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[RomaShield27]

Juve record, but progress slowed down
http://english.gazzetta.it/Football/15- ... 7339.shtml?

Only a 1-1 at home to Cagliari
Milano, 15 January 2012

The Bianconeri extend their unbeaten run to 18 consecutive game and they top Serie A alone for now, with the Milan derby being played later tonight. But the side slipped up with a draw at home against Cagliari: Vucinic opened the scoring before Cossu equalised early in the second half. Borriello came on late in the game and made his Juve debut

Juventus stutter to a draw. They couldn’t do better than a 1-1 at home against Cagliari. The opening goal by Vucinic was cancelled out by Cossu at the start of the second half. So – with the Milan derby being played later tonight – the Vecchia Signora do climb to the top of Serie A, but are there by virtue of a solitary point ahead of Milan. Conte was expecting them to pull three points ahead. Juve weren’t in particularly sparkling form today against the side from Sardinia. Not even an early goal was enough to avoid the eighth draw of the season for Juventus. And the point failed to excite another sell-out crowd at the Juventus Stadium. It’s now 18 games unbeaten for the side, a record, but it’s difficult to imagine there being much for the Bianconeri to celebrate after this game. But there’s plenty for Cagliari to cheer about. With Astori at the heart of defence (a player even the opposition today could have done with) they managed to rediscover the solidness at the back that hasn’t always been there this season, while, in attack, things were taken care of by an improvised, but nonetheless splendid, equaliser from the most skilful player available to coach Ballardini, Cossu.

VUCINIC EARLY ON — It all looked so easy for Juve early on. They played the ball around brilliantly, completely cutting through the Cagliari off-side trap. Marchisio placed a long ball through to Lichtsteiner, who found Vucinic alone and unmarked in front of goal to score. The Bianconeri took the lead after just 7 minutes. They then went on to easily control the game. Matri, charged up by playing against the club that gave him his break in top-flight football, came close to making it 2-0 with a right foot shot that went just wide, while Pepe didn’t get enough power on a header when in a good position. But Juve’s effort weren’t hurting Cagliari, who pushed up well and didn’t just focus on defending. Sure, they didn’t get much joy in attack and kept on stalling, just like a car often does in winter: Ibrabo struggled to get into gear up front, Larrivey struggled even more. Cagliari even made two penalty appeals, both in vain, and both for alleged handballs. There was contact, on the arm, the first time from Bonucci, the second time from Pirlo. But referee Guida didn’t bat an eyelid, waved play on and the sides went into the break 1-0.

FINE GOAL FROM COSSU — Cagliari equalised right at the start of the second half. Just 2 minutes into the half Cossu invented a goal out of nothing, with a fantastic left foot shot from outside the area, latching onto a poor clearance from Bonucci. Juve were stunned. They struggled to pick up the pace again and they didn’t look as powerful or as fit as they have in their best games this season. They also didn’t have the players good enough to get past their man. Only Vucinic could, and although he was in inspired form, the ball sometimes got stuck under his feet. Conte realised he had to change something and he did try everything he could: first he threw on The Waterboy, then Krasic and finally Juve's latest and much talked about signing, Borriello (but the Juve fans, who weren’t happy when the club signed him, didn’t boo him when he came on). Juve again came close to taking the lead through The Waterboy, who's still looking for his first goal of the season. The club captain forced his way through a crowd of players and got a clear header on the ball, but it was too close to keeper Agazzi, who saved. The keeper was let off the hook again in injury time when Krasic, who had an extremely poor game, fluffed a left foot effort when well placed. Juve had their progress halted, and Cagliari pulled off a major surprise.

[red]

Poor performance, overall.

Good start and a great goal, but then a failure to push on and finish the game.

Far too much play focused through the middle of the pitch, when Juve should have been looking to get wide and get crosses in.

Vidal and Marchisio got too high up the pitch in the second half, leaving Pirlo exposed and the team vulnerable to counter attacks.

Didn't understand Conte's subs or the failure to try to change how Juve were playing.

Still, there was a reaction in the last few minutes and Juve should still have won the game.

[juventino_italiano]

Krasic sure choked

[RomaShield27]

Krasic done a lot more than The Wateboy. At least he tried.

[Bagg10]

That was the worst game i've ever seen ADP play, But if he had the chance Krasic did, he would've buried it. Krasic didn't help his cause for more minutes. Honestly I've liked what Ive seen from Elia, Estigarribia and Giacherrini. I'd have problem with Krasic leaving in January.

I agree with everything Red said. Good first half, but we didn't put the game away and we paid for it. The goal was Vidal's fault. If you look at the play he just runs ahead and back marking no one. Cossu was his guy to mark.

De Ceglie had a relatively good game. He looked more determined and purposeful in his challenges.

Disappointing result, and it's not going to get any easier with an away game to Atalanta next week.

[Zoff82]

This lackadaisical "Yea, we are still at the top of the table and exceeding expectations " mentality is getting to the players and the coach. This is team continues to lack the killer instinct and I hope we don't accept this result. This team continues to drop points and make mental errors. It is the killer instinct that shows its ugly head again. A perfect opportunity to make some separation in the standings and Juve really blow it again. This team showed be +6-8 points at the top of the table. You all have to be worried about a second half dip in form, we've seen it before. You cant let opportunities like this go to waste. This was a must win, not draw. You have to win these types of games. It isnt who you beat or tie, it is how often you win and tie. Dont' wave that undefeated shit either.....if you're undefeated you should be clear at the top, not second place. You lose credibility if that's the organizations' belief. Krasic should be on his way out after that debacle. What a shame, technical player and clinical for Juve during his time but perhaps a bit too selfish and lacks defensive play which Conte requires all of his players to do.

tender Alex tender Alex tender Alex....there's not much more to say

[Bagg10]

At least we're top of the table...

[red]

Krasic has lost all confidence and isn't sharp having not played in ages.

I'm not going to criticise him for not suddenly turning it on today, though he should be sold as the space he thrives in doesn't exist the way Conte has the team playing.

Bagg, I agree that Vidal made a big error in stepping away from Cossu. There was no reason for him to do it as Lichtsteiner was comfortable one-on-one with the player Vidal moved towards.

Bonucci also contributed to the goal: mostly by getting turned near the halfway line, but he also might have cleared the ball better on the edge of the box, even though he was off balance at the time.

[red]

I'm not going to say Juve should accept poor results, Dino, but one does have to remember how low Juve's expectations were at at the start of the season.

A good run at the title (which Milan really ought to win) with Juve finishing second may not be especially gratifying, but it would have to be considered a successful campaign.

Still, there no reason for Juve not to give the scudetto their best shot and there is no reason to drop points at home against the likes of Bologna and Cagliari.

[juventino_italiano]

I agree Juve are exceeding my, and probably everyone else's expectations.
However, this was a winnable game.

Juve played mediocre in the last game and pulled off a win. I agree with dino, this is where, historically, juve and many other teams experience a bit of a slowdown that could kill team's ambitions.

But as long as they can pull of the win, they'll gain confidence and pick up their form quicker.

There are players on the bench itching to prove their worth....playing ADP was a mistake.
And Krasic blew it big time. That was the next closest thing to a sitter. I almost wish it was Boriello reciving the pass from Krasic

[red]

The way Krasic took it meant it wasn't that easy.

However, he should have been aware that he had plenty time to take another touch then shoot.

I would say the header The Waterboy missed was at least as easy a chance as Krasic's.

Vidal's header at the end was also a great chance. The pace on the cross and the speed Vidal was arriving at meant that all he had to do was head it down the way and it would have rocketed into the net.

[juventino_italiano]

[San Paolo]

Juventini put Amauri back on Ebay

[Bagg10]

Monday January 16 2012

Bonucci stands up for Juve
By Football Italia staff

Leonardo Bonucci has defended his Juventus teammates after their 1-1 draw against Cagliari on Sunday.

The Old Lady moved clear at the top of the standings thanks to Milan’s loss against Inter last night, but their failure to beat the Sardinian outfit has been highlighted by critics.

“We’re top and we’re alone up there,” the defender wrote on his official website on Monday afternoon.

“I wanted to start with that phrase because I’ve heard a lot of criticism aimed at us because we didn’t win.

“I, however, want to remind everyone that we are in first place and we are unbeaten.

“It’s obvious that winning would have been best, but we’ll take this draw and we’ll look to the future with optimism and faith.

“We face Atalanta next and it’ll be a battle like against Cagliari. We have just one requirement and that is to try to win the game.”

The Old Lady, who are a point clear of Milan, have now gone 18 games without defeat. That is their longest unbeaten start to a campaign and surpasses the achievement of the 1949-50 side.

Oddly, all of Juve’s home draws this season have come against sides whose clubs colours are Rossoblu – Bologna, Genoa and Cagliari.

http://www.football-italia.net/node/14700

[juventino_italiano]

[Zoff82]

Many links to many players but much like you guys on the weekend there's no action.

[juventino_italiano]

[RomaShield27]

Juventus aim to join Serie A legends with unbeaten run
/ By Charles Ducksbury / Tuesday 17 January 2012

Juventus broke a 62 year old club record this weekend for the most games unbeaten in Serie A, their 18th game without defeat. However, they have a long way to go yet to match some of the unbeaten records of Calcio sides of the past.

In post-war Serie A, going an entire season unbeaten is almost impossible. In fact, only two sides have done it, while a select few clubs have come very close, losing only once during the whole campaign.

The 1955-56 season was a famous one in the city of Florence, as it was the first time the city’s famous side Fiorentina won a Scudetto, and they did so by only losing a solitary game, away at mid-table Genoa on the last game of the season, ending an excellent 33 game unbeaten run. Incredibly, the next side to lose only one game in an entire season was Fiorentina again in the 1968-69 season. Finishing four points ahead of Gigi Riva’s famous Cagliari side, la Viola lost their only game of the season at home to Bologna in only their fifth game, meaning that in a league of 16 teams, the Tuscans went 25 games unbeaten as they claimed their 2nd Scudetto badge.

Torino also managed to go a whole season losing only one game, but could still only finish 2nd behind rivals Juventus in the 1976-77 race, losing to Roma in February that ultimately cost them a second post-Superga triumph. It was Juventus themselves who only lost once in their 18th Scudetto season the following year.

After all these near misses, it was an un-fancied underdog who were the first Italian side to go an entire Serie A campaign unbeaten, and incredibly they still didn’t win the title.

The Perugia side of 1978-79 came unbelievably close to winning what would have been arguably the biggest Scudetto shock in history. Going the entire season unbeaten, it was the defensive efforts of Frosio and Della Martira that propelled I Grifoni to the brink of the championship, conceding a miserly 16 goals all season. Ultimately, it was draws that cost the Umbrians an unlikely title, as they only won 11 games, drawing a massive 19 games to finish four points adrift of legendary coach Nils Liedholm and his Milan side. Never again would Perugia grace such heights, while only one more side since has gone the season without defeat.

Fabio Capello’s stock may have fallen on these shores since taking the England job, but once he was the coach of one of the greatest sides the world has ever seen. Milan won the 1991-92 title comprehensively, finishing eight points clear of Juventus and becoming only the 2nd side to go the entire Serie A season unbeaten, also setting an Italian record for most consecutive games without defeat, a run of 58 games that stretched from 26th May 1991 against Parma (0-0) and coincidently was ended by Parma on the 21st March 1993.

In more recent years, going unbeaten or even losing just once has been managed only by Inter in 2006-07 in a Calciopoli ravaged Serie A, with Roma the only side to take maximum points from Roberto Mancini’s Nerazzurri. The same Inter also came closest to breaking Milan’s unbeaten record, but still fell 25 games short, remaining unbeaten in 33 games between May 2006 and April 2007.

Should Antonio Conte be looking through the history books, he will be both in awe and inspired by the great sides of Serie A days gone by. His Juventus side deservedly lead at the almost half-way point this season and have rarely looked like losing. The closest they came was being 3-1 down at Napoli but even then la Vecchia Signora clawed it back to 3-3, showing determination that’s long been missing for the Bianconeri. The tactician has constantly preached that his side are taking it one game at a time, so whilst the aim remains to win the Scudetto by any means necessary, now a 62 year old weight has been lifted, the most decorated side in Calcio will be hoping to extend that unbeaten record for a little while yet.

[red]

Meh.

Better to win one and lose one than to draw two.

[juventino_italiano]