Juventus Season 2014-2015

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA - JUVENTUS

-

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

HT 0-1: Juve have Chievo
truly rattled

Aug 30, 2014

Martin Caceres has given Juventus a 1-0 half-time lead over Chievo, but also rattled the woodwork three times.

The reigning champions had won three consecutive Scudetti, but Antonio Conte was gone to be replaced by Massimiliano Allegri. Andrea Pirlo, Alvaro Morata, Andrea Barzagli and the suspended Giorgio Chiellini missed out, while Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco had flu, so 18-year-old Kingsley Coman was thrown straight in for his Serie A debut. Chievo had Sergio Pellissier banned and surprisingly dropped Alberto Paloschi in favour of Ezequiel Schelotto.

Juve started strong with Carlos Tevez drilling wide after 32 seconds and took the lead on six minutes, as a corner was curled to the back post for Martin Caceres after Francesco Bardi misjudged the flight of the ball. It looked to take a deflection off Cristiano Biraghi, as it seemed almost impossible to score from such a tight angle. The Uruguayan got the first Serie A goal of 2014-15, his first since October 2012.

Arturo Vidal tried everything possible to score from close range, but at full stretch was eventually denied by a Bostjan Cesar goalline clearance. From that corner, the Chilean’s header cracked against the upright.

Schelotto wasted a Chievo counter, but the impressive Coman stung Bardi’s gloves with a fierce angled drive.

Juve hit the woodwork again before half-time with Tevez sliding in to meet a Stephan Lichtsteiner low cross, turning it against the bar. Moments later the crossbar was thumped for a third time by a looping Caceres header, so an entirely dominated first half only saw Juve lead 1-0.


Chievo 0-1 Juventus (Half-Time)

Scorers: Caceres 6' (J)

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

Ref: Russo

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Chievo 0-1 Juventus: Own goal
gives champions slim win

Massimiliano Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte as Biaconeri boss in the summer,
saw his side take all three points in their opening Serie A game of 2014-15.

Aug 30, 2014

Juventus opened their Scudetto defence by bagging a slender 1-0 win at Chievo on Saturday thanks to an own-goal from Cristiano Biraghi.

New coach Massimiliano Allegri saw his side deliver an ominous display that should have resulted in a wider margin of victory.

Biraghi deflected a header from Martin Caceres into his own net after seven minutes, but Juve were unlucky not to find the net again as Arturo Vidal struck a post and Carlos Tevez twice hit the crossbar.

Chile midfielder Vidal also saw an effort cleared off the line, although Chievo spurned a late chance to equalise when Maxi Lopez was denied by Gianluigi Buffon.

The intensity of Juventus' performance dipped in the second period, but Kingsley Coman twice went close on an encouraging debut.

Allegri was without the injured Andrea Pirlo, but his team almost got off to a dream start as Tevez dragged an effort wide in the first minute.

The reigning champions were quickly into their stride and took the lead when Tevez's deep corner was met by Caceres, who nodded home at the back post with the aid of a deflection off Biraghi.

Chievo, winless against Juventus since 2010, almost found a response when Lopez - making his debut - controlled in the area and turned before missing the target.

Key midfielder Vidal, the subject of much transfer speculation this summer, was a constant menace and twice went close to extending Juve's lead.

After his initial shot had been blocked on the line, Vidal saw a diving header cannon off the post and Juve hit the woodwork on two further occasions before the break.

Tevez's half-volley from Stephan Lichtsteiner's dangerous centre hit the crossbar and the Argentinian also struck the bar with a looping header.

The impressive Coman almost marked his bow with a fine goal early in the second half, curling an effort narrowly wide.

A beautiful cross from Vidal was headed over by the teenage Frenchman, with Juve continuing to appear in control.

Yet for all Juve's dominance, Lopez missed a golden chance for the hosts late on, Buffon making a sprawling save after the ball had fell kindly for Chievo's Argentine forward 12 yards out.

There were no further scares for the visitors, who handed a first appearance to Roberto Pereyra as a replacement for Vidal.

Chievo saw coach Eugenio Corini dismissed in stoppage time after he appeared to take a step onto the field to retrieve the ball for a throw-in.

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Juve 'only' win 1-0 at Chievo

Juventus dominated Chievo, but only won with an own goal, as they rattled
the woodwork three times and Kingsley Coman had a splendid debut.

Aug 30, 2014

The reigning champions had won three consecutive Scudetti, but Antonio Conte was gone to be replaced by Massimiliano Allegri. Andrea Pirlo, Alvaro Morata, Andrea Barzagli and the suspended Giorgio Chiellini missed out, while Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco had flu, so 18-year-old Kingsley Coman was thrown straight in for his Serie A debut. Chievo had Sergio Pellissier banned and surprisingly dropped Alberto Paloschi in favour of Ezequiel Schelotto.

Juve started strong with Carlos Tevez drilling wide after 32 seconds and took the lead on six minutes, as a corner was curled to the back post for Martin Caceres after Francesco Bardi misjudged the flight of the ball. It looked to take a deflection off Cristiano Biraghi, as it seemed almost impossible to score from such a tight angle. The Uruguayan got the first Serie A goal of 2014-15, his first since October 2012.

Arturo Vidal tried everything possible to score from close range, but at full stretch was eventually denied by a Bostjan Cesar goalline clearance. From that corner, the Chilean’s header cracked against the upright.

Schelotto wasted a Chievo counter, but the impressive Coman stung Bardi’s gloves with a fierce angled drive.

Juve hit the woodwork again before half-time with Tevez sliding in to meet a Stephan Lichtsteiner low cross, turning it against the bar. Moments later the crossbar was thumped for a third time by a looping Caceres header.

Coman almost marked his Serie A debut with a goal, his curler flashing inches wide, then he nodded a Vidal cross just over the bar.

There was more bad news for Chievo, as Ivan Radovanovic was stretchered off after an accidental blow to the head.

Fernando Llorente saw his looping header palmed off the line and from that corner a Caceres volley deflected over. The Spaniard also failed to tap in from six yards and Juve started to worry they’d pay for being this wasteful.

Maxi Lopez got on the end of a lucky ricochet on 76 minutes, forcing Gigi Buffon into a desperate reaction save from point-blank range. The Argentina could’ve done better had he not slipped on the dismal Bentegodi turf.

Tevez drilled wide from distance, adding to the slew of wasted opportunities.


Chievo: Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Biraghi; Izco, Mangani (Radovanovic 46) (Cofie 69), Hetemaj; Schelotto (Paloschi 46), Birsa; Maxi Lopez

Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal (Pereyra 86), Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Coman (Llorente 68); Tevez

Ref: Russo

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Chievo 0-1 Juventus: Old Lady
Get Off To Winning Start

Aug 30, 2014

Juventus beat Chievo 1-0 at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi in Verona in the opening match of the 2014/15 Serie A season.

An early own goal by Chievo defender Cristiano Biraghi was enough to separate the sides but it didn’t tell the full story as the away side completely dominated the game and should have won by more on Massimiliano Allegri’s debut on the Juventus bench.

Juventus could have opened the scoring in the first minute of the game when a Stephan Lichtsteiner cross found Carlos Tevez free in the box but he dragged his shot wide of Francesco Bardi in the Chievo goal.

Just five minutes later the away side did take the lead as a corner from Tevez found Martin Caceres, who rose high at the back post and headed the ball down and it seemed to go in off the back of Biraghi in to the Chievo goal.

Not long after continued pressure by the away side nearly resulted in a second as Arturo Vidal was denied by a clearance a yard out after his twice hit shot was scrambled away by the home defense.

Juevntus were completely dominant all over the pitch at this stage and went close to extending their lead once again on 34 minutes as new signing from Paris Saint-Germain, Kingsley Coman had a wicked shot brilliantly saved by Bardi, who denied the young Frenchman his first goal for the Old Lady.

Just before the half time whistle the Bianconeri had two great chances to increase their lead, as first Tevez struck the crossbar after been picked out by Lichtsteiner and then a corner was meet by Caceres but again his header hit the crossbar to the relief of Bardi.

Just after the break it was the debutante Coman who went very close to adding a second as he hit a superb 25-yard shot but it just flew wide of the Flying Donkeys goal.

Mid-way through the half the away side continued to control the game and a lovely move down the right between Lichtsteiner and Vidal saw the Chilean’s floated cross meet by the incoming Coman but his header drifted over the bar.

Moments later substitute Fernando Llorente had a header well saved by Bardi and from the resulting corner Caceres had a shot deflected over six yards out as the ball seemed destined to hit the back of the net.

It wasn’t until the 76 minute that the home side created their first chance of the game and what a chance it was as substitute Alberto Paloschi blocked shot fell into the path of Maxi Lopez but his shot was well smothered by Gianluigi Buffon in the Juventus goal.

No more clear cut chances were created and the Old Lady will go back to Turin happy with their winning start to the new campaign.

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Allegri: 'The kid Coman has class'

Aug 30, 2014

Max Allegri was “a bit worried” at wasteful Juventus finishing against Chievo, but hailed “the kid” Kingsley Coman.

The season opener was a 1-0 victory at the Bentegodi, but Juve rattled the woodwork three times, forced a goalline clearance and barely made their domination count.

“More than angry I was a bit worried, because after wasting so many chances we risked an equaliser with the only Chievo chance and Buffon made a great save,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“The team played well, though we need to improve our finishing. At this moment the team is working hard, it was important to win the opener ahead of the break for international duty.

“Today I thought of playing with the three-man defence because of Chievo’s characteristics, but also as over the last few days we haven’t trained much due to the flu epidemic.

“This system gives us guarantees, but we have worked well on the four-man defence and can adapt to each situation.”

It was a man of the match Serie A debut from 18-year-old Coman, who joined on a free transfer from PSG this summer.

“The kid Coman played like a veteran. He has great quality and character. He’s a young lad and we should let him grow, but he has real talent,” continued Allegri.

“When Vidal and Pogba participated in going forward and creating the play we did better. They should focus more on that and not just running into space.

“Marchisio played a good game and towards the end he did well to block a dangerous cross when Ogbonna had been left behind.”

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Player Ratings

Aug 30, 2014

CHIEVO

25 F. Bardi
The keeper was caught in no man's land for the only goal of the game but did make a good save from Coman later in the half.

21 N. Frey
Did well to stay on his feet and try to slow the Juve attacks as often as possible. Was good at forcing Asamoah to play it back rather than allow him to get to the byline.

34 C. Biraghi
Inadvertently diverted Caceres header into the back of his own net early on and struggled to deal with Lichtsteiner throughout a disappointing afternoon.

3 D. Dainelli
Failed to get tight enough to those he was marking, be it from set pieces or in open play. He struggled with the movement of Coman and Tevez.

12 B. Cesar
Did his best to try and keep Juve at bay with their attacks, including a brilliant goal-line clearance in the first half. At set plays he lacked organisation.

56 P. Hetemaj
Failed to make his mark on the game as Juventus dominated the midfield all afternoon. He offered no support to the forwards and passed poorly.

23 V. Birsa
The Slovenian looked bright on the ball but he did not see enough of it to create anything for Lopez or Paloschi.

13 M. Izco
Ran his socks off despite his side being completely outgunned in midfield. He did his best to make things difficult for Juve.

84 T. Mangani
Was booked in the first half for a clumsy challenge and continued to try and break up the play. However, he was not particularly successful.

24 E. Schelotto
The on-loan midfielder had a couple of chances in the first half but wasted them both and was hauled off at half time.

10 M. López
Had barely any service throughout the game but when a clear chance finally fell his way in the 77th minute he was unable to beat Buffon.

Substitutes

8 I. Radovanović
Brought on for Mangani at half time and failed to make an impact before being withdrawn through injury.

14 I. Cofie
Replaced Radovanovic in the 70th minute and did not influence the game.

43 A. Paloschi
Came on for Schelotto at half time and was lively at points, but did not receive enough supply to worry the Bianconeri defence.

JUVENTUS

1 G. Buffon
Chievo only managed to threaten on a couple of occasions and when they did he was equal to it. A great save from Lopez late on kept his side ahead.

19 L. Bonucci
The Italy international had a comfortable evening at the heart of the Bianconeri defence and did not put a foot wrong all afternoon.

4 M. Cáceres
The centre-back's header went into the net off Biraghi to open the scoring and he continued to pose a threat in the box, hitting the bar later in the game.

5 A. Ogbonna
Was not posed with an awful lot to do at the back, though at times he was beaten for pace and caught out of position.

26 S. Lichtsteiner
Always looked a threat on the right flank and provided a few deliveries, one of which Vidal turned onto the post. Was only caught out of position on one occasion.

6 P. Pogba
A typically powerful and dynamic performance from the Frenchman. He was assured in possession and created some good openings for his side.

8 C. Marchisio
Saw a lot of the ball and moved it about brilliantly, orchestrating the play from the middle of the park. He had one effort which was sliced wide in the first half.

23 A. Vidal
The Chilean was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet having seen one effort cleared off the line by Cesar and another come back off the post.

22 K. Asamoah
Hugged the left flank and constantly offered an attacking outlet for his team. He put some decent crosses in and defended well when needed.

11 K. COMAN
The teenage Frenchman had an impressive debut as he darted in and around Tevez, linking well with the Argentine and getting away decent shots on goal.

10 C. Tévez
The Argentine was alert immediately and got his first shot on goal within 30 seconds. He hit the bar late in the first half but could not find himself a goal.


Substitutes

14 Llorente - Brought on for Coman in the 68th minute and instantly looked a threat. He was lively in the box but was unable to find the net.

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Allegri: We must take our chances

The reigning Serie A champions passed up several opportunities to kill the game off
but had to scrape to a 1-0 win and the coach feels they must improve their finishing.

Aug 30, 2014

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri warned his side must improve their finishing after starting the season with a 1-0 win at Chievo.

The reigning champions began their title defence by continuing their winning streak in the league from last season with an eighth-straight win, but the margin of victory should have been greater.

Juve were well into their stride early on and went ahead after seven minutes when Martin Caceres headed a corner in via the unfortunate Cristiano Biraghi. Tevez struck the bar twice while Vidal saw an effort cleared off the line and were lucky not to surrender the lead when Maxi Lopez forced a sprawling save from Gianluigi Buffon.

Although Allegri was satisfied with Juve's performance in his first league game as coach, he warned that the goal return had to improve.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "More than angry I was a bit worried, because after wasting so many chances we risked an equaliser with the only Chievo chance and Buffon made a great save.

"The team played well, though we need to improve our finishing. At this moment the team is working hard, it was important to win the opener ahead of the international break."

Juve handed a debut to French midfielder Kingsley Coman after his close-season move from Paris Saint-Germain and he delivered an impressive performance that enthused Allegri.

"The kid Coman played like a veteran," he added. "He has great quality and character. He’s a young lad and we should let him grow, but he has real talent."

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Corini bemoans 'tactical issues'

Aug 30, 2014

Chievo Coach Eugenio Corini admits they need to “sort out some tactical issues” after a 1-0 defeat to Juventus.

The Flying Donkeys were fortunate it was only 1-0, as Juve hit the woodwork three times, but Gigi Buffon also needed a great save on Maxi Lopez.

“Juventus had an intensity that made it easier for them and played the way they usually have done over the past three years,” Corini told Sky Sport Italia.

“The Bianconeri are a squad with extraordinary quality. They kept the same system as last season and we suffered in the first half, but when I introduced an extra striker we did better.

“We were able to stick together and stay in the game, trying to score right to the end and had a great chance with Maxi Lopez.

“We need to sort out some tactical issues and our fitness levels must improve, as we’ve changed so much over the summer.”

Corini was sent off in stoppages for kicking the ball back to one of his players just before it had rolled out of play.

“I didn’t think I had gone over the line. I was just trying to speed things up.”

Ivan Radovanovic was stretchered off with an ice pack on his head after an accidental clash with teammate Dario Dainelli.

“The lad wanted to carry on, but after a few minutes he felt dizzy. He was conscious when he went off on the stretcher and we hope it isn’t too serious.”

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Initial reaction and random observations

There's a possibility a player who sports a mohawk will be discussed below.
Luckily for Juventus, there's a good amount of players on their team with mohawks.

Aug 30, 2014

The more things change, the more things have stayed the same.

Juventus dominated the possession, holding the ball for 74 percent of the time. (YES, SEVENTY-FOUR PERCENT.)

Juventus had 21 total shots. They scored one goal.

That goal was an own goal, by the way, just in case you forgot how Juve found the back of the net.

Stephan Lichtsteiner was screaming at the referees just minutes into the game. Welcome back, Serie A.

The 3-5-2 formation made an appearance despite a different man writing the starting lineup.
The thing that was different from one season to another? Well, the manager, with Saturday's season-opening 1-0 over Chievo win being Max Allegri's official debut as Juventus coach. But also the absolutely brilliant debut from 18-year-old Frenchman and summer signing Kingsley Coman, who got the start in part because Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco were still getting over being sick during the lead up to Saturday's game.

And what a debut it was.

Coman was everywhere in his first career start in black and white. Against the best competition — even though that team nearly got relegated last season — he has faced since coming to Turin this summer, he answered the call. And then some, quite frankly. His touch on the ball was fantastic, he added some much-needed creativity, and just everything he brought to the table was pretty much.

James Horncastle @JamesHorncastle
Coman's first touch, his ability to pull the ball out of the air, is really something else. Great personality on his debut

Kingsley Coman, man. I can get used to that kind of game.


Random thoughts and observations

As Juventus continued to clang the ball off the crossbar in the second half, I had a thought: Llorente is all but certain to be healthy when the international break is over, so where does Coman fit into the equation in Juventus' second game of the season? I mean, after the way he played against Chievo, he has to play from the start when Juve host Udinese in two weeks. Does that mean Allegri goes with a 4-3-1-2 with Coman playing behind Llorente and Carlos Tévez? I wouldn't be opposed to that kind of thing, to be honest...

Gigi Buffon wasn't busy at all. But considering Juventus couldn't finish in front of goal to save their respective lives against Chievo, how important was that point-blank range save on Maxi Lopez? That's why having the GOAT as your starting goalkeeper is such a beautiful thing.

Juventus just hit another two shots off the crossbar while I wrote the last two bullet points.

Lichtsteiner could have had three or four assists if Juve actually finished their chances. Then again, it's not like Juve not finishing their chances is all that surprising at this point.

I thought out loud in the match preview about how long Arturo Vidal would play. When it was all said and done, Vidal played all but about 10 minutes of Saturday's game. And you have to say, regardless of how truly fit he really is compared to before the knee injury, he looked pretty good.

Own goal or not, that header Martin Cáceres delivered from that angle was just ridiculous.

I like Claudio Marchisio as a regista more and more every time I see him play there. I know I sound like a broken record about it at this point, but it's true. He's just adapted to it so well.

Black letters and numbers on the back of Juventus' jerseys >>>>>>>> Yellow letters and numbers on the back of Juventus' jerseys. Well done by the club realizing such a terrible design flaw and fixing it ASAP.

Seriously, though, that should have been a 4-0 or 5-0 win. So many chances, so much bad finishing in front of goal. I think I know what the coaching staff will emphasize at training next week...

Kingsley Coman, man.

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Chievo 0-1 Juventus: Player Ratings

Aug 30, 2014

The opening match of the 2014/2015 Serie A season started with a lackluster 1-0 win for Juventus over Chievo.

The only goal was scored as an own goal by the Flying Donkeys, when Cristiano Biraghi accidentally netted one into his own net in the early moments of the game. Neither side would score again and Juventus walked away with three points from the away match at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi.

The starting match of the season did not look good for either Eugenio Corini or Massimiliano Allegri, who watched as both their sides played in an under performed and uninspiring season opener.


Chievo

Francesco Bardi – 7

It was an unlucky start for the goalkeeper on loan from Inter, who let in an own goal from Biraghi in the opening minutes of the match. However, despite a bad start for his new team, Bardi did manage to keep the ball out of the back net for the rest of the match.

Dario Dainelli – 6

The Italian centre back became visually more frustrated as the match went on, finally earning himself a card near the start of the second half. While the match was understandably frustrating for all involved, Dainelli was unable to keep his emotions from over taking his style of play.

Bostjan Cesar – 6.5

The Slovenian who is becoming a veteran for Chievo, helped slowed down Juventus from advancing or scoring more goals. However, not much was else was added to the match by the defender.

Nicolas Frey – 6.5

Frey was another player who both contributed to the slowing down of Juventus, but not much else. Playing his role in a mediocre fashion, he did mange to get the job done without much cause for concern.

Cristiano Biraghi – 5

The match was a terrible start for the defender, after an own goal at the beginning of the match turned out to be the only goal of the match. Though he actively worked at correcting his mistake, it was too little too late; the game ended as it begin: in disappointment.

Mariano Izco – 7

Recently acquired by the Flying Donkey, Izco was one of the biggest contributors to an otherwise dull match. Helping to push Chievo forwarded, Izco tried to step up several chances that unfortunately did not follow through. He does have the potential to improve Chievo if he continues in the same form as the season continues.

Perparim Hetemaj – 6

Hetemaj was another player who showed potential throughout the match but did not quite make the push past actually making a mark. The Finnish midfielder did manage to slow down Juventus from increasing the 1 – 0 scoreline but did not contribute to make any individual moments of brilliance.

Thomas Mangani – 6.5

The French midfielder is clearly finding his form with his new team. While his performance was not the best of the match, the 27 year old looks as though he can eventually ease himself into a strong leader for Chievo.

Maxi Lopez – 7

Maxi Lopes almost became the hero of the match when he had the best chance all game to change the score line. With a chance in front of the net, the would-be equalizer was saved by Buffon. The foiled chance did not stop Maxi from pressuring the rest of the match, but unfortunately he was not able to find another chance.

Valter Birsa – 6

The Slovenian winger assisted in the push forward that Chievo needed to regain confidence after an unfortunate own goal; however, it was not enough to help the Flying Donkeys equalize.

Ezequiel Schelotto – 5

Taken off in the first half, Schelotto did not exactly contribute to the match in a meaningful manner. However, the Argentine who is currently on loan to Chievo, showed potential had he been more match fit for the game.



Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 7

The Juventus captain was fairly subdued most of the match, with his most active effort coming in the second half when he saved a would-be sure goal from Chievo’s Maxi Lopez.

Martin Caceres - 6

The 27 year old Uruguayan did not play to his potential this match, seemingly slow and out of place against Chievo. While his individual performance did not affect the overall team performance for Juventus, Caceres will have to continue to pick up game to keep Juventus as a title contender.

Angelo Ogbonna – 6

Ogbonna was another player that seemed missing all match, barely making his mark all game. Without any real test from Chievo, he was able to get away with being absent, however he will have to tighten up his performance to keep a starting position on the team.

Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5

Another player who had higher expectations going into the match and did not perform as well as expected. While he was able to get away with a slow under performance against Chievo, more should be expected by the Italian veteran.

Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5

The usually vocal Swissman seemed non-existence for the most of the match, like most of the rest of his team, which is surprising as Lichtsteiner is usually the one calling for his team to play better when they start to hit a slump. Like his team mates around him, the Swiss seemed happy to end the match at 1 – 0 and the effort surrounding the decision showed.

Paul Pogba – 6.5

The Frenchman looked a little sloppy and lethargic in the first half and contributed to the dull and sluggish mood to the match. Considering his contributions to the team in the previous season, this match should not be regarded as one of the highlights of his career.

Claudio Marchisio – 6

Once again, another of the Juventus talisman seemed to not be prepared for the match. Usually a leader for the Turin club, Marchisio was noticiably active from leadership as his club continued to make mistakes and let an equally slow Chievo side match them. Marchisio will have to step up, especially with the absence of Andrea Pirlo, if he expects to be a key role this season.

Arturo Vidal – 6.5

Vidal was yet another case of a player who should be playing better. After much speculation about leaving Juventus, Vidal did not show the type of performance expected from a player who would have been considered one of their biggest losses, had he left for Manchester United as rumoured. He played clumsily and seemingly unfocused at the beginning of the match, and while there was a bit of improvement in the second half, it was not enough to highlight the supposed star player.

Kwadwo Asamoah -6.5

Asamoah looked frustrated and lost, especially at the beginning of the start of the second half. Possibly due to the lack of structure around him, the 25 year old Ghanaian did not give one of his best performances, making careless mistakes that are not usual to his playing style.

Carlos Tevez – 7.5

The Argentine was overshadowed by the unexpected debut of fellow forward, Kingsley Coman. However, Tevez managed to get the ball moving in an otherwise slow and sluggish match via some brilliantly time assists and a few shots on goal.

KINGSLEY COMAN – 8

Coman quickly silenced his critics that questioned “who?!” at the beginning of the match. Previously from Paris Saint-Germain, the 18 year old Frenchman working well aside Tevez and took a few creative chances, which quickly dominated an otherwise dull game. Any would-be nerves did not seem to overshadow his Serie A debut and all things considering, he was the man to watch on the pitch.

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Chievo vs. Juventus: Winners
and Losers from Serie A Clash

Aug 31, 2014

Following a difficult summer, Juventus finally kicked off the 2014-14 campaign with a trip to Veronese side Chievo. Antonio Conte’s sweeping dominance meant Massimiliano Allegri had a tough act to follow, but the new coach was under no illusion as to how difficult a task he faced.

From his appointment in mid-July, the 47-year-old made it clear he knew just what was expected of him and the low opinion in which his arrival was viewed by the club’s fanbase. Speaking to reporters at his inaugural press conference, Allegri laid out his thoughts, per UEFA.com:

I understand that the supporters could be a little sceptical right now as they've changed their coach in less than 24 hours. I will try to convince them with good results, hard work, respect and professionalism.

I won't radically change the team, I will work on the players and try to make this strong team even stronger.

He has done just that, bringing a tactical flexibility that was absent in the past two years under Conte and teaching the squad to once again work in a 4-3-3 formation. Allegri touched on that subject when speaking with La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport last weekend (h/t Football Italia):

I think it is very fortunate to be able to switch between two formations, even in the same game. There are moments in the season where you can play with three [defenders] and others when it is better to do so with four.

The team showed good signs in the two phases when they played with a four in Jakarta and Sydney, and also for the whole game in Singapore. We need to work hard to acquire the knowledge to make it possible to use a different formation with the same reliability.

Against Chievo on Saturday, Allegri opted for the reliable 3-5-2 favoured by Conte and was rewarded for that decision with a 1-0 win. Here is a look at the winners and losers from Juve’s narrow opening-day victory.


Winner: Kingsley Coman (Juventus)

Kingsley Coman opted to join Juventus on a free transfer this summer, as the 18-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain to move to Turin. The player also told the Corriere dello Sport (h/t ESPNFC) that he had rejected offers from interested Premier League sides Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham.

He was rewarded with his competitive debut on Saturday, starting up front alongside Carlos Tevez as Fernando Llorente missed out with injury.


Winner: Martin Caceres (Juventus)

With Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini both missing the match against Chievo, Martin Caceres once again stepped in. Just as he had last season, the Uruguayan defender proved a more than capable deputy, ensuring the Bianconeri back line did not miss a beat.

Making three tackles, one interception and three clearances, according to WhoScored.com, Caceres also forced the Francesco Bardi error that led to the game's opening goal.


Winner: Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus)

With Serie A taking a two-week break after this weekend, it was essential the Massimiliano Allegri era got off to a good start in Turin. With three points to their name, the Bianconeri ensured their new coach earned just that, launching their 2014-15 campaign in the best possible fashion.


Loser: Francesco Bardi (Chievo)

Francesco Bardi endured a difficult match, making just two saves as he ended on the losing side. The 22-year-old lacked confidence as he faced the champions, failing to lead his defence in the manner so desperately needed in such a high-profile encounter.

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

[Socrates 7963]

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS

-

Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal)

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

Kingsley Coman's sensational Juventus debut
against Chievo in five minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrvAjnZ5YME

Aug 31, 2014

If there was one player in a Juventus jersey who deserved a goal in Saturday night's season opener, it was Kingsley Coman, the new apple of everybody's eye. His debut went better than anybody could have imagined it would go, with many a Italian media outlets giving the 18-year-old Frenchman the Man of the Match nod.

And let me just repeat two very important things for the record: Coman is 18 years old. This was his first game in Serie A, a league that has a history of not being very kind to youngsters.

Now that Coman has officially burst onto the scene in Italy, the microscope on him will just become that much bigger. Coman's skill, speed, and overall awesomeness was on full display as he got a somewhat surprising start against those pesky Flying Donkeys in Juve's season opener.

If this was his first true test, consider it passed — by a country mile.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
Coman: "I'm happy with how my debut went and I'm really enjoying life here at Juventus."


JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
Coman: “I can improve every day by training alongside world class players and working with Allegri."

There's also this, though: Kingsley Coman isn't the new Paul Pogba. There is only one Paul Pogba, just like there is only one Kingsley Coman. They're both French, they both have mohawks, they both joined Juventus on free transfers and made their debuts with the club as teenagers. But they are two different kinds of players with different kinds of skill sets playing different positions in what is a very good Juventus side.

That's just how it works.

The best thing out of it all is that both of these wonderfully talented France natives are wearing Juventus jerseys. So go ahead and stick your tongue out when your friends ask you about them.

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

[Socrates 7963]

The new serie A

gk=goalkeeper; d=defender; m=midfield; s=striker

Sep 1, 2014

Atalanta

Bought: Molina (m, Modena), Zappacosta (d, Avellino), Gagliardini (m, Cesena), Biava (d, Lazio), Dramé (d, Chievo), D’Alessandro (s, Cesena via Roma - 2), Cherubin (d, Bologna), Boakye (s, Elche via Juventus-Genoa), Bianchi (s, Bologna), Spinazzola (s, Siena via Juventus), Rosseti (s, Siena via Juventus), Avramov (gk, Cagliari via Torino), A. Gomez (s, Metalist - 6), Benalouane (d, Parma - 1,0)

Sold: Del Grosso (d) Livaja (s, Rubin Kazan - 6,5), Yepes (d), Nica (d, Cesena), Cazzola (m, Cesena), Giorgi (m, Cesena), Caldara (d, Trapani), Kone (m, Avellino), Bentancourt (s, Bologna), Brienza (s, Cesena), Brivio (d, Verona), Consigli (gk, Sassuolo - 3), Bonaventura (m, Milan - 7), Colombi (gk, Cagliari - 1,5)


Cagliari

Bought: Capello (s, Inter via Bologna - 1), Colombi (gk, Carpi via Atalanta - 1,50), Benedetti (d, Padova via Inter - 4), Longo (s, Rayo Vallecano via Inter), Balzano (d, Pescara), Crisetig (m, Crotone via Inter), Cragno (gk, Brescia - 1,6), Caio Rangel (s, Flamengo - 2,65), Donsah (m, Verona - 2,5), Capuano (d, Pescara), Farias (s, Sassuolo via Chievo), Ceppitelli (d, Bari via Parma - 2,5), Joao Pedro (m, Estoril)

Sold: Silvestri (gk, Leeds via Chievo), Avramov (gk, Atalanta via Torino), Nenè (s, Verona), Oikonomou (d, Bologna), Ibraimi (m, Maribor), Vecino (m, Empoli via Fiorentina), Bastrini (d, Novara), Tabanelli (m, Cesena), Perico (d, Cesena), Astori (d, Roma - 2 + 5), Del Fabro (d, Leeds), Pinilla (s, Genoa -2), Cabrera (m, Estoril)


Cesena

Bought: Leali (gk, Spezia via Juventus), Nica (d, Atalanta), Saporetti (d, Milan), Cazzola (m, Atalanta), Giorgi (m, Atalanta), Tabanelli (m, Cagliari), Mi. Djuric (s, Cittadella), Perico (d, Cagliari), Magnusson (d, Spezia via Juventus), Zè Eduardo (m, Ofi Creta via Parma), Lucchini (d, Atalanta - 0,5), Bressan (gk, Varese 0,2), Brienza (s, Atalanta), Pulzetti (m, Bologna), Carbonero (m, River Plate via Roma - 0,3), Mazzotta (d, Crotone - 0,5)

Sold: Campagnolo (gk), Coser (gk, Livorno via Vicenza), Rossini (gk, Lupa Roma via Parma), Bangoura (d, San Marino), Camporese (d, Bari via Fiorentina), Consolini (d), Alhassan (m, Genoa), Belingheri (m, Livorno), Gagliardini (m, Atalanta), D’Alessandro (s, Atalanta via Roma), Ingegneri (d, Bassano)


Empoli

Bought: Sepe (gk, Lanciano via Napoli), Aguirre (s, Liverpool Montevideo via Udinese), Rovini (s, Udinese), Guarente (m, Chievo), Bianchetti (d, Spezia via Verona), Laxalt (m, Bologna via Inter), Vecino (m, Cagliari via Fiorentina), Zielinski (m, Udinese)

Sold: Pratali (d), Eramo (m, Ternana via Sampdoria), Gargiulo (m, Tuttocuoio), Bachini (d, Lucchese), Castiglia (m, Pro Vercelli), Pelagotti (gk, Pisa)


Fiorentina

Bought: Badelj (m, Amburgo - 5), Richards (d, Manchester City - 1), Marin (s, Chelsea), Kurtic (m, Sassuolo 0,5 + 5) Basanta (d, Monterrey - 2,6), Brillante (d, Newcastle United Jets - 1), Tatarusanu (gk, Steaua Bucarest), Octavio (s, Botafogo), Bernardeschi (s, Crotone), Babacar (s, Modena)

Sold: Ambrosini (m), Diakitè (d, Sunderland); De Silvestri (d, Sampdoria - 1,35), Romulo (m, Verona then Juventus- 3,50), Rosati (gk, Napoli), Matri (s, Milan then Genoa); Anderson (s, Manchester United), Compper (d, Leipzig - 0,55); Rebic (s, Leipzig - 0,6), Vecino (m, Empoli); Piccini (d, Betis Siviglia); Wolski (m, Bari)


Genoa

Bought: Alhassan (m, Cesena), Ribas (s, Strasbourg), Santana (m, Olhanense), Sampirisi (d, Olhanense), Rosi (d, Parma via Sassuolo), Matri (s, Fiorentina via Milan), Greco (m, Livorno), Perotti (m, Siviglia - 0,3), Ragusa (m, Pescara), Improta (s, Padova), Izzo (d, Avellino - 0,2), Lamanna (gk, Siena), Rincon (m, Amburgo), Iago (m, Rayo Vallecano via Tottenham - 2,0), Pinilla (s, Cagliari - 2,0), Edenilson (m, Corinthians via Udinese), Mussis (m, Copenaghen), Roncaglia (d, Fiorentina), Lestienne s, Bruges)

Sold: Motta (d, Juventus), Centurion (m, Racing Avellaneda), Gamberini (d, Chievo - 0,3), Sculli (s, Lazio), Konate (s, Krosnodar), De Ceglie (d, Parma via Juventus), Matuzalem (m, Bologna), Donnarumma (gk, Bari), Gilardino (s, Guangzhou - 5,0), Bizzarri (gk, Chievo), Cofie (m, Chievo), Portanova (d); Vrsaljko (d, Sassuolo - 3,5)


Inter

Bought: Berni (gk, Torino), Di Gennaro (gk, Cittadella), Bardi (gk, Livorno), Belec (gk, Olhanense), Dodo’ (d, Roma - prestito 1,2 + 7,8); Biraghi (d, Cittadella - 700,000), Vidic (d, Manchester United), Pasa (d, Padova), Mbaye (d, Livorno), Benedetti (d, Padova); Silvestre (d, Milan), Medel (m, Cardiff - 8 mln), Krhin (m, Bologna - 1,2 mln), M’Vila (m, Rubin Kazan - 1 mln), Laxalt (m, Bologna), Obi (m, Parma), Schelotto (m, Chievo via Parma), Duncan (m, Livorno), Crisetig (m, Crotone), Benassi (m, Livorno), Osvaldo (s, Southampton), Longo (s, Rayo Vallecano)

Sold: Belec (gk, Konyaspor), Bardi (gk, Chievo), Di Gennaro (gk, Latina), Castellazzi (gk), Benedetti (d, Cagliari - 4 mln), Biraghi (d, Chievo - 250,000), Samuel (d, Basilea), Silvestre (d, Sampdoria), Pasa (d, Prato); Zanetti (d), Rolando (d, Porto), Wallace (d, Chelsea), Benassi (m, Torino - 1,5 mln), Duncan (m, Sampdoria - 400,000), Cambiasso (m, Leicester), Taider (m, Southampton), Laxalt (m, Empoli), Schelotto (m, Chievo), Crisetig (m, Cagliari), Mudingayi (m), Mariga (m), Botta (s, Chievo - 1 mln), Milito (s, Racing Club); Longo (s, Cagliari)


JUVENTUS

Bought: Motta (d, Genoa), Coman (s, Paris Saint Germain), Marrone (m, Sassuolo - 5,0), Morata (s, Real Madrid - 20,0), Evra (d, Manchester United - 1,2 + 0,3 bonus), Pereyra (m, Udinese 1,5 prestito + 14 + 3 bonus), Romulo (m, Verona - 1,5 + 6,5), Djalo (d, Granada)

Sold: Osvaldo (s, Inter via Southampton), Peluso (d, Sassuolo - 4,5), Vucinic (s, Al-Jazira - 6,3), Quagliarella (s, Torino - 3,5), Isla (m, QPR - 1,25); De Ceglie (d, Parma)


Lazio

Bought: Cataldi (m, Crotone), Sculli (s, Genoa), Djordjevic (s, Nantes), Basta (d, Udinese - 0,7 + 4,8), Parolo (m, Parma - 5,5 + 1,5 bonus), De Vrij (d, Feyenoord - 8,5), Braafheid (d, Hoffenheim), Gentiletti (d, San Lorenzo - 1,9)

Sold: Helder Postiga (s, Valencia), Kakuta (s, Rayo via Chelsea), Biava (d, Atalanta), Dias (d), Lombardi (s, Trapani), Crecco (m, Ternana), Ilari (d, Grosseto), Filippini (d, Bari), Minala (m, Bari), Perea (s, Perugia), Alfaro (s, Liverpool Montevideo), Elez (m, Grosseto)


Milan

Bought: Niang (s, Montpellier), Albertazzi (d, Verona, 0,5), Agazzi (gk, Chievo), Alex (d, Psg), Menez (s, Psg), Armero (d, West Ham via Udinese), Diego Lopez (gk, Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (s, Chelsea), Van Ginkel (m, Chelsea), Bonaventura (m, Atalanta - 7,0)

Sold: Taarabt (s, QPR), Silvestre (d, Sampdoria via Inter), Petagna (s, Latina), Emanuelson (m, Roma), Amelia (gk), Kakà (m, San Paolo via Orlando), Birsa (m, Chievo), Coppola (gk, Bologna), Benedicic (m, Leeds), Constant (d, Trabzonspor - 2,5), Robinho (s, Santos), Balotelli (s, Liverpool - 20,0), Gabriel (gk, Carpi), Cristante (m, Benfica - 6,0)


Napoli

Bought: Koulibaly (d, Genk - 7,0), De Guzman (m, Villarreal - 6,0), David Lòpez (m, Espanyol - 5,3), Michu (s, Swansea - 1,25 + 7,75), Andujar (gk, Catania - 2,0), Donadel (m, Verona), Rosati (gk, Fiorentina), Gargano (m, Parma), Uvini (d, Santos)

Sold: Fernandez (d, Swansea - 10), Behrami (m, Amburgo - 3,5), Pandev (s, Galatasaray - 1), Dzemaili (m, Galatasaray - 3), Gamberini (d, Chievo - 0,3), Vargas (s, Qpr), Fideleff (d, Ergotelis), Reina (gk, Liverpool then Bayern Monaco), El Kaddouri (m, Torino - 0,4), Calaiò (s, Catania - 0,00), Reveillere (d)


Palermo

Bought: Chochev (m, Cska Sofia - 2,0), Mantovani (d, Bologna), Della Rocca (m, Bologna), Lores Varela (m, Bari), Rigoni (m, Chievo - 1,4), Quaison (m, Aik Solna - 2,0), Feddal (d, Siena via Parma), Emerson (d, Santos), Bamba (d, Trabzonspor), Gonzalez (d, Columbus Crew - 3,8), Makienok (s, Brondby - 2,3), Lazaar (d, Varese - 0,7)

Sold: Verre (m, Perugia via Udinese), Lafferty (s, Norwich - 4,5), Troianiello (m, Bologna), Stevanovic (m, Bari via Torino), Bacinovic (m, Lanciano), Malele (s, Entella), Embalo (s, Carpi), Petermann (m, Alto Adige), Hernandez (s, Hull - 12)


Parma

Bought: Bidaoui (s, Crotone), Tozser (m, Watford via Genoa), Justino (s, San Filipe), Belfodil (s, Livorno via Inter), Cordaz (gk, Nova Gorica), Jorquera (m, Eskisehirspor), Santacroce (d, Padova), Ristovski (d, Latina), Rispoli (d, Ternana), Pedro Mendes (d, Sassuolo), Iacobucci (gk, Latina), Russo (gk, Ascoli), Lodi (m, Catania), Souza (m, Olhanense), Costa (d, Sampdoria), De Ceglie (d, Genoa via Juventus), Juan Antonio (m, Brescia via Sampdoria)

Sold: Obi (m, Inter), Vergara (d, Avellino via Milan), Gargano (m, Napoli), Rossini (d, Bari), Schelotto (m, Chievo via Inter), Parolo (m, Lazio - 5,5 + 1,50), Munari (m, Watford), Marchionni (m, Sampdoria), Cerri (s, Lanciano), Amauri (s, Torino), Benalouane (d, Atalanta - 1,0), Ceppitelli (d, Cagliari via Bari - 2,50)


Roma

Bought: Iturbe (s, Verona - 22,0 + 2,5), Manolas (d, Olympiacos - 13 + 2), Astori (d, Cagliari - 2 + 5), Holebas (d, Olympiacos - 1 + 0,5), Yanga-M’Biwa (d, Newcastle - 1,3 + 6,9), Cole (d, Chelsea), Keita (m, Valencia); Emanuelson (d, Milan), Uçan (m, Fenerbahce - 4,75 + 11), Paredes (m, Boca Juniors via Chievo - 0,25 + 4), Sanabria (s, Barcellona via Sassuolo - 4,5 + 7,5), Borriello (s, West Ham)

Sold: Benatia (d, Bayern Monaco 26 + 4), Dodò (d, Inter - 1,2, + 7,8), Marquinho (m, Al-Itthad - 1), Jedvaj (d, Bayer Leverkusen - 1,0), Verre (m, Udinese - 0,9), D’Alessandro (m, Atalanta - 2), Taddei (m, Perugia), Bastos (m, Al Ain), Toloi (d, San Paolo), Josè Angel (d, Porto), Romagnoli (d, Sampdoria - 0,5)


Sampdoria

Bought: Romero (gk, Monaco), De Vitis (m, Carpi), Rizzo (m, Modena), Fedato (s, Catania), Cacciatore (d, Verona 0,4), Duncan (m, Livorno via Inter - 0,4), Campaña (m, Nurnberg via Crystal Palace - 1,8), Bergessio (s, Catania - 3,0), Viviano (gk, Arsenal via Palermo), Barry (d, Torcy), Marchionni (m, Parma), Silvestre (d, Milan via Inter), Babic (d, Vojvodina), Romagnoli (d, Roma - 0,5), Josè Angel Blanco (d, Real Madrid), Mesbah (d, Livorno via Parma), Djordjevic (s, Twente via Zenit); De Silvestri (d, Fiorentina - 1,3)

Sold: Fiorillo (gk, Pescara via Juventus), Sestu (m, Chievo), Rodriguez (d, Gremio), Maxi Lopez (s, Chievo, via Catania - 1,5), Bjarnason (m, Pescara, 0,02), G. Berardi (d, Leeds), Mustafi (d, Valencia - 8,0), Falcone (gk, Como), Costa (d, Parma), Salamon (d, Pescara), Campaña (m, Porto), Renan (m, Al-Nasr - 1,2)


Sassuolo

Bought: Peluso (d, Juventus - 4,5), Pavoletti (s, Varese), Vrsaljko (d, Genoa - 3,5), Taider (m, Southampton via Inter - 1,0), Consigli (gk, Atalanta - 3)

Sold: Sanabria (s, Roma), Zapata (s, Udinese), Ziegler (d), Alexe (s, Dinamo Bucarest), Farias (s, Cagliari via Chievo), Pedro Mendes (d, Parma), Pucino (d, Pescara via Chievo), Masucci (m, Frosinone), Rosi (d, Genoa via Parma), Marrone (m, Juventus - 5), Perilli (gk, Pro Patria), Kurtic (m, Fiorentina - 0,5 + 5)


Torino

Bought: Sanchez Mino (m, Boca Juniors - 3,2), Quagliarella (s, Juventus - 3,5), Cinaglia (d, Feralpi Saló), Jansson (d, Malmö), Molinaro (d, Parma), Martinez (s, Young Boys - 3,0), Ruben Perez (m, Elche via Atletico Madrid), Benassi (m, Livorno via Inter - 1,5), Nocerino (m, West Ham via Milan), Gaston Silva (d, Defensor Sporting - 2,5), Bruno Peres (d, Santos - 2), Castellazzi (gk, Inter), Amauri (s, Parma), El Kaddouri (m, Napoli - 0,4)

Sold: Immobile (s, Borussia Dortmund - 10,09), Barreca (d, Cittadella), Berni (gk, Inter), L.Gomis (gk, Trapani), Aramu (s, Trapani), Meggiorini (s, Chievo), Pasquale (d, Udinese), Tachtsidis (m, Genoa), Gyasi (s, Pisa), G. Rodriguez (d, Verona - 0,36), Kurtic (m, Sassuolo), Avramov (gk, Atalanta), Cerci (s, Atletico Madrid - 16+3), Vesovic (d, Rijeka), Bellomo (s, Chievo - 0,80)


Udinese

Bought: A. Zapata (s, Sassuolo), Coda (d, Livorno), Pasquale (d, Torino), Thereau (s, Chievo - 2,0), Bochniewicz (d, Reggina), Belmonte (d, Siena), Molla Wague (d, Caen), Jaadi (s, Anderlecht), Riera (m, Watford), Camigliano (d, Brescia - 1,3), Faraoni (d, Watford), Karnezis (gk, Granada), Guilherme (m, Corinthians - 4,5), Piris (d, Sporting Lisbona via Deportivo Maldonado), Hallberg (m, Kalmar), Kone (m, Bologna 4,5), Evangelista (m, San Paolo - 4,0),Aguirre (m, Liverpool Montevideo - 4,0), Verre (m, Palermo via Roma - 0,9)

Sold: Lazzari (m, Fiorentina), Rovini (s, Empoli), Basta (m, Lazio 0,7 + 4,8), Maicosuel (m, Atletico Mineiro - 3), Beleck (s, Fiorentina), Neuton (d, Chapecoense), Pereyra (m, Juventus 1,5 + 14 + 3 bonus), Mlinar (m, Aarau), Nico Lopez (s, Verona 0,6), Benussi (gk, Verona), Zielinski (m, Empoli), Kelava (gk, Carpi), Naldo (d, Getafe)


Verona

Bought: Martic (d, San Gallo), Chanturia (s, Cluj - 1,0), Obbadi (m, Monaco), Ionita (m, Aarau), Gollini (gk, Manchester United), Christodoulopoulos (s, Bologna - 1,3), Ferrari (gk, Milan), Valoti (m, AlbinoLeffe), Cappelluzzo (s, Siena), Nené (s, Cagliari), Tachtsidis (m, Torino via Genoa), Gu. Rodriguez (d, Torino - 0,36), Luna (d, Aston Villa), R. Marquez (d, Leon), Nico Lopez (s, Udinese 0,6), Campanharo (m, Bragantino), Sorensen (d, Bologna via Juventus), Benussi (gk, Udinese), Brivio (d, Atalanta), Saviola (s, Olympiacos)

Sold: Marquinho (Al-Ittihad via Roma), Albertazzi (d, Milan, 0,5), Cacciatore (d, Sampdoria, 0,4), Martinho (m, Catania - 1,10), Cirigliano (m, River Plate), Pillud (d, Racing Avellaneda), Donadel (m, Napoli), Cacia (s, Bologna), Iturbe (s, Roma 22,0 + 2,5), Maietta (d, Bologna), Donsah (m, Cagliari - 2,50), Romulo (m, Juventus - 1,50 + 6,50), Rabusic (s, Perugia), Nicolas (gk, Lanciano), Donati (m, Bari)

[Socrates 7963]

Juventus submit 26-man squad list
for Champions League group stage

Sep 2, 2014

If you wanted to be shocked by who Juventus put on their Champions League squad list for the group stages, maybe you should go back to previous years and see who they were signing checks to. This year, though, won't shock you. It probably won't even make you think somebody got snubbed.

The complete list, courtesy of juventus.com:

Juventus have today submitted a 26-man squad for this season's Champions League group stages to UEFA.

Here is the list in full:

1 Buffon
2 Romulo
3 Chiellini
4 Caceres
5 Ogbonna
6 Pogba
7 Pepe
8 Marchisio
9 Morata
10 Tevez
11 Coman
12 Giovinco
14 Llorente
15 Barzagli
19 Bonucci
20 Padoin
21 Pirlo
22 Asamoah
23 Vidal
26 Lichtsteiner
30 Storari
33 Evra
34 Rubinho
37 Pereyra
38 Mattiello
39 Marrone

Unless you were expecting everybody's favorite outcast, Marco Motta, to be there, it's not like there are any kind of major surprises on the list above. Out of the 26 players named to the squad, there's just one primavera player included in the list, Federico Mattiello. Of course, the 19-year-old's inclusion in actual match day squads will be dependent on who is or isn't healthy in the midfield.

So if you see Mattiello in for say, Andrea Pirlo, on the squad call-ups list (no, not the starting lineup) when Juventus open their Champions League campaign on Sept. 16 against Malmö at Juventus Stadium, then that's what he's there for. Other than that, though, it's just atatus quo. Max Allegri pretty much named who everybody expected him to. How boring.

[Socrates 7963]

Champions League should be Juventus priority - Trezeguet

The Turin legend believes that Serie A should play second fiddle to the club's
efforts in Europe and claims to have played a part in convincing Paul Pogba to stay.

Sep 7, 2014

Former Juventus striker David Trezeguet has called on the club to prioritise Champions League success over a fourth successive Scudetto.

Antonio Conte stepped down as Bianconeri boss this summer due to disagreements at board level, with former AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri stepping into his shoes.

The Frenchman, who played for the Serie A giants for 11 years between 1999 and 2010, thinks that European success has to be the primary goal for a team which has dominated Italian football for three years but failed to win the top continental prize since 1996.

"I would put aside the fourth consecutive league title to stake everything on a European triumph," Trezequet, 36, told Tuttosport. "Winning the Champions League gives you the knowledge that you are the strongest out there.

"Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona will be their main rivals. They know how to perform at the business end of the tournament.

"In Serie A, they're the favourites by far. They're a solid team, they've kept their core squad and they've strengthened. But sooner or later they'll make that leap in the Champions League, too."

The current Pune City striker also claimed that he played a part in convincing compatriot Paul Pogba to stay at Juventus this summer, despite reported interest from across top European clubs.

"I spoke to Pogba last season, I reminded how huge Juve are and advised to stay in Turin," he added. "He can only get better there."

[Socrates 7963]

Benitez's Napoli can win Serie A - Trapattoni

The veteran trainer believes the San Paolo side have the right balance
in their team and can pip the likes of Juventus to the Scudetto.

Sep 7, 2014

Giovanni Trapattoni is adamant that Rafael Benitez can steer Napoli to Serie A success this season.

Napoli finished third in Serie A last season, a massive 24 points behind champions Juventus, and were dumped out of this year's edition of the Champions League by Athletic Bilbao in the play-off stage.

But Trapattoni was impressed with the way Benitez has handled that disappointment and, although he feels Juve and Roma both have better teams, the 75-year-old is sure Napoli have enough quality to produce an upset.

"Balance in football is like a spider's web – one puff of wind and it can break. I am certain Benitez's Napoli can win this Scudetto," he told Il Mattino.

"Perhaps he was wise to take some time off this week, as staying would've meant going back over the same errors and lighting that fire of controversy again.

"Being away is his way of saying he's got the situation in hand, everyone relax and we'll discuss it later.

"Juventus and Roma are superior on paper, but the reality is always more complex than that.

"Benitez has Higuain, Callejon and all those quality internationals, but football is a moment, a lapse of concentration.

"My Republic of Ireland team went out of the Euros due to a mistaken throw-in at the 92nd minute."

Despite giving Benitez a vote of confidence, Trapattoni feels the Napoli job is one which engulfs the coach in too much pressure.

He added: "There is no patience in the south, even though it is the club with the best long-term plan that wins out.

"Every time Juventus were beaten in Europe, [former Juventus president Giampiero] Boniperti would arrive and reassure us it wasn’t a tragedy, so there was no need to cry and wail over it.

"We won at Juve because, unlike places such as Napoli and Roma, we did not experience those huge leaps from enthusiasm to despair.

"They continue to make the clubs in southern Italy unique in the world, but can also be frightening.

"You can’t win a game without being treated like a prophet or lose the next week and hear your job is hanging by a thread.

"I was often called to Napoli, first as a player and then a coach. I am enchanted by the city, but the pressure created around the team can really affect performances."

[Socrates 7963]

Champions League Group A Betting Preview:
Atletico to overshadow Juventus in top spot

Having looked far more comfortable in European competition over the past few seasons,
Al Hain-Cole is backing the Spanish champions to finish above Serie A's finest.

Sep 8, 2014

Having failed to translate their dominant domestic form to the European stage over the past few years, Juventus will be determined to put in a strong display in this season’s Champions League.


Champions League Group A

Atletico Madrid to qualify 1/10
Juventus to qualify 1/6
Atletico to win the group 10/11
Juventus to win the group 11/10
Olympiakos to qualify 3/1
Malmo to qualify 14/1

However, after being drawn alongside last season’s runners-up Atletico Madrid in Group A, the Bianconeri may find themselves fighting for second place along with Olympiakos and Swedish underdogs Malmo.

It is a fight bet365 fully expect them to win, with Massimiliano Allegri’s men priced at just 1/6 (1.17) to make up for last year’s group stage elimination by booking a place in the last 16.

In fact, the Italian champions are clearly expected to give their Spanish counterparts a run for their money for first place, with odds of just 11/10 (2.10) on offer on them securing top spot.

Considering Los Colchoneros’ superior continental record in recent seasons, odds of 10/11 (1.91) seem to offer stronger value on them progressing as group winners, while odds of just 1/10 (1.10) underline how nailed on they appear to reach the next round.

Nevertheless, after finishing above Benfica to the reach the knockout stages last season, Olympiakos may offer some temptation at 3/1 (4.00) to pull off another shock by qualifying once again.

Michel’s team came close to overcoming Manchester United in the last 16 before seeing their 2-0 home win overturned in the away leg, and are available at 11/1 (12.00) to upset more big names by finishing above both Juventus and Atletico in top spot.

Back among the European elite for the first time since the competition was rebranded, Malmo have been billed as whipping boys in the group.

Having become the youngest squad ever to win the Allsvenskan last season, Age Hareide’s inexperienced outfit are priced at a hefty 14/1 (15.00) to make yet more history by becoming only the second Swedish team to make it through the Champions League group stages.

Goteborg finished above both Barcelona and Manchester United to top their group back in 1995, although their compatriots are 80/1 (81.00) outsiders to pull off the same feat this season.

[Socrates 7963]

Garcia: Juve still the favourites

Sep 8, 2014

Roma Coach Rudi Garcia believes Juventus are still the favourites for the Scudetto.

The Frenchman spoke to Canal + this week and discussed a number of topics, including expectation that his Giallorossi can push for the Scudetto.

“Sometimes I am presented in France as too ambitious,” Garcia began in his interview.

“The ambition is to do the best we can. Juve have won the last three Scudetti and have not sold any players and have brought people like Morata and Evra.

“So I think that Juve is the favourite. We will do everything we can and this summer I asked to redouble the team’s efforts to get as close as possible.

“The Italian League is a little special, there is not only Juve and Roma. Napoli are a very strong team, and very rich, and then there are the two teams from Milan, Inter and Milan, who have strengthened.

“I believe it will be a great championship, hard fought.”

[Socrates 7963]

Italian Super Cup at Christmas

Sep 10, 2014

The Italian Super Cup tie between Juventus and Napoli will probably take place at San Siro on December 23.

Although the date and venue are yet to be made official, all the signs suggest that the Lega Serie A will agree to such a scenario.

The annual encounter between the League champions and the Coppa Italia winners usually takes place at the start of the season.

However, finding time in the summer 2014 calendar wasn’t possible so the match has had to be delayed. The 1995-96 clash between Juventus and Parma was also postponed to January 17.

Both clubs also look set to give the thumbs up to playing the tie in Milan after the options of going to the UAE or Qatar were discounted.

Juventus have won the last two editions when they beat Napoli 4-2 in 2012 and Lazio 4-0 last year.

Milan are the only side in history to win the trophy on three consecutive occasions thanks to their triumphs in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

[Socrates 7963]

JUVENTUS - UDINESE

-

Saturday, September 13th, 2014 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Damato

Domizzi adds to Udinese woes

Sep 11, 2014

Udinese will be without Maurizio Domizzi and Simone Scuffet for a month.

The Friulani are having a bad week on the injury front, as goalkeeper Scuffet had already been ruled out for three to four weeks with a sprained ankle.

Today it was confirmed defender Domizzi had been diagnosed with a left thigh strain that will see him on the treatment table for 20-25 days before he can resume training.

It looks as if Igor Bubnjic will get the nod in place of Domizzi against Juventus this weekend.

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

[Socrates 7963]

JUVENTUS - UDINESE

-

Saturday, September 13th, 2014 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Damato

Serie A Preview: Juventus v Udinese

Massimiliano Allegri will have to contend with a growing
injury list as Juventus welcome Udinese in Serie A on Saturday.

Sep 11, 2014

With Arturo Vidal (thigh), Andrea Pirlo (hip), Andrea Barzagli (Achilles) and Giorgio Chiellini (calf) all unavailable, it now looks as though Carlos Tevez could also be set for a spell on the sidelines.

Reports in the Italian press claimed that the Argentina forward limped out of training on Wednesday with a suspected hamstring injury.

That would represent a major blow for the champions, with Tevez having scored 19 goals last season as Juve saw off the threat of Roma to take a third consecutive Scudetto.

It would also leave Sebastian Giovinco and Fernando Llorente as Allegri's primary striking options for his first home match in charge.

Juve coach Allegri could, however, be boosted by the return of close-season signing Alvaro Morata, who has made a swift recovery from the knee surgery he had in July.

Morata joined from Real Madrid with the promise of increasing Juve's attacking threat and, though a start against Udinese is unlikely, he could play a role from the bench.

Chiellini's absence has been the subject of some controversy, with the defender having been withdrawn from international duty by his club.

Juve were forced to defend the decision to recall Chiellini amid criticism from the Italy hierarchy, who argued that he should have stayed with his country until the end of the international break.

While Allegri's tenure started with a 1-0 win over Chievo, Udinese were also victorious in Andrea Stramaccioni's first game at the helm - beating newly promoted Empoli 2-0.

Stalwart striker Antonio Di Natale scored twice in that match to defeat the club where his career began almost two decades ago.

That double added to the 36-year-old's incredible five-goal haul against Ternana in the Coppa Italia, and Udinese will need their talisman to be on top form if they are to upset the odds this weekend.

Udinese, who finished 13th last season, have not beaten Juve in the last six attempts and lost twice to them in the 2013-14 campaign.

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

[Socrates 7963]

JUVENTUS - UDINESE

-

Saturday, September 13th, 2014 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Damato

Juventus Star Tevez Denies Injury Claims

Sep 11, 2014

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has denied rumours claiming that he’ll be out for the Old Lady’s next match with Udinese and insists that he’s doing fine.

The 30-year-old had reportedly pulled out of training with the Bianconeri on Wednesday after suffering a thigh injury and was originally expected to miss Juve’s Serie A game with the Zebrette on Saturday, as well as their Champions League group stage meeting with Malmo on Septemeber 16.

Tevez spoke through his official Twitter page about the false claims regarding his physical condition and thanked the Juventus fans for their concern.

“Thank you all for worrying about me,” wrote the Argentine. “I do not have any injuries and I am currently preparing for the match on Saturday.”

The positive news on the striker’s condition comes as a sign of relief for Juventus as they will already be facing Udinese without Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo, who are both currently recovering from their own injuries.

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

[Socrates 7963]

JUVENTUS - UDINESE

-

Saturday, September 13th, 2014 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Damato

MATCH PREVIEW

Sep 11, 2014

Defending champions Juventus are missing five of their first choice XI and Udinese could take advantage with veteran sharpshooter Antonio Di Natale.

The international break has certainly not done Massimiliano Allegri's unenviable task of following in the footsteps of the indefatigable Antonio Conte any favours.

Arturo Vidal, the highly coveted midfield maestro will be out of action for a minimum of 10 days after he picked up a thigh injury whilst on duty for Chile. The 27-year-old joins first team players Andrea Pirlo and Andrea Barzagli on the treatment table.

Worse news was yet to come, as in Wednesday's training session the club's top scorer from last term Carlos Tevez suffered a similar thigh injury to Vidal. Early prognosis is that he will face a race to be fit for the clash with Milan next weekend and he will likely miss the Udinese game and midweek Champions League group stage opener against Malmo. Spanish striker Alvaro Morata will be unable to make his Bianconeri debut as he too is still recovering from knee surgery.

Terrier like centre-back Giorgio Chiellini is suspended meaning that Allegri is without five of his best starting XI. Fernando Llorente will spearhead his 3-5-1-1 with either Kingsley Coman, who impressed on his debut against Chievo, or Sebastian Giovinco replacing Tevez in the hole.

Udinese meanwhile are without 18-year-old goalkeeper Simone Scuffet and full-backs Gabriel Silva and Giovanni Pasquale through injury. Coach Andrea Stramaccioni may have cut his teeth at Inter before Erick Thohir removed him like a rotten molar, but he has a chance to start afresh with a Zebrette side eager to make amends for a disappointing campaign.

Antonio Di Natale continues to ignore father time and an opening round brace against Empoli surely indicates that the 36-year-old is once again game for a Capocannoniere challenge.

Keep an eye on: Roberto Pereyra (Juventus) – Having replaced Vidal for the final few minutes in Round 1, the 23-year-old Argentine is set to make his Juve League debut proper - at home and against his former club. The tricky winger has already scored for his new Bianconeri side in the Trofeo TIM and will need to take his chance in the absence of Vidal.

Form Guide: Juventus ( - - - -W) Udinese ( - - - -W)

Last season: Juventus 1-0 Udinese

Stat fact: Juventus have won five of their last six home League ties with Udinese, four of which were to nil. The Zebrette last bucked the trend here four seasons ago with a 2-1 victory and the winning goal from the now Arsenal player, Alexis Sanchez.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Marchisio, Pereyra, Asamoah; Llorente; Giovinco

Suspended: Chiellini

UDINESE: Karnezis; Heurtaux, Danilo, Domizzi; Widmer, Allan, Guilherme, Badu, Piris; Muriel, Di Natale

Suspended: None

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

[Socrates 7963]

JUVENTUS - UDINESE

-

Saturday, September 13th, 2014 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Damato

Tevez: Injury rumours are rubbish

The Argentine has dismissed reports in the Italian press
suggesting that he is unavailable to face Udinese.

Sep 12, 2014

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has revealed that rumours claiming he is unfit to face Udinese on Saturday are untrue.

Reports in Italian media claimed that coach Massimiliano Allegri would be without his star striker in his first home match in charge of the Scudetto holders after the Argentine limped out of training on Wednesday.

However, Tevez - whose international exile continued this month when new Argentina coach Gerardo Martino left the forward out of his first squad - has dismissed suggestions Juve will have to fend without him this weekend as he has avoided picking up a knock.

"Thanks to those of you who expressed your concern, but I am not injured," the 30-year-old wrote on his official Twitter account. "I'm preparing myself to play on Saturday."

Tevez scored 21 times for Juventus last season, forging a great partnership with fellow striker Fernando Llorente, who himself bagged 18 goals.

Allegri's men will be aiming to add to their opening day 1-0 win over Chievo against an Udinese side who also triumphed in their first clash of 2014-15.

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

[Socrates 7963]

JUVENTUS - UDINESE

-

Saturday, September 13th, 2014 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium - Turin
Referee:‬ Antonio Damato

Morata poised for Juventus debut against Udinese

Massimiliano Allegri says the striker could play some part this weekend
and claims it would be foolish to rip up Antonio Conte's system.

Sep 12, 2014

Alvaro Morata is fit enough to make his Juventus debut against Udinese, coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.

The striker has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in training shortly after completing his move from Real Madrid during the summer, and while the Spaniard is not yet ready for 90 minutes of action, Allegri expects to be able to call on the 21-year-old for Saturday's clash.

“Too much has been made of the injuries,” Allegri told reporters on Friday when asked about the supposed crisis within the squad. “You all know that there are two or three players who have had problems for a few months, like Andrea Barzagli and Arturo Vidal.

"Giorgio Chiellini was suspended and he’s now training again, though.

“Barzagli could be on the bench tomorrow, Alvaro Morata will return, Andrea Pirlo is on the road to recovery.

“Morata is available, but he hasn’t got 90 minutes in his legs. He’s in decent shape, but we expect a lot from him. As well as having speed, he has great quality."

Carlos Tevez denied reports this week that he was struggling with injury and Allegri has confirmed the Argentina striker is fit to play - though he warned he may have to rest some players before the Champions League begins next week.

"Carlos Tevez has no injury," he said. “I’ll talk to Carlos. He is fine and he wants to play, but I want to evaluate any risks as we have to start the Champions League campaign strongly, too.

“I have faith in the players at my disposal. The season is long and everyone will have to contribute something.

“Udinese are a difficult side to face," he continued. "They are well built and Andrea Stramaccioni has inherited a good team from Francesco Guidolin.

“It will be a special game for me as it will be my first as Juventus boss at the Juventus Stadium. We’ll need the support of the fans.”

Allegri also made it clear he is in no rush to abandon Antonio Conte's winning 3-5-2 formula, and is determined to find a way to fit Patrice Evra into the side.

“To be clear, it is not as if Juventus belong to one coach if they play with four at the back and another if they field three," said the former AC Milan boss.

“Ripping up a system that has worked makes no sense. Also, if Barzagli and Chiellini are missing then a four-man defence is no good.

“Evra was an important signing and he’ll certainly play tomorrow. He can play in a four-man defence or a five-man midfield. He just has to get used to Italian football.”

Allegri also believes Juve's quest for a fourth-successive title has been made extremely tough by the strengthening their main rivals conducted in the summer.

“Roma have made some excellent moves in the transfer market, Milan too," he added.

“It will be a balanced championship and harder than last term. It will be decided in the last few weeks. Napoli are to be feared as well.”

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