Juventus Season 2013-2014

[Socrates 7962]

Juve squeeze past Sassuolo

Jul 23, 2013

Juventus were lucky in their 0-0 draw with Serie A new boys Sassuolo, eventually winning on penalties in the Trofeo TIM.

“Overall the important thing was we finished this stage of pre-season with no injuries,” said Antonio Conte.

“This evening it was positive that we didn’t concede, but we showed very little of what we know and are capable of. It’s understandable, as we trained very intensely and the legs were pretty heavy.

“We know that we play a different type of football and will try to work even harder. I have a group of strikers available and will make my evaluations based on each game and who proves they deserve it during the week.”

The Bianconeri lost the first game on penalties to Milan, so had one point and faced hosts Sassuolo in the second Trofeo TIM mini-match. It was a special night at the Mapei Stadium for Simone Zaza, who is co-owned by Juve.

Sassuolo won the Serie B title last season, earning their first ever promotion into the top flight. They had the stronger start, as Jasmin Kurtic cut in from the right and his angled drive was fingertipped on to the base of the far post by Marco Storari.

Moments later it was Alberto Pomini who needed his wits about him with a reaction save to deny Alessandro Matri from close range.

Mirko Vucinic had plenty of time and space, but ballooned over the bar from a very promising position. The Montenegrin did better as an assist-man with a backheel flick, but Matri scuffed the finish well wide.

Kurtic went very close again on 16 minutes, as he went on the counter-attack and cut back to commit Federico Peluso, but curled just past the far top corner.

Domenico Berardi also turned over from the edge of the box, as did Zaza, while substitute Juventus goalkeeper Rubinho performed a great save on Emanuele Terranova’s glancing header from a free kick.

Fabio Quagliarella hit the side-netting, but it was mainly Sassuolo and Romanian summer signing Marius Alexe ballooned another excellent scoring opportunity over the bar.

The 0-0 result meant another penalty shoot-out for Juve and Quagliarella’s opener was saved by Pomini. Zaza sent Rubinho the wrong way to immediately give Sassuolo the advantage.

Marcel Buchel, Kurtic (with a cheeky chipped penalty) and Pol Garcia Tena scored, but Rubinho parried the Alexe effort.

However, Matri ballooned well over to give Sassuolo the advantage again, which Simone Missiroli took. Arturo Vidal converted and Terranova could’ve won it for the hosts, but Rubinho fingertipped his penalty on to the upright.

It went to sudden death, as Marco Motta scored and Rubinho performed another excellent save on Berardi.

As per the rules of the Trofeo TIM, Juventus picked up two points for winning on penalties, while Sassuolo received one. The final match is Milan-Sassuolo.


Juventus 0-0 Sassuolo (4-3 on penalties)

Penalty shoot-out: Quagliarella (saved J), Zaza (goal S), Buchel (goal J), Kurtic (goal S), Pol Garcia (goal J), Alexe (saved S), Matri (missed J), Missiroli (goal S), Vidal (goal J), Terranova (saved S), Motta (goal J), Berardi (saved S)

Juventus: Storari (Rubinho 25); Lichtsteiner (Penna 25), Ogbonna, Peluso (Buchel 29); Isla (Vidal 37), Padoin (Motta 18), Rossi, Asamoah, De Ceglie (Pol Garcia 18); Matri, Vucinic (Quagliarella 25)

Sassuolo: Pomini; Gazzola, Antei, Terranova, Longhi; Kurtic, Magnanelli, Missiroli; Berardi, Zaza, Alexe

[Socrates 7962]

Tevez, Llorente fire friendly blank for Juventus

The latest additions to the Bianconeri played in a pre-season tournament
featuring Milan and Sassuolo but the strikers were unable to get on the scoresheet.

Jul 24, 2013

Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Angelo Ogbonna played together for the first time as Juventus suffered mixed fortunes in the Trofeo TIM.

The trio, signed by Juve in the close-season, were all named in the starting line-ups for the two fixtures in the pre-season tournament as Antonio Conte's side were beaten by Milan and then triumphed over Sassuolo.

Tevez had already opened his account for the club in a 7-0 win over Val d’Aosta on Saturday, but neither Ogbonna nor Llorente were able to do the same on Tuesday.

Conte's side drew 0-0 with both Milan and Sassuolo in normal time, before losing to the former and beating the latter on penalties.

Sassuolo replaced usual Trofeo TIM competitors Inter this year and it was Rubinho who was the hero in the match against the Serie A newcomers.

The 30-year-old Brazilian saved three penalties to ensure that Juventus ended the tournament with a 50 per cent record.

The Serie A champions have only won the competition once, with this success coming in Bari in 2009.

[Socrates 7962]

'Fiorentina second only to Juve'

Jul 29, 2013

Former Fiorentina Coach Emiliano Mondonico believes that the Viola will fight Juventus for the Scudetto next season.

The Stadio Artemio Franchi side have brought in Mario Gomez and Massimo Ambrosini, amongst others this summer.

And the 66-year-old is confident that Vincenzo Montella's men can challenge the Bianconeri for silverware.

“I think that Fiorentina are second only to Juventus,” he told TuttoMercatoWeb. “I can see a great rivalry forming between the Viola and the Bianconeri.

“But Napoli are also another team who have reinforced and will be near the top of the table.

[Socrates 7962]

SERIE A 2013-14: WEEK 1

Jul 29, 2013

The Serie A 2013-14 calendar has been drawn up with Week 1 including Inter-Genoa, Lazio-Udinese and Sampdoria-Juventus.

The tournament begins on August 24-25 and concludes on May 18 2014.

A fixture list was drawn up by computer in a ceremony in Milan this evening, less than a month before the competition kicks off.

There are five local derbies this time round in Milan, Rome, Turin, Genoa and Verona. Derbies were not allowed in midweek rounds due to security concerns.

was no seeding in the draw, though Champions League and Europa League teams were kept apart ahead of continental matches in Week 6, 9, 13 and 16.

Week 1

25/8/2013

Cagliari-Atalanta

Fiorentina-Catania

Verona-Milan

Inter-Genoa

Lazio-Udinese

Livorno-Roma

Napoli-Bologna

Parma-Chievo

Sampdoria-Juventus

Torino-Sassuolo

[Socrates 7962]

Serie A 2013-14: Full Fixture List

Jul 29, 2013

Week 1

25/8/2013

Cagliari-Atalanta

Fiorentina-Catania

Verona-Milan

Inter-Genoa

Lazio-Udinese

Livorno-Roma

Napoli-Bologna

Parma-Chievo

Sampdoria-Juventus

Torino-Sassuolo



Week 2

1/9/2013

Atalanta-Torino

Bologna-Sampdoria

Catania-Inter

Chievo-Napoli

Genoa-Fiorentina

Juventus-Lazio

Milan-Cagliari

Roma-Verona

Sassuolo-Livorno

Udinese-Parma

http://markting10.nl/

Week 3

15/9/2013

Fiorentina-Cagliari

Verona-Sassuolo

Inter-Juventus

Lazio-Chievo

Livorno-Catania

Napoli-Atalanta

Parma-Roma

Sampdoria-Genoa

Torino-Milan

Udinese-Bologna



Week 4

22/9/2013

Atalanta-Fiorentina

Bologna-Torino

Cagliari-Sampdoria

Catania-Parma

Chievo-Udinese

Genoa-Livorno

Juventus-Verona

Milan-Napoli

Roma-Lazio

Sassuolo-Inter



Week 5

25/9/2013

Bologna-Milan

Chievo-Juventus

Inter-Fiorentina

Lazio-Catania

Livorno-Cagliari

Napoli-Sassuolo

Parma-Atalanta

Sampdoria-Roma

Torino-Verona

Udinese-Genoa



Week 6

29/9/2013

Atalanta-Udinese

Cagliari-Inter

Catania-Chievo

Fiorentina-Parma

Genoa-Napoli

Verona-Livorno

Milan-Sampdoria

Roma-Bologna

Sassuolo-Lazio

Torino-Juventus

http://markting10.nl/

Week 7

6/10/2013

Bologna-Verona

Catania-Genoa

Chievo-Atalanta

Inter-Roma

Juventus-Milan

Lazio-Fiorentina

Napoli-Livorno

Parma-Sassuolo

Sampdoria-Torino

Udinese-Cagliari



Week 8

20/10/2013

Atalanta-Lazio

Cagliari-Catania

Fiorentina-Juventus

Genoa-Chievo

Verona-Parma

Livorno-Sampdoria

Milan-Udinese

Roma-Napoli

Sassuolo-Bologna

Torino-Inter



Week 9

27/10/2013

Bologna-Livorno

Catania-Sassuolo

Chievo-Fiorentina

Inter-Verona

Juventus-Genoa

Lazio-Cagliari

Napoli-Torino

Parma-Milan

Sampdoria-Atalanta

Udinese-Roma

http://markting10.nl/

Week 10

30/10/2013

Atalanta-Inter

Cagliari-Bologna

Fiorentina-Napoli

Genoa-Parma

Verona-Sampdoria

Juventus-Catania

Livorno-Torino

Milan-Lazio

Roma-Chievo

Sassuolo-Udinese



Week 11

3/11/2013

Bologna-Chievo

Verona-Cagliari

Lazio-Genoa

Livorno-Atalanta

Milan-Fiorentina

Napoli-Catania

Parma-Juventus

Sampdoria-Sassuolo

Torino-Roma

Udinese-Inter



Week 12

10/11/2013

Atalanta-Bologna

Cagliari-Torino

Catania-Udinese

Chievo-Milan

Fiorentina-Sampdoria

Genoa-Verona

Inter-Livorno

Juventus-Napoli

Parma-Lazio

Roma-Sassuolo



Week 13

24/11/2013

Bologna-Inter

Verona-Chievo

Livorno-Juventus

Milan-Genoa

Napoli-Parma

Roma-Cagliari

Sampdoria-Lazio

Sassuolo-Atalanta

Torino-Catania

Udinese-Fiorentina

http://markting10.nl/

Week 14

1/12/2013

Atalanta-Roma

Cagliari-Sassuolo

Catania-Milan

Chievo-Livorno

Fiorentina-Verona

Genoa-Torino

Inter-Sampdoria

Juventus-Udinese

Lazio-Napoli

Parma-Bologna



Week 15

8/12/2013

Bologna-Juventus

Cagliari-Genoa

Verona-Atalanta

Inter-Parma

Livorno-Milan

Napoli-Udinese

Roma-Fiorentina

Sampdoria-Catania

Sassuolo-Chievo

Torino-Lazio



Week 16

15/12/2013

Catania-Verona

Chievo-Sampdoria

Fiorentina-Bologna

Genoa-Atalanta

Juventus-Sassuolo

Lazio-Livorno

Milan-Roma

Napoli-Inter

Parma-Cagliari

Udinese-Torino

http://markting10.nl/

Week 17

22/12/2013

Atalanta-Juventus

Bologna-Genoa

Cagliari-Napoli

Verona-Lazio

Inter-Milan

Livorno-Udinese

Roma-Catania

Sampdoria-Parma

Sassuolo-Fiorentina

Torino-Chievo



Week 18

6/1/2013

Catania-Bologna

Chievo-Cagliari

Fiorentina-Livorno

Genoa-Sassuolo

Juventus-Roma

Lazio-Inter

Milan-Atalanta

Napoli-Sampdoria

Parma-Torino

Udinese-Verona



Week 19

12/1/2014

Atalanta-Catania

Bologna-Lazio

Cagliari-Juventus

Verona-Napoli

Inter-Chievo

Livorno-Parma

Roma-Genoa

Sampdoria-Udinese

Sassuolo-Milan

Torino-Fiorentina

http://markting10.nl/

Week 20

19/1/2014

Atalanta-Cagliari

Bologna-Napoli

Catania-Fiorentina

Chievo-Parma

Genoa-Inter

Juventus-Sampdoria

Milan-Verona

Roma-Livorno

Sassuolo-Torino

Udinese-Lazio



Week 21

26/2/2014

Cagliari-Milan

Fiorentina-Genoa

Inter-Catania

Lazio-Juventus

Livorno-Sassuolo

Napoli-Chievo

Parma-Udinese

Sampdoria-Bologna

Torino-Atalanta

Verona-Roma



Week 22

2/2/2014

Atalanta-Napoli

Bologna-Udinese

Cagliari-Fiorentina

Catania-Livorno

Chievo-Lazio

Genoa-Sampdoria

Juventus-Inter

Milan-Torino

Roma-Parma

Sassuolo-Verona

http://markting10.nl/

Week 23

9/2/2014

Fiorentina-Atalanta

Inter-Sassuolo

Lazio-Roma

Livorno-Genoa

Napoli-Milan

Parma-Catania

Sampdoria-Cagliari

Torino-Bologna

Udinese-Chievo

Verona-Juventus



Week 24

16/2/2014

Atalanta-Parma

Cagliari-Livorno

Catania-Lazio

Fiorentina-Inter

Genoa-Udinese

Juventus-Chievo

Milan-Bologna

Roma-Sampdoria

Sassuolo-Napoli

Verona-Torino



Week 25

23/2/2014

Bologna-Roma

Chievo-Catania

Inter-Cagliari

Juventus-Torino

Lazio-Sassuolo

Livorno-Verona

Napoli-Genoa

Parma-Fiorentina

Sampdoria-Milan

Udinese-Atalanta

http://markting10.nl/

Week 26

2/3/2014

Atalanta-Chievo

Cagliari-Udinese

Fiorentina-Lazio

Genoa-Catania

Livorno-Napoli

Milan-Juventus

Roma-Inter

Sassuolo-Parma

Torino-Sampdoria

Verona-Bologna



Week 27

9/3/2014

Bologna-Sassuolo

Catania-Cagliari

Chievo-Genoa

Inter-Torino

Juventus-Fiorentina

Lazio-Atalanta

Napoli-Roma

Parma-Verona

Sampdoria-Livorno

Udinese-Milan



Week 28

16/3/2014

Atalanta-Sampdoria

Cagliari-Lazio

Fiorentina-Chievo

Genoa-Juventus

Livorno-Bologna

Milan-Parma

Roma-Udinese

Sassuolo-Catania

Torino-Napoli

Verona-Inter



Week 29

23/3/2014

Bologna-Cagliari

Catania-Juventus

Chievo-Roma

Inter-Atalanta

Lazio-Milan

Napoli-Fiorentina

Parma-Genoa

Sampdoria-Verona

Torino-Livorno

Udinese-Sassuolo

http://markting10.nl/

Week 30

26/3/2014

Atalanta-Livorno

Cagliari-Verona

Catania-Napoli

Chievo-Bologna

Fiorentina-Milan

Genoa-Lazio

Inter-Udinese

Juventus-Parma

Roma-Torino

Sassuolo-Sampdoria



Week 31

30/3/2014

Bologna-Atalanta

Lazio-Parma

Livorno-Inter

Milan-Chievo

Napoli-Juventus

Sampdoria-Fiorentina

Sassuolo-Roma

Torino-Cagliari

Udinese-Catania

Verona-Genoa



Week 32

6/4/2014

Atalanta-Sassuolo

Cagliari-Roma

Catania-Torino

Chievo-Verona

Fiorentina-Udinese

Genoa-Milan

Inter-Bologna

Juventus-Livorno

Lazio-Sampdoria

Parma-Napoli

http://markting10.nl/

Week 33

13/4/2014

Bologna-Parma

Livorno-Chievo

Milan-Catania

Napoli-Lazio

Roma-Atalanta

Sampdoria-Inter

Sassuolo-Cagliari

Torino-Genoa

Udinese-Juventus

Verona-Fiorentina



Week 34

19/4/2014

Atalanta-Verona

Catania-Sampdoria

Chievo-Sassuolo

Fiorentina-Roma

Genoa-Cagliari

Juventus-Bologna

Lazio-Torino

Milan-Livorno

Parma-Inter

Udinese-Napoli



Week 35

27/4/2014

Atalanta-Genoa

Bologna-Fiorentina

Cagliari-Parma

Inter-Napoli

Livorno-Lazio

Roma-Milan

Sampdoria-Chievo

Sassuolo-Juventus

Torino-Udinese

Verona-Catania

http://markting10.nl/

Week 36

4/5/2014

Catania-Roma

Chievo-Torino

Fiorentina-Sassuolo

Genoa-Bologna

Juventus-Atalanta

Lazio-Verona

Milan-Inter

Napoli-Cagliari

Parma-Sampdoria

Udinese-Livorno



Week 37

11/5/2014

Atalanta-Milan

Bologna-Catania

Cagliari-Chievo

Inter-Lazio

Livorno-Fiorentina

Roma-Juventus

Sampdoria-Napoli

Sassuolo-Genoa

Torino-Parma

Verona-Udinese


Week 38

16/5/2014

Catania-Atalanta

Chievo-Inter

Fiorentina-Torino

Genoa-Roma

Juventus-Cagliari

Lazio-Bologna

Milan-Sassuolo

Napoli-Verona

Parma-Livorno

Udinese-Sampdoria

[Socrates 7962]

Serie A 2013-14: The big games

Jul 29, 2013

There are some big games straight away in the Serie A 2013-14 campaign, while the Milan Derby is a Christmas treat.

The fixture list was drawn up this evening in a ceremony in Milan, as the tournament kicks off on August 24-25 and concludes on May 18 2014.

Roma-Lazio comes early into the campaign in Week 4, the same round as a Milan-Napoli Scudetto showdown. The Curva Sud will be closed, though, as it falls within the period of Roma's ban for racist chants against Mario Balotelli.

http://markting10.nl/

Week 7 is extremely interesting, as it includes Inter-Roma, Juventus-Milan and Lazio-Fiorentina.

The Milan Derby will be just a few days before Christmas, while Walter Mazzarri and Rafa Benitez face their past in mid-December.

Also worth noting is that the final round of the season will see Juventus-Cagliari, Napoli-Verona, Milan-Sassuolo, Chievo-Inter and Fiorentina-Torino.

These are some of the most intriguing fixtures:

Week 1: Lazio-Udinese

Week 2: Juventus-Lazio

Week 3: Inter-Juventus, Sampdoria-Genoa

Week 4: Milan-Napoli, Roma-Lazio

Week 5: Inter-Fiorentina

Week 7: Inter-Roma, Juventus-Milan, Lazio-Fiorentina

Week 8: Fiorentina-Juventus, Milan-Udinese, Roma-Napoli

Week 9: Udinese-Roma

Week 10: Fiorentina-Napoli, Milan-Lazio

Week 11: Milan-Fiorentina, Udinese-Inter

Week 12: Juventus-Napoli

Week 13: Udinese-Fiorentina

Week 14: Juventus-Udinese, Lazio-Napoli

Week 15: Napoli-Udinese, Roma-Fiorentina

Week 16: Milan-Roma, Napoli-Inter

Week 17: Inter-Milan

Week 18: Juventus-Roma, Lazio-Inter

[Socrates 7962]

Juventus open season at Sampdoria

Antonio Conte’s Bianconeri will begin their title defence at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris,
while big spenders Napoli will start life under Rafa Benitez by playing host to Bologna.

Jul 29, 2013

Juventus will open the 2013-14 season at Sampdoria as they go in search of a third consecutive title.

Delio Rossi’s side were the only club to beat the defending champions twice last season, earning a 3-2 victory at home, while a second-half brace from Mauro Icardi netted them a 2-1 win in Turin.

Rafa Benitez takes charge of his first league fixture at home to Bologna, with his Napoli side hoping to launch a credible assault on the title, while last year’s third place team AC Milan open up at newly-promoted Hellas Verona.

Elsewhere, Lazio host Udinese in an exciting week one showdown, while Roma travel to Serie B play-off winners Livorno and Inter face Genoa in the home comforts of San Siro.

http://markting10.nl/

In the first battle of the heavyweights, the Bianconeri travel to Inter in week three, while a week later Milan play host to Napoli in a star-studded affair and Lazio visit Roma in the Derby della Capitale.

Other derbies are renewed later in the season, as Torino host Juventus in week six and Chievo Verona visit Hellas Verona in week 11, though the first Milan derby of the campaign must wait until week 17.

Last season’s top four sides all close out the season at home, with winners Juventus facing Cagliari, Hellas visiting Gonzalo Higuain and Napoli, Milan hosting Sassuolo and Fiorentina facing Torino.

[Socrates 7962]

Serie A Week 1 and 2 games

Aug 3, 2013

The changes to Week 1 and 2 have been confirmed, starting with Verona-Milan although they could change with the UEFA draws.

The Lega Serie A has released its adjustments to the calendar for the opening two weekends.

Hellas Verona-Milan is the first match of the 2013-14 season at the Stadio Bentegodi, kicking off at 17.00 UK time on Saturday August 24.

http://markting10.nl/

Sampdoria-Juventus follows at 19.45 UK time that evening, while Inter-Genoa is the later game at 17.00 UK time on Sunday August 25.

However, if Milan are drawn to play their first Champions League play-off leg away from home on August 21, then their match with Verona will be moved to 19.45 and Sampdoria-Juventus to 17.00 on the Saturday.

The UEFA draw will be made on August 9, so that will stabilise the fixture list.

Serie A Week 2 has Chievo-Napoli and Juventus-Lazio on Saturday August 31, while Roma-Hellas Verona is on Sunday September 1.


Week 1

Saturday August 24

Verona-Milan (17.00 UK time)

Sampdoria-Juventus (19.45 UK time)

Sunday August 25

Inter-Genoa (17.00)


Week 2

Saturday August 31

Chievo-Napoli (17.00 UK time)

Juventus-Lazio (19.45 UK time)

Sunday September 1

Roma-Verona (17.00 UK time)

[Socrates 7962]

Marchetti: 'Lazio can beat Juve'

Aug 6, 2013

Federico Marchetti is confident Lazio “can beat Juventus” in the Italian Super Cup. “We have the same spirit as last season.”

The teams go head-to-head on August 18 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, as the trophy is between Serie A winners and Coppa Italia holders.

“We have the same spirit as last season, the one that took us to lift the Coppa Italia,” said the goalkeeper in a Press conference.

http://markting10.nl/

“Now we have to wipe everything we’ve achieved from our memories, as it would be a mistake to suddenly think we’ve become fantastic.

“It will be a tough match, as they reinforced with some important buys, but we will play an open game with the conviction we can beat Juventus. I saw in the eyes of my teammates the real hunger for victory.”

[Socrates 7962]

Preseason reason to worry?

Aug 8, 2013

Preseason results have not been kind. Juventus have struggled to perform adequately while racking up several defeats, finishing last in the International Champions Cup after Tuesday's loss to Inter on penalties in Miami.

Suffering from an abundance of individual errors, the Bianconeri's build-up game is both slow and imprecise. Passes are too short, movements are not well-thought and possession is lost much too easily. The glitzy new attack fans have been desperate to see has yet to perform to expectation. The midfield has failed in making the right runs forward, often gave up possession and lost focus at important moments.

Meanwhile, the defence has proved problematic, if not as bad as other Italian squads during preseason. The majority of goals conceded during these friendlies have been a result of individual errors.

Of course, these matches count for little and are simply played to grasp the tactical ideas of the coach as well as improve chemistry and fitness. As such, one can understand the lack of interest displayed by certain players, the fatigue of the international ones who only recently returned to train and the mistakes committed by the new arrivals.

In assessing them one by one, new centre back Angelo Ogbonna has impressed with his physicality and tenacity. However, there is much he can learn with regards to tactics and composure. Easily overwhelmed, certain movements of his are rushed leading to several errors. He has often been caught either out of position or ball-watching and will need time to adapt to manager Antonio Conte's tactics.

Carlos Tevez has proved exciting with regards to his movements. Consistently roaming whilst demonstrating his low centre of gravity and deceptive physicality, he knows just how to bully defenders. The problem is that playing him with Mirko Vucinic Tuesday left Juventus with lots of movement in the final third but no decisive action.

Consistently lost amidst Inter’s defensive force, there was no real target to look for when passes were delivered to the top, while the midfield’s disinterest in making timely runs forward left the front two without the required help.

With so much running, fatigue has set in for the Argentine, who admitted he’s never been asked to train so hard. Physical fitness is of the utmost importance at this stage and Conte is sure the player possesses all the qualities needed going forward.

http://markting10.nl/

Physically, Fernando Llorente is not at the level required to make the necessary impact. Having barely played last season and forced to cope with the exhaustive physical demands of preseason, he has yet to score goals to delight onlookers. Often failing to exploit good opportunities, the lack of efficient wide play has also hindered his performances.

One can only be hopeful that Llorente will improve, but deep down there is that ever so slight worry that much like several Spaniards before him, he will fail in overcoming the Serie A sides’ defensive organisation.

Another concern is the apparent indifference of the squad. The cusomary Juve hunger and will to succeed has been replaced by lethargy and disinterest. It’s often said that Italians never perform unless they have to and we have seen evidence of that both with Juventus and the Italian national team.

Friendlies inspire few Italians but when the time comes, Italy usually delivers. Last season, the Bianconeri started successfully but they lacked that desire to succeed. Only the minimum level of energy was expended to achieve the necessary result. However, Juventus would do well to remember that while these games mean little, they are still a useful method of raising foreign interest and attracting new fans.

Commercially, trips to America to take part in competitions such as the ICC are a source of prestige and a perfect marketing opportunity to enchant audiences and improve brand awareness. With such dismal displays, few will want to follow the team when the season kicks off and Juventus actually start to care.

Conte has consistently reminded anyone who will listen that winning a third consecutive Scudetto will be difficult. Keeping that hunger alive is of the utmost importance to him. Having achieved domestic targets, Conte hopes the side haven’t lost that will to succeed.

Worries exist, as they do for many other clubs who fail to impress during pre-season. Nonetheless, it’s too early to precisely judge just how competitive Juventus will be when the season kicks off. As goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon pointed out, “The results of these games don’t worry me, I would have been more worried had we been brilliant.” Well if he’s not worried ...

[Socrates 7962]

Can Juventus Win It All This Season?

Aug 8, 2013

Juventus showed under the 2012-13 Serie A season that they are a long way ahead of their domestic rivals. Now it is up to Antonio Conte and his renewed squad to set their sights a little higher.

But with clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich firmly settled at the top both financially and in terms of playing staff, do the Old Lady have what it takes to move from a dominant domestic force to a team that can seriously challenge for European and world honours over the next 12 months?

Fans of the Turin giants will be encouraged by what they saw last season. The year had every chance of going wrong. The lack of a coach at the start of the year, due to Conte's lengthy suspension for involvement in the Scommessopoli betting scandal, was a particularly poor omen.

But the club rode out the storm and finished the Serie A campaign in imperious fashion. Juve harvested 87 points over the course of the season, losing just five times and ending the league nine points clear of closest challengers Napoli. And the good news for supporters of the Bianconeri is that their side should be even stronger in 2013-14.

In goal, Gianluigi Buffon has proved time and again that he is still a top-quality goalkeeper at 35 years of age. The captain is an undisputed starter in Juve's full strength lineup, but deputy Marco Storari proved that he is more than capable of filling in for Gigi when the veteran needs a rest.

In front of Buffon, the defence is another unit that has a formidable look to it. Conte is one of the few coaches in top-class teams to use a three-man defence, and this risky manoeuvre is made more secure by the fact that the trio who comprise the back line are a machine working perfectly in tandem.

Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini enjoy an almost telepathic understanding, and their talents were reflected in the 24 goals Juventus conceded across the whole Serie A season, the lowest of any team by far.

The man between the posts and those in front, then, do not need tinkering. The midfield is fine too, with the ageless Andrea Pirlo, the tireless duo of Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal and the budding talent of Paul Pogba providing quality in the middle of the park.

The big issue for Juventus last season was getting the most out of an at-times misfiring forward line. A 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline was the norm last year in Juventus Stadium, and it was largely thanks to the aforementioned impenetrable defence that the club won the league so comfortably with, averaging a stingy 1.87 goals—compare to 3.3 for Barcelona, 2.88 for Bayern Munich and 2.71 for Real Madrid—per game.

Sebastian Giovinco and Mirko Vucinic had their moments, although the former suffered with recurring injuries and the latter went through inexplicable drops in form.

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In any case, no Juve man made the top 16 scorers in Serie A; and the less we say about the likes of the calamitous Alessandro Matri the better, perhaps.

Conte has responded by focusing preseason spending on the attack. In come Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, two strikers of the highest calibre accustomed to scoring goals in high-pressure situations. It remains to be seen, of course, how the pair settle in to life at Juventus Stadium, but great things are expected both of the new boys and of the Old Lady.

Tevez and Llorente are the big new names in the dressing room, but aside from that, Juve have done admirably up to this point to conserve the squad that lifted the title in 2012-13, and indeed make it stronger.

It will not be easy for any new team to lift the Champions League come May 2014, but Conte's men in black and white have as much of a chance as anyone participating.

[Socrates 7962]

No changes to Week 1 fixtures

Aug 9, 2013

Verona-Milan and Sampdoria-Juventus will kick off at the times originally released after some confusion on Friday.

Sampdoria today posted a note on their website suggesting that their game versus Juve would start at 18.00 local time and not 20.45 as previously thought.

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As a consequence, reports suggested that the Diavolo’s match at the Bentegodi would begin at 20.45 instead of 18.00.

However, Sampdoria have now corrected the error so Verona-Milan will still be the first game of the new season. Samp-Juve will follow on Saturday 24 August.

[Socrates 7962]

Serie A title betting preview -
Juventus to continue Scudetto form

Aug 12, 2013

With the new Serie A season fast approaching, we thought we would ask the bookies for their expectations for the title race, after a summer of frenzied transfer activity in some quarters.

Juventus is the team to beat also for the 2013-14 Serie A. The ‘Old Lady’ are the big favourites for the next season after they improved during the summer market, building on what was already a very competitive squad. The arrival of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente has given coach Antonio Conte the necessary strikers to perform well also in the Champions League.

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They now have many more options and the first objective will be to do well in Europe but without forgetting the Scudetto which this year is going to be more difficult to win. The odds for a Juventus win are at 1.80 and this is also the tip that Marco Narardi, Italian football betting expert, from BettingSpin has given us.

Rivals have also made some interesting moves to try take the title away from Juve. Napoli have been the team that have made more changes during the summer: the departure of Edinson Cavani has been counterbalanced with a number of acquisitions that have made the team stronger than last season. President Aurelio De Laurentiis has been able to bring to the Vesuvio a top player like Gonazalo Higuain and other experienced international players like Pepe Reina, Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon. Also even if they have lost coach Walter Mazzarri to Inter Milan, they have signed-up Rafa Benitez, who has the necessary experience to make this good team a winning team. Napoli to win the title is at 7.

AC Milan can be backed at 5 even though they haven’t really been impressive in the transfer market. They will be able to have Mario Balotelli from the start of the season and also they have maintained the core structure of the team, however I don’t see them able to compete with the likes of Juventus and Napoli.

Inter Milan have made a good move to sign Mazzarri however the Nerazzurri still need time to rebuild a winning team so we don’t think that they are going to be in the title race for a long. The same thing can be said for Roma who have signed Rudi Garcia as a manager but they surely don’t have the same level of quality of the top two teams.

1.80 is a very good price for a Juventus team who shouldn’t have any major problem in retaining the title.

[Socrates 7962]

Juventus name Super Cup squad

Aug 15, 2013

Andrea Barzagli and Simone Pepe are included in the Juventus squad for the Italian Super Cup Final against Lazio.

The defender missed Italy’s game against Argentina last night because of an Achilles tendon problem, but he is part of the 27-man set-up for this weekend.

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Boss Antonio Conte has also named Pepe in the party. The wide attacker, 29, returns after an injury-plagued 2012-13 season in which he made just one appearance.

Italian champions Juventus will play Coppa Italia holders Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 5 Ogbonna, 6 Pogba, 7 Pepe, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 10 Tevez, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 13 Peluso, 14 Llorente, 15 Barzagli, 16 Motta, 17 Marrone, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Asamoah, 23 Vidal, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 34 Rubinho.

[Socrates 7962]

Petkovic: Lazio aren't afraid of Juventus

Ahead of the Supercoppa Italiana on Sunday the Biancocelesti coach rejects the notion
that his side are underdogs, though he accepts that the Bianconeri are Scudetto favourites.

Aug 15, 2013

Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic has rejected suggestions Juventus are favourites to win Sunday's Supercoppa Italiana.

The Biancocelesti triumphed over Roma in the Coppa Italia final last season to tee up a clash with the back-to-back Serie A champions a week before the new league campaign commences.

Although Petkovic is aware of the Bianconeri's quality and accepts they are expected to lift a third successive Scudetto in 2013-14, he believes his side can triumph in a one-off match to claim the first piece of silverware of the Italian season.

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"The first few games of the season are always an unknown, especially when playing for a trophy," he told Lazio Style Radio. "It comes with many doubts but also some certainties such as the fact that we will do everything to win.

"Finals are not made to play well in - just to win. Juve again this year will be the absolute favourites in Serie A - they have more quality and the best players.

"But, in single games, we are not afraid of anybody and we can play well against everybody. We have made progress, we have been working in this direction.

"The squad has been completed and we can make a good impression."

Lazio kick off their Serie A campaign at home to Udinese on August 25.

[Socrates 7962]

Juventus switch Rome training base

Aug 16, 2013

Juventus arrived in Rome on Thursday ahead of the Italian Super Cup Final, but boss Antonio Conte cancelled training.

The Old Lady were set to take to the field at the Borghesiana facilities in the capital, but Conte scrapped the session as he was unhappy with the training fields available.

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Juve returned to their hotel and will resume training this morning at the Centro Sportivo Paolo Cavoli instead.

Conte has called up his entire squad for Sunday’s game against Lazio, but there are fitness doubts over Andrea Barzagli.

The defender was ruled out of international duty with an Achilles tendon problem. Angelo Ogbonna should beat Martin Caceres to a starting shirt if Barzagli doesn’t recover in time.

Meanwhile, Mirko Vucinic and Carlos Tevez are being tipped to lead the Juve attack in Conte’s 3-5-2 at the Olimpico.

[Socrates 7962]

Rocchi ref for Lazio-Juventus

Aug 16, 2013

Referee Gianluca Rocchi has been assigned to Sunday’s Italian Super Cup between Lazio and Juventus.

The match kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

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Rocchi will be aided by linesmen Elenito Di Liberatore and Gianluca Cariolato, fourth official Paolo Mazzoleni and goal line referees Luca Banti and Antonio Damato.

The Italian Super Cup is between Coppa Italia winners Lazio and Scudetto holders Juventus.

[Socrates 7962]

Lotito: 'No Lazio-Juve peace talks'

Aug 16, 2013

Lazio President Claudio Lotito insists there’s “no need to make peace” with Juventus ahead of Sunday’s Italian Super Cup.

The two clubs battled publicly for weeks over the venue and date of this match, which was originally set to be in Beijing, until it was officially moved to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

“I haven’t spoken to Andrea Agnelli recently,” Lotito told Tuttosport.

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“In reality, we are not accustomed to speaking. For two Presidents like us, these situations are water under the bridge. There’s no need to make peace or exchange any particular handshakes before the game. There is no bellicose controversy going on.

“Unfortunately there was a disagreement over the issues of football, but the reciprocal respect is beyond doubt.”

Nonetheless, Lotito couldn’t resist aiming a sideswipe at the Bianconeri.

“My vision of football is more projected towards the future than Agnelli’s, so we see some things differently. In any case, there are no personal problems.

“I repeat, there was a confrontation around the organisation of the Super Cup, then the Lega Serie A ruled the optimal venue was the Stadio Olimpico, which is the home of the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) and the Nazionale, to give the trophy greater prestige. That is all.

“After winning two consecutive Scudetti, Juventus start out as favourites, but I hope Lazio can play at 100 per cent intensity. We don’t want to be sacrificial lambs.”

[Socrates 7962]

Juve train at Roma ground

Aug 17, 2013

Juventus are preparing for the Italian Super Cup against Lazio by training at Roma’s Trigoria ground.

The trophy is decided at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Sunday, kick-off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

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Juve have been in Rome for a couple of days to prepare for the match, but abandoned the Borghesiana training facilities after one day, as Antonio Conte was not happy with the venue.

Today the Bianconeri started training at Roma’s Trigoria ground, as the Giallorossi are away for a friendly against Ternana this evening.

[Socrates 7962]

Marchisio: 'Juve want the Super Cup'

Aug 17, 2013

Claudio Marchisio feels it is “a bit odd” Juventus are playing the Italian Super Cup in Lazio’s home stadium.

The venue for the trophy was originally going to be Beijing, but weeks of heated arguments resulted in the Lega Serie A assigning it to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

This is where the Coppa Italia Final is regularly played and is considered Italy’s ‘neutral’ venue, though it also acts as home to Roma and Lazio.

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“It is a bit odd playing in Lazio’s stadium when we are the Champions of Italy...” mused Marchisio in La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. It kicks off on Sunday at 20.00 UK time.

Some years ago the Scudetto winners tended to host the Italian Super Cup, with the Coppa Italia holders as the visitors.

“Oh well, let’s just say it is better to play in Rome than Beijing a week before the Serie A season begins. In China the humidity is incredible at the moment and I remember suffering a great deal last year.

“I expect great support from the Bianconeri at the Olimpico. Wherever we go, there are always many Juventus fans.

“We’re not alarmed by the poor pre-season friendly results. I see my teammates motivated and we want to win this trophy again,” continued Marchisio.

“It will be very tough, also on a tactical level, because last season we only beat Lazio once in four meetings and they knocked us out of the Coppa Italia.

“We were also unlucky, as in those games we almost always played better and created more chances, but in the end it’s the result that counts.”

The summer signings in attack have struggled to make an impact so far, with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente missing the target.

“Carlitos is great, but we above all hope this can be Juve’s game. Is Llorente in crisis? Some criticism seems exaggerated to me. He barely played at all last year and left Spain for a very different style of football. He needs time to understand that tactics are decisive in Italy.”

[Socrates 7962]

Petkovic: 'Lazio mentality crucial'

Aug 17, 2013

Vladimir Petkovic is confident Lazio can beat Juventus for the Italian Super Cup on Sunday. “Mentality will be fundamental.”

The Coppa Italia holders take on the Scudetto winners at 20.00 UK time at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow evening.

“I have been happy over the summer at not having to reply to too many questions,” joked the Coach in his Press conference.

“We have improved in every sense and tomorrow the team will give its response on the field. Our heads must be in top condition, just like in the Coppa Italia Final. Mentality will be fundamental against a very strong Juve.

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“If we both play at 100 per cent, then we would have more problems than Juventus, but I am sure we can make life difficult for them. We’ll do everything possible to win.”

Last season the Biancocelesti knocked Juve out of the Coppa Italia and lost only one of four encounters.

“At the start we struggled to contain Juve, but then with courage we saw the team attack as a unit. This has to be the spirit we follow tomorrow, imposing our style of play on Juventus.

“The Bianconeri are stronger than last term, as they haven’t sold any of their big stars and brought in some valid newcomers. It’s up to them to confirm that on the pitch, though.”

Lazio have reinforced since beating Roma 1-0 to lift the Coppa Italia in May, bringing in the likes of Lucas Biglia in midfield.

“We do have something more now, yes. We are not all ready, as there have been some injuries, but I’m curious to see at what level we perform tomorrow. We are solid defensively and need to be more clinical in attack, because Juve won’t allow us too many chances.”

The Italian Super Cup arrives only a few days after international duty, with many players travelling halfway round the world and back.

“We had 11 or 12 players away on international duty this week, which fills us with pride. Hernanes can take the team by the hand and prove his leadership,” continued Petkovic.

“With this match we conclude the first era and open a new one. Victory must motivate us more and we need the support of our fans, as this is going to be an action-packed season and we’ll do all we can to honour the jersey on three fronts.”

[Socrates 7962]

Klose: 'I'll score past Juve eventually'

Aug 17, 2013

Miroslav Klose is hoping to score his first goal past Juventus in tomorrow’s Italian Super Cup and considers his future.

Lazio take on Scudetto winners Juve for the trophy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 20.00 UK time.

“I am sure that sooner or later I will score a goal against Juve. Hopefully it will happen tomorrow,” he smiled in the Press conference.

“Besides, I am not the only person who can score goals. Our midfield is full of attacking players like Antonio Candreva and Senad Lulic. I hope to score even more this year, although I am also happy to provide assists.

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“It is fundamental to play as a unit both when attacking and defending.”

Juventus have reinforced their squad this summer with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.

“Tevez is a great player who can win a game by himself. He has great movement and a fierce shot, so he is an excellent striker. Juventus have many players who can hurt Lazio, for example Arturo Vidal with his movement behind the defence.

“This is our first official game of the season and we want to prove we’re ready. I am sure we can win, especially in our home stadium, though as always we’d need a bit of luck.”

Klose was asked about his future, as his contract expires in June 2014.

“There is the possibility I could renew my contract after the World Cup. I could stay or I could return to Germany. We’ll see,” concluded the 35-year-old.

[Socrates 7962]

Conte: 'No Super Cup favourites'

Aug 17, 2013

Antonio Conte has “blind faith” in Juventus ahead of the Super Cup against Lazio, but insisted “there are no favourites.”

The Coach sat down at a Press conference for the Italian Super Cup, which kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time on Sunday.

“I don’t think there are any favourites. All I hope is that the team that lifts the trophy truly deserved it and was not considered ‘lucky’ to get the victory.

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“I have great respect for all of Lazio and their Coach, so it would be reductive to choose one player to remove from their team.

“Is it already my Juve? This is my third year, so it would be a serious problem if it weren’t my Juve. We are coming off a month of pre-season training and I have blind trust in these lads because I’ll never forget that in my first two years as a Coach at Juventus I won the title.”

The Bianconeri have struggled badly in pre-season, finishing last in the International Champions Cup in America with three defeats.

“Preparing for a Super Cup match in three days isn’t going to make me leap with joy. The break for international duty wasn’t pleasing, but Vladimir Petkovic is in the same situation, so there is no alibi for either side.

“We are challenging for a trophy, but I wouldn’t like a Juventus victory to be treated as normal and a Lazio triumph considered amazing. These are two strong teams and either side could win the silverware.

“The thing that gives me the most confidence is knowing my players. In that respect, I am very relaxed. I’ve worked with these lads for two years, so have guarantees on their professionalism as well as the kind of men they are.

“This match arrives in a difficult moment for both us and Lazio, so I think we’re on an even keel.”

Last season Juve only managed to beat Lazio once in four meetings, which included the Coppa Italia semi-final.

“In the Coppa Italia I thought Juventus deserved much more, but having said that Lazio must be given credit for managing to qualify,” continued Conte.

Much has been made of Fernando Llorente’s problems settling in at Juve and he’ll reportedly be on the bench tomorrow, but the Coach vented his irritation at the media’s line of questioning.

“Thinking of getting around certain difficulties with a single player is just wrong, as we play as a team – one that won the Scudetto.

“The media is trying to create a situation around Llorente that I find laughable. He arrived three weeks ago, is working hard – which is the most important thing for me – and above all barely played for a year. It is inevitable a player will encounter difficulties in those circumstances.

“We know him well, were fortunate and smart enough to sign him on a Bosman and he’s trying to get into our system. There ought to be some respect and not just hurling insults at someone or piling on the pressure to create a headline. The media creates controversy out of nothing.”

There was controversy around the Super Cup for months, as it was originally set to be in Beijing, then the clubs battled over dates, venues and how to split the ticket sales.

It took another twist this week when Juventus cancelled their training session at La Borghesiana and as of today borrowed Roma’s Trigoria camp.

“The Lega made the decision along with the two clubs. We accepted it and prepared as best we could. We had planned a certain training regime, but unfortunately we had to change because we found some situations that were not suitable.

“Someone even wrote that we changed training camps because there were ‘spies,’ which again made me laugh. We simply wanted the players to be in the best circumstances.

“We trained at Trigoria – for which I thank Roma – because we were struggling. I also propose that if they want to, we can host them at Vinovo when they come to Turin, to thank them for their hospitality. I see nothing special or abnormal in this situation.”

[Socrates 7962]

Juventus-Lazio Preview:
Conte's men seek to retain Supercoppa

The Serie A champions meet the Coppa Italia holders in the season's annual
curtain-raiser, with both teams eager to get their campaigns under way with a win.

Aug 17, 2013

Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente are in line to make their competitive debuts for Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio.

Antonio Conte's side are the current holders of the curtain-raiser and won their second consecutive Serie A title by nine points last season, finishing six places ahead of Sunday's opponents.

Since then, the coach has added the likes of Tevez, Llorente and Angelo Ogbonna to his squad as they seek to secure a third title in a row.

While they may have finished last in the recent International Champions Cup, ending the competition without a win, Conte believes his side are ready for action at the Stadio Olimpico.

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"It has been an intense pre-season so far, but it has certainly been excellent," he said.

"We've worked very hard for 10 days, with double training sessions, and we are pleased with having achieved our target."

The former Juve midfielder has a fully fit 27-man squad to choose from for the clash, with Andrea Barzagli set to be involved despite missing Italy's 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday due to an Achilles problem.

"We're also very happy from the point of view that we haven't suffered any injuries and we're keeping our fingers crossed that continues," Conte added.

Lazio's Coppa Italia win over city rivals Roma in May ensured they will face the champions on Sunday, with Vladimir Petkovic's side having rounded off their pre-season with a 1-0 win over Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace.

The former Samsunspor boss believes his team will go into the match as underdogs but is confident they can come out on top.

"Finals are not made to play well in - just to win," he told Lazio Style Radio .

"Juve again this year will be the absolute favourites in Serie A - they have more quality and the best players.

"But, in single games, we are not afraid of anybody and we can play well against everybody. We have made progress, we have been working in this direction."

Lazio, who get their league campaign started on August 25 against Udinese, have seen striker Louis Saha retire during the close-season while captain Stefano Mauri was banned for six months due to his part in a match-fixing scandal.

However, they have been boosted by the addition of midfielders Lucas Biglia and Felipe Anderson from Anderlecht and Santos respectively, while they have retained in-demand duo Hernanes and Antonio Candreva, despite plenty of speculation regarding their futures.

Lazio have not won the competition since 2000 when they beat Inter 4-3, although they have been runners-up twice since then.

Juventus will hope for a similar result to last year's final, when they overcame Napoli 4-2.

[Socrates 7962]

Juventus-Lazio Betting Preview
Expect goals at both ends in the Supercoppa Italiana

The champions have brought in a couple of high profile strikers over the summer,
but Al Hain-Cole believes that a drop in their defensive standards will spell goals on Sunday.

Aug 17, 2013

The Italian football season gets going with a bang on Sunday, as Juventus and Lazio go head to head in the curtain raiser that is the Supercoppa.

Having won Serie A at a canter last season, Antonio Conte’s men are understandably 21/20 (2.05) favourites with BetVictor to claim this trophy for the second year in succession.

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However, the Biancocelesti overcame these very opponents on the way to last season’s Coppa Italia triumph, and are available at 5/2 (3.50) to pull off another shock at their Stadio Olimpico home.

The champions needed extra-time in order to overcome Napoli in last year’s corresponding fixture, and you can get odds of 23/10 (3.30) on this one also remaining tied after 90 minutes.

La Vecchia Signora have been busy in the transfer market this summer, as they seek to add some more star quality to an attack that was outscored by both Napoli and Fiorentina last season.

The arrivals of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente have provided the fans with optimism that their side are ready to step up to the level of the European elite, although they should also be wary of a more attacking philosophy upsetting the team’s balance.

Having only conceded 24 goals in 38 games last season, Conte’s men have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four friendly matches, and the international break prior to this match will only have served to further disrupt their tactical preparations.

With both sides set to rest certain players in order to allow them time to recover from the variety of international away trips across the globe, odds of 5/6 (1.83) seem decidedly generous on both sides scoring on Sunday, in a bet that would have paid out in each of the last five editions of this fixture.

With Tevez absent, the pressure is on Llorente to prove his worth to an unconvinced Juventus support after an underwhelming pre-season, but it would be no surprise if another striker at the other end of the pitch stole the show.

Miroslav Klose’s winning goal in Lazio’s last friendly against Crystal Palace underlined his importance to Vladimir Petkovic’s plans, and the man with a one in two goal-scoring record in Italy offers tempting value at 2/1 (3.00) to score anytime in this clash.