JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Juventus vs. Torino: BWRAO starting lineup vote results

 

 

Territorial bragging rights are on the line on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s who you think should fight for them.

 

  

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/11/13908936/juventus-torino

-derby-della-mole-2016-serie-a-round-16-starting-lineup-vote-results

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

It seems that, with the lack of fully fit natural central defenders at least, the 4-3-1-2 formation has established it’s preference among BWRAO readers. It was selected in 68% of teams, one of the highest for any formation in a game so far this season.

Between the posts, Gianluigi Buffon takes back his rightful spot, after being rested against Dinamo Zagreb midweek.

In front of him, Daniele Rugani and Alex Sandro were locks with 94 percent each, while Stephan LIchtsteiner beat out Juan Cuadrado, and Giorgio Chiellini beat out Mehdi Benatia.

Lichtsteiner, because our 3 CB aren't quite as stable defensively, Lichtsteiner will add to that rather than the alternative Cuadrado who is more suited to attacking football.

In the midfield, Sami Kehdira, Claudio Marchisio and Miralem Pjanic were voted in almost every team, as they usually are in big games. Mario Lemina beat out the rest.

Lemina the most overlooked talent in our roster... potential through the roof... deserves starting spot all season

Lemina from the start. Is time to give the kid some minutes and confidence. He can defend, create passing routes and dribble. Let's not forget what that dribble allow us in the last match.

Up front, Gonzalo Higuain was selected alongside Paulo Dybala who is thankfully now available for selection. Mario Mandzukic did get a significant amount of votes though, due to his great form as of late.

Zukic is undroppable at the moment so let's pair him with Dybala up top in the 4-3-1-2

My team this week is the same as the one selected by all of you. I decided it was best to put Lemina in the team now that Licht is back, and time to bring Chiellini back in for the big game. Mandzukic will be quite the bench option at full energy late in the game, whether we need a goal, or need to defend a lead.

For our toughest possible Champions League opponent, Bayern Munich was selected the most often, with 57 percent of votes, and Real Madrid was basically the only other team selected, with 39 percent. There were a few votes for PSG, Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen.

For our easiest possible Champions League opponent, Benfica led with 41 percent of votes, followed by Bayer Leverkusen and Porto who had 24 percent each. Fun fact: Manchester City got more votes as the easiest possible team than the toughest possible team.

BWRAO/Anthony’s Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Alex Sandro, Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele Rugani, Stephan Lichtsteiner; Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio, Mario Lemina; Miralem Pjanic; Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Line-ups: Torino-Juventus

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95533/line-ups-torino-juventus

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

This could be one of the most unpredictable Turin Derbies in decades, as Andrea Belotti and Gonzalo Higuain go head-to-head.

 

Sinisa Mihajlovic promised the Granata will “leave the pitch with heads held high” after this inter-city showdown and they certainly have the quality to surprise the leaders.

 

Belotti is the joint Capocannoniere and, aside from Higuain, the top scorer in Serie A for 2016.

 

He is flanked by Iago Falque and Adem Ljajic, while Mirko Valdifiori, Marco Benassi and Daniele Baselli pull the midfield strings.

It’s the first Derby della Mole for England international goalkeeper Joe Hart.

 

Cristian Molinaro is on the treatment table for the hosts at the Stadio Grande Torino.

 

Juventus have a four-point lead at the top of the table and are fresh from a Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb, but have surprisingly already lost three Serie A games this season.

 

Undoubtedly they are weakened at the back, because Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves are still unavailable, along with Marko Pjaca.

 

Max Allegri switches to four at the back, while Stefano Sturaro is brought in for a bulkier midfield, as Juan Cuadrado completes a trident with Higuain and Mario Mandzukic.

 

Paulo Dybala made his comeback during the final minutes of the Dinamo Zagreb game on Wednesday and is expected to come off the bench in the second half.

 

Both these sides have scored over 30 goals in 15 rounds, so entertainment should be on the horizon as well as the usual gritty battle of wills.

 

Before the 2-1 victory on April 26 2015, Torino hadn’t won the derby for 20 years.

 

They’ve lost the last three editions between Serie A and Coppa Italia, although the 2-1 in October 2015 was a heart-breaking last-gasp Juan Cuadrado decider.

 

Torino have won just one of the last 21 derbies between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, along with four draws and 16 defeats.

 

Torino: Hart; Zappacosta, Rossettini, Castan, Barreca; Benassi, Valdifiori, Baselli; Falque, Belotti, Ljajic

Torino bench: Padelli, Cucchietti, Bovo, Acquah, Lopez, Gustafson, Martinez, Vives, Moretti, De Silvestri, Boyè, Ajeti

 

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro; Cuadrado, Higuain, Mandzukic

 

Juventus bench: Neto, Audero, Benatia, Evra, Lemina, Hernanes, Pjanic, Asamoah, Dybala

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Chiellini: 'A quality Turin Derby'

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95536/chiellini-quality-turin-derby

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Giorgio Chiellini trusts Juventus will “respond to Torino’s quality with that of our own” in the Derby della Mole.

 

“It will be an intense match, one full of sensations and emotions. I hope it will be in the spirit of fair play too,” the defender told Mediaset Premium.

 

“We will respond to Torino’s quality with that of our own and try to hurt them when they lower their guard.

 

“The table is irrelevant right now, because this is a derby and that’s separate from the rest of the season. Let the best team win.”

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Baselli: 'Torino waiting for this'

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95537/baselli-torino-waiting

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Daniele Baselli notes Torino fans “have been waiting for this all season” as they host Juventus in the Derby della Mole.

 

“Juventus are the team to beat and it’s an especially important match for us, so we will try to give our best,” the Granata midfielder told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“The Coach told us to step on to the field without fear. It’d be an immense joy for us and our people, who have been waiting for this game all season, if we manage to get the victory.”

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

HT 1-1: Thrilling Turin Derby!

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95538/ht-thrilling-turin-derby

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Gonzalo Higuain cancelled out an Andrea Belotti opener, as Torino and Juventus are all square in a thrilling Derby della Mole.

 

Going in this seemed like the most evenly-matched Turin Derby in decades, as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Granata were chasing a European place and scoring freely with hitman Andrea Belotti, while the Bianconeri had to do without Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves.

 

Paulo Dybala was only fit for the bench after a month out with a hamstring strain. Toro missed Cristian Molinaro.

 

Torino had won just one of the last 21 derbies between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, a lone 2-1 result in April 2015, along with four draws.

 

Mario Mandzukic wide right created all sorts of problems for Leandro Castan, twice skipping past him in the opening minutes and a pull-back that Stefano Sturaro just failed to slide on to.

 

Toro were furious when Andrea Belotti tried to run on to a long ball and went down under a Daniele Rugani challenge, but the referee waved play on.

 

Joe Hart needed a sensational reaction save to deny Mandzukic from close range as he tried to readjust a wayward Sami Khedira effort.

 

However, Torino took the lead when Daniele Baselli burst down the right and pulled back for Belotti, who didn’t have to jump, simply getting goal-side of Stephan Lichtsteiner to steer the header back across the face of goal.

 

Moments later Belotti earned a huge roar of applause when he tracked back to the edge of his area, robbed Juan Cuadrado and shook off two challenges on the counter to earn a free kick at the other end.

 

The equaliser came out of nowhere, as Mandzukic accidentally flicked a Cuadrado through ball off his heel as he was running and it turned into an inspired assist to send Gonzalo Higuain clear.

 

 

Torino 1-1 Juventus (Half-Time)

Belotti 16 (T), Higuain 28 (J)

 

Torino: Hart; Zappacosta, Rossettini, Castan, Barreca; Benassi, Valdifiori, Baselli; Falque, Belotti, Ljajic

 

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro; Cuadrado, Higuain, Mandzukic

 

Ref: Rocchi

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Torino 1-3 Juventus: Higuain brace

helps to seal derby spoils

 

 

Andrea Belotti netted his 11th Serie A goal of the season, but the visitors hit back

through two goals from their Argentine forward and Miralem Pjanic.

 

  

http://www.goal.com/en/match/torino-vs-juventus/2305911/report

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Gonzalo Higuain netted a derby brace as Juventus extended their lead at the top of Serie A to seven points with a 3-1 come-from-behind win at city rivals Torino.

 

With second-placed Roma facing third-placed AC Milan on Monday, Juve took the opportunity to consolidate their position through their record signing's classy finishing and Miralem Pjanic's late effort.

 

Torino had been unbeaten at home in the league this season and showed their quality in Sunday's display, where they led through Andrea Belotti's header.

 

Joe Hart had already made one superb save by that stage, but he could not deny Higuain an equaliser as Juve looked to kick on before the break.

 

 

After half-time, Torino took control, probing the visiting back-line in the hope of stealing a rare derby win, but Adem Ljajic missed a great opportunity to earn his side the three points.

 

Instead, Higuain was the hero, slamming home eight minutes from time, before Pjanic added a third, with Torino now having beaten Juve just once in the past 21 top-flight meetings.

 

Mirko Valdifiori fired an early, dipping strike over the crossbar from 20 yards and Torino quickly established a threat on the counterattack, with Belotti frustrated when he appeared to be tugged back by Daniele Rugani as he ran clear.
 
Mario Mandzukic misdirected a header from in front of goal at the other end, before the Croatia international forced a smart low save from Hart with his close-range stab.
 
After 16 minutes, though, the hosts moved in front through a fine, flowing move.

 

 
Davide Zappacosta burst forward on the right and pushed the ball on to Daniele Baselli, whose cross from the byline was brilliantly steered inside the far post by the head of Belotti.
 
Hart was soon back in action as he held from Higuain's drive, but the Juve man found the net with his next sight of goal.
 
Profiting as the ball flicked up off Mandzukic's heel, Higuain instantly took control and ushered a cool finish beyond the advancing Hart from inside the area.

 

Although clear chances were harder to come by in the second period, those that did arrive initially fell Torino's way.

 

 

Marco Benassi's thunderous strike was blocked and Iago Falque volleyed the rebound wide from the edge of the box, while Baselli pounced on a loose pass to kickstart a break, but found his final ball equally slack.

 

Ljajic ran onto Falque's defence-splitting pass on the left, but he could not curl his shot inside the corner as Gianluigi Buffon stood rooted to the spot, with Torino attempting to hold on for a hard-fought point.

 

And that proved costly as Higuain struck again.

 

Holding off the challenge of a recovering defender as he collected Giorgio Chiellini's pass, Higuain spun to crash a shot past Hart.

 

The England goalkeeper saved brilliantly from Higuain in stoppage time, springing up to block the rebound, too, but Pjanic then swept in to put the result beyond doubt.

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Torino 1-3 Juventus Team Ratings

 

 

 

 

  

http://www.goal.com/en/match/torino-vs-juventus/2305911/ratings?ICID=MP_MS_6

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

TEAM RATINGS

Torino

• 21J. Hart

  Pulled off a wonderful reflex save to deny Mandzukic in the first half, and he could arguably do little about either of Higuain’s goals, both of which were brilliantly hit, before losing out to Pjanic late on.

• 7D. Zappacosta

  Burst down the right flank on several good runs and gave Sandro a few things to think about, whilst at the other end he rarely allowed Sturaro to get the better of him.

• 13L. Rossettini

  Largely performed well in the middle of the Torino back line but was wrong-footed in the build-up to Juventus’ equaliser and arguably should have done better.

• 23A. Barreca

  Got forward well and caused plenty of problems for Lichtsteiner, but he was beaten too easily by Higuain in the build-up to Higuain's second goal.

• 4Leandro Castan

  The Brazilian never looked entirely comfortable when Juventus pushed forward. Often drifted out of position, particularly when Mandzukic operated over to his left.

• 15M. Benassi

  Looked bright over on the right-hand side of the Torino midfield, where he impressed with the ball at his feet and offered plenty going forward.

• 18M. Valdifiori

  Defended well at the base of the Torino midfield to frustrate the visitors, and he showed good vision with his passing when in advanced areas.

• 8D. Baselli

  Was part of a midfield trio that, on any other day, would have left with at least a point. Defended well when required but was most influential further up the pitch with the ball at his feet.

• 10A. Ljajić

  Had a few good moments over on the left flank, particularly when linking up with Barreca, and showed good understanding with Belotti, but he was unable to get in the game as much as he would have liked.

• 9A. Belotti

  Another game, another goal for the in-form striker, who beat Lichtsteiner with ease to head in Torino’s opener with a wonderful header.

• 14Iago Falqué

  It was a tough afternoon for the Spaniard, who tried his hardest to get into the game but was unable to due to an impressive defensive display from Sandro.

Juventus

• 1G. Buffon

  Could do very little about Belotti’s glancing header for Torino’s opening goal, and from then onwards it was a relatively comfortable afternoon for the veteran goalkeeper.

• 12Alex Sandro

  Had very few problems over on the left wing, where he defended well against Falque and made the afternoon a disappointing one for the Spaniard.

• 24D. Rugani

  The youngster looked a bit nervous at the back, where he found it difficult to deal with the impressive movement of Belotti and was a bit heavy-handed with some of his challenges.

• 3G. Chiellini

  The centre-back started slowly but by the end had put in an excellent shift to help see his side over the finish line whilst also setting up Higuain's second goal with a great lofted pass forward.

• 26S. Lichtsteiner

  The Swiss defender largely struggled on the right-hand side of the defender. Failed to get the right side of Belotti for the striker’s goal and was often caught out of position.

• 6S. Khedira

  Found it difficult to get into the game in the first half but burst into life in the second, and from then onwards he always looked dangerous with the ball at his feet when charging forward.

• 8C. Marchisio

  Performed well at the base of the Juventus midfield, where he was smart with his passing and defensively resolute when Torino tried to break quickly.

• 27S. Sturaro

  Put in a solid if unspectacular performance over on the left-hand side of the Juventus midfield, where he defended well when needed before trying to get forward.

• 7J. Cuadrado

  Operated relatively well over on the right flank, but he wasn’t able to get into the game as much as he would have liked and spent a lot of the afternoon on the fringes of the action.

• 9G. Higuaín

  Caused problems for the Torino back line from start to finish. Bullied each and everyone one of the defenders and was rewarded with two wonderfully finished goals.

• 17M. Mandžukić

  Made a real nuisance of himself in and around the Torino penalty area, and he did well to set up Higuain’s equalising goal with a smart back-heeled flick.

Substitutes

• 6A. Acquah

  Featured late on and put in a solid display, despite not being able to influence proceedings too much.

• 31L. Boyé

  Had a few good chances to push forward but was largely sloppy when in possession.

• 17J. Martínez

  Was bright on a few occasions but, overall, struggled to make an impact after coming off the substitutes' bench.

Substitutes

• 18M. Lemina

  Offered more than Sturaro after replacing the midfielder and impressed during his time on the pitch.

• 5M. Pjanić

  Featured late in the game and showed great determination to fire in Juventus' final goal of the game.

• 21P. Dybala

  Always looked dangerous with the ball at his feet and played an important role in Pjanic's goal with an excellent run in from the right wing.

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Higuain brace saves Juventus, Napoli

rout Cagliari with Mertens hat trick 

 

 

  

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/3017132/higuain-

brace-saves-juventus-napoli-rout-cagliari-with-mertens-hat-trick

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Juventus came from behind to beat rivals Torino 3-1 and extend their lead at the top to seven points thanks to a brace from striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Andrea Belotti opened the scoring for Torino before Higuain got Juve level soon after, then hammered home in the 82nd minute. Substitute Miralem Pjanic then bagged another in the final minute.

The result boosts the Bianconeri seven points clear of Scudetto rivals Roma and AC Milan, who are joint second before going head-to-head in the capital on Monday night.

Juve then play host to Roma and visit lowly Crotone before seeing out a prosperous 2016 with a Supercoppa clash against Milan in Qatar just before Christmas.

Dries Mertens scored a hat trick as Napoli ran riot with a 5-0 win away to Cagliari.

Mertens was the hero in midweek as he secured Napoli's passage through to the Champions League round of 16, scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory at Benfica. And the Belgium forward made it 13 goals for the season as Napoli extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games.

Cagliari survived until the 34th minute when Mertens turned smartly past Luca Ceppitelli and buried his shot in the far corner of Marco Storari's net. Napoli doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Storari superbly tipped Lorenzo Insigne's header onto the bar but Marek Hamsik volleyed the rebound home.

Piotr Zielinski fired home from outside the box soon after the restart and Hamsik slipped Mertens through after 69 minutes for another tidy finish. Three minutes later Mertens completed his hat-trick -- his second for Napoli -- when he broke through unchallenged.

Chievo condemned bottom club Palermo to an eighth successive home defeat, with goals early in each half from Valter Birsa and Sergio Pellissier giving the visitors a 2-0 success.

Winger Birsa opened the scoring in the 14th minute and striker Pellissier added a second soon after the interval to help lift Chievo up four places to ninth in the table.

Udinese sprang a surprise with a 3-1 victory at sixth-placed Atalanta.

Duvan Zapata, on loan from Napoli, brought a tight contest to life on the stroke of half-time when he finished Cyril Thereau's pass

Atalanta had rattled off six straight wins before being beaten by league leaders Juventus last weekend and Jasmin Kurtic headed them level within two minutes of the re-start.

But Udinese continued to probe for openings and Seko Fofana restored their lead after 72 minutes from outside the box. Thereau wrapped up victory three minutes from time after Fofana had again shown his pace to break free.

Bologna's bid for three much-needed points was thwarted as they were held to a goalless home draw by relegation rivals Empoli.

Both sides found clear-cut chances hard to come by and when Bologna did threaten they found Empoli goalkeeper Lucasz Skorupski in fine form. Bologna were twice denied by Skorupski towards the end of the first half when efforts from Adam Nagy and Mattia Destro were well saved.

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Pipita decides Derby della Mole

 

Juventus fought back from an early Andrea Belotti goal to win the

Derby della Mole with Gonzalo Higuain’s brace and Miralem Pjanic.

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/87985

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Going in this seemed like the most evenly-matched Turin Derby in decades, as Sinisa Mihajlovic’s Granata were chasing a European place and scoring freely with hitman Andrea Belotti, while the Bianconeri had to do without Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves.

 

Paulo Dybala was only fit for the bench after a month out with a hamstring strain. Toro missed Cristian Molinaro.

 

Torino had won just one of the last 21 derbies between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, a lone 2-1 result in April 2015, along with four draws.

 

Mario Mandzukic wide right created all sorts of problems for Leandro Castan, twice skipping past him in the opening minutes and a pull-back that Stefano Sturaro just failed to slide on to.

 

Toro were furious when Andrea Belotti tried to run on to a long ball and went down under a Daniele Rugani challenge, but the referee waved play on.

 

Joe Hart needed a sensational reaction save to deny Mandzukic from close range as he tried to readjust a wayward Sami Khedira effort.

 

However, Torino took the lead when Daniele Baselli burst down the right and pulled back for Belotti, who didn’t have to jump, simply getting goal-side of Stephan Lichtsteiner to steer the header back across the face of goal.

 

Moments later Belotti earned a huge roar of applause when he tracked back to the edge of his area, robbed Juan Cuadrado and shook off two challenges on the counter to earn a free kick at the other end.

 

The equaliser came out of nowhere, as Mandzukic accidentally flicked a Cuadrado through ball off his heel as he was running and it turned into an inspired assist to send Gonzalo Higuain clear.

 

Sami Khedira’s header was wide and Mandzukic was back defending to charge down a Benassi strike after a well-worked free kick routine, then Iago Falque volleyed the follow-up off target.

 

Giorgio Chiellini needed a decisive sliding tackle to stop Torino’s counter, although Benassi also misplaced a pass three on three for Iago Falque.

 

Ljajic’s curler had left Buffon rooted to the spot, but skimmed the far post, then Cuadrado had to use his famous pace to get the block on Iago Falque’s counter-attack.

 

Just as Toro were pinning Juve back, they were caught on the counter by Higuain. He gathered a long ball with his back to goal, spun round Antonio Barreca and smashed in the finish on the bounce to put Juventus in front. It was also Pipita’s 200^th League goal between Italy, Argentina and Spain.

 

The Granata tried to get it back on track, but were opened up on the counter again. Paulo Dybala dribbled down the right and set up Higuain, forcing a great Hart save, then the goalkeeper performed another miracle on Miralem Pjanic, but could do nothing on the third attempt from the Bosnian.

 

---

 

Torino: Hart; Zappacosta, Rossettini, Castan, Barreca; Benassi (Boye 82), Valdifiori, Baselli (Acquah 81); Falque (Martinez 82), Belotti, Ljajic

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro (Lemina 67); Cuadrado (Pjanic 81), Higuain, Mandzukic (Dybala 71)

Ref: Rocchi

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Gonzalo Higuain double as Juventus

secure comeback Turin derby win

 

 

  

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/report?gameId=461144

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Champions Juventus look set to end the year with a healthy lead in the Serie A title race after Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in a 3-1 derby victory at Torino.

A stoppage-time strike from Miralem Pjanic rubber-stamped Juve's 13th league win this term after 90million-euro man Higuain responded to Andrea Belotti's opener with a goal in each half.

The result boosts the Bianconeri seven points clear of Scudetto rivals Roma and AC Milan, who are joint second before going head-to-head in the capital on Monday night.

Juve then play host to Roma and visit lowly Crotone before seeing out a prosperous 2016 with a Supercoppa clash against Milan in Qatar just before Christmas.

Torino ended a 20-year wait for a Derby della Mole triumph by winning this fixture last season and with that pressure off their shoulders they were able to approach this meeting in a lighter mood.

The Granata were perhaps too relaxed in the opening stages, though, as Juve twice threatened to score the opener. Juan Cuadrado's cross helped Mario Mandzukic head just wide and, in the 14th minute, the Croatian striker forced an instinctive low save from English goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Danger averted, Torino nipped down the other end to set up Belotti. Shrugging off a challenge from Stephan Lichtsteiner, he met Daniele Baselli's assist with his head and bested Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve did not panic and before the half-hour mark they had equalised, Higuain collecting Mandzukic's pass before slipping into the area and steering a cool finish beyond Hart.

The hosts debated how to react over the break and they looked lively when play resumed, Marco Benassi turning Mandzukic into a makeshift defender with his powerful shot at goal on the hour.

Torino came even closer to grabbing a second when Adem Ljajic launched an Iago Falque pass a whisker past Buffon's goalmouth with the veteran Italy keeper stranded and rooted to the spot.

But despite all their endeavour Toro would fall behind in the 82nd minute as Higuain conjured up a goal from nothing.

The former Napoli striker was able to cannily resist the marking of Antonio Barreca as he received the ball at his feet just inside the area. Then, swivelling on the spot, he blasted home with his right boot.

Their spirits dampened, Torino succumbed to another Juve goal right at the death. Pjanic, on as a substitute only minutes earlier, confirmed the outcome with a tap-in after Hart had denied Higuain.

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

Higuain: 'Never worried'

 

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95544/higuain-never-worried

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Gonzalo Higuain ignored the other contenders and focused on the fact “Juventus won” the Derby della Mole with Torino.

 

Pipita bagged a brace before the late Miralem Pjanic tap-in for a 3-1 victory, though Andrea Belotti had opened the scoring.

 

“We are working well and put in a great performance against an excellent team,” the striker told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“The important thing was that Juventus won and it’s what we achieved, so it doesn’t matter what the other results are behind us. That’s their problem.

 

“From tomorrow we can start preparing for the Roma match.”

 

Higuain had a goal drought for a month, but has now scored three in his last two games between Serie A and the Champions League.

 

“The second goal was a bit trickier, as it was bouncing around and not easy to get a clean shot. I was never worried during this period.”

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Mihajlovic: 'No Torino regrets'

 

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95545/mihajlovic-no-torino-regrets

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Sinisa Mihajlovic has “no regrets” after Torino lost 3-1 to Juventus, as “we must always play for the victory and take risks.”

 

Andrea Belotti had given Toro the lead in the Derby della Mole, but a Gonzalo Higuain brace and Miralem Pjanic turned it around.

 

“It was a very balanced encounter and either side could’ve won it really,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“We spent the entire second half in the opposition half and kept the tempo up, but when you don’t convert chances and make a mistake at the back, Juve will punish you.”

 

The turning point came in the second half when Mihajlovic made a triple substitution and moments later Juve went 2-1 up.

 

“I was not happy with a 1-1, as Juve didn’t have a shot on target in the second half and I wanted to win it. Unfortunately 30 seconds after the substitutions they scored a second goal and that knocked the wind out of our sails.

 

“I don’t regret it, no, because my team must always play for the victory and take risks to achieve it, regardless of who the opponents are.

 

“Antonio Barreca could’ve defended better, but he’s 18 years old and up against a champion like Higuain who used his experience to get into the right position and turn him.

 

“We were unlucky on the first goal, because it basically hit Mario Mandzukic on the heel and turned into an assist. Ah well, what can you do?

 

“Let’s not forget we were playing against Juventus, who have won the last five Scudetti. The second half we played much better and at 1-1

I was convinced we would go ahead and win it, or at least not lose in those conditions.”

 

Belotti was on target again and showed a great work-rate to track back.

 

“He is an extraordinary player who can do much, much better. With all due respect to Higuain, Belotti is the ideal striker for my idea of football and one day he’ll be the ideal striker for any club in the world.”

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Juventus 3 - Torino 1: Initial reaction

and random observations

 

 

 

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/11/13911328/juventus-

torino-derby-della-mole-2016-serie-a-final-score-result-initial-reaction

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

In so many ways, Juventus’ 3-1 Derby della Mole win over Torino played right into the script of so many all-Turin matchups before it. The game was even, the game was played at an incredibly intense level and, as we’ve seen a lot lately, we entered the last 15 minutes with a winner still yet to be determined.

And then, poof! Out of nowhere, here comes Gonzalo Higuain to steal the show.

No, it wasn’t an RKO out of nowhere, but a Higuain goal out of nowhere. Juventus’ No. 9 turned a Giorgio Chiellini ball that was basically hoofed forward in hope of something good taking place into more than just a minor development. The result was a beautiful turn and an even better finish to beat Pep Guardiola’s No. 1 fan, Joe Hart, and give Juventus another late-game win over Torino.

But I thought the narrative was that Higuain folded in big games? Is that not the case anymore? He certainly has scored some big goals in some big games this season — and it’s only the middle of December, my friends.

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Gonzalo Higuain: “When I didn’t score, Ruud van Nistelrooy told me: 'When it comes out, it all does at once. It’s like ketchup.’"

5:17 PM - 1 Dec 2016

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Higuain. Ketchup. I’m sure there’s a joke about the kind of shape he was in when he first signed with Juventus in there somewhere. But I won’t go there right now.

What matters most is that Higuain, Juventus’ €90 million man, is starting to find his absolutely lethal goal-scoring form once again. You look at the three goals in the last two games and realize just how special of a striker he is and how he’s capable of putting a team on his back with just a few opportunities.

In a game like this, where so many of the results have been decided in the closing stages, it’s why Juventus needed a striker of Higuain’s quality and caliber on its roster. There are only so many players in the world that are capable of doing what Higuain can, and luckily for all of us who are rooting for the team on the black and white side of Turin, he’s on our favorite team.

He was once again the man who decided things for Juventus, proving that club-record price tag to be worth it and giving Juventus another Derby della Mole victory over the little brother from across the town. Or, maybe for one day, we should call it the Derby della Pipita. It sure would be appropriate.

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• For the second straight game, Paulo Dybala came off the bench absolutely firing. You see the kind of plays he made leading up to Miralem Pjanic’s stoppage-time goal to put the game on ice and you can’t help but think about what La Joya can do when he reaches full match fitness. He’s close, surely.
• Remember when Pjanic was having a quiet season? He’s got five goals and five assists in 12 Serie A games and six goals and six assists in 18 appearances in all competitions. That’s a nice little pace he’s on as we approach the midway point of the season. Oh, and he’s still settling in. Just imagine what it’s going to be like if Juve go 4-3-1-2 with him playing behind Dybala and Higuain. Yeah, good times.
• Those two guys were pretty good subs by Max Allegri, don’t you think? I hope it’s not like that every game, but hey, when you got the weapons on the bench you might as well use them.
• I know there were some moments that scared the crap out of me, but watching Andrea Belotti — who is an absolute beast, by the way — do battle with Chiellini and Daniele Rugani was pretty fun to watch. I especially liked the little moment before a Torino corner kick where the ref came over to Belotti and Chiellini to tell them to stop pushing each other around and then the latter proceeded to push the former right after the ref turned his back. Good thing Belotti cracked a smile.
• Side note on Belotti: He’s already pretty good. And he’s only 22 years old.
• Side note on Rugani: He’s already pretty good. And he’s only 22 years old.
• Gigi Buffon’s mustache ... discuss.
• But, because Juventus beat Torino, it was a mustachio bashio. Good times.
• It’s time for Mario Lemina to leapfrog Stefano Sturaro in the midfield hierarchy. I’ve decided this for Mr. Allegri, so he can thank me later. Look at the impact that Lemina made after he came on and then compare it to Sturaro’s level that wasn’t all that impressive at all. There’s nothing worse than a player without much technical skills like Sturaro constantly turning the ball over against a team like Torino that was constantly playing with high pressure.
• Mario Mandzukic might be one of Juventus’ best defenders this season. It seems like he’s blocked about 25 shots and cleared 50 corners in the past couple of weeks.
• TORINO E’ BIANCONERA!

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

The Dream Killers

 

 

Juventus smothered another fledgling dream, but Torino emerge with heads held high, assures Giancarlo Rinaldi.

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95548/dream-killers

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Since the day and hour they came into existence, Juventus have been crushing their rivals’ aspirations. A week ago, they were putting high-flying Atalanta in their place. This weekend they extinguished their city cousins’ hopes of a derby victory. In between, they were winning their group in the Champions League. Suddenly, the Bianconeri’s capitulation at Genoa seems but a distant memory.

And yet, for a little while at least, it looked like things might have ended up so differently. In-form hitman Andrea Belotti - a player who typifies the fighting spirit of his club - had given the Granata a lead which might have shaken La Vecchia Signora’s resolve. Stephan Lichtsteiner, the so-called Swiss Express, was caught waiting at the station while the Toro striker powered past him to open the scoring.

However, Max Allegri’s men responded with the confidence of habitual champions. A Gonzalo Higuain double, followed by a clincher from Miralem Pjanic, pulled them - for a while at least - seven points clear at the top of the table. It’s not all that amazing what a pair of players worth more than £100m between them brings you, is it?

The Argentinian’s second finish, in particular, was the heart-breakingly precise kind of match-winning contribution you expect from a striker of his pedigree. Could it be enough, finally, to make the Turin giants successful on both the domestic and European front this season?

Not that Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men should be all doom and gloom after their derby defeat. It took some fine play to finish them off and, for spells at least, they were capable of going toe-to-toe with their most bitter rivals without the slightest hint of what would have been an understandable inferiority complex. If they continue to play with that level of character and determination, they can surely keep themselves in the fight for European football until the closing stages of the season.

But Juve showed that they remain the team to beat in Italy, despite a few uncharacteristic blackouts this season. There were spells when their reshuffled defence did show a few cracks, which will have given the would-be chasing pack some hope. The trouble is that, regardless of their occasional failings, nobody has shown anything like the consistency to seriously challenge them so far this season. Monday night will decide who between Milan and Roma has the best credentials to actually give them food for thought.

There was no doubt that, over the arc of the entire match, the boys in black and white deserved their victory, although the margin seemed harsh on Torino. With Claudio Marchisio at the heart of the midfield, the reigning champions always looked the better side despite a very brave challenge from Adem Ljajic and company. The Granata are a team growing in stature with every passing day, but Juventus are already mature and fully confident of their means.

It made for another fine match which Serie A could be proud of. There was plenty of tactical acumen and technical excellence, but without it ever suffocating the spectacle. It had a good ebb and flow to it and also, of course, the passion you would expect from a derby match.

Both teams, you felt, could come out of it with their heads held high - if not the three points. With the Italian Super Cup to play for and a draw in the last 16 of the Champions League awaiting them, it was job done for the Bianconeri, who slowly but surely turned up the heat on Torino in a game which could easily have slipped away from them. It helps, of course, to have Serie A’s most deadly finisher on your side.

However, there were more than enough good points for Toro to take from the match as well. Their fans were understandably deflated after a deadly one-two in the closing 10 minutes denied them even the consolation of a single point from the clash. But, when they have time to reflect on things, they will realise that the game was another indicator of the progress they have made.

In Belotti, they have a lion-hearted frontman who leads by example, but they have plenty of other impressive performers. Mirko Valdifiori makes the midfield tick, Luca Rossettini is rock-solid at the back and Ljajic and Iago Falque provide sparks of creativity and class. If you add to that the up-and-coming under-25s like Marco Benassi, Daniele Baselli and Antonio Barreca and you have plenty to feel optimistic about.

Overall, Italian football was a winner too. It was a game played without the histrionics and controversy which sometimes blight the big matches in Serie A. It’s great to see teams have a genuine go at Juventus and try to knock them from their perch at the top of the table. And, of course, La Vecchia Signora will respond - as she so often has throughout her history - by slowly but surely smothering their dreams.

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Allegri: 'Derby was a battle'

 

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95546/allegri-derby-was-battle

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Max Allegri “knew it was going to be a battle” as Juventus fought back to beat Torino 3-1 in a marvellous Derby della Mole.

 

“The lads played well and we only went behind because Andrea Belotti scored a great goal,” the Coach told Mediaset Premium.

 

“In the second half we ran a few risks on the counter and got the final ball wrong. We knew it was going to be a battle.”

 

The substitutions proved decisive for Allegri, as Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic came off the bench to create the third goal.

 

“Dybala is extraordinary and getting back in shape, though that will take time. It’s understandable if Mario Mandzukic wasn’t too happy, but at that time I needed more technical quality.

 

“Once the frenetic tempo calmed down a little, the quality ended up making the difference.

 

“We are improving and the injured players are slowly returning. With Pjanic it was a bit of a wonky 4-4-2, spreading it out to Juan Cuadrado, because we only really had Claudio Marchisio defending.

 

“I’m happy with Higuain even when he doesn’t score, because he provides a big contribution. I know he lives for the goal, but that’s not the only reason he was signed.”

 

Is Allegri hoping for a draw between Roma and Milan tomorrow evening?

 

“That seems natural enough to me. We won’t watch it, though, as tomorrow there’s our Christmas dinner.”

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Pjanic: 'Juve are used to winning'

 

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95549/pjanic-juve-are-used-winning

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Miralem Pjanic said the key for Juventus is “we are accustomed to winning” and he can’t wait to face off with his Roma “friends.”

 

The Bosnian came off the bench to score the final goal in a 3-1 Derby della Mole victory over Torino.

 

“I came on towards the end when it was still 1-1, a difficult game against a difficult opponent, but we are very happy for us and our fans,” Pjanic told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset Premium.

 

“It’s never easy when you are behind in a game, but we keep fighting. Juventus are accustomed to winning and that means when things get difficult, we never lose our self-belief.

 

“In Rome you know the derby is important, but if you’re Juventus then you know the derby has to be won. We played well and got the full three points.”

 

Next week the Serie A leaders host Roma, the club Pjanic left in tense circumstances, as he activated a release clause in his contract.

 

“I am glad to be seeing so many old friends again. Roma have many champions and are a very strong side. Their Coach is excellent too and doing very well.

 

“I spent five wonderful years there, but it’s a game we intend to win.”

 

Tomorrow Juventus will also discover their Champions League opponents in the Round of 16 draw.

 

“There are no favourites in the tournament and I don’t see anyone in the draw who can frighten us. The important thing is to get there in good shape and with as few injuries as possible.”

 

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Allegri: Knew it was going to be a battle

 

Manager’s post-match comments after big win

 

 

 

  

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/11/13912430/max-allegri-

knew-it-was-going-to-be-a-battle-juventus-3-torino-1-derby-della-mole

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Juventus won a hotly-contested Derby della Mole against crosstown rivals Torino with two late goals to settle the issue. The hosts Toro had gone ahead early but Juve pegged them back with the equalizer at the half hour mark, before Gonzalo Higuain’s second and Miralem Pjanic put away the spirited Torino.

After the game, Massimiliano Allegri spoke to the media -

“The lads played well and we only went behind because Andrea Belotti scored a great goal.

“In the second half we ran a few risks on the counter and got the final ball wrong. We knew it was going to be a battle.”

Allegri’s second half substitutions Paulo Dybala and Pjanic made the difference in this close game.

“Dybala is extraordinary and getting back in shape, though that will take time. It’s understandable if Mario Mandzukic wasn’t too happy, but at that time I needed more technical quality.

“Once the frenetic tempo calmed down a little, the quality ended up making the difference.

“We are improving and the injured players are slowly returning. With Pjanic it was a bit of a wonky 4-4-2, spreading it out to Juan Cuadrado, because we only really had Claudio Marchisio defending.

“I’m happy with Higuain even when he doesn’t score, because he provides a big contribution. I know he lives for the goal, but that’s not the only reason he was signed.”

When asked if he was hoping for a draw between Roma and Milan tomorrow, he replied -

“That seems natural enough to me. We won’t watch it, though, as tomorrow there’s our Christmas dinner.”

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Allegri picks Christmas dinner over Roma-Milan clash

 

Having gone seven points clear at the top of Serie A, Juventus are not

focusing too much on their title rivals says their head coach.

 

 

 

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2016/12/11/30392402/-

 

 

Dec 11, 2016

 

Massimiliano Allegri insists Juventus will not be watching Roma's clash with AC Milan on Monday as their attention remains on their own form - and a club Christmas dinner.

 

The Serie A champions extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points on Sunday as a Gonzalo Higuain brace helped to see off rivals Torino 3-1, before second plays third in Rome.

 

However, while head coach Allegri agreed a draw would be best for his side, star man Higuain insisted he is focused only on Juve's results.

 

"We are working well and we put in a great performance against an excellent team," Higuain told Sky Italia after the derby.

 

"The important thing was that Juventus won. That's what we achieved, so it doesn't matter what the other results are behind us. That's their problem."

 

Allegri added to Mediaset Premium: "[Hoping for a draw] seems natural enough to me. We won't watch the game, though, as tomorrow is our Christmas dinner."

 

Juve face Roma at home in their next fixture on Saturday.

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Juventus boss Max Allegri applauds

'extraordinary' Paulo Dybala after win

 

 

 

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/3017576/juventus-boss

-max-allegri-applauds-extraordinary-paulo-dybala-after-win

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

Massimiliano Allegri praised an "extraordinary" Paulo Dybala after the Argentine forward's performance off the bench in Juventus' 3-1 defeat of city rival Torino on Sunday.

Gonzalo Higuain cancelled Andrea Belotti's opener, and the Bianconeri looked destined for a 1-1 draw with the match nearing its end. However, Dybala's introduction 19 minutes from time ignited the Old Lady as Higuain scored his second and Dybala provided the assist for Juve's third.

Speaking after the match, Allegri hailed the vital contribution from Dybala, who is making his way back from a thigh injury.

"Dybala is extraordinary and getting back into shape, although that will take time," Allegri told Mediaset Premium. "It's understandable if Mario Mandzukic wasn't too happy [about being withdrawn], but at that time I needed more technical quality.

"Once the frenetic tempo calmed down a little, the quality ended up making the difference.

"We are improving and the injured players are slowly returning. With Pjanic, it was a bit of a wonky 4-4-2, because we only really had Claudio Marchisio defending.

"I'm happy with Higuain's play even when he doesn't score, because he makes a big contribution. I know he lives for scoring, but that's not the only reason he was signed."

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Juventus' Higuain returning to form,

while Mandzukic continues torrid play

 

 

 

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/3017608/juventus-

higuain-returning-to-form-while-mandzukic-continues-torrid-play

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

Juventus came back from 1-0 down to defeat Torino 3-1 and win yet another Derby della Mole.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's side have been one of the teams to watch this season. However, for all their offensive beauty, it was their individual errors that allowed a predatory Juventus to snatch all three points. While the Bianconeri looked to be a little tired toward the end, their level of technique overcame Toro's exuberance, while Gonzalo Higuain proved that despite Andrea Belotti's tenacity, he was still the man to depend on for the win.

Positives

Injuries forced Higuain to sacrifice his place in front of goal and play behind Mario Mandzukic in a bid to ensure offensive fluidity. By dropping deep and playing for his teammates, Higuain wasn't scoring and his confidence was affected, resulting in weak displays over recent weeks. Overthinking his every move caused problems. But against Torino, the real Higuain was back, demonstrating his strength to overturn players and technique to finish off his chances with panache. Three goals in two games, the striker is back.

Negatives

Hardly anything, but a nitpick would be that Juventus could play with greater control in midfield. Quite often their passing accuracy let them down while the side proved susceptible to the counterattack. With a little more precision and concentration, Juve would not have to expend energy making up for their errors.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Interesting choices made by Massimiliano Allegri as he clearly deployed a side ready for the physical challenge, preserving his technical experts for later. Deployed in a 4-3-3 formation and eager to demonstrate tenacity, Juve played cohesively and intelligently for their manager.

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

GK Gianluigi Buffon, 6 -- Not as concentrated in the net as usual but wasn't at fault for the goal.

DF Stephan Lichtsteiner, 5 -- Could not control Belotti's brilliance. Struggled more than he should have.

DF Daniele Rugani, 6 -- For a once-upon-a-time clean player, Rugani has truly learned the dark arts. More physical, sometimes a little reckless. However, boasts good technique on the ball and looked eager to suffer for the win.

DF Giorgio Chiellini, 6 -- Gave away the ball dangerously at times but also made some vital interceptions. Not yet playing at his highest level.

DF Alex Sandro, 6 -- Sometimes the player can be a liability defensively but he was better on Sunday, providing the support needed at the back. Put in some great tackles and always on hand to recover possession. His defensive caution understandably stripped him of his offensive chances.

MF Sami Khedira 6 -- Some good forays into the box. Still lacks the shine that is required to make an impact in tough games.

MF Claudio Marchisio, 7 -- His emotions made him a little more aggressive than usual. However, produced excellent passes forward, created several chances and shielded the defence. Great performance.

Paulo Dybala came off the bench and made an immediate impact as Juventus overcame Torino.

MF Stefano Sturaro, 6 -- Technically limited so struggles to influence, but happy to fight and always on hand to provide a physical presence in midfield. Must improve, though.

FW Juan Cuadrado, 6 -- Struggles to be incisive but his cunning play relieved the pressure on the defence. However, he is still capable of more.

FW Gonzalo Higuain, 8 -- Two beautiful goals, Higuain has recovered his confidence and is back to his best. Demonstrated his strength and technique to finish beautifully.

FW Mario Mandzukic, 7 -- A defensive beast, Mandzukic is everywhere you need him to be. He blocked practically every shot Torino attempted at goal, while he pushed hard going forward, providing the assist for the opening goal.

Substitutes:

MF Mario Lemina, 6 -- Demonstrated his athleticism and took players on well. Should be favoured over Sturaro.

FW Paulo Dybala, N/A -- Did incredible work for Juve's third goal, his footwork mesmeric, his stubbornness appreciated. Created chances despite coming on only as a sub.

MF Miralem Pjanic, N/A -- Scored from the rebound, but not on long enough for a rating.

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Torino vs. Juventus 2016: Final score 1-3, Higuaín brace

lifts Juve to victory in entertaining Derby della Mole

 

 

Juventus overcome a spirited Torino side in a thrilling city derby

 

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/12/13913038/torino-juventus

-derby-della-mole-2016-serie-a-round-16-final-score-result-match-recap

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

It was that time of the year again: Time for the always-wonderful Derby della Mole between Juventus and Torino. After winning their Champions League group by comfortably beating Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, Juventus made the short trip to the Stadio Olimpico to face their city rivals in the colorful derby of Turin. It turned out to be a fruitful journey as Juventus overturned an early Andrea Belotti goal to beat a strong Torino side 3-1 courtesy of a Gonzalo Higuaín brace and late Miralem Pjanic strike.

The game started at a normal pace with both sides trying to keep possession to ease themselves into the match. The first noteworthy moment came from the ‘visitors’ as a costly Leandro Castan error allowed Mario Mandzukic to play the ball across goal but Stefano Sturaro arrived just too late at the far post to convert the chance. There was a moment of controversy a few minutes late after a long ball forward bounced awkwardly up and over Daniele Rugani and Belotti; the Juventus defender seemed to drag the Torino danger-man down illegally, but the referee waved play on, much to the bemusement of the striker. Had the foul been given, Rugani likely would have been sent off as it was a last-man situation.

Juventus quickly resumed offensive duties, though, as Mandzukic first wasted a chance by making a mess of a dangerous Juan Cuadrado cross — it seemed like he couldn’t decide whether to head or volley the cross — and later forced Hart to make an extraordinary one-handed save after cleverly flicking a Khedira volley to unexpectedly change its trajectory on its way to goal. It didn’t matter to Torino though as they took the lead a few minutes later against the run of play thanks to red-hot striker Andrea Belotti. Midfielder Daniele Baselli, who had surprisingly popped up on the right hand side to overload the Juventus wing, skipped away from Giorgio Chiellini and Sandro and managed to float a cross towards the head of Belotti. The Torino striker found a yard of space away from Lichtsteiner to nod a perfectly-executed header to the far corner out of the reach of Buffon to open the scoring: 1-0.

Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Claudio Marchisio tried to bring Juventus back on level terms straight away, but couldn’t get his stinging drive from the edge of the box on target. Torino were comfortable, though, and coach Sinisa Mihajlovic had clearly set his side up very effectively in both defense and attack. Nevertheless, Juventus found a way through to get the equalizer on the half hour mark thanks to Higuaín. The tricky Cuadrado picked up a loose ball in midfield and immediately played it into Mandzukic — who, in a wonderful piece of quick thinking and exquisite technique, played a back-heeled flick towards the onrushing Higuaín. The Argentine took a few touches towards goal and fired a tidy finish to the far corner past Joe Hart: 1-1.

The surprisingly fruitful partnership between Higuaín and Mandzukic continued to bear dividends as the duo made life consistently troublesome for the Torino backline. The ‘home’ side looked for outlets from the dangerous, inward drifts from Adem Ljajic and the disciplined wing play of Marco Benassi and Iago Falque, but Juventus gained a stronger hold of the game after the equalizer and thus ended the first half slightly on top of proceedings.

Juventus started the second half with remarkable drive and purpose as Sturaro fired a good chance wide of goal from inside the box and Khedira had a glorious chance but completely miscued his header in the danger zone from a lofted Marchisio pass. Torino weathered the storm bravely and hit back through a dangerous Falque strike after a Zappacosta cross caused all sorts of trouble inside the Bianconeri box. Lichtsteiner later had a strong shout for a penalty waved away after colliding with Castan on his way into the Torino penalty area. I Granataalmost regained the lead after a wayward Chiellini pass was intercepted by Belotti and triggered a 3v2 situation in their favor, but Belotti’s pass was underhit which allowed Chiellini to make up for his almost-crucial error. Torino continued to push forward as the hard-working Falque played a tidy pass into Ljajic who, after beating Lichtsteiner in a one-on-one situation just inside the box, curled a right-footed shot just inches away from the far post with Buffon beaten!

Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Then, out of nowhere, Juventus took the lead through a wonderful piece of instinctive play by Higuaín. Chiellini played a seemingly-innocent long ball to the Argentine who then outmuscled Antonio Barreca to get a yard of space and unleash an unstoppable right-footed half-volley past Joe Hart’s outstretched arm: 2-1! Higuaín was on the prowl for his hat trick soon after although he fired another shot well over the target after a clever dribble and subsequent pass into the area by substitute Paulo Dybala had given him a chance for the triple kill. Torino predictably threw everybody forward in desperate search of the equalizer which left Juventus with acres of space to break into on the counter attack. The Bianconeri capitalized on this space deep into stoppage time with the killing blow: Dybala embarked on a majestic run down the right channel, bamboozling three Torino defenders on his way forward, and played the ball to his compatriot Higuaín. The striker saw his shot saved by the impressive Joe Hart but Dybala picked up the rebound and passed it fellow substitute Pjanic who also saw his shot remarkably saved by Hart but rifled the rebound into the back of the net to secure the victory for the Bianconeri! Final score: 3-1 in favor of Juventus!

Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Le Pagelle

BUFFON 6.5 – Couldn’t do anything for the opening goal. Had little to do otherwise.

CHIELLINI 7 – Played well in unison with Rugani although he had a lapse or two in the second half that could have been very costly had Torino converted them.

RUGANI 7 – Handled Belotti very, very well today and frustrated the striker with his calm defensive play. The yellow card was a ludicrous decision, but Rugani thankfully didn’t let it fluster him.

LICHTSTEINER 6 – Got outmuscled and outfought by Belotti for the opening goal and his offensive play remains worryingly poor. Nevertheless, he’s still reliable in defense and works hard.

ALEX SANDRO 6.5 – Other than a little communication lapse between him and Chiellini for the opening goal, he fared quite well. Not as offensive as usual because Falque kept him busy in defense.

KHEDIRA 6.5 – Quiet but disciplined performance as usual by Khedira. Made a mess of that header early in the second half though.

STURARO 6.5 – A typically busy performance by the newly buzz-cut Sturaro in midfield and in general he proves to be a useful-enough player if he’s left to do relatively simple defensive tasks in midfield.

MARCHISIO 6.5 – Struggled to handle the intense Torino midfield press, but overall did quite alright.

Ouch.

 Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

CUADRADO 7 – Smart performance by the Colombian, who won lots of clever fouls and defended well down the right wing. His final product is still terribly frustrating but he played an important part for the equalizer.

HIGUAÍN 8 – The first was a smart finish and the second was a laser-sharp finish from a situation where you would think there was no opportunity to be had. These goals show exactlythe reason why we broke the bank for the Argentine and he is now deservedly back amongst the goals for the team.

MANDZUKIC 7.5 – Continues his rich vein of form with yet another tireless, battling performance. His quick thinking and brilliant backheel for the equalizer was a joy to behold. He seemed a bit grumpy when coming off for Dybala, though. (But then again, he never looks like the jolliest chap in town, now does he?)

Subs

LEMINA 6.5 – Tidy performance and, contrary to popular opinion, I thought he was well within his right to have a go at goal in the 75^th minute instead of passing to Higuaín.

DYBALA 7 – At first I thought he was a little subdued and still feeling his way back from injury, but that was before he embarked on a mesmerizing run down the right wing that completely embarrassed three Torino defenders and secured the Pjanic goal. Great to have La Joya back again!

PJANIC 7 – Gets a 7 for finishing off the game with a goal late in stoppage time.

Manager

ALLEGRI 7 – It was an entertaining and relatively controlled match, so Allegri did his homework well today. He seemed so undecided between a 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 that he chose to play a curious hybrid of the two. It worked relatively well although Ljajic did find some space on the wings here and there to worry the Juventus backline. Nevertheless, job well done for Mad Max.

Tactical Analysis: Inside Out

While Allegri set out his side to play a 3-5-2/4-4-2 hybrid, Torino played a basic 4-3-3 with the dangerous trio of Belotti, Ljajic, and Falque leading the line. Or did they? This is only what it seemed like on paper because in practice there were some nuances to their setup.

Remember that Boye, Martinez, and Acquah were substitutes for Torino while Benassi is underlined in red

 Statszone by Opta

It’s not uncommon in a 4-3-3 formation to see one winger play as an out-and-out wide man for the direct option and the other as a wide forward drifting centrally to play more as an additional passing midfielder (as discussed here, here, and here). However, based on the average position map shown above, Mihajlovic seemed to reinterpret this into an extremely lopsided and narrow 4-4-2 that prioritized attacks on the right wing. It’s no wonder then that the opening goal came when Baselli shuttled all the way over to the right wing to cause an overload and cross for Belotti to nod the header past Buffon. What really caught my eye was how keen his teammate Benassi was to play out wide even though he is a central midfielder by trade. He played almost as a de-facto double right-winger with Falque, so much so that I kept mixing the two up in my notes during the game.

Benassi (circled) overlapping on the right hand side in what turned out to be a very regular occurrence during the game

Benassi constantly shuttled extremely wide to combine with Falque and the very-attacking right-back Zappacosta which made this right-wing triangle a focal point (or, should I say, a Falque point? HA!) for Torino attacks. The Spanish “winger,” additionally, played remarkably deep both with and without the ball which made it seem like he was more of a wide midfielder than a winger.

Just compare the right-back Zappacosta’s heatmap (bottom) with that of left-back Barreca (top)

 Whoscored.com

The space for Juventus was then on the Torino inside-left channel and that is also where the equalizer came thanks to the clever interplay between Mandzukic and Higuaín. Nevertheless, Mihajlovic surprised us by tweaking what seemed like a straightforward formation into a nuanced version that suited his team and his style of play.

That strange fuzzy figure at the bottom of the screen (marked in red) is Falque, who is once again super deep inside his own half.

Forward as one!

It was definitely a fun and enticing city derby that neither team completely dominated, which made it a gripping game to watch. Mandzukic continues to bully opposition defenders to great effect while Higuaín is now finishing the (admittedly few) opportunities that come his way. On the other side of the pitch, Rugani continues to stake his claim as a mainstay in the Juventus backline with consistently impressive and mature performances. With a fully fit and motivated Dybala, Allegri now suddenly has quite a selection headache up front given Mandzukic’s impressive form. Although things are looking jolly and well now, an extremely challenging top-of-the-table clash against an in-form AS Roma looms large on the horizon. It is a game that I look forward to with optimism and anticipation, so let’s keep this form going for many more games to come!

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Mandzukic 'unhappy with substitution'

 

 

 

  

http://www.football-italia.net/95571/mandzukic-unhappy-substitution

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic vented his frustration after being replaced by Paulo Dybala in the Derby della Mole.

 

The Bianconeri triumphed 3-1 over cross-town rivals Torino, but Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Croatian was unhappy when substituted on 71 minutes by Coach Massimiliano Allegri.

 

The Italian newspaper states that the 30-year-old kicked a water bottle and then the wall, and decided not to celebrate the victory with his teammates.

 

Patrice Evra then reportedly stepped in to calm the situation down.

 

Allegri referred to the incident in his post-match Press conference and admitted it was ‘understandable’ that Mandzukic wasn’t happy with being replaced.

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

TORINO - JUVENTUS

 

1-3

 

Andrea Belotti 16'

Gonzalo Higuaín 28'

Gonzalo Higuaín 82'

Miralem Pjanic 92'

 

 

 

 

 

MATCHDAY 16

Sunday, December 11th, 2016 - 3:00 p.m.
Stadio Grande Torino, Turin
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

 

 

 

 

Juventus Flaws Remain, but in Gonzalo Higuain

They Have a Man Who Can Mask Them

 

 

 

  

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2681226-juventus-flaws-remain

-but-in-gonzalo-higuain-they-have-a-man-who-can-mask-them

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

Having secured top spot in their UEFA Champions League group just a few days earlier, Juventus made the short journey across Turin to take on neighbours Torino in the latest edition of the Derby della Mole.

The match has long been one of Serie A’s most underrated rivalries, and with the hosts enjoying a good season of their own, Sunday's fixture was always going to be tense. The Granata were sitting in seventh place before the clash began, with coach Sinisa Mihajlovic already building the side into a formidable unit after being appointed back in the summer.

Solid defensively and bright in midfield, it was in attack where Il Toro have been most impressive, with Iago Falque and Adem Ljajic bagging seven and five goals respectively. Both have also weighed in with three assists, but it was undeniably striker Andrea Belotti who has taken centre stage.

 

 

 

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ItalianFootballTV @IFTV_Official

GOOOL Il GALLO BELOTTI!!!!!

TORINO UP 1-0 OVER JUVENTUS

3:19 PM - 11 Dec 2016

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He would quickly do the same here, with the 22-year-old getting goal side of Stephan Lichtsteiner after just 16 minutes. Daniele Baselli, who had burst down the right, picked Belotti out with an inch-perfect cross, and the Calcinate native steered his header perfectly beyond Gigi Buffon.

It was a deserved lead and a fitting scorer given his form in 2016/17. The goal marked Belotti’s 11th of the Serie A campaign. He has also struck once in the Coppa Italia and three goals in five international appearances for Italy.

The home crowd erupted with joy, hopeful of improving their recent poor record against the Bianconeri, winning just once since 1995 against their crosstown rivals. For the next 10 minutes, the team would find that same belief, dominating the game while rarely allowing Juve time and space to find an equaliser.

Then Gonzalo Higuain got sight of goal. The lively Juan Cuadrado played the ball forward to Mario Mandzukic, with the Croatia international laying it off to his strike partner almost inadvertently.

 

 

 

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Adam Digby 

 

✔@Adz77

"That's why they brought me here" - @G_Higuain, probably. 1-1 #TorinoJuve

3:31 PM - 11 Dec 2016

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Bearing down on Joe Hart, Higuain gave the England goalkeeper no time to react, firing a well-placed shot into the bottom corner before wheeling away in celebration just one day after his 29th birthday.

The two teams exchanged chances and the upper hand as the match wore on, with Daniele Rugani and Belotti engaging in a tense head-to-head battle. The Juve man was perhaps fortunate not to be shown a first-half red card for one challenge.

Sami Khedira, Marco Benassi, Falque and Ljajic all fluffed good chances as time ticked on, but then came a raft of substitutions. Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri sent on Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic, and Mihajlovic responded by introducing Afriyie Acquah, Josef Martinez and Lucas Boye.

 

 

 

 Follow

Juvefc.com @juvefcdotcom

WHAT
A
GOAL#Higuain 

4:44 PM - 11 Dec 2016

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With Higuain having isolated himself against the 21-year-old Toro full-back Antonio Barreca, Giorgio Chiellini fired a long ball forward toward him. The striker collected that pass, span around the defender and smashed a right-footed effort between his legs, netting the 200th league goal of his career.

Falling behind broke the Granata resistance, quickly allowing Juve to boss the remaining minutes, with Dybala tormenting them every time he got on the ball. The 23-year-old had made a brief cameo against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday, with that match marking his first appearance since suffering a thigh strain in late October.

He repeatedly skipped past Torino defenders here, but in stoppage time, he helped seal all three points for the Bianconeri. Flying down the right flank, his pass found Higuain, who in turn drew a good save from Hart, only to see Dybala leave the defence flat-footed to collect the ball again.

 

 

 

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Tarek Khatib @ADP1113

Pjanic's goal. 3-1. Look at Dybala in the build up. Magical.

4:52 PM - 11 Dec 2016

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Rather than shoot himself, the Juve No. 21 instead set up Pjanic, who needed two shots to beat Hart and secure the victory. While the goal saw the midfielder get on the scoresheet, it was undoubtedly his team-mate who deserved the plaudits that came along with it.

Allegri was happy to provide just as much when he spoke to Mediaset Premium at full time (h/t Football Italia): "Dybala is extraordinary and getting back in shape, though that will take time. It’s understandable if Mandzukic wasn’t too happy, but at that time, I needed more technical quality. Once the frenetic tempo calmed down a little, the quality ended up making the difference."

With a clash against AS Roma and then the Supercoppa Italiana meeting against AC Milan in Qatar both coming before Christmas, Dybala’s return could not come at a better time for the Bianconeri. But nor could Higuain's form.

 

 

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Juventus are glad to have Dybala back in action.

 

Having netted just twice in a run of 10 matches, the former Real Madrid man has struck three goals in his last two outings. Allegri, speaking in that aforementioned interview, insisted he brings much more to the side.

"I’m happy with Higuain, even when he doesn’t score, because he provides a big contribution," the coach continued. "I know he lives for the goal, but that’s not the only reason he was signed."

Yet looking deeper into his performance against Torino, the statistics fail to show any greater impact on the match. As the FourFourTwo Stats Zone graphic in the tweet below highlights, Higuain completed only 12 passes but took six shots, focusing clearly on putting the ball in the back of the net.

 

View image on Twitter

 

 Follow

Adam Digby 

 

✔@Adz77

.@G_Higuain vs Torino 6 shots, 2 goals, 12/14 passes (85.7%), 1/1 take-ons, 1 tackle, fouled 3 times (via @StatsZone) #TorinoJuve

6:09 PM - 11 Dec 2016

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“We're still working hard to improve, and we've won a really important match," Higuain said after the win, per Juve’s official website. "We're a great team, and today we put in an excellent performance. However, we're already thinking about next week. We have to prepare as best as we can to be ready for Roma."

With 12 goals in all competitions for the Bianconeri, he also noted that his previous poor run had not worried him: "The important thing was to win and that's what we did. I've always stayed calm, even when the goals weren't coming."

Though his scoring made the difference on Sunday, his off-ball runs also deserve attention. Constantly drifting wide or deep, Higuain pulled the Torino defence out of shape at every opportunity, with the video below highlighting that it is nothing new as he continues to make his presence felt in a number of ways:

 

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The derby victory—Juve’s 100th all-time win against the Granata—was merely the latest example, but it almost certainly will not be the last despite some problems remaining elsewhere in the team.

This previous post discussed the problems Lichtsteiner has encountered, and those continued here, as he was constantly caught out of position. Not for the first time, Stefano Sturaro also looked poor in midfield, but the Bianconeri are fortunate to be able to call upon Higuain in this kind of form.

Powerful on the ball and determined to lift the team to glory, there are certainly some similarities between his style and that of compatriot Carlos Tevez. Yet Higuain also makes Juve fans reminisce about a predator like David Trezeguet, with his driving runs and penalty-box instincts a frightening combination for any defence to face.

In this form, he is unstoppable, masking the flaws in Allegri’s team. And while bigger tests will certainly arrive as the campaign progresses, he helped supporters of the Old Lady enjoy bragging rights in her hometown once again.

 

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

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Champions League Round of 16 Draw: Juventus

avoid the big boys, get matched up against Porto

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/12/13918162/juventus-

fc-porto-2016-uefa-champions-league-round-of-16-draw-results

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

Looking at the seven clubs Juventus could have been matched up against in the Champions League Round of 16, there was no team that could characterized as “an easy draw.” The way the group stage went about this season, some of the European heavyweights were in play when Juventus’ ping-pong ball was pulled out of the bowl.

But, considering who was out there, Juve got a relatively good result.

Juventus’ knockout round journey and quest to get to Cardiff will take them through Portugal, as the winners of Group H were matched up against FC Porto during Monday afternoon’s Round of 16 draw. Real Madrid came and went. Bayern Munich came and went. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain came and went, too. All of them not booking flights for a mid-March trip to Turin.

The first leg between Porto and Juventus will be played at the Estádio do Dragão in Portuga on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The second leg is set for Tuesday, March 14, at Juventus Stadium in Turin.

View image on Twitter

 

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OFFICIAL: We will play @FCPorto in this season's #UCL last 16. #UCLDraw #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve

12:17 PM - 12 Dec 2016

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I guess with all of the reunions that a couple of Juventus’ players had with their former clubs in the group stage, seeing another key cog face an old team of theirs isn’t all that surprising. Although, as Alex Sandro did say a bit ago, he wanted Juventus and Porto to face one another in the Champions League final. But it will obviously be coming a little earlier than the Brazilian badass of a fullback had hoped for.

Based off what we found out last year, finishing first would have been the logical thing to shoot for because you’d be more than likely to avoid one of the Champions League favorites. But because of how the group stage worked out this season, the big boys of European football were also part of the eight runners up. That meant that a big-time clash was in the cards right out of the gate in the knockout stages. Luckily, Juventus was able to miss the likes of Bayern and Real Madrid for at least one more round.

Porto certainly does have its threats. People will talk about Gigi Buffon and Iker Casillas playing against one another for maybe one of the final times in their storied careers, but if you’re having a few scary thoughts about André Silva getting loose behind Juventus’ defense you’re probably not alone. That’s just what happens when a 21-year-old star in the making scores four goals in six group stage starts.

But, the draw could have been worse. I’m certainly not underestimating what Porto has to offer by any means, but I’m also quite pleased that we’re not sitting here talking about how Juventus’ Champions League run could be ended relatively early by Bayern Munich for the second straight season.

[Socrates 8526]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madrid get lucky again, Arsenal doomed -

Champions League winners and losers

 

 

Arsenal and Paris-St Germain are among the teams who could have benefited from a little

more luck in the last 16 draw but Real Madrid and Juventus will be pleased with their out...

 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/14302/comment/2016/12/12/30412912/-

 

 

Dec 12, 2016

 

There are some intriguing ties in the Champions League knockout rounds with the competition whittled down to 16 teams from only six countries. Arsenal have been handed the toughest possible tie from those available to them - against Bayern Munich - while Real Madrid's seemingly endless luck stretches into 2017 with a draw against Napoli. Barcelona will take on PSG - a team against whom they have enjoyed recent success - while 2015 finalists Juventus head to Portugal to meet Porto.

 

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will take on free-scoring Monaco with plenty of question marks over their defence while English champions Leicester City meet Sevilla in a tie which on paper looks like a good battle. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, take on Bayer Leverkusen with Borussia Dortmund meeting Benfica. Here we weigh up who got the best and worst ties in the knockout rounds. 

 

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WINNERS: REAL MADRID

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Zinedine Zidane is gaining a reputation as a lucky general and Real Madrid's draw for the last 16 does nothing to counteract that assertion. By finishing second in the group behind Borussia Dortmund, the 11-times champions were able to avoid Paris St-Germain, Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the knockouts. And not only did they put themselves in a position where they could dodge the best teams in the second pot but they managed to avoid the most fearsome group winners into the bargain.

 

By drawing Napoli - albeit away from home in the second leg - Real have done about as well as could be hoped for. Napoli have been maddeningly inconsistent in the Champions League so far and do not possess the experience of going deep regularly in this competition.

 

Real made light work of Roma and Wolfsburg in the early knockout stages last season and would appear to be too good on their day for all but the very best Europe has to offer. Los Blancos went all the way to the title last season - greatly aided by a gentle draw - and the set-up looks familiar this time around too. Zidane has done it again. 

 

WINNERS: JUVENTUS

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Porto signposted their potential in this season's Champions League with a 5-0 matchday 6 win against English champions Leicester City even if they were assisted by the fact that the Foxes had already secured their qualification. In truth, their campaign to that point had been modest. A couple of wins over Club Brugge papered over the cracks and gave Porto the platform to qualify. All they needed was one more win which came against Leicester. They have moved into good form as the season has progressed but this is not a vintage Porto team even if it is adorned with the promising striker Andre Silva.

 

To that extent Juventus will be licking their lips at their draw for the last 16. It was tough going at times in the group against Lyon and particularly Sevilla but Massimilliano Allegri's team did just enough to see off their rivals. There is a good argument to be made that Porto are no better than any of the teams Juve beat in the groups. Last season they were given a nightmare draw with Bayern in the last 16 which limited their chances of impressing on the continental stage. This time around the 2015 finalists should be able to give a better account of themselves. 

 

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WINNERS: MONACO

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If you think Monaco is an easy draw for Premier League heavyweights Manchester City then recall how they put out Arsenal just a couple of seasons ago and eliminated Tottenham Hotspur in the group stages this time around. Leonardo Jardim's side are electrifying going forward and will provide the sternest of tests for a City side who cannot seem to keep a clean sheet. Monaco have scored 53 goals in Ligue 1 this season in only 17 games - with nine more coming in the Champions League.

 

Pep Guardiola's side are struggling for any sort of defensive consistency at the moment with seven goals conceded in only their last two Premier League games. Furthermore there are question marks over Guardiola's ability to put a run together with only four wins coming in City's last 15 games in all competitions. Their troubles at the back - if not rectified in the January transfer window - could still be plaguing them in the new year by which time Monaco will be fully ready to take advantage. Thomas Lemar, Valere Germain, Radamel Falcao and Bernardo Silva are among the best performing players in French football at the moment and will be ready to capitalise on any City slips. 

 

 

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LOSERS: ARSENAL

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Even when finishing top of the group, Arsenal cannot seem to catch a break in the Champions League knockout rounds. It could have been Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, Porto or Sevilla - teams Arsenal realistically would expect to beat over two legs - but instead they've been handed another horror draw. After being eliminated by Bayern Munich in 2013 and 2014 in the last 16, the Gunners face a stern examination yet again at the hands of the German record champions. They were the sharks lurking in the second pot and Arsenal could not avoid them.

 

Their hard work in finishing top ahead of Paris St-Germain would appear to be in vain. Carlo Ancelotti's side have been down on their usual standards at times in the Champions League this season but would expect to be in full form by the time the knockout rounds commence.

 

They have the know-how at this stage of the competition while Arsenal have been eliminated at this stage of the competition for six seasons running. It would take a remarkable turnaround to avoid a seventh. 

 

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LOSERS: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

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How expensive that matchday six draw at the Parc des Princes against Ludogorets looks now. PSG embarrassed themselves by scraping a 2-2 draw against the Bulgarians and have been punished to the maximum. These are uncertain days in the reign of Unai Emery with his side off the pace in the Ligue 1 race and the Spaniard is facing plenty of questions over his suitability for the role. While Edinson Cavani is enjoying a remarkable run in front of goal, PSG's other expensive imports are simply not pulling their weight.

 

The last thing they need is a two-legged tie against Barcelona with the return leg being at Camp Nou. PSG have had trouble exerting themselves in the biggest European games - flopping as they did against Manchester City last season - and suffering quarter final defeats against Barcelona and Chelsea in the seasons before. They seem to be running into a brick wall when coming up against Barca and there is nothing in their play this season which suggests they are capable of surmounting it. It could be back to the drawing board for the Qataris' hugely expensive PSG project. Dream Bigger? Dream on. 

 

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LOSERS: LEVERKUSEN

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Last season's finalists Atletico Madrid are not in the Champions League to make up the numbers. Diego Simeone's side have as good a chance as any to win the competition. Although their style of football may not attract many neutrals, they have a winning formula especially for two-legged knockout ties. They eliminated Bayern Munich last season in the semi-finals and also have history against Leverkusen.

 

They beat them on penalties in a tight last 16 draw two seasons ago but saw their challenge ended by Real Madrid at the quarter-final stage. This season they have the joint-best defensive record having conceded only two goals in the entire group stage and will be expecting to dominate against the Germans in the last 16. Roger Schmidt's side were inconsistent in the group stage - winning only twice and drawing four - and do not have the individual talent nor collective strength to end Atleti's charge.