Socrates

Palo del Pafos

Perdono tempo i ciprioti. Vogliono mantenere lo 0-0 fino al novantesimo?

L'arbitro si chiama Jesus ..... Sempre sia lodato referee.

Cambiaso e Koop si danneggiano a vicenda davanti alla porta cipriota. E l'olandese ride. Ma che te ridi?

Il portiere del Pafos indossa una maschera. Forse non vedrá bene il pallone arrivare.

Cambiaso tenta di battere Di Gregorio. Vuole imitare McKennie?

Speriamo che Zhegrova giochi piú minuti possibili e che segni pure ....... mi voglio rovinare.

Juventus vs Pafos – David Luiz labels Yildiz a ‘phenomenon’ and reveals Spalletti connection David Luiz says Juventus star Kenan Yildiz is a “phenomenon” as the veteran defender prepares to face the Bianconeri with Cypriot side Pafos in the Champions League. ............ The Brazilian singled out Yildiz as the Juventus player who has impressed him most this season. “Yildiz is a phenomenon. He has an incredible style, I love watching him.” ............ David Luiz revealed he has known Spalletti “for a long time”, praising the Italy coach’s obsessive attention to detail and tactical preparation. “I know how much he loves football. He works tirelessly, spending hours studying opponents. He always looks for a plan to win inside the game.” ............ The defender insisted Pafos will not approach the match at the Allianz Stadium with a passive attitude, despite the gulf between the sides. “We know our level, but we won’t go to Turin just to defend. Juventus are a great team, but it won’t be easy to beat us if we stay united, solid and brave.” ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/juventus-vs-pafos-david-luiz-labels-yildiz/

Champions League: Juventus vs. Pafos – Probable line-ups Edon Zhegrova is set to earn his full Juventus debut against Pafos in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, as Luciano Spalletti continues life without Dusan Vlahovic in attack. ............ Over in the Champions League, Juventus and Pafos sit level on points (six) after five matches, with the Bianconeri currently sitting in 23rd place ahead of kick-off and tonight’s opponents in 24th. ............ Jonathan David could come back into the starting line-up after being left out against Napoli, with Kenan Yildiz also in line to start. Pre-match reports suggest that Zhegrova could be given his full Bianconeri debut on the right flank, instead of Francisco Conceicao or Lois Openda. This could also be an opportunity for the recently re-emerged Fabio Miretti to start in Central midfield. Kick-off is due at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET). Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Miretti, Cambiaso; Zhegrova, Yildiz; David. Pafos (4-2-3-1): Michail; Bruno, Luckassen, David Luiz, Goldar; Sunjic, Pepe; Correia, Dragomir, Orsic; Anderson Silva. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/ucl-juventus-vs-pafos-probable-line-ups/

Biasin says Spalletti is using a fearful approach at Juventus Luciano Spalletti is still finding his feet as the new manager of Juventus, working tirelessly to restore the team to its former heights while avoiding the pitfalls experienced by some of his predecessors. Many observers believe Spalletti has more to offer than the last two managers who occupied the Juventus bench, and he has the potential to prove this if he can consistently deliver strong performances on the pitch. However, football often hinges on fine margins between winning and losing, and excessive tinkering with the squad can sometimes result in unexpected defeats. ............ Juve appeared to be adapting to Spalletti’s methods when they recorded three consecutive victories before facing Napoli. Yet, in Naples, the team suffered a defeat that highlighted how delicate the balance can be between preparation and overthinking. Spalletti’s selection choices for that match appeared overthought, and the side did not perform with the same cohesion and intensity displayed in their previous wins. The gaffer is clearly committed to shaping the squad into a unit capable of sustaining a long winning run, but the challenges of adapting to a new system and instilling confidence in the players remain significant. ............ Fabrizio Biasin has suggested that Spalletti may be affected by the lingering weight of his past experiences, particularly his time with the national team. He said: “The coach is still chasing his lost serenity, as if the shadow of his experience with the national team—marked by enormous pressure, fierce criticism, and a climate that was never truly relaxed—has lingered on him longer than expected. At Juve, where the atmosphere is simultaneously demanding (rightly so) and awaiting a turning point (ditto), Spalletti appears at times restrained, almost afraid to dare.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/journalist-says-spalletti-is-using-a-fearful-approach-at-juventus/

Champions League Preview: Juventus vs. Pafos FC When it comes to Juventus’ standing in the Champions League, there is not much of a difference in approach from Matchday 5 now onto Matchday 6. Just because they now have a win under their belt in Europe — which, again, is not necessarily you want to suddenly boast about in the first days of December — it won’t change the challenge that Luciano Spalletti’s squad still faces. They knew the situation two weeks ago against Bodø/Glimt. And they certainly know it now. It’s pretty much win or you’re going to make qualifying for the play-off round an incredibly tough possibility. With three matchdays to go, Juve face a situation where they pretty much have to win every single one of them to be comfortable with their standing in the UCL league phase table. The first of those remaining three matchups comes Wednesday night, when one of the smallest clubs in the competition, Pafos FC of Cyprus, makes their way to Turin for a meeting of clubs who are both sitting on the cusp of either moving up a few more spots with a win or risk going into the final 180 minutes of the league phase teetering on the fence of qualifying for the play-off round or seeing an European run end next month. ............ After Tuesday night’s slate of games, this is how things look when it comes to the league phase table: 23rd place: Juventus — 6 points 24th place: Pafos — 6 points Well, that’s not exactly a great situation to find yourself in — especially when you consider that the cutoff for the play-off round is, you guessed it, 24th place. (Ironically, the team to have just beaten Juventus over the weekend, Napoli, are sitting right above the Bianconeri in 22nd place. So, as you can imagine, things are going great in Europe for a couple of Italy’s biggest clubs. Then you have Atalanta in third and Inter Milan in fifth, so there’s also that.) Juventus and Pafos have taken different paths to their total of six points. Juventus have had high-scoring draws before a comeback win on the frigid artificial turf in the Arctic Circle. Pafos, on the other hand, have played to a pair of scoreless draws in their first two away fixtures in the Champions League this season. ............ How much that good fortune continues for this club from Cyprus remains to be seen. But it’s a pretty simple fact that expecting Pafos to suddenly change what they’re doing against a Juventus side that has struggled to break down defensive approaches would probably be the wrong path to go down. This feels like the kind of matchup in which you know Juve will be the favorite, but also realize Spalletti’s squad will have to try and strike quick to avoid any late-game craziness at all costs. That means a first half like Juventus showed in Naples just ain’t going to cut it. It really doesn’t matter if it’s against Pafos in the Champions League or even a relegation battler domestically, that kind of performance isn’t going to result in much of anything good happenings for Spalletti and Co. Heck, a first half like we saw against Bodø/Glimt won’t be good enough, either. (At least they figured it out for the most part in the second half, right?) This will be Spalletti’s biggest test. Juve’s coming off a bad loss and needs to win in the Champions League. If the 12-point mark is what they need to hit to ensure that they are somewhere in the play-off round field, then a win over Pafos gives them a small room for error heading into the final two league phase fixtures. But anything less than a win against Pafos will make life even hard than it already is — and that’s the last thing this team needs during a time in which they still look like they’re trying to figure out what their new manager actually wants. TEAM NEWS Dusan Vlahovic is out injured. Federico Gatti is out injured. HOWEVER … there was some good injury news to come out of Turin on Tuesday, with both Daniele Rugani and Gleison Bremer returning to training. Spalletti confirmed that both players will be called up to face Pafos, although both of them are almost certainly coming off the bench and nothing more than that. That means Juve’s starting defense will likely be the same trio it was over the weekend: Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly and Teun Koopmeiners. Spalletti also confirmed that Edon Zhegrova is set to make his first Juventus start on Wednesday night. Just what the domino effect of Zhegrova being in the starting lineup against Pafos remains to be seen. It could be as simple as him coming into the lineup for somebody like Francisco Conceição, or it could be a little more than just that. But considering how things went in the first half against Napoli over the weekend, Spalletti sticking with Kenan Yildiz as a false nine of sorts is probably extremely unlikely. ............ The last time Juventus faced a club from Cyprus was nearly half a century ago. While they haven’t done a lot of winning at home in Europe of late, Juve also hasn’t lost much at the Allianz in continental competition, with just two losses in their last 11 fixtures in Turin. JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH Oh, you mean the guy who so many of us have wanted to see get more minutes is about to get more minutes? ............ Edon Zhegrova is set to make his first start as a Juventus player on Wednesday night. It has maybe taken a little longer than some thought it would, but with the physical limitation he’s had since coming back from his lengthy injury absence, it’s a moment that will come a couple of weeks before Christmas. The question obviously becomes this: How much will Zhegrova be able to give Juventus in said first start? ............ We just don’t know how many minutes Zhegrova will have in his legs. And for a team like Pafos that will almost certainly try and outlast Juventus rather than try and get on them quick — especially with the game being in Turin — just how long this first start will be remains a rather giant question mark no matter how exciting it might be to see him finally be included in the starting XI. To date, Zhegrova has played more than 25 minutes off the bench just twice with Juventus. The most minutes he’s played in a single game this season (28) has come with Kosovo rather than Juventus —and that was during the most recent international break. But since then, his three subsequent appearances with Juve have totaled all of about 25 minutes (plus some stoppage time thrown in). That’s not much, which makes you wonder where his legs are at physically more than anything else. He’s clearly not at 100% fitness yet. That’s obvious. It’s something that Igor Tudor said he didn’t want to push out of fear of seeing Zhegrova be forced to miss even more time than he already has. It’s something that you feel like Spalletti has continued to closely monitor since he became manager in late October, too. But, for now, getting a little more Zhegrova in our lives feels like the kind of spark Juventus need to try and get more of these days. It can’t always be Yildiz being the only threat in attack, and you know Zhegrova is going to be happy to take on the role of guy who also tries to destroy the opposing defense as much as he can. MATCH INFO When: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Where: Juventus Stadium Turin, Italy. Official kickoff time: 9 p.m. local time in Italy and across Europe, 8 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 3 p.m. Eastern time, 2 p.m. Central time, 12 p.m. Pacific time. Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/34472/juventus-pafos-fc-2025-champions-league-league-phase-matchday-6-preview-team-news-schedule-how-to-watch

Capello advises Spalletti on getting the best from Yildiz Kenan Yildiz is an exceptionally talented player who often delivers strong performances whenever he features for Juventus. Despite his quality, there is a growing sense that the attacker is currently performing below the high expectations placed upon him. The men in black and white regard him as their most important player, which is why securing him on a new contract remains a priority for the club. ............ Speculation continues to circle regarding Yildiz’s future, but for now, Luciano Spalletti must focus on extracting the best from the Turkiye international. In the match against Napoli, the manager opted to use him as a false nine, a decision that has prompted discussion about how best to utilise his creativity and technical ability. Some observers believe that the role does not suit him and that he would flourish more naturally with greater freedom on the pitch. This debate reflects a broader concern that playing him out of position risks hindering his development at a pivotal stage of his career. ............ Fabio Capello has offered his own perspective on the matter, arguing that Yildiz requires a different tactical approach. He said, “I’ve never played like that; I’ve always had two forwards. Yildiz is one of those players who need to be left free, like all quality and creative players. Sure, he has to get back into position when you lose the ball, but then he needs to have the license to create. Sunday wasn’t the right situation, against such a strong and determined team that impressed me.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/capello-advises-spalletti-on-getting-the-best-from-yildiz/

Massimo Mauro does not think Zhegrova is fit enough for this level Edon Zhegrova moved to Juventus after several months of inactivity caused by an injury sustained at Lille. Despite this setback, he is widely regarded as one of the finest attackers in Europe when judged purely on technical quality. This reputation was one of the main reasons Juventus decided to bring him in, even though he had the opportunity to join other clubs during the same period. After arriving in Turin, Zhegrova continued his recovery from the injury he suffered at Lille, and he is still not fully fit. ............ Massimo Mauro has voiced his displeasure with the situation, stating: “I’d also like to comment Zhegrova: he’s technically good, but he’s not physically capable. We’re talking about the highest levels of professional football here; medical checks are also important to assess the players’ athletic level.” ............ There is still considerable time left on Zhegrova’s contract, yet his performances and availability at the start of the season suggest that he may not be a player Juventus can rely on in the long term. The technical promise is undeniable, but without sustained physical readiness, it becomes difficult for the club to plan around his contribution. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/massimo-mauro-does-not-think-zhegrova-is-fit-enough-for-this-level/

Juventus wants to sign Atalanta loanee in January Marco Palestra has been performing impressively on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta this season, and the defender has firmly caught the attention of Juventus. The men in black and white continue to monitor the transfer market closely, keeping track of several key players as they seek to strengthen their squad. While it remains uncertain how active Juventus will be when the transfer window reopens in around 20 days, Palestra is one player who could potentially make the move to Turin. The defender’s development and current form have made him one of the most talked-about young talents in Serie A this season, attracting interest from multiple top clubs. ............ Palestra’s performances at Cagliari have earned him widespread praise, reflecting his growth and consistency this season. His defensive awareness, ability to read the game, and versatility on the pitch have made him a standout performer for the Sardinian side. This form is positive news for his parent club, Atalanta, as it ensures he will either return ready to contribute to the first team or attract a substantial transfer fee. Palestra is one of the standout talents developed by the Bergamo side, and Juventus are reportedly keen to secure his signature while the opportunity remains, recognising the long-term potential he offers as well as his immediate impact on the field. ............ Juventus may not wait until the end of the season to sign Palestra and is reportedly considering moving for him as early as next month. Atalanta are aware of Juventus’ interest, and the report claims La Dea have no objections to cashing in on the defender in the upcoming transfer window. This suggests that both clubs could be closer to reaching an agreement than public speculation currently indicates. If Juventus act swiftly, Palestra could become an important addition to their squad, providing defensive stability and youth development prospects. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-wants-to-sign-atalanta-loanee-in-january/

Tanti auguri Gonzalo (38 anni)!

Chivu protesta: “Il rigore? È già il secondo episodio in Champions, combatteremo le ingiustizie” INTER BASTONATA!

Juventus vs Pafos FC: Preview and Prediction Locked together on six points after five matchdays, Juventus and Pafos FC enter Wednesday’s Champions League clash knowing a defeat could prove fatal to their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds. The stakes are enormous: victory keeps the dream alive, while failure may leave either club outside the all-important top-24 playoff positions. Juventus finally claimed their first Champions League win of the season last time out, edging Bodo/Glimt in dramatic fashion. A tense contest in northern Norway culminated in Jonathan David’s stoppage-time winner, rescuing the Bianconeri from a potentially disastrous result and moving them back inside the qualification zone. Before that breakthrough, Juve had produced roller-coaster draws, 4-4 against Borussia Dortmund and 2-2 versus Villarreal, either side of defeat to Real Madrid and a 1-1 stalemate with Sporting Lisbon. Despite the turbulence surrounding the club in recent years, Juventus have maintained a strong European home record, losing only two of their last 11 continental fixtures in Turin. With two more home games (against SL Benfica and AS Monaco) still to come, Wednesday’s meeting with Pafos represents a crucial opportunity to take control of their fate. However, Luciano Spalletti’s biggest concern is obvious: Juventus cannot keep the ball out of their net. They have conceded in all five Champions League matches this term, eight straight overall, at an average of two goals per game. Their defensive vulnerability was on display again in Sunday’s Serie A showdown against Napoli, where despite a spirited second-half rally inspired by Kenan Yildiz, they suffered a 2-1 defeat that pushed them down to seventh in the league table. While Juventis arrive with pedigree and pressure, their Cypriot opponents Pafos FC travel with belief. ............ With both sides fighting to stay alive, and with Juventus under pressure to assert their superiority, Wednesday’s clash at the Allianz Stadium promises tension, urgency, and possibly another dramatic finish. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ. Team News & Tactics Juventus Juventus continue to grapple with a significant injury crisis, particularly in attack and central defence. Star striker Dusan Vlahovic has been ruled out until 2026, forcing Luciano Spalletti to improvise in the final third. As a result, either Lois Openda or Canadian international Jonathan David is expected to lead the line on Wednesday, although Kenan Yildiz, who was deployed as a false nine against Napoli, remains an option. Yildiz’s home record is notable: seven of his eight Serie A goal involvements this season have come at the Allianz Stadium, highlighting his reliability in Turin. The defensive situation is even more problematic. All three senior centre-backs, Federico Gatti, Daniele Rugani, and Bremer, are unavailable through injury. With no natural replacements at hand, Spalletti has again turned to Teun Koopmeiners, who will continue in an unfamiliar role on the right side of a makeshift back three. This patched-up defence increases the pressure on Juventus’s midfielders to protect the backline and control transitions. Juventus are expected to line up in their familiar 3-4-2-1 system, albeit with several players operating outside their natural roles. In goal, Michele Di Gregorio returns as the first-choice goalkeeper. The back three consists of Pierre Kalulu on the right, Lloyd Kelly centrally, and Teun Koopmeiners on the left of defence. Across midfield, Weston McKennie will operate at right wing-back, with Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram forming the central pairing, while Andrea Cambiaso fills the left wing-back role. In the two attacking midfield positions, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz are expected to support Jonathan David, who leads the line as the lone striker. Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David Pafos FC ............ Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Michail; Bruno, Luiz, Luckassen, Goldar; Sunjic, Pepe; Jaja, Dragomir, Orsic; Anderson Key Stats Juventus have conceded in all five Champions League matches this season. The Bianconeri have allowed 10 goals, averaging two goals conceded per game. Pafos have lost only one of their 11 European fixtures this season. Across Champions League qualifiers and league-phase games, their only defeat came against Bayern Munich (5-1). Juventus are unbeaten in nine of their last 11 home games in European competition. Pafos scored in four of their last four Champions League matches. Kenan Yildiz has been directly involved in eight goals at home this season. All seven of his Serie A goal involvements and several strong UCL displays have come in Turin, making him Juventus’s most dangerous threat on home soil. Player to Watch Kenan Yildiz Yildiz has rapidly become Juventus’s most influential attacking force under Luciano Spalletti, and Wednesday’s Champions League showdown offers another opportunity for the 18-year-old to assert his growing importance. Operating either as an attacking midfielder or as a fluid false nine, Yıldız brings a blend of close control, unpredictability, and fearlessness that Juventus desperately need in the final third, especially with Dusan Vlahovic sidelined. At home, Yildiz has been nothing short of electric: all seven of his Serie A goal involvements this season have come at the Allianz Stadium, where he thrives in the familiar atmosphere and plays with visible confidence. His ability to drop between the lines, turn under pressure, and carry the ball directly at defenders makes him Juve’s primary creative spark. Against a Pafos side that prefers compact defensive blocks, Yildiz’s tight-space dribbling and eye for incisive passes could prove decisive. With Jonathan David or Lois Openda expected to lead the line, the Turkish prodigy will have runners ahead of him, perfect for exploiting gaps in transition. If Juventus are to overcome their recent inconsistencies and secure a crucial three points, expect Yildiz to be at the centre of everything positive they produce. Prediction Juventus 2-0 Pafos FC With both clubs level on points and desperate to avoid slipping out of the Champions League playoff positions, this clash carries enormous weight. However, Juventus enter the contest with clear advantages, superior individual quality, home-field momentum, and a far deeper well of big-match experience. Pafos have shown admirable resilience throughout their debut European campaign, losing only once and drawing with AS Monaco in spirited fashion. But away from Cyprus, and especially against a side that dominates possession on home soil, the challenge becomes significantly steeper. Their defensive organisation keeps them competitive, but they concede too many chances under sustained pressure, something Juventus will be eager to exploit. Luciano Spalletti’s men have defensive issues of their own, particularly with three centre-backs unavailable, yet Juve’s attacking options, Kenan Yildiz, Jonathan David, and the dynamic midfield pairing of Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli, should be enough to tilt the balance. The Bianconeri have also lost just two of their last 11 European home games, a record that strongly favours them in must-win situations. Pafos may enjoy spells of stubborn resistance and could threaten on the counter, especially through Mislav Orsic and Jaja, but sustaining that for 90 minutes in Turin feels unlikely. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2025/12/09/juventus-vs-pafos-fc-preview-and-prediction/

Stavo per postare la stessa cosa anche io

INTER 0-1 LIVERPOOL

Jovetic thinks there is too much expectation on Yildiz Stevan Jovetic has expressed concerns about the mounting expectations placed on Kenan Yildiz as the Turkiye star continues to strive for success at Juventus. Since breaking into the first team, Yildiz has quickly become a key figure at the club, attracting widespread attention for his performances. ............ From the outset of his senior career, Yildiz has been compared to some of Juventus’ former idols and is even seen by many as one of the world’s most promising young players. This level of scrutiny has created significant expectations in every match, and when he does not deliver, the team often struggles. The attention is almost always on him during difficult performances, forcing Yildiz to mature faster than many players of his age. The constant comparisons and pressure highlight the challenges faced by young talents in high-profile clubs. ............ Jovetic, who has closely followed Yildiz’s development, believes the midfielder is under excessive pressure. The attacker said, “I like Yildiz, he has great talent and quality. But there are too many expectations on him, too many comparisons to Del Piero. He doesn’t need that, he just needs to be himself, and in my opinion, he can become a great player. He has some very important qualities.” Jovetic’s remarks emphasise the need for patience and understanding from fans and media alike. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/jovetic-thinks-there-is-too-much-expectation-on-yildiz/