Open conversazione

[Zoff82]

I've always said it and I'll continue to say it: Caceres has been Juve's best pickup prior to Pirlo. I know you're all still on Matri's nuts but I told you all he would be a bust and waste of money. Phenomenal game today. Nostradinos is alive and well.

[Bagg10]

[Bagg10]

Sunday October 21 2012

Napoli checked 'secret Conte tunnels'
By Football Italia staff

There are reports Napoli demanded the FIGC perform checks on the Juventus Stadium to ensure there were no ‘secret tunnels’ Antonio Conte could go through.

It is claimed in today’s papers that Napoli staff requested the investigation into the arena ahead of last night’s 2-0 result.

Conte has been suspended all season due to the betting scandal, so must watch games from the stands even though he can train the side regularly during the week.

Conte is visible during the match behind a Plexiglas screen in the VIP box at the Juventus Stadium, but Napoli insisted on checks to ensure there were no ‘secret tunnels’ allowing him to access the locker room at half-time.

It is reported Juve were irritated by the request, further damaging the already tense rapport between these clubs.

Juventus also lodged a complaint after Napoli fans vandalised the bathrooms and tunnels around the away area of the stadium, purposely flooding the toilets, smashing pipes, sinks and doors.

http://www.football-italia.net/26362/na ... te-tunnels

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[Bagg10]

Monday October 22 2012

Juventus squad for Nordsjaelland
By Football Italia staff

Gigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic are back in the Juventus squad for their Champions League game at Nordsjaelland on Tuesday.

Buffon and Vucinic missed the 2-0 win over Napoli on Saturday through injury and illness respectively, but they have returned for European duty.

Left-back Paolo De Ceglie also returns to the set-up, but Simone Pepe, Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner have remained in Turin.

Asamoah picked up an ankle injury at the weekend, while the Swiss international right-back has been rested.

Juventus are third in their group, two points behind Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk, after two draws from two games.

Squad: 1 Buffon, 2 Lucio, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 6 Pogba, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 15 Barzagli, 17 Bendtner, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 34 Rubinho, 39 Marrone.

http://www.football-italia.net/26398/ju ... dsjaelland

[Bagg10]

I would go with Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli/Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giach/DeCeglie; Quags, Matri(Bendtner?)

I think Conte might start Lucio at CB, and push Caceres to the left wing, though.

[DCGweez]

Be pretty great if you could get a win for the Coefficient instead of another tie. I'll be cheering you guys on. (Just threw up in my mouth)

[juventino_italiano]

[maro]

I hope the northernjellies give Rube a good fisting.

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Current predicted line-up:


With De Ceglie just being back from injury and, presumably, not being particularly sharp, I think I'd play Caceres or Giaccherini ahead of him, depending on how attacking Juve want to be in this game.

[forzaitalia]

Pathetic. Well done....

[DCGweez]

Thanks again for the point. Glad it didn't go into extended time. Those Danes have to go back to their day jobs now.

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Odd game that.

For the first half Juve seemed so utterly focused on pressing Nords. that they forget they had to cover behind the pressing or try to play football themselves.

Juve then played what was, by and large, a perfectly decent second half, but failed to take chances and gave away a stupid freekick.

Vidal is struggling and probably deserves to be dropped.

I don't like the way Giovinco is being used. He's almost being deployed as an out and out CF. I don't see him ever being a good enough finisher to really be successful in that role and playing right up against the last defender also pretty much removes the possibility of him being able to use his technique and vision to create for others.

Pretty delicately poised group now.

If Chelsea don't win at home to Shakhtar Juve may well be okay.

If Chelsea win against Shakhtar Juve are in trouble.

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Has any team ever had nine draws in a row in Europe before?

[Bagg10]

Can't really complain about the performance today. Giovinco alone had nearly a dozen shots on goal.
Their keeper had the game of his life, and they were lucky to score off the freekick.
I thought both Vooch and Bendtner played a lot better than Matri did, and should be considered ahead of him in the future.

[red]

I thought Matri did okay, particularly given that he was being asked to float around, while Giovinco played a more fixed central role.

A number of Giovinco's chances in the first half were down to Matri.

[Bagg10]

Saturday October 27 2012

Marchisio misses Catania-Juve
By Football Italia staff

Juventus welcome back Simone Pepe, but are without Claudio Marchisio and Lucio for their trip to Catania.

Pepe receives his first call-up of the season after a long injury lay-off, while Kwadwo Asamoah and Stefan Lichtsteiner return following their rest for the midweek Champions League match with Nordsjaelland.

Marchisio is left at home after a knock to the right ankle in Copenhagen aggravated an old injury.

Brazilian defender Lucio misses out due to a heavy cold.

Juventus take to the field against Catania on Sunday at 11.30am UK time.

Juventus squad for Catania: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 6 Pogba, 7 Pepe, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 15 Barzagli, 17 Bendtner, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Asamoah, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 34 Rubinho, 39 Marrone

http://www.football-italia.net/26587/ma ... tania-juve

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GdS is predicting that Catania will play 3-5-2 instead of 4-3-3.

I'd argue that makes things easier for Juve, because Catania's 4-3-3 caused Inter's three-man defence problems last week.

Hopefully there will be a reaction after the midweek game, but a draw away to Catania is never a bad result.

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Decent enough performance for the most part.

Controlled much of the game, should have scored more goals and saw the game out without too much difficulty.

Thought the back three had a good game. Didn't really allow Catania anything much and kept their concentration throughout.

Could, of course, have been a very different game if the officiating hadn't been so shit.

Clearly, the calls were wrong on Juve's goal and Catania's 'goal' and I thought most of the yellow cards that were given were poor decisions, including Marchese's first one.

Juve caused themselves problems at times by over covering into the contre, leaving their right side quite open. The three CBs should be able to cover the centre, so Lichtsteiner should be holding his position wider. If he has tucked in, Vidal really needs to keep himself in a position to move across and not be dragged into the centre, too.

Thought Bentdner took up good positions and moved well, but he's clearly not sharp and, ultimately, he's just not very good.