JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

Socrates · May 20, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Allegri: Juve want to celebrate the Scudetto tomorrow

Manager’s pre-match comments ahead of clash against Crotone

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2017/5/20/15670330/allegri-juventus

-must-win-want-to-celebrate-the-scudetto-tomorrow-crotone-preview

May 20, 2017

Juventus host Crotone tomorrow with a chance to seal the Scudetto. Roma won today to come up to one point behind the Bianconeri, and manager Massimiliano Allegri insisted that the destination of the title must be settled on Sunday without further delay.

“We want to celebrate the Scudetto tomorrow. We must win the Scudetto tomorrow.

“We emerge from the Coppa Italia Final with an extraordinary result, as nobody had ever won three in a row, and that gave us remarkable strength to go forward.

“The team had two good training sessions, tomorrow will be a great performance and it will be the Scudetto winner.”

Tomorrow’s opponents Crotone have played well in recent games -

“Crotone have put together 17 points in their last seven games, I think 10 points from four away fixtures, they have conceded very few goals and are extremely dangerous on the counter-attack.

“The team needs to play with calm, but also the determination we saw after the defeat to Roma.”

He then gave a squad update -

“Paulo Dybala is fine. Tomorrow we’ll have Gianluigi Buffon in goal, Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Girgio Chiellini and Alex Sandro in defence.

“Claudio Marchisio recovered well from the Coppa Italia Final and tomorrow he will play.”

Allegri spoke about how his team has played in this crunch month so far -

“I am satisfied with what the lads are doing. We’re in a wonderful moment of the campaign, tomorrow we need the fans to be behind us, as it’s the most important game of the season, the one that decides the Scudetto.

“A Final is not a game you play, it is one you win. I told the lads we’re sick of the sight of each other, so let’s finish the Scudetto and we can all have a few days off! Then after that we can prepare for Cardiff.

“The entire season has been crucial. We made big changes midway through, we won some games when not playing that well, so winning ugly with character.

“This is the moment when we have to grab the bull by the horns. Cardiff comes later, tomorrow we need to focus on the Scudetto.”

Including the loss to Roma last week, Juve have failed to win in the last three rounds -

“There is no scientific explanation. It might be a psychological one, that the team has been pushing so hard and we conceded a daft goal against Atalanta at the end.

“Football is like this, at times you win games you don’t deserve and lose ones you do. Against Roma the second half performance was the issue and the Coppa Italia Final was the reaction to that, so I expect to see that same approach tomorrow.”

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

Socrates · May 21, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Juventus aim for sixth consecutive

Serie A title vs. Crotone

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/12/blog/post/3130225/juventus-

aim-to-clinch-sixth-consecutive-serie-a-title-versus-crotone

May 21, 2017

One down, two to go. Juventus lifted their first trophy Wednesday evening, when they defeated Lazio 2-0 to win their third consecutive Coppa Italia trophy. It was a victory that was heavily celebrated, with the club, its squad and the many members of management reaping the rewards for a brilliant project that started more than six years ago.

A team built carefully, a dressing room famous for its harmonious atmosphere and a coach who must be recognised as one of the best in the world, Juventus believe in the Treble. It started with that win against Lazio and will continue Sunday evening when the Bianconeri host Crotone. Should they win, it will be two down and one to go.

Crotone have often been described as the newly promoted side predicted to go down. Lacking in audacious talent and the experience of navigating the tough matches within the top flight, few imagined that the side who had collected only 10 points from their opening 20 matches would have a chance of surviving.

Some 16 matches later, Davide Nicola's side are not only picking up points but also threatening both Genoa and Empoli ahead of them, and they could avoid relegation if they continue picking up points in their remaining two matches.

Nicola is the type of coach who reaffirms your faith in the game. A football romantic who refuses to surrender, he saw something in Crotone that no one else could see. Refusing to give up on his men and their potential, the coach's blind faith has proved infectious, and his men are playing with the type of belief that usually belongs in the upper echelons of football.

Collecting 17 points in their past seven matches, Crotone have gone undefeated since the start of April and are more excited than intimidated at the prospect of facing Juventus away from home. Relishing the prospect of providing the league leaders with a challenge in hopes of throwing a spanner in the works, Crotone are looking to cause a stir and could prove threatening.

Juve are quite possibly the best team in Europe at the moment, and when they play with determination and ambition, they cannot be stopped. However, after such a long season that has proved mentally and physically exhausting, the side has surrendered to mediocrity in the games they deem undeserving of their collective might.

Massimiliano Allegri has made himself clear. There is no more time to waste, and Juventus must absolutely win their last home match and allow themselves time to relax and celebrate before they must prepare for Real Madrid in the competition that means the most to them.

The coach is not taking any chances, and Sunday afternoon, all his best men will line up in hopes of wrapping up the Serie A title for a sixth consecutive season. Set to play their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, no star player will be rested, and offensive football will be the aim.

Leading the line will be Gonzalo Higuain, who has been voted season MVP by the fans. The striker has equalled both Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet's record of goals scored in a single season at Juventus. If Higuain manages to score five more, he will equal the all-time record set by Felice Borel, who managed 37 for the club in the 1933-34 season.

The striker has truly lived up to expectations and was worth the money spent by the club. He has not only scored the goals but also reinforced the winning mentality. Sacrificing himself for the side and striking up a beautiful partnership with Paulo Dybala, the Argentine has proved tactically intelligent and technically gifted.

Although his two goals against Monaco in the Champions League semifinals have helped the player shrug off the reputation of not scoring in big games, more is expected from him, especially when the time comes to face Real Madrid, his former side, in the UCL final.

A great addition to the squad, Higuain deserves the plaudits, but it's vital that another new addition is celebrated for the role he has played in pushing Juventus further toward their dream.

Dani Alves has been described as the best right-back in the game, and if the fans didn't believe that to be true at the start of the season, they certainly agree with that assessment now.

A player who is, remarkably, gunning for his third treble, Alves has produced the goods both on and off the pitch, helping the team believe in their abilities to compete and win against the best. While Barcelona and the press within the country wonder why the club let go of such an impactful player, Alves is spending his time delivering fine assists, producing passionate displays and scoring with great technique. A player who has won 27 of the 30 finals he has contested and is set to make history if he wins his third Treble, it was wrong to ever doubt him.

Alves might never be the strongest defender to have played the game, but no player has commanded the right flank with as much authority as he has managed in recent years. Although Higuain might be the star, Alves deserves a mention for the impact he has made in his first season in the Bianconeri jersey.

A victory against Crotone and the club can celebrate yet again. It's time to finish the season in style.

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

Socrates · May 21, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Line-ups: Juventus-Crotone

http://www.football-italia.net/102899/line-ups-juventus-crotone

May 21, 2017

Juventus will mathematically seal the Scudetto with a victory and use all their star names against on-form Crotone, who are desperate to avoid relegation.

It kicks off in Turin at 15.00 CET - 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).

The Bianconeri are fresh from a 2-0 Coppa Italia Final victory over Lazio on Wednesday night, the first step in a potential Treble, and the second could arrive today.

Max Allegri’s men would clinch the title – an all-time record sixth in a row – with a victory this afternoon.

However, the gap has been closed to just one point, as Roma won 5-3 at Chievo yesterday and Napoli beat Fiorentina 4-1.

Juve have hit the brakes lately, picking up just two draws in the last three rounds, and that has sent this race practically down to the wire.

Sami Khedira is on the bench as he recovers from a muscular problem, while Marko Pjaca and Daniele Rugani are out for the rest of the season.

Allegri is taking no chances and picks his strongest available side, returning Dani Alves to the right-back role after several games played further forward, so Juan Cuadrado returns to the line-up.

He had announced that Giorgio Chiellini would start in defence, but Medhi Benatia is used as a precaution.

Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic also support Capocannoniere candidate Gonzalo Higuain.

Crotone are no pushovers, as they put together 17 points from the last seven rounds, more than any other Serie A side during that period.

They are unbeaten since a last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Fiorentina on March 19, beating Inter with draws against Milan and Torino, winning three of their last four away fixtures.

Adrian Stoian is still unavailable, as he’s in hospital following a viral infection, while Marcello Trotta is not 100 per cent fit.

Coach Davide Nicola said in yesterday’s Press conference that Crotone were “just like Rango,” the cartoon chameleon who went beyond expectations.

Top scorer Diego Falcinelli leads the attack with support from Aleksandar Tonev.

These clubs have only met on three previous occasions between Serie A and B, Juve winning all of them by scoring 10 goals and not conceding any.

Juventus: Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Benatia, Alex Sandro; Marchisio, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain

Juventus bench: Neto, Audero, Chiellini, Khedira, Mattiello, Barzagli, Lemina, Asamoah, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Rincon, Kean

Crotone: Cordaz; Rosi, Ceccherini, Ferrari, Martella; Rohden, Crisetig, Barberis, Nalini; Tonev, Falcinelli

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

Socrates · May 21, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Higuain: 'Juve have to win'

http://www.football-italia.net/102901/higuain-juve-have-win

May 21, 2017

Gonzalo Higuain warned Juventus “have no choice but to win” against Crotone today and finish off the Scudetto race.

“We know full well that we must win. It’s a very important game, we have no choice but to win it,” Pipita told Mediaset Premium.

“We realise how important it is and that we need to clinch the Scudetto today. I thank the fans for their support and hope to give back today.”

A victory will mathematically seal the sixth consecutive title with one round to spare.

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

Socrates · May 21, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

HT 2-0: Juventus on verge of Scudetto

http://www.football-italia.net/102901/higuain-juve-have-win

May 21, 2017

As things stand with Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala goals, Juventus lead Crotone 2-0 and have the Scudetto in their grasp.

The Bianconeri know that a victory will secure their sixth consecutive Scudetto, but the gap was reduced to one point after Roma’s 5-3 win at Chievo yesterday. Max Allegri’s side amassed only two draws from the last three rounds, but were fresh from Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final success against Lazio. Crotone were desperate to avoid the drop and amassed 17 points from a seven-game unbeaten run, the best form in Serie A.

Sami Khedira was only fit for the bench after a muscular problem, while Marko Pjaca and Daniele Rugani were long-term absentees. Dani Alves was returned to the right-back role after a spell filling in for Juan Cuadrado. Marcello Trotta was not fully fit, so Aleksandar Tonev partnered Crotone’s top scorer Diego Falcinelli.

These clubs had met three times, including two in the 2006-07 Serie B campaign, and Juve won all of them with 10 goals scored and none conceded.

Medhi Benatia got an early block on the Aleksandar Tonev counter, while Miralem Pjanic’s free kick was off target.

Juventus took the lead with their birthday boy Mario Mandzukic, who got there ahead of Aleandro Rosi to meet a low Juan Cuadrado cross from the right at the back post.

Fabio Sampirisi managed to toe-poke the ball away from Mandzukic as he was lining up the second goal, just moments after coming off the bench for injured Aleandro Rosi.

Paulo Dybala did double Juve’s lead with a magnificent free kick curled into the near top corner, giving Alex Cordaz no chance.

Gonzalo Higuain tried to lob Cordaz from a huge distance, while Bruno Martella sprinted back to stop one of Cuadrado’s solo slaloms.

There was a huge scare just before half-time, as Diego Falcinelli’s effort was deflected off Benatia’s back and left Gigi Buffon stranded, skimming the far top corner.

Juventus 2-0 Crotone (Half-Time)

Mandzukic 12 (J), Dybala 38 (J)

Juventus: Buffon; Dani Alves, Bonucci, Benatia, Alex Sandro; Marchisio, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain

Crotone: Cordaz; Rosi (Sampirisi 34), Ceccherini, Ferrari, Martella; Rohden, Crisetig, Barberis, Nalini; Tonev, Falcinelli

Ref: Mazzoleni

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

Socrates · May 21, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

3-0

Mario Mandzukic 12'

Paulo Dybala 39'

Alex Sandro 83'

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Juventus 3 Crotone 0: Bianconeri make it six in a row

Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Alex Sandro were on target

as Juventus eased past Crotone to clinch the Serie A title.

<a href="http://oi63.tinypic.com/2444ges.jpg" target="_blank">View Raw Image</a>

http://www.goal.com/en/match/juventus-vs-crotone/2306115/report

May 21, 2017

Juventus wrapped up a domestic double after clinching their sixth successive Serie A title with a 3-0 thrashing of Crotone on Sunday.

Juve's 3-1 defeat at Roma last weekend and Crotone's excellent recent form suggested it may be a tricky afternoon for Massimiliano Allegri's men, but it turned into a stroll in the Turin sunshine for the Bianconeri.

Mario Mandzukic celebrated his 31st birthday by putting Juve in front and a stunning free-kick from Paulo Dybala made it 2-0 at the break. Alex Sandro capped a wonderful afternoon with a late third.

While Juve can now turn their focus towards the Champions League final against Real Madrid on June 3, Crotone will go into the final weekend with their Serie A status still uncertain.

Davide Nicola's men - unbeaten in seven prior to today - host Lazio next weekend but will start matchday 38 a point adrift of fourth-bottom Empoli.

Victories against Pescara and Udinese in their last two outings had given the Calabrian club renewed hope, but there was never any realistic chance of them stunning the champions, who bossed proceedings from the outset.

Miralem Pjanic fired a 25-yard free-kick over the top after seven minutes before the party atmosphere moved up a notch when Mandzukic put the home side in front five minutes later.

Juan Cuadrado found space down the right and his teasing cross eluded Gonzalo Higuain but not Mandzukic, who got across his marker Aleandro Rosi and fired high into the net.

Crotone offered fleeting glimpses of attacking threat with Juve dominating the ball and only stout defending from the visitors prevented Higuain from doubling the hosts' advantage on two occasions.

The pressure eventually told six minutes before the break as Dybala curled home a wonderful, left-footed free-kick for his 10th Serie A goal of another hugely impressive season.

Crotone's best chance came in first-half injury time as Diego Falcinelli's shot struck the back of Leonardo Bonucci and flew inches wide of Gianluigi Buffon's right-hand post with the Italy goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

The second half was quiet in comparison with Juve content to sit on their lead and Crotone lacking the ambition or ability to threaten a comeback.

Cuadrado tested Alex Cordaz at his near post after 46 minutes, while Dybala had an effort correctly ruled out for offside 10 minutes later.

Pjanic fired high and wide when well placed as Juve hunted a third goal that duly arrived with seven minutes to go, Alex Sandro's powerful header hitting the crossbar with goal-line technology confirming the ball had crossed the line.

Mandzukic almost added a spectacular fourth late on before the party got into full swing at the final whistle.

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

Socrates · May 21, 2017

JUVENTUS - CROTONE

3-0

Mario Mandzukic 12'

Paulo Dybala 39'

Alex Sandro 83'

MATCHDAY 37

Sunday, May 21st, 2017 - 3:00 p.m. CET
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

Six in a row for Juventus!

http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/88189

May 21, 2017

Juventus have clinched their all-time record sixth Serie A title on the trot, beating Crotone 3-0 with Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Alex Sandro.