Juventus Season 2014-2015

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From certainties to uncertainty

The departure of Antonio Conte and subsequent arrival of Massimiliano Allegri has left
Juventus looking vulnerable. With Arturo Vidal’s future also up for contention ,
Luca Persico profiles a mixed summer for the Bianconeri faithful.

Aug 22, 2014

“I have decided to terminate my contract with Juventus. I have matured with time and my feelings led me to make this choice. It may be more difficult to keep winning with Juventus.”

Tuesday July 15 is a day that changed the outlook for the 2014-15 Serie A season. Antonio Conte, the Coach who had led Juventus to three straight titles, announced that he was leaving the Old Lady by mutual consent.

The Lecce native had started pre-season just a day earlier and despite uncertainties over his long-term future, was expected to see out the campaign. What motivated Conte to depart is unclear. Rumours suggested that the new Azzurri Coach had an agreement with Milan, while concerns over new signings and the way the club wanted to progress are also believed to have irked him.

What is certain is that the 45-year-old leaves behind an incredible legacy. In his first season, he won the league without losing a game - a feat that has been unappreciated - while last term he set a record points total - 102.

For his replacement - Massimiliano Allegri - the task to maintain such levels of dominance is surely daunting. The former Milan Coach will, however, be grateful to at least have the opportunity. Sacked by the Rossoneri in January, the 47-year-old is not a crowd pleasing replacement and was even met with protests upon his appointment.

His first game in charge - a 3-2 defeat to amateur side Lucento - hardly endeared him to the fans, but Allegri is not short on confidence. “The Scudetto or the Champions League? Both,” he has stated. “Our qualities are many.”

Juventus’ pre-season schedule has seen them shun the United States and head to Asia, where they have toured Indonesia, Australia and Singapore to much fanfare. Results have been good, with a 3-2 win against an A-League All Star team - which included Alessandro Del Piero - perhaps the most challenging contest.

For Allegri, the aim of pre-season is to ascertain what system he wants to use. Conte’s blueprint - an aggressive 3-5-2 - is perhaps not his preferred formation, even if his early matches suggest he could start out with it. A 4-4-2, with a diamond midfield, or a version of 4-3-3 have also been tested and are under consideration.

To help field a back four, Patrice Evra has been brought in from Manchester United. The experience left full-back has shown his versatility and may even displace Kwadwo Asamoah at left wing-back, should Allegri chose to use 3-5-2.

Evra is joined at Juventus by Alvaro Morata who, despite being injured almost immediately, has the potential to be an exciting addition. Other notable arrivals include Romulo and Roberto Pereyra, both of whom will start as squad players, but have the potential to be more valuable that the lack of enthusiasm for their arrivals suggests.

The new players and new ideas will help refresh Allegri’s squad and as long as Arturo Vidal stays, his side remain favourites for the Scudetto.

To match Conte’s achievements would be near impossible, but if Allegri can retain the title and go deeper into the Champions League - his main aim - then the Juventus faithful may grow to appreciate their Coach.


Coach - Massimiliano Allegri

A Scudetto winner with Milan and Panchina d'Oro recipient whilst at Cagliari, Allegri has his merits, but also his critics. The 47-year-old did well to keep Milan competitive despite having his key players sold and not replaced, but his credentials as a top level tactician, especially compared to predecessor Conte, will be severely tested.


The difference maker - Carlos Tevez

The Buenos Aires native was always likely to be a success in Turin and his return of 21 goals in 48 appearances last term highlighted his undoubted talent. If there is a question mark over Tevez, however, then it is his record in Europe, with 30-year-old managing just one goal in 12 starts.


Best buy - Alvaro Morata

With Allegri looking for greater tactical flexibility, Evra may be Juventus’ most important signing, but Morata has the potential to be the best. The 21-year-old may need longer to settle due to a disrupted pre-season, but he has all the capabilities to be a perfect foil to both Tevez and Fernando Llorente.


Could be of use to Conte… Romulo

The Brazilian-born midfielder would have represented Italy at the World Cup were it not due to fitness, but if he can get enough playing time at Juventus, he should remain in contention. Antonio Conte was reportedly not keen on bringing him to the Bianconeri, but Romulo’s grit, pace and determination makes him well suited to international football and ironically to the same Coach now overseeing Italy.


Probable line-up

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Llorente


Season prediction - 1st

The loss of Conte means Juventus are no longer outright favourites, but they still set an impressive benchmark.

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Milan squad for Trofeo TIM

Aug 22, 2014

Milan named their squad for the Trofeo TIM against Juventus and Sassuolo, including Mattia De Sciglio.

The traditional pre-season tournament sees three 45-minute games and the team with the best record wins the trophy.

It takes place at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia on Saturday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

De Sciglio is included in the list after shaking off an injury.

Milan squad for Trofeo TIM: Abbiati, Agazzi, Diego Lopez, Abate, Albertazzi, Alex, Armero, Bonera, De Sciglio, Rami, Zaccardo, Zapata, Cristante, Essien, Honda, Mastalli, Muntari, Poli, Saponara, El Shaarawy, Menez, Mastour, Niang, Pazzini

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TIM: Milan beat Allegri's Juve

Aug 23, 2014

Keisuke Honda gave Milan a surprise 1-0 win over Juventus in the opening Trofeo TIM mini-match.

This is a traditional pre-season tournament with three 45-minute games. They get three points for a victory, two for a win on penalties and one for losing a shoot-out.

The first match was the biggest and also gave Allegri his first opportunity to face former club Milan, who were still smarting from Mario Balotelli’s sale to Liverpool.

Milan had a very aggressive start with Andrea Poli and Jeremy Menez efforts charged down in quick succession. Paul Pogba hit a weak effort straight at Diego Lopez and Patrice Evra crucially stopped Keisuke Honda tapping in on the counter.

Sulley Muntari wasted a golden opportunity when pouncing on a Leonardo Bonucci howler, as he ballooned the half-volley high and wide.

Diego Lopez did well to save from point-blank range until Sebastian Giovinco wandered offside in a chaotic move.

Milan eventually broke through when Mattia De Sciglio burst down the left and pulled back for Honda’s well-taken strike from 12 yards.

Honda also curled a free kick just over the bar, while at the other end Giovinco just failed to get a touch to Pogba’s assist from close range.

This victory gives Milan three points. It also means the next game in the Trofeo TIM this evening will be between Juventus and hosts Sassuolo.


Juventus 0-1 Milan

Scorers: Honda 30 (M)

Juventus: Storari; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Evra; Pirlo, Vidal, Pogba; Marchisio, Tevez, Giovinco

Milan: Diego Lopez; Abate, Alex, Bonera, De Sciglio; Poli, Muntari, Essien; Honda, Pazzini, Menez

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TIM: Pereyra revives Juve

Aug 23, 2014

Roberto Pereyra gave Juventus a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sassuolo in the Trofeo TIM mini-match.

The Bianconeri were straight back in action after losing the opener 1-0 to Milan, but this was the first game of the night for hosts Sassuolo. The tournament awards three points for a win in 45 minutes, two for a victory on penalties and one for a shoot-out defeat.

It was an important night for Francesco Acerbi, who is ready to play again after beating cancer twice in a year.

Giorgio Chiellini was twice decisive on Jasmin Kurtic after a hole developed in the back four, while Rubinho did well to smother a Raman Chibsah effort from a corner.

Ex-Udinese man Roberto Pereyra drilled wide from a promising position and Romulo’s attempt was deflected off target, while a Kwadwo Asamoah cross-shot flew past everyone.

Juventus had a great chance on 36 minutes when Alessandro Longhi failed to cut out a cross for Simone Pepe at the back post, but Ciro Polito reacted quickly to parry from point-blank range.

Pepe wasted a golden opportunity soon after, as Martin Caceres and Romulo combined to set him up from 10 yards, but the unmarked veteran hit a fresh-air shot.

Juve finally broke through with only 120 seconds left in this mini-match. A low cross was deflected, turning it into an assist for Pereyra, who was quick to react and toe-poke in from eight yards.


Sassuolo 0-1 Juventus

Scorers: Pereyra 43 (J)

Sassuolo: Polito; Cannavaro, Terranova, Acerbi, Longhi; Brighi, Chibsah (Magnanelli 30), Kurtic; Sereni (Berardi 30), Pavoletti, Floro Flores

Juventus: Rubinho; Romulo, Marrone, Chiellini, Caceres; Mattiello, Padoin, Asamoah; Pepe, Pereyra; Vitale

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Juventus, Roma or Napoli – who will win Serie A?

Italy's top division returns this weekend with three teams in the mix for the title
in what promises to be another fascinating campaign. But who will come out on top?

Aug 26, 2014

By Alex Rossi, Kris Voakes & Tony Mahoney

It has been a long nine weeks since Italy were eliminated from the World Cup, but this Saturday finally sees the nation's footballers return to the field. And while some suggest that calcio's downward curve is set to continue, a bona fide title race could be on the cards for the first time in three years.

Whereas Juventus racked up a record tally of points last season to register a third straight Scudetto, there seems to be genuine competition for the league crown this time around.

Roma pushed the Bianconeri for much of last term, and Rudi Garcia's men have made some notable additions as they look to go one better in 2014-15. Napoli provide further competition, with Rafa Benitez having an extra year's preparation and experience to throw into the mix following an impressive spell in his first season with the Azzurri. And, of course, there's champions Juve, who will be looking to mark the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri with a fourth title on the bounce.

But which of the three will win it? Here, Goal journalists Alex Rossi, Kris Voakes and Tony Mahoney take up the debate ...


"JUVENTUS ARE FAR FROM DONE"

By Alex Rossi

How quickly people forget. Just three months on from a season in which Juventus smashed all sorts of records, many are taking the first sign of strengthening among rival squads and running away with themselves. The doubters are queueing up, ready to beat down Juve. But the champions are not ready to relinquish their place at the top of Italian football.

The Bianconeri won every single home game last season. They chalked up 102 points - a tally unrivalled in Italian football history. With every week they proved themselves to be far too good for the rest of the country, and there is little to suggest things have dramatically changed since May.

Have things really changed so much that the 17-point margin by which Juventus won last year can be overturned by Roma? And does anyone seriously believe there has been a 24-point turnover between Juve and Napoli over the last few months?

The loss of Antonio Conte will take some getting used to, but Massimiliano Allegri has been there and done it with Milan before in 2010-11. There's a chance that Arturo Vidal will not be around come September 2, but they have an ample stand-in in Claudio Marchisio and a Vidal of the future in Paul Pogba. And the man who makes them tick, Andrea Pirlo, is still the best midfielder in the country.

Juventus are far from done.


"ROMA ARE ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER"

By Kris Voakes

Few teams with 85 points have to settle for second place. They may not have carried away the Scudetto in May, but Roma should look at 2013-14 as nothing but a success. And, following an excellent summer in the transfer market, there is every reason to believe they will get their hands on the ultimate prize 12 months on.

Juventus' record-breaking Scudetto season was magnificent, but it was also entirely necessary, Until the last three rounds of the campaign, Roma were on target to rack up 94 points themselves, which would have won all but one league title since football's inception in Italy. Juve were so good because they had to be. Rudi Garcia's side simply did not allow them to slip up.

Since the close of the last campaign, the Giallorossi have dealt brilliantly. Juan Iturbe has come in to light up the forward line, while the likes of Seydou Keita and Davide Astori will provide fantastic options beyond the thin layer of quality Garcia had at his disposal last term. What's more, Ashley Cole - disposed with by both Chelsea and England - remains a superb full-back, adding a touch of quality to the left-hand side.

Last season, Garcia found consistency in his side. This year, they have added further quality to the bargain without losing a single star - Mehdi Benatia permitting. Throw in the impending return of Kevin Strootman to join the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan, Daniele De Rossi, Alessandro Florenzi, Francesco Totti and Mattia Destro, and Roma are going to get better.


"NAPOLI PLAY FOOTBALL FEW ITALIANS CAN LIVE WITH"

By Tony Mahoney

Everyone is talking about a straight battle between Juventus and Roma for the Serie A title, and that will play right into Napoli’s hands. Although the Azzurri have not had the most impressive summer in the transfer market, they have a settled side who will finally reap what was sown when the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens were signed in 2013.

Juventus, on the other hand, have been rocked by the resignation of their inspirational coach Antonio Conte and will take time to adapt to his replacement Massimiliano Allegri. The Bianconeri will get nowhere near their record points tally of 2013-14. Roma, meanwhile, will need to learn how to fight on two fronts as they return to the Champions League. Physically, this will affect them.

With Rafa Benitez, Napoli won’t suffer from any of these issues - even more so if they exit the Champions League play-offs against Athletic. Everyone knows what is expected from the Spaniard, who is a master at rotating his squad to maintain freshness.

Most importantly, Napoli play a brand of football that most outdated Italian clubs can’t live with. Benitez’s 4-2-3-1, which relies on selective pressing and quick counter-attacking bursts, provides a width and directness that many sides playing 3-5-2 just don’t possess.

The southerners boast the best striker in Serie A in Gonzalo Higuain and have goals throughout their squad in the form of Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens, Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne. If these stars in particular stay fit, then Napoli could win their first Scudetto since 1990.

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee: Carmine Russo‬

Paloschi: No Juventus fear

Aug 27, 2014

Alberto Paloschi has brushed aside concerns over Chievo’s pre-season and asserts they are ready to face Juventus.

The Flying Donkeys will play host to the defending League champions on Saturday evening in Week 1’s opening fixture.

For Paloschi, it brings back memories of a disallowed goal against the Bianconeri last season.

“I remember it well, but I have put it behind me. The thing that matters most, mindful of what happened last season, is a good start,” last season’s top scorer for Chievo has considered this week.

“Juventus are champions, but we are ready to face them. We want to have a good game, playing as we do.”

Pre-season has seen concerns raised over the Mussi Volanti’s level of performance.

“In pre-season we struggled, we could not express ourselves as best we could because of the amount of work we had done and as a result there were some lacklustre performances.

“But now we are improving, we have found more brightness as the weeks have gone by.”

Chievo are seen as likely to move between three different formations this season - 4-3-1-2, 4-3-3 and 3-5-2, with one of those likely to place Paloschi out wide.

“If we are playing with three strikers, I could adapt to play on the outside of a trident.

“I did that three times last year and scored six goals. I prefer to act from the centre, but I have no problem in changing.”

Strike partner Sergio Pellissier could be on the verge of leaving the club.

“Sergio is a point of reference, he has always been close to everyone, in times of trouble. Maybe in the future I can become a leader like him, but I still have much to prove.”

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

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Champions League draw set

Aug 27, 2014

Juventus are second seeds in tomorrow's Champions League draw, but Roma are pushed down to fourth.

This evening’s results set the scene for the draw and unfortunately Napoli will not be a part of it, as they lost the play-off 4-2 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao.

It leaves only two Italian sides in the group phase and is the fourth time in five years that a Serie A representative has gone out in the preliminary round.

Steaua Bucharest and Ludogorets went to extra time, but the Bulgarians thanked a heroic performance from Cosmin Moti to qualify.

With their goalkeeper sent off, centre-back Moti went in goal for the penalty shoot-out and incredibly saved two spot-kicks.


Pot 1

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Porto


Pot 2

Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, JUVENTUS, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit, Manchester City


Pot 3

Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray, Athletic Bilbao


Pot 4

Anderlecht, ROMA, Ludogorets, APOEL, BATE Borisov, Maribor, Monaco, Malmo

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Juve & Roma await Champions draw

Aug 28, 2014

Juventus and Roma will today learn their opponents for the Group stage of the 2014-15 Champions League.

Today’s draw in Monaco, set to begin at 4.45pm UK time, will pair the 32 qualified clubs together into eight groups of four teams.

Determined by coefficient rankings, clubs are separated into four seeding pots and each group will contain one team from each pot - teams cannot be drawn against others from the same pot, nor against teams from the same country.

Following Napoli’s Play-off round defeat to Athletic Bilbao over two legs, Italy has two representatives in this afternoon’s draw - Juventus and Roma.

Juve, who were eliminated at the Group stage of the competition last year before going on to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League, are placed in Pot 2.

Roma, who are making a return to the competition after three years away, are in Pot 4 and risk a tough draw today.


Champions League draw

Pot 1: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Porto

Pot 2: Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, JUVENTUS, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Zenit, Manchester City

Pot 3: Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, CSKA Moscow, Ajax, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray, Athletic Bilbao

Pot 4: Anderlecht, ROMA, Ludogorets, APOEL, BATE Borisov, Maribor, Monaco, Malmo

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Pirlo out for a month

Aug 28, 2014

Juventus have confirmed that tests carried out on Andrea Pirlo have ruled him out of action for up to 30 days.

The midfielder was seen as a doubt for this weekend’s season opener at Chievo having picked up a knock during last weekend’s Trofeo TIM.

Again absent from training this morning, the Bianconeri have now confirmed the full extent to the player’s issue, revealed in tests.

Confirming the news in a statement, Juve report that as the result of a blow to the hip suffered during the Trofeo TIM, the 35-year-old underwent an MRI that highlighted a strain in his rectus femoris - thigh muscle - that will require 30 days for ‘complete functional recovery’.

The player will enter into a specific rehabilitation training programme and also be subject to follow-up tests on the injury in 15 days’ time.

It rules Pirlo out of potentially Juventus’ first five Serie A fixtures, at least the first matchday in the Champions League group stage and also contention for Italy’s first squad under Antonio Conte, to be announced this weekend.

The injury heightens Max Allegri’s selection issues ahead of his competitive debut on the Juve bench, as he is already without Alvaro Morata, Arturo Vidal, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini for Week 1.

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

Juve-Atletico Madrid-

Olympiakos-Malmö

Aug 28, 2014

Juventus will face Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and Malmo while Roma enter the Group of Death with Bayern Munich, Manchester City and CSKA in the Champions League.

The draw for the tournament was held this evening at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Max Allegri’s Bianconeri face last season’s beaten Finalists and Liga victors Atletico Madrid, who are coached by ex-Inter and Lazio star Diego Simeone.

They also take on Champions of Greece Olympiacos and Swedes Malmo.

Roma enter the undoubted Group of Death with Bayern Munich (including Mehdi Benatia), Manchester City and CSKA Moscow.

Ciro Immobile’s Borussia Dortmund are in Group D with Arsenal and Cesare Prandelli’s Galatasaray.

Mario Balotelli’s Liverpool have a tough Group B with Real Madrid, Basel and Bulgarian fairytale team Ludogorets.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and Italian teammates Marco Verratti, Salvatore Sirigu and Thiago Motta – will be in action at the Camp Nou, as PSG are in with Barcelona, Ajax and Cyprus side APOEL.

The group phase begins on September 16-17 and terminates on December 9-10.

There were only two Serie A sides involved, as Napoli lost their play-off 4-2 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao.

Juve were second seeds, while Roma’s absence from top European competition since 2010-11 saw them relegated to the fourth pot.

Group A

Atletico Madrid (ESP)

JUVENTUS (ITA)

Olympiacos (GRE)

Malmo (SWE)



Group B

Real Madrid (ESP)

Basel (SWI)

Liverpool (ENG)

Ludogorets (BUL)



Group C

Benfica (POR)

Zenit (RUS)

Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

Monaco (FRA)



Group D

Arsenal (ENG)

Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Galatasaray (TUR)

Anderlecht (BEL)



Group E

Bayern Munich (GER)

Manchester City (ENG)

CSKA Moscow (RUS)

ROMA (ITA)



Group F

Barcelona (ESP)

PSG (FRA)

Ajax (NED)

APOEL (CYP)



Group G

Chelsea (ENG)

Schalke (GER)

Sporting Lisbon (POR)

Maribor (SLO)



Group H

Porto (POR)

Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

Athletic Bilbao (ESP)

BATE Borisov (BLR)

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Champions League: Juventus fixtures

Aug 28, 2014

Juventus play their first Champions League game at home against Malmo and end the group with Atletico Madrid in Turin.

The Bianconeri were drawn in Group A along with Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos and Malmo.

Matchday 1
Sep 16

Olympiacos-Atletico Madrid

Juventus-Malmo

Matchday 2
Oct 1

Malmo-Olympiacos

Atletico Madrid-Juventus

Matchday 3
Oct 22

Atletico Madrid-Malmo

Olympiacos-Juventus

Matchday 4
Nov 4

Malmo-Atletico Madrid

Juventus-Olympiacos

Matchday 5
Nov 26

Atletico Madrid-Olympiacos

Malmo-Juventus

Matchday 6
Dec 9

Olympiacos-Malmo

Juventus-Atletico Madrid

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Atletico braced for 'difficult'
Champions League clashes with Juventus

The champions of Spain finished as runners-up last season but they are taking
nothing for granted this time around, having been placed in the same pool as the Bianconeri.

Aug 29, 2014

Jose Luis Caminero has conceded that Atletico Madrid face a difficult task in trying to beat Juventus to top spot in Champions League Group A.

The Rojiblancos reached the final of last season's competition, only losing out after extra-time to city rivals Real.

However, Caminero is taking nothing for granted after Atletico were drawn in the same pool as Juve, Olympiakos and Malmo.

"All of them are the reigning champions of their respective leagues," Atletico's sporting director pointed out.

"They have great players and I’m sure they will make it difficult for us to get through to the knockout stage.

“Juventus have won the Scudetto for the past three seasons and broke the league’s points record last year. They are one of the historic clubs in this competition and they are used to gaining success.

"They have top players such as Pirlo, Buffon, Pogba, Vidal, Llorente and Tevez ... Both games are going to be difficult."

[Socrates 7963]

How Juventus will line up in 2014-15

Massimiliano Allegri has taken over in Turin, while Pippo Inzaghi is the new man in charge
at San Siro, resulting in great tactical intrigue in Italy ahead of the 2014-15 campaign.

Aug 29, 2014

By Mark Doyle

It has been a turbulent summer for calcio. The national team suffered an embarrassing first-round elimination at Brazil 2014, while the election of Carlo Tavecchio as the new president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) made headlines for all the wrong reasons and felt more like a step backward than forward.

The hope now is that Serie A can give the country's disillusioned football fans something to cheer about and the good news, at least, is that this season's title race looks set to be one of the more intriguing in recent seasons.

As defending champions, Juventus will obviously start as favourites but the shock resignation of Antonio Conte as coach has cast some doubt on their chances of a fourth successive Scudetto, particularly as Roma have once again strengthened impressively during the summer.

Despite Aurelio De Laurentiis tightening the purse strings at the San Paolo, Coppa Italia holders Napoli could sustain a Scudetto challenge this time around, particularly as they no longer have the Champions League to contend with, while Vincenzo Montella's wonderfully free-flowing Fiorentina side have been in encouragingly fine form in pre-season.

Inter, meanwhile, should be stronger in Walter Mazzarri's second season at the helm and city rivals AC Milan are hoping that former San Siro favourite, Pippo Inzaghi, can restore some long-lost pride to the Rossoneri shirt.

Here, Goal takes a look at Juve will line up as the 2014-15 Serie season prepares to kick off this weekend.


JUVENTUS

There was always a chance of a high-profile departure at Juventus this summer - but nobody thought that Conte would be the one to leave. The former Bianconeri midfielder's sudden resignation as coach in July left the club's supporters in a state of shock. Their disbelief then turned to outrage when Juve opted to replace the man that had led them to three successive Serie A titles with Massimiliano Allegri, who had been sacked by rivals Milan midway through last season.

However, their rage has been tempered by the club's success in holding onto Arturo Vidal, who looked set to depart for Manchester United. There's also the fact that the change of coach could most likely result in an arguably overdue change of formation, with Allegri poised to ditch Conte's tried-and-trusted 3-5-2, which, while successful in Serie A, has shown itself to be too easy to play against in Europe.

Juve now look set to switch to a flat back four, with Patrice Evra slotting in on the left-hand side following his free transfer from Manchester United. Roberto Pereyra, who has arrived from Udinese, will challenge Claudio Marchisio for the attacking midfield role in front of the regular trio of Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba, with Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez set to renew their prolific partnership up front.

However, the €20 million signing of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, coupled with Simone Pepe's return to full fitness, gives Juve the option of playing three up top this season, underlining that while there is much uncertainty surrounding the Old Lady this season, there's also no end of unpredictability, which may not be a bad thing.

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Juventus are Scudetto favourites, says Conte

Azzurri-coach feels his former team are sitting in pole position to win
the title again, but has stressed that they will face stiff competition.

Aug 29, 2014

Italy coach Antonio Conte believes that Juventus are the team to beat in the race for the Serie A title this term, but stresses that Roma, Napoli and Inter are all genuine contenders.

Conte guided Juventus to three consecutive Scudetti before stepping down this summer and a lot of pundits feel they are significantly weaker heading into the new campaign under new boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Conte, though, has little doubt that the titleholders can be progress even further under the new coach.

"Juventus are definitely stronger than last season and have moved forward again. If they don't lose any players in the closing stages of the window, they have strengthened their team well," Conte told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"Their key players have stayed put and some good players have come in like Roberto Pereyra, Romulo and Alvaro Morata, and not to forget the experience of Patrice Evra.

"Roma have done a great job at the transfer market as well and they come off the back of an important season. I think Rudi Garcia has a number of solutions and options now.

"And then there's Napoli of course, who will have to overcome the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League.

"Inter should not be ruled out either. They have strengthened in all areas and have decisive players all over the pitch. They could spring a surprise in the race for the title."

Juventus kick off the new Serie A season on Saturday with an away game versus Chievo.

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CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

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Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee: Carmine Russo

Allegri: Juventus ready to defend Scudetto

The coach has been handed a championship-winning side following Antonio Conte's
resignation and he hopes to begin with a victory against Chievo this weekend.

Aug 29, 2014

New Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri says he and his team are ready and raring to go ahead of the start of their Scudetto defence on Saturday.
Juve get their season under way at Chievo, who crashed out of the Coppa Italia at the hands of Serie B side Pescara last week, but Allegri has warned his players to expect a tough encounter.

“We're ready to go and will play with great concentration and attention," he told reporters. "It's not an easy one because Chievo have many new faces.

"They will look to bounce back from their Coppa Italia elimination and cause us problems.

"It's a tricky encounter at a ground where getting a result is never easy. We need to be on our game for 95 minutes."

Allegri succeeded Antonio Conte, who has since assumed the reins of the Italian national team, and says he found Juventus in good order upon his arrival and insists Serie A is not a two-horse race between his team and Roma.

"I've come into an environment with rules, discipline and a strong work ethic," he continued. "I'm very happy about that.

"Juve and Roma aren't the only contenders - Inter, Napoli, Fiorentina, AC Milan and Lazio will also be in the chasing pack."

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee: Carmine Russo

Chievo-Juventus Preview:
Bianconeri begin new era under Allegri

The Turin outfit are bidding for a fourth successive Scudetto - but they must
do so without Antonio Conte, who surprisingly stepped down during the summer.

Aug 29, 2014

Juventus kick off the defence of their Serie A title when they travel to Verona on Saturday to take on Chievo.

The Bianconeri won three consecutive Scudetti under the stewardship of Antonio Conte, including last season's success, which saw the Turin side amass 102 points and finish 17 points clear of second-placed Roma.

However, Juve were forced into a change of head coach when the former Italy international surprisingly announced his resignation last month - and he has since been named as Italy boss.

In his place comes a man who was out of work following the end of his four-year tenure at Milan in January, during which time he led the team to the Scudetto crown in 2011.

One of Allegri's main concerns will be helping his new charges match their domestic form in the Champions League this season and midfielder Paul Pogba is confident the club can do just that.

"I'm not saying we're favourites for the league," he told Sky Sport Italia. "But if we play with the same concentration and ruthlessness displayed over the last three years we can maintain our winning run.

"The Champions League is both a dream and target of ours. It's a competition that every player wants to win."

One of the biggest talking points since Allegri's appointment has centred on his relationship with Andrea Pirlo, after he allowed the veteran midfielder to leave San Siro and join Juve on a free transfer in 2011.

Any questions about Pirlo's selection are immaterial for Saturday's opening-day clash at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, however, as the 35-year-old has been ruled out for the next month with a hip injury.

Allegri has been busy adding to his squad throughout the transfer window, with full-back Patrice Evra, midfielder Roberto Pereyra and forward Alvaro Morata among those to have move to the Juventus Stadium - although the latter, who joined from Real Madrid, will have to wait to make his bow due to a knee injury.

There are also reports in Italy that a flu virus has affected Juve's camp, while the absence of Andrea Barzagli with an ankle issue and Giorgio Chiellini, who is suspended, has left Allegri short in defence.

While Juve have gone through somewhat of a transition, Chievo appear to have an element of stability with head coach Eugenio Corini having penned a new two-year deal in May.

After avoiding relegation by just four points last term, Chievo have looked to strengthen their squad.

Ruben Botta and Ezequiel Schelotto arrived on loan from Inter in the past week, while the likes of Edimar Fraga, Alessandro Gamberini and Valter Birsa have also joined.


Head to Head

Serie A ‎- Feb 16, 2014 - Juventus 3 - Chievo 1
Serie A ‎- Sep 25, 2013 - Chievo 1 - Juventus 2
Serie A ‎-‎ Feb 3, 2013 - Chievo 1 - 2 Juventus
Serie A ‎- Sep 22, 2012 - Juventus 2 - 0 Chievo
Serie A ‎- Mar 3, 2012 - Juventus 1 - 1 Chievo


Last Five Matches

CHIEVO
Aug 22, 2014 - Pescara 1 - 0 Chievo 0 - Coppa Italia
Aug 1, 2014 - Borussia Dortmund 1 - 0 Chievo - Friendly
May 18, 2014 - Chievo 2 - 1 FC Internazionale - Serie A
May 11, 2014 - Cagliari 0 - 1 Chievo - Serie A
May 4, 2014 - Chievo 0 - 1 Torino - Serie A


JUVENTUS
Aug 10, 2014 - A-League All Stars 2 - 3 Juventus - Friendly
Aug 6, 2014 - ISL All Stars 1 - 8 Juventus - Friendly
May 18, 2014 - Juventus 3 - 0 Cagliari - Serie A
May 11, 2014 - Roma 0 - 1 Juventus - Serie A
May 5, 2014 - Juventus 1 - 0 Atalanta - Serie A

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

Conte: Juve definitely improved

Aug 29, 2014

Antonio Conte sees an ‘improved’ Juventus this summer, as he reflects on how they and the likes of Roma, Napoli, Inter and Milan look for the new season.

Since leaving the Bianconeri and taking over as Italy Coach, the 45-year-old has been busy visiting clubs across the country to build relationships and to see first-hand what his options look like for the Azzurri.

On from visiting the likes of Milan and Inter this week, the former Juventus tactician has spoken at length about the upcoming Serie A season, and about who he sees as Italy's top clubs.

“Juventus have definitely improved from last year and are still the favourites,” mused Conte to the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

“Unless there are some big upheavals in the 11th hour, the squad has been improved. All of the senior starting players are still there, and they've added talent with Roberto Pereyra, Romulo and Alvaro Morata, not to mention the great experience brought by Patrice Evra.”

Conte sees Roma as close contenders, however, and praised the capital club for their efforts in the transfer market.

“Roma is coming off the back of an important season and has done very well in the market. I think that Rudi Garcia has been given several options.

“Then there is also Napoli, who will have to quickly get over the disappointment of their Champions League elimination.

“And keep an eye on Inter. The Nerazzurri have reinforced a lot of positions with good players, well-known and potentially decisive. Inter could really bother everyone in the title race.”

He also warned people not to write off Vincenzo Montella’s team.

“Pay attention to Fiorentina. The Viola play well, they have a great Coach and it looks like they'll be able to keep Juan Cuadrado. I think that they could be an important outsider this season.”

Lazio will also be among the teams challenging for European qualification, according to the Azzurri boss.

“I was at Formello, and I found a good atmosphere. Their squad looks good to me. Up front, Antonio Candreva, Miroslav Klose and Keita promise sparks, but there are also players of value in the middle, like Marco Parolo and Lucas Biglia among others. I think these will be seven teams playing for the positions that count.”

The seventh team discussed is Milan and, having met with new Coach Filippo Inzaghi at Milanello, Conte is holding off passing judgement until the transfer window had closed.

“I think Milan will still do something in the transfer market, so at the moment I'm suspending judgment.

“Obviously, if Fernando Torres comes then many perspectives would change. The Spaniard is devastating in open play and I think that he would be perfect for the kind of football that Inzaghi wants to implement.”

There were some words of encouragement for individuals, too. Conte went on record saying that he expected ‘explosive’ seasons from Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy and Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne, and offered support for Fiorentina's injured Giuseppe Rossi, who if fit will almost certainly form part of the coach's plans for the national team.

“I told him not to hurry his recovery,” revealed Conte about his conversations with Rossi.

“Because often when a player is less than perfect they end up doing damage elsewhere as well. If Pepito is in good shape, he'll be trouble for any opposing defence.”

Gigi Buffon was also singled out for mention. The Juventus and Italy captain isn't getting any younger, but the 36-year-old remains key to both sides, according to Conte.

“Gigi is still the strongest goalkeeper in the League. He and Handanovic are a cut above everyone.

“And Buffon still has the enthusiasm of a kid, and waits with the same eagerness for every call-up to the Azzurri, despite having won everything.

“It is people like that that I want with me in the national team.”

Conte still sees Serie A as one of Europe's top leagues, even if it can no longer compete with the financial clout of the continent's biggest clubs.

“Tactically we still lead. The organisation here is at the highest level. Maybe there is less intensity, but winning in Italy is always very difficult. And this season will be very balanced, and hard, as always.”

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Allegri: Chievo won't be easy

Aug 29, 2014

Massimiliano Allegri is looking for the best possible start to his Juventus reign, as they take on Chievo on Saturday evening.

The new Coach takes charge of the Bianconeri for the first time in the League tomorrow as his side goes to Verona to take on the Flying Donkeys.

And the tactician, who admits that it won’t be easy, is hoping to start their title defence with three points.

“We’re ready to go and will play with great concentration and attention,” he told a Press conference today.

“It's not an easy one because Chievo have many new faces.

“Chievo will look to bounce back from their Coppa Italia elimination and cause us problems tomorrow night, I’m sure of that.

“It's a tricky encounter at a ground where getting a result is never easy. We need to be on our game for 95 minutes.

“But I’ve come into an environment with rules, discipline and a strong work ethic. I’m very happy about that.”

Allegri’s men are favourites for the title along with Roma, but the Coach has insisted that there will be a big chasing pack this term.

“Juve and Roma aren't the only contenders. Inter, Napoli, Fiorentina, Milan and Lazio will also be in the mix.”

The former Milan man will be without Andrea Pirlo because of injury, but will be able to call upon Arturo Vidal.

“We trained well today and we’ll look to get off to a good start tomorrow night.

“Marchiso will take Pirlo’s place in front of the defence.

“Vidal’s trained well this week, his knee’s in good condition and he will start tomorrow night.

“We still need to work out how we're going to line up in defence because Chievo have various different options in attack, but that’s something I’ve already thought about.

“We'll take a 22-man squad to Verona. Giovinco, Llorente and Padoin will all travel.”

Finally, the Coach commented on their Champions League group, which includes Atletico Madrid, Olimpiakos and Malmo.

“Group A features four reigning champions. It’s not an easy draw and more finely poised than it may look.”

Allegri has also named his squad that will travel to Verona:


Juventus squad: Buffon, Romulo, Caceres, Ogbonna, Pogba, Pepe, Marchisio, Tevez, Coman, Giovinco, Llorente, Bonucci, Padoin, Asamoah, Vidal, Lichtsteiner, Storari, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra, Mattiello, Marrone.

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Corini: Juve are extraordinary

Aug 29, 2014

Chievo boss Eugenio Corini has admitted that his side are up against ‘an extraordinary opponent’ when they host Juventus tomorrow.

The Flying Donkeys get their campaign off to the toughest possible start on Saturday afternoon when they play the current champions.

And despite the obvious differences in class, the Coach has insisted that his men will play to win.

“We face an extraordinary opponent,” he told a Press conference. “Who last year ran away with the League despite having to fend off a team as strong as Roma.

“They have a new Coach, but the structure of their team is the same – and they’ve got even stronger with the likes of Evra, Morata and Romulo coming in.

“My feeling is that Juventus will play with a back four, but we’ll be ready for whatever formation they put out.

“We won’t change the way we approach the match. The club have done a great job recruiting players over the summer, but now we have to prove what a good team we are.

“If we have the full support of the fans, then I think we could cause an upset.”

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Chievo V Juventus – Preview:
Allegri At The Ready

Aug 29, 2014

On Saturday, Juventus travel to Verona to meet Chievo at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegod for the start of the 2014/15 Serie A season.

All eyes will be on this match, not only as the first game of the Italian league, but also as the first in Serie A for Juventus under new coach, Massimiliano Allegri.

Allergri and his position at Juventus have been under heavy scrutiny since his taking charge of i bianconeri from Antonio Conte, who was recently appointed to the Italian National Team.

With the current title defenders now under Allegri’s helm, many will judge his team’s first performance against Chievo as the standard to be expected for the rest of the season.

In other words, there is no rest for the wicked; the defending Scudetto winners will have to start this season in top form. There is already massive pressure placed on Allegri to re-create Juventus’ previous season under Conte – which ended in 33 wins, three draws, and only two losses for a total of 102 points – and the first match has not yet been played.

However, do not let the Juventus storyline overshadow the match; Chievo will also be out there looking for the win, as well as a chance to prove themselves.

The Flying Donkeys ended last season in serious risk of relegation to Serie B – finishing just four points and two places shy of the drop zone – with a record of 10 win, six draws, 22 losses, amassing to just 36 total points. They will no doubt take advantage of Juventus’ current transitional structure to secure three points at home. However, the task will not be a frolic in the field for Chievo.

Juventus beat Chievo both meetings last season: a 3-1 thrashing in Torino and a heartbreaking 2-1 in Verona, where the winning Bianconeri goal came late in match from Chievo’s Alessandro Bernardini.

In fact, Chievo has only beaten Juventus once in Serie A, by a single goal during the 2009/10 season. But that could all change this weekend.

Along with the added extra pressure that will accompany Allegri, Juventus is also ridden by absentees in their roster; most notable is the sidelining of Andrea Pirlo, who is expected to be out for a month while recovering from a pulled tendon in his rectus femori.

Also out for the match are Andrea Barzagli (ankle injury) and Giorgio Chiellin (suspension). Additionally, there have been reports of the flu affecting Sebastian Giovinco, Fernando Llorente, Roberto Pereyra, as well as Allegri himself.


Expected Starting XIs

Chievo - Bardi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Cesar, Frey, Hetemaj, Radovanovic, Birsa, Lazarevic, Lopez, Pellissier

Juventus - Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Evra, Pogba, Asamoah, Marchisio, Vidal, Tevez, Llorente

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Juventus vs. Chievo Preview:
Round 1 — Let the games begin

Aug 29, 2014

Step aside, transfer window. Your job is done — for now, at least.

Okay, maybe not totally done in some cases. There's still a few days for rumors and all the insane stuff that comes with the final days of the summer transfer window being open. But in less than 24 hours, Juventus will begin their season — the third straight year with the objective of "Let's defend our gosh darn Scudetto" pounded into their head by their manager.

Of course, that manager is different from the guy we all thought would be losing his damn mind on the Juventus sideline this time six weeks ago when the club started preseason training. No more Antonio Conte for us as he's off on his new adventure with the Italian national team. That means we have to say hello to Max Allegri and all the expected mockery from folks that comes along with it.

While the preseason gave us a glimpse at what Allegri is trying to do, Saturday night's season opener against Chievo in Verona will be his first official match in charge of Juventus. It equals more pressure, more eyeballs on what his team succeeds or fails at, the latest chance for him to ditch the reputation that his teams start the season incredibly slow.

Even with the injuries and everything going on personnel-wise right now, this is still the same squad that has won three straight Serie A titles. The core is still there. Arturo Vidal hasn't flown off to Manchester like so many people thought would happen this summer. There's still Paul Pogba, Gigi Buffon and the rest of the players we scream at for good reasons and bad yet can't help but watch every week from August to May.

Juventus are the champions for a reason. And just because there's a new man writing the lineup and screaming his head off on the sidelines, the objectives haven't suddenly changed.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
Allegri: “We’re ready to go and will play with great concentration and attention. It's not an easy one because Chievo have many new faces."

It all starts Saturday night in Verona. Round 1 of 38 is just about upon us, folks.


GOOD NEWS

Don't know if you've noticed, but the long summer of waiting is over. There's less than 24 hours before Juventus start their season. I'll just repeat: Juventus, season opener, pretty good times.


BAD NEWS

Andrea Barzagli injured. Álvaro Morata injured. Andrea Pirlo injured. Giorgio Chiellini suspended. A few others battling the flu. Not exactly how you want to go into your season opener, now is it? But that's just the obstacles Allegri will be looking to overcome Saturday night in Verona. And luckily for him, Juve have some pretty solid options for him to turn to.


WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. What formation Max Allegri goes with.

Juventus' new manager has shown no fear in shaking up the tactics this preseason. But at the same time, he may have been giving us a hint in regard to what formation he's going with for Juve's season opener. Here's the thing: Look at how often Allegri used a 3-5-2 at the beginning of the preseason compared to when Juve took the field in the Trofeo TIM last weekend against Milan and Sassuolo. If the 3-5-2 was in the mind of Allegri when he first took over for Conte, it might not be there as much a month later. That means some kind of formation with a four-man defense is a realistic possibility. What the attack looks like is a totally different matter.

2. The health of Juventus' strikers.

I'm not a doctor, but it seems as though it's flu season around Vinovo these days. Allegri has dealt with the flu over the course of the last week. So have Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco. While both Llorente and Giovinco have been called up by Allegri for tomorrow's season opener, many folks in Italy are thinking they won't start at the very least. We know Carlos Tévez will start because he's healthy and raring to go. Who will be starting with him in attack is still a mystery to us all. Allegri playing Tévez at the top of a Christmas Tree formation seems like a distinct possibility because of the health — or lack there of — when it comes to Juve's other strikers. THat might mean Roberto Pereyra and Kingsley Coman get a start alongside or behind Carlitos, which is a rather unexpected development from what the usual starting attack will probably look like when every is healthy.

3. How many minutes Arturo Vidal plays.

Max Allegri wasn't keeping any secrets at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
Allegri: “Vidal’s trained well this week, his knee’s in good condition and he will start tomorrow night."

Mystery over. Who needs to enter Saturday's game wondering about Vidal's status when Allegri cleared everything up for us a little over 24 hours before kickoff. The result of Allegri's words is that Vidal and his surgically-repaired knee are all good to go. However, how match fit Vidal may actually be remains to be seen. His lone appearance this preseason, last Saturday against Milan in the Trofeo TIM, was only 45 minutes. That's it for match time for Vidal since coming back from his post-World Cup vacation. Do I expect him to play 90 minutes? Nah, not really. Do I expect him to be Arturo Vidal, Juventus' resident badass? Oh, absolutely.

4. How does the defense looks without Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli?

If you were produce a list of things that haven't looked all that great during Juventus' preseason friendlies, the way their defense has looked for a good chunk of the time hasn't been anything close to convincing. There have been mistakes, and a lot of them. You could chalk it up to being the middle of August and just a month into preseason training. Or, you could stress out about it because it's not exactly setting a good trend for the upcoming season. Three-man or four-man defense it doesn't really matter, Juve will miss Chiellini because he's damn good at his job.

5. Claudio Marchisio the regista.

With Andrea Pirlo being ruled out for the next month with a bruised hip, Marchisio is the man who will be filling the bearded maestro's shoes. In a small yet not too small sample size last season, Marchisio playing as a deep-lying midfielder went rather well. He obviously brings better defensive characteristics to the table than Pirlo, and the reigsta position allows him to do his thing while Vidal and Paul Pogba give opposing teams absolute nightmares. That's how I like to envision it, at least. Marchisio the regista is not a bad thing because he's such a talented player. He's shown he can handle it in the past, so I have no doubts about him this time around.

The M-V-P midfield is back. Just with a slight tweak to the original version, that's all.


My starting XI (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Asamoah; Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba; Pereyra, Coman; Tévez

OFFICIAL KICKOFF TIME: 6 P.M. IN ITALY; HIGH NOON ON THE EAST COAST; 9 A.M. ON THE WEST COAST

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Chievo V Juventus – Team News,
Tactics, Line-Ups And Prediction

Aug 29, 2014

The new season in Italy kicks off on Saturday as champions Juventus travel to Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi to take on Chievo in the first game of the season. It also marks the beginning of a new era under Massimiliano Allegri who replaced head coach Antonio Conte this summer. Allegri is traditionally a slow starter but he knows any slipup here will increase the pressure on him as some sections of Juventus fans have not accepted him whole-heartedly.

Chievo meanwhile face a pretty tough season as the squad lacks any significant quality plus they have already started their campaign in the worst possible fashion by getting knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Pescara. The moral of the side is down and Eugenio Corini knows the magnitude of the task ahead of him as he prepares his beleaguered side for the visit of the champions.


Team news and tactical brief

Chievo

Chievo had a busy summer as 15 new faces joined Eugenio Corini’s side although they lost three of their first team players from last season as Cyril Thereau, Boukary Drame and Luca Rigoni all left. The main arrivals include Francesco Bardi (on loan from Inter) who will start this game as their new goalkeeper. The center back pair of Dario Dainelli and Alessandro Gamberini are reunited after their five year spell together at Fiorentina. They should not take much time to forge an understanding but will be in for a tough evening .Cristiano Biraghi and Nicolas Frey will find themselves in the fullback positions.

Ex-Captain Luga Rigoni might have left the club but his position as the holding midfielder will be taken up by Mariano Izco who joined from Catania.The bulk of the work in midfield is expected to be done by Perparim Hetemaj and Dejan Lazarevic. The duty to create scoring chances for the strikers will be the primary job of new signing Valter Birsa who joined on loan from Milan. The Slovenian showed promise in the early stages of his career but has stagnated. He will be hoping his new club can provide the atmosphere in which he can reignite his career. Chievo are one of the favorites to go down this season but much depends on how strike pair of Maxi Lopez and Alberto Paloschi performs together. On paper, this duo guarantees goals but they must deliver on the pitch to make this count. New signings Ruben Botta and Ezequiel Schelotto might come on as subs in the second half.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-1-2): Bardi; Biraghi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Frey; Izco, Hetemaj, Lazarevic; Birsa; Lopez, Paloschi

Juventus

Massimiliano Allegri generally favors a 4-3 system with a four man backline and a flat three midfield. He is still not sure as to how he will lineup the front three but early indications suggest that he will start with a 4-3-2-1 module at the beginning of the season. Gianluigi Buffon will start in goal with Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna taking up the center back positions. The pair have looked shaky in pre-season games and it will be a major weak point this Saturday evening for Chievo to exploit. Giorgio Chiellini is suspended while Andrea Barzagli is recovering from a surgery. New signing Patrice Evra will be on the left while Stephan Lichtsteiner will be the man patrolling the other flank.

Andrea Pirlo took a heavy knock on his knees and is likely to be out for 10 days so he will miss the season opener. Claudio Marchisio is expected to deputize for him in the regista position like last season where he performed admirably when he was asked to do so. Paul Pogba and Kwado Asamoah will be the other two midfielders and they will look to dominate an average looking Chievo midfield. Arturo Vidal is expected to feature a bit higher up the pitch this season and the experiment will begin this Saturday with the Chilean taking up a position in the hole behind the frontman. Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco are both recovering from flu and chances are Max Allegri will give debut to new signing Kingsley Coman alongside Vidal. Carlos Tevez will lead the line for Juventus and will be looking to hit the ground running against an ageing Chievo defence.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-2-1): Buffon(GK); Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Evra; Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Vidal, Coman; Tevez


Players to Watch Out For

Carlos Tevez (Juventus)

It was tough for the Argentine fans to watch Gonzalo Higuan and Rodrigo Palacio squandering gilt-edged chances in the World Cup final. Imagine the frustration of Carlos Tevez during those moments. The man who was comfortably ahead of both the above mentioned players in performance terms last season spent a frustrating summer watching his country agonizingly lose the World Cup final against Germany. He should be hungry and raring to go this season and has already shown sharpness in the pre-season friendlies. Plus he is expected to cover every inch of grass on the field, hassle and harry the opposition to create chances for his teammates. He is expected to get on the score-sheet tomorrow.

Maxi Lopez (Chievo)

Having endured probably the worst year in his life both on and off the pitch, Maxi Lopez will be hoping to start afresh in his new club this season. The turmoil in his personal life affected his performances on the pitch last season but he is looking to get back to his scoring best with the Flying Donkeys. His records suggest that he is a safe option upfront but the significant lack of quality in the roster means Lopez will have to work hard to create his own chances. He should be a threat tomorrow having scored a brace for Milan in a Coppa Italia game last time he faced Juventus.


Prediction

Chievo 1–1 Juventus

Max Allegri is a notoriously slow starter and that is expected to continue with his new club as well. Chievo will sit back to invite pressure from Juventus and it remains to be seen whether the Bianconeri have what it takes to break their organization. A draw is expected here.


Blast From the Past

Juventus secured a 2-1 win last season at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, a game which was marred with controversy as Alberto Paloschi’s legitimate goal was incorrectly disallowed.

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

[Socrates 7963]

Ancelotti: Juventus still Scudetto top dogs

The Real Madrid coach believes the champions are stronger than their rivals,
but suggests that Rudi Garcia's men will make it difficult for the Turin-based outfit.

Aug 30, 2014

Carlo Ancelotti believes that Juventus remain Serie A's top dogs this season, with Roma currently running in second place.

Juve have dominated the Italian league in recent years after winning three consecutive Scudetti under the guidance of former coach Antonio Conte, who resigned in the summer with Massimiliano Allegri replacing him.

The reigning champions have signed 21-year-old striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a bid to strengthen their squad, while holding on to star midfielders Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba.

Ancelotti thinks that it will be difficult for any club to realistically trump Juve in Serie A this season, despite praising the quality of 2013-14's runners up under the stewardship of Rudi Garcia.

“Juventus continue to be in front of everyone else: they are the favourites for the Scudetto,” the Italian, who currently coaches Real Madrid, told Tuttosport.

“Evra is a player of the highest level. Morata will surely do well in Italy. And in general, they bought players to increase their quality.

“Roma are also strong, despite the sale of Mehdi Benatia. Then I see so many unknowns: AC Milan have changed almost everything"

When asked about Roma’s summer signings, Ancelotti added: “[Juan Manuel] Iturbe is good, but also [Kostas] Manolas, who took the central place of Benatia, is strong. And then they also signed Ashley Cole, who remains excellent.”

Ancelotti’s former side, Milan, will have to make do without the goals of Mario Balotelli this season after selling the Italy striker to Liverpool last week.

Despite the transfer, and the arrival of coach Filippo Inzaghi at the San Siro outfit, Ancelotti is adamant that Milan may be able to push for the title this season alongside his surprise package, Fiorentina.

“Fiorentina have kept their frame and have improved. Last year, they experienced a great season despite major injuries,” Ancelotti said. “But, I hope that Milan will also surprise this season.”

[Socrates 7963]

Vialli: Too many foreigners in Serie A

The former Juventus and Chelsea man believes the increased number
of non-homegrown players is limiting the chances of Italians breaking through.

Aug 30, 2014

Former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli believes there are too many foreigners currently playing in Serie A.

The 50-year-old - who previously turned out for Juventus and Chelsea - believes that the increased number of footballers being signed from abroad by Italian clubs is limiting the chances of homegrown players at top sides.

When Vialli was involved in the Scudetto race, only three foreign players were allowed per team and the ex-attacker wants to revert to the format where Italians are prioritised.

Vialli told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport: "Within the rules anyone can work as they want, with the utmost respect for Udinese who have created a healthy and sustainable model by getting players from all over the world.

"But I'd definitely return to the football of the 1980s. You can do it by choice, even if regulations don't demand it. It's better to have three foreigners because you can find space for Italians.

"There are also the Champions League rules, where you need a number of ‘natives’ and some who come through the academy."

Vialli also admitted that he believes Antonio Conte’s departure from Juventus, who have dominated the Italian league recently with three consecutive Serie A wins, has weakened their chance of successfully defending the Scudetto this term.

"Conte's Juve was a single block composed of the coach, the team and fans," Vialli said. "Now that a piece is gone, we'll see if Massimiliano Allegri will be able to recreate that symbiosis.

"In any case, the other teams believe they can now compete, and this is important."

When then asked about Roma’s chances of breaking Juve’s recent hold over the Scudetto, he added: "The way Rudi Garcia makes Roma play, I like very much.

"Then Fiorentina, which I think have reinforced, and Inter, whose transfer dealings have convinced me.

"With AC Milan, I see a new beginning. Filippo Inzaghi will exploit the team by giving his enthusiasm."

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona
Referee:‬ Carmine Russo

Line-ups: Chievo-Juventus

Aug 30, 2014

Juventus begin the defence of their Serie A title away to Chievo with Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman.

The 2014-15 campaign kicks off at the Stadio Bentegodi in Verona at 18.00 (CET).

It’s a new era for the Bianconeri, who won the last three Scudetti with Antonio Conte at the helm and are now in the hands of Massimiliano Allegri.

The ex-Milan Coach is forced to do without several top stars in this debut match, as Andrea Pirlo, Alvaro Morata and Andrea Barzagli are all out injured.

Giorgio Chiellini also continues his three-match ban for elbowing Miralem Pjanic in last season’s Roma game.

Allegri therefore gives the midfield nod to Coman, the 18-year-old who signed this summer on a free transfer from PSG.

He is supporting Carlos Tevez, backed by Pogba, Claudio Marchisio and Vidal, who is rediscovering his fitness after the World Cup.

Angelo Ogbonna and Martin Caceres step into the back three. Fernando Llorente is one of those suffering from a flu epidemic in the Juve camp.

Chievo had a disastrous pre-season, crashing out of the Coppa Italia at the first hurdle and disappointing in their performances.

Hitman Sergio Pellissier is suspended, but Alberto Paloschi is surprisingly only on the bench, so Valter Birsa and Ezequiel Schelotto support ex-Sampdoria striker Maxi Lopez.

Coach Eugenio Corini can count on new signings Mariano Izco and goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, who is on loan from Inter, but give a surprise start in midfield to ex-Monaco and Nancy midfielder Thomas Mangani.


Chievo: Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Biraghi; Izco, Mangani, Hetemaj; Schelotto, Birsa; Maxi Lopez

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Coman; Tevez

http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111