higuain

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93539/adl-forgives-gabbiadini-ignores-higuain?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed he won’t fine Manolo Gabbiadini or salute Gonzalo Higuain at the Juventus Stadium.

 

The bitter rivalry is renewed on Saturday evening in Serie A, the first time Pipita has faced his former teammates since the €90m transfer.

 

“How will I salute Higuain? I cannot go to Turin out of solidarity with the fans who were not allowed to make the trip,” De Laurentiis told reporters at a sponsorship event.

 

“Until people can combine the rapport between sport and supporters with intelligence, we’re going nowhere. Restrictions have never achieved anything positive, as it just postpones problems to another date – a very Italian approach.”

 

Napoli fans have been barred from attending the match due to security fears.

 

Meanwhile, Gabbiadini cannot take part as he’s sitting out a two-match ban for a reaction foul against Crotone.

 

“I have great faith in Gabbiadini, otherwise I would’ve already sold him over the summer, because we were offered some very important sums of money.

 

“Gabbiadini can count on the faith of the club and its Coach. We didn’t even fine him, because he has always been such a respectful person. Against Crotone the game was getting tetchy and you’d have to be in the situation to realise what it’s like.

 

“When a young player’s blood is boiling, a reaction can happen. This is why I didn’t want to punish his gesture, even if it deserved criticism and disdain.”

 

Last season Juventus and Napoli fought for the Scudetto, but who does De Laurentiis top for this term?

 

“We are still only at the beginning. I expected Roma to be this strong, as they always were, so in my view it’s about 10-12 teams who are really strong.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Higuain: 'Hope for brace with Napoli'

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93540/higuain-hope-brace-napoli

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Gonzalo Higuain “really hopes” to score a brace when Juventus host his former Napoli teammates on Saturday.

 

It will be the first meeting since he pushed through the €90m transfer to Turin, activating a release clause in his contract.

 

Sport Mediaset caught Pipita as he arrived at the Vinovo training centre today and asked if he would score a brace.

 

“Certainly, I really hope so!”

 

Higuain has not found the net for a few games, but Giorgio Chiellini assured “he’s saving up the goals for the Napoli match.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Hamsik: 'Bring on Juventus'

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93541/hamsik-bring-juventus?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Marek Hamsik assured Napoli “are going to Turin to get a result against Juventus” on Saturday.

 

It kicks off at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

 

“Now bring on the next test. We are going to Turin to get a result against Juventus,” wrote Napoli captain Hamsik on his official website.

 

The Partenopei had fallen into crisis with three consecutive defeats in all competition, but have now won back-to-back matches with Crotone and Empoli.

 

“Against Empoli we didn’t make the most of our chances in the first half, but in the second we did what we had to do.

 

“We achieved two objectives: securing another three points and moving into third place.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Albiol out of Juventus-Napoli

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93545/albiol-out-juventus-napoli?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Raul Albiol appears to be out of Napoli’s trip to Juventus on Saturday and Coach Maurizio Sarri cuts off the media.

 

It kicks off at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

 

Albiol limped off during a 4-2 Champions League win over Benfica on September 28 with a muscular problem.

 

According to the latest reports from Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli and Radio Marte, the Spanish defender will not be ready to even sit on the bench at the Juventus Stadium.

 

There could be the chance of a comeback as a substitute against Besiktas in the Champions League next week.

 

Manolo Gabbiadini continues his two-match ban and Arkadiusz Milik is sidelined following ACL surgery.

 

Meanwhile, there are also rumours Coach Sarri will not speak to the Press ahead of the big game.

 

He has tended to avoid Press conferences if Napoli play more than one match per week and in this case is eager to avoid too many questions on Gonzalo Higuain’s departure.

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain's "betrayal" adds fuel

to Napoli's fire as they visit Juventus

 

 

  http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/12/blog/post/2982770/juventus-

vs-napoli-clash-enhanced-by-gonzalo-higuain-summer-transfer

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Carlos Tevez joined Juventus the same summer Gonzalo Higuain moved to Napoli. Inevitably it started a debate about who had got themselves the better striker. "A true Argentine doesn't play in Turin!" declared a banner welcoming Higuain to Naples. The implication was that by not following in the footsteps of Diego Maradona, Tevez could never be considered as such. Just try telling that to Juventini and the people of Fuerte Apache, the Buenos Aires barrio where he grew up.

Flash forward three years and Higuain has committed the Great Betrayal. His blue No. 9 shirt was set alight and flushed down the toilet by Napoli fans when the news broke in July that the striker who had stood before the ultras at the San Paolo, clapping along with them and singing "un giorno all'improvviso," had secretly undergone a medical in Madrid and was signing for their biggest rivals. It immediately went down in history as the most controversial transfer in Italy since Roberto Baggio's switch from Fiorentina to Juventus in 1990. The principal difference is that Higuain wasn't conflicted, nor reluctant, about going through with it.

"I couldn't stand to be around [Napoli owner Aurelio] de Laurentiis for another minute," he revealed at his Juve unveiling.

De Laurentiis' suggestion in February that Higuain was a kilo-and-a-half overweight -- as if he'd swallowed "a brick" -- didn't go down well with a player in the midst of a record-breaking 36-goal season. Behind it, perhaps, was the awareness that Higuain was already considering his future on the grounds that de Laurentiis had, in his opinion, not kept his promise to build a team competitive enough to win the Scudetto.

Still, did "El Pipita" really have to break their hearts and go to Juventus?

When presented with the same opportunity, Maradona jokingly told Gianni Agnelli, the uncle of the current Juventus president: "Of course I can come. It's just a shame I'll have to leave Italy once the deal is done. The Neapolitans would have killed me."

One of the grievances Higuain's entourage had with Napoli was an unwillingness to budge on his €95 million buy-out clause. It put other teams off but not Juventus, particularly as they prepared to sell Paul Pogba to Manchester United for a world record fee and learned Higuain's clause was payable in two instalments. Napoli thought they were bluffing. On the contrary, Juventus were deadly serious.

It left an entire city in a state of shock. Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri in particular was upset Higuain hadn't even shown the decency to call and explain his decision. What aggrieved him even more was how some Juventus personnel rubbed the salt in the wound. "A member of their board [John Elkann] has said we're now weaker and one of their players [Mehdi Benatia] didn't even put us in the top four." A polite translation of his reaction to their disregard for Napoli and that of a few journalists is that it really got his knickers in a twist.

It annoyed Sarri then and does to this day but Saturday provides an opportunity to prove them wrong. This was the match-up everybody circled when the fixtures were released in the summer. Fortunately for Higuain, Napoli face Juventus in Turin. Can you imagine the build up and the atmosphere surrounding the game if it were in Naples? The phrase "too soon" comes to mind and perhaps it's for the best that the two fixtures are this way round.

 

Higuain was a hero for Napoli but couldn't wait to join Juventus. It's something that still irritates Maurizio Sarri.

This fixture proved pivotal when the two teams met back in February. Higuain thought he was about to score when a cross entered the six-yard box, only for Leonardo Bonucci's big toe to deny him a chance from point-blank range. Just as both sides looked as though they were willing to take a draw, Max Allegri threw on Simone Zaza and delighted in watching him score the only goal of the game in the 88th minute. Juventus went top of the league for the first time that season and never looked back.

Yet Allegri does not believe this Saturday's meeting constitutes a title decider. "It's still the first half of the season and there is Roma to consider as well," he said on Wednesday. Four straight wins, including ones against Napoli and Inter, have strengthened their case to be considered Juve's principal title rival.

Again, the underestimation of Napoli grates with Sarri. In some respects, he is as much to blame as the press for downplaying his team's chances. After a surprise defeat to Atalanta at the beginning of October, the first of three in a row in all competitions, he already seemed resigned. "Juve are on another level," Sarri said. "I never thought we could compete with them in the league."

It wasn't the first time Sarri had come out with such a statement and it put him at odds with de Laurentiis who pointed out: "We have spent €128m in the transfer window. We are competitive." Pepe Reina insisted it was a psychological ploy. "He did it to take pressure off us. I am sure he doesn't think what he said."

 

Napoli boss Sarri is downplaying his feelings about Juve and Higuain but he'll want his side to win this weekend.

While Napoli have to be realistic, Juventus are beatable. They have lost to Inter and Milan already this season and although the defence is still Italy's best, Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini have made uncharacteristic mistakes on occasion. It's also now three league games without a clean sheet for the Old Lady. Higuain, incidentally, has gone 314 minutes without a goal and Paulo Dybala is injured.

There is nothing to fear then... except for the fact it's at the J-Stadium and the champions are 10 points better off than at this stage last season, Claudio Marchisio is back, completing the team and leaving them with no excuse but to play better, more fluid football. Juventus lost only once with "il Principe" in the team last season. Despite his "drought," Higuain is also still averaging a goal every 100 minutes in the league. Asked by a fan on his way into training on Thursday if he will score a brace at the weekend, Pipita provocatively replied: "I hope so."

The hole he has left at Napoli has perhaps never been so apparent as it is now even though, as Sarri counters, his team continue to score freely and are averaging two points per game. Arkadiusz Milik out-did Higuain by scoring six goals in his first four appearances for the club, helping Napoli to forget him in a hurry only to then tear his ACL on international duty. Manolo Gabbiadini looks uncomfortable at the centre-forward position and, unable to hide his frustration, he's now suspended after he kicked out at an opponent and was shown a red card against Crotone.

The injury to Milik and teething troubles for Gabbiadini mean Dries Mertens is adjusting to a role as a false nine but frankly, he has taken to it like a duck to water. The Belgian has been involved in a goal (six) or an assist (four) every 64 minutes this season and presents Juventus with a different problem to the one they faced last year: an attack with no reference points.

It promises to be an explosive game. Napoli captain Marek Hamsik said "It had a certain effect, seeing Higuain score in that shirt," five minutes after coming on with only his third touch to mark his debut for Juventus with a decisive goal against Fiorentina. Imagine how Napoli will feel if he comes back to haunt them on Saturday. But picture the scenes if they win at the J Stadium and he draws a blank.

Sarri, meanwhile, insists he holds no grudges. "Gonzalo did well for me," he said, before joking: "I'll greet him as a father would a son who has made him mad."

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Chiellini: 'Higuain saving goals'

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93549/chiellini-higuain-saving-goals?

 

 

Oct 27, 2016

 

Giorgio Chiellini said Gonzalo Higuain “is saving his goals” for the Napoli game and Juventus are motivated by criticism.

 

It’s first against third on Saturday evening in Turin and a repeat of last season’s Scudetto showdown, but also the reunion of Higuain with his former teammates.

 

“Gonzalo hasn’t scored for four games, but he’s just saving his goals for Saturday,” smiled Chiellini on Sky Sport Italia.

 

“It is going to be an unusual match. It might be a bit strange for them to have Higuain as an opponent after so many years. He is relaxed and we play so often now there’s no time to consider situations too carefully.

 

“It’ll be different for him, having experienced Napoli so intensely, but he is a professional and will know how to face the situation.

 

“Will Higuain celebrate if he scores a goal? That doesn’t really interest me, the important thing is that he scores.”

 

Chiellini got his name on the scoresheet with a brace in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Sampdoria.

 

“It hadn’t happened for a couple of years, when playing for Italy. Every now and then the positive day arrives and I try to make the most of it.

 

“I am a defender, so the most important thing for me is to not concede a goal and to get the victory. If the personal joy of a goal arrives, it’s welcome, but always sits in the background.”

 

Juventus are two points clear at the top of the table from Roma, while Napoli are third followed by Milan and Lazio. Who does Chiellini fear the most?

 

“The expectations have more or less been maintained and the teams we expected to be up there are. It’s still early, we’ve only had 10 rounds, and last season we proved that unthinkable targets can be achieved.

 

“Criticism is part of the game in Italy, especially for a side that people expect so much from. Important players arrived and everyone thinks we’ll win easily, but that’s not what Serie A is like. From the start of the season we only got two games wrong and everyone who faces Juventus gives 120 per cent.

 

“This all has to act as further motivation for us. We just need to continue along this path.”

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Higuain Snr: 'Juve equal to Real'

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93560/higuain-snr-juve-equal-real?

 

 

Oct 28, 2016

 

The father of Gonzalo Higuain says he feels that 'Juventus are equal' to his son's former club Real Madrid.

 

Speaking before Juventus take on his former side Napoli in Turin on Saturday night, Jorge Higuain also spoke of his son's warm relationship with the rest of his ex-teammates and former boss Maurizio Sarri, but added that ‘he did not know’ if Pipita would celebrate should he score in the fixture.

 

“The emotion is to play an such an important game, a direct fight for the title," Jorge Higuain told Tuttosport. "Of course Gonzalo will be glad to see his old teammates and Sarri, a Coach with whom he always had a wonderful relationship. I am sure that Gonzalo will give him and all the guys a hug.

 

“Sarri and the players are one thing, [Aurelio] De Laurentiis is another. I do not talk to the president, he is part of the past now.

 

“Will he celebrate if he scores? It’s his decision, I do not know how he will behave.

 

“He’s an affectionate guy and I think as a mark of respect he will not celebrate. The people of Naples, Sarri and his teammates have always treated him very well. It’s only natural that people were angry when Juventus bought him."

 

Does Higuain's father think his son is living up to his €90m price tag in Turin?

 

“The cost is linked to the clause that was there, it’s not his problem. Gonzalo only thinks about working to improve in order to to help Juventus win. The club made a great effort to buy him, he wants to repay this and to make the fans happy."

 

After four months at Juventus, what emotion does Jorge see in his son’s eyes?

 

“Happiness. He’s part of a top team at one of the most important clubs in the world. To me, as a father, I think back to the times at Real Madrid. Juventus are equal to Real in my opinion.

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

De Canio: Napoli 'must play at speed'

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93561/de-canio-napoli-must-play-speed?

 

 

Oct 28, 2016

 

Former Napoli Coach Gigi De Canio has claimed that Napoli 'can pierce the Juve defence through creating movement without the ball'.

 

The 59-year-old is currently without a club after being let go by Udinese at the end of last season, but coached the Partenopei in the 2001-02 campaign in Serie B.

 

"The two teams are in totally different places," The former QPR man told Radio Crc. "Last year Juve played this match after a long time in a non-optimal state, and it is the same this year in terms of injuries and various things.

 

"It's true that Napoli in recent years have been in the top places in Serie A, competing in Europe through the Champions League, but they are still behind.

 

"Moreover, the squad is made up of young players and therefore not used to certain things. The habit of winning and a winning mentality is acquired over time and through putting work into the whole club, not only the team but also the fans, and the Press.

 

"Napoli has the chance to embarrass Juventus if the Napoli strikers don’t give them points of reference and play at speed, creating movement without the ball can pierce the Juve defence."

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain knows Napoli a threat - De Laurentiis

 

 

  http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/2983080/juventus-

striker-gonzalo-higuain-knows-napoli-pose-threat-de-laurentiis

 

 

Oct 28, 2016

 

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has said he believes Gonzalo Higuain knows his former club are dangerous as he prepares to face them on Saturday.

Higuain moved to Juventus in an acrimonious transfer this summer after the Bianconeri activated a release clause in his contract.

The striker scored a Serie A record total of 36 goals last season, but his old club trail his new one by only four points ahead of their clash at the Juventus Stadium.

Asked by a fan whether he would score two goals at the weekend, Higuain said: "Let's hope so."

And De Laurentiis told Radio Radio TV: "You can detect in Higuain's word that he's not envious, but there is the right amount of consideration also for a club that he feels are dangerous.

"You could see people living these first 10 games of the season as if the season were already over -- but instead we are still there with a look-in, enjoying ourselves."

He praised coach Maurizio Sarri, adding: "I say to Sarri: 'Don't you worry, you need to remain serene but above all enjoy yourself and make sure your players do, because this is how you grow."

Midfielder Allan told Il Mattino the departure of Higuain had been "a big blow" but added: "The players who have come here have ensured he has been forgotten about.

"Napoli are a big club -- we are also in the Champions League, and last year we fought for the title. Now we are even better."

Defender Kalidou Koulibaly, whose job it will be to stop Higuain, "will do all he can to make his life difficult," his agent Bruno Satin told Radio Kiss Kiss.

"It's going to be a great duel, but let's think about the game as a whole," Satin said.

"I don't believe that Kalidou will be thinking about Higuain more than any other opponent."

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI

 

-    

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 11

Saturday, October 29th, 2016 - 08:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Napoli, forget the Scudetto

 

The Partenopei must get used to being a good team rather than a great one, writes Richard Thomas.

 

 

  http://www.football-italia.net/93568/napoli-forget-scudetto?

 

 

Oct 28, 2016

 

With 20 points from 10 Serie A matches played, third place and a gap of four points to leaders Juventus it is, all things considered, a par start to the season for Napoli. The Partenopei, as expected at the beginning of the campaign and as has generally been the case in recent years, are above the likes of Inter, Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio in the race for Champions League places.

They are neck and neck with Roma, the team with whom they have tended to vie for second place during the same period. They are also, however, again trailing the Old Lady, having failed to demonstrate the consistency needed to compete at the very top. Napoli, it seems, are once more a good team without being a great one.

Though Napoli’s current League position may be predictable, events at the San Paolo have been anything but. Of course, Maurizio Sarri’s side began the new campaign still reeling from the shock of losing talisman Gonzalo Higuain to Juve, the very club fans are so desperate to see the Azzurri challenge and surpass, for the fourth-highest transfer fee of all time.

The signing of Arkadiusz Milik was not viewed as a direct replacement for the Argentine, with the Partenopei’s continued and drawn out pursuit of Inter’s Mauro Icardi a virtual admission by the club that despite landing Milik, they still believed they were short of attacking options.

They failed to land Icardi, but the Pole shone in a way few expected. He scored seven goals in nine competitive appearances as Napoli, under the radar after Higuain’s departure, began their Champions League campaign in style and went unbeaten in their first six Serie A games.

The Neapolitan garden looked relatively rosy, but disaster then struck. 22-year-old Milik damaged cruciate knee ligaments while on international duty, meaning that it will probably be spring before we see him in action again. A damaging home defeat to Roma was compounded by a shock loss to Turkish champions Besiktas in Europe. That prompted Sarri to admit that his players were ‘feeling the pressure’ and all of a sudden, the Partenopei squad were looking ill-equipped to meet expectations.

Wins against struggling duo Crotone and Empoli have redressed some of the balance and lifted Napoli back up to third, but ahead of a key clash with Juventus this weekend questions still remain over Sarri’s team.

With Milik’s understudy Manolo Gabbiadini still suspended following his foolish sending off against Crotone, it appears the Coach will have no option other than to again play Dries Mertens as a makeshift forward. Despite defender Raul Albiol being the only other absentee through injury, the Azzurri appear stretched, having to cope with the demands of juggling domestic and European commitments.

New signings like Emanuele Giaccherini, Marko Rog and Amadou Diawara have barely featured, making the squad look surprisingly short in terms of alternatives. Sarri always did prefer to field practically the same XI every week, but the Higuain cash was meant to be invested in strengthening the side overall.

The Coach continues to argue to anyone who’ll listen that Napoli “know our place” in Serie A and their buys were young players with potential rather than straight out of the box champions. He is doing everything to defer expectations and focus on more achievable aims than the Scudetto.

Looking further ahead, can Gabbiadini really be relied upon to shoulder the goal scoring burden until January? The former Sampdoria man has never found the net more than eight times in a single season but, despite rumours he will be sold in January, it may now be up to him to fire the Partenopei into the Last 16 of the Champions League and keep them in the Serie A title race.

It could be argued with some justification that expectations are too high at Napoli. Most teams in world football would struggle to tread water, let alone show improvement, after losing a player of the talent and importance of Higuain.

Partenopei fans desperately crave a third Scudetto in the club’s history, but given the events of the summer and the opening weeks of the season, a repeat of last season’s runners-up spot should be viewed as a success.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110