Socrates

Righetti says Juventus played better after Motta was sent off Juventus faced a tough challenge last night against Bologna, conceding a goal almost immediately after manager Thiago Motta was sent off. The Bianconeri were desperate to win the game, as they were already falling behind in the Serie A title race. Unfortunately for them, Bologna scored their second goal shortly after the incident, putting Juve in a more precarious position. However, Juventus showed resilience and rallied late in the match, salvaging a 2-2 draw thanks to two goals, including a dramatic late strike by Samuel Mbangula. This performance, ironically, seemed to improve after Motta’s dismissal from the sidelines. Observers noted how the Juventus players thrived under less pressure without the constant influence of their manager. Ubaldo Righetti, a respected football pundit, commented on this dynamic. He said, “With the microphones off, did I say that Juve played better after Motta’s expulsion? It’s true, they didn’t feel the pressure from their coach. And also the position of some players, because at the beginning of the championship, Yildiz played as an attacking midfielder, more central, and Mbangula was a winger. Today they came in, they are fast, quick, motivated players, but Motta also plays on motivation, on this fact.” ............ “Motta is very well prepared, he is good, but it gives me the impression that sometimes he wants to show that his ideas are stronger than the players.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/pundit-says-juventus-played-better-after-motta-was-sent-off/

“I’ve never seen a player get hurt blocking a shot” Juventus is unlucky states Pavan Massimo Pavan has spoken out about Juventus’ ongoing misfortune this season, using Andrea Cambiaso’s recent freak injury as an example of their struggles. The defender, who has been one of Juventus’ most reliable players, suffered the unexpected injury during the 2-2 draw against Bologna. Cambiaso was performing a routine defensive task, blocking a shot from a Bologna attacker, but the force of the shot appeared to be too much. He was unable to continue and was forced off the pitch, leaving Juventus to make an unplanned substitution. ............ Pavan, discussing the injury and Juventus’ season as a whole, expressed his frustration over the club’s struggles. He said, “Disgusting first half, we are ugly and unlucky, we don’t need proclamations but facts! We don’t need players or coaches who talk about nothing, but we need victories and points. From here on I’ll accept bad games too; we haven’t seen many good ones, but we need victories—in the league but also in the cup. It must be said that we are also unlucky. I’ve never seen a player get hurt blocking a shot.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/ive-never-seen-a-player-get-hurt-blocking-a-shot-juventus-is-unlucky-states-pavan/

Del Piero predicts Scudetto winner, explains why Juventus “are in trouble” Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero highlights a concerning sign for his beloved club, while revealing his Scudetto favorite. The legendary Bianconeri captain was at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening as Thiago Motta’s men rallied from behind to earn an unsatisfying draw against Bologna. ............ So while he applauded the players for their comeback, Del Piero feels that Juventus are in trouble as their opponents can now sense victory when playing against them. “They made a great comeback even if it came with a goal in the last minute, they were losing 2-0 at home,” said the 50-year-old during his post-match appearance. “They are in trouble, there are many absences, another injury today, a bad injury because Cambiaso is a great player for Juve. They are also in trouble because the teams are feeling comfortable playing against them, they believe they can win. “For Bologna, leaving here with a draw is a good result. The problem is that the other teams are not afraid and Thiago Motta must work on this aspect.” On another note, Del Piero admitted that Juventus are now unlikely to prevail in the Scudetto race as they continue to trail behind in sixth place. Hence, the 2006 World Cup winner believes Atalanta might have a golden chance at achieving their maiden league title. ............ “You know where my heart lies, to stay in theme with where we are (the Juventus Stadium). But to be honest, Atalanta are coming from nine consecutive victories, now they will face Real Madrid and have a chance to take an even higher step.” . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/del-piero-predicts-scudetto-winner-explains-why-juventus-are-in-trouble/

Juventus’ Koopmeiners: “Playing well for only 20 minutes is not enough” Teun Koopmeiners scored his first goal of the season for Juventus in their 2-2 draw against Bologna. Despite helping his team come back from a two-goal deficit, the Dutch midfielder expressed mixed feelings about the result in a post-match interview. On his positioning closer to Vlahovic, Koopmeiners said, “We need to find each other in these moments. Dusan is dangerous inside and outside the box, and I can also provide assists or score goals like today. We want to help the team.” ............ “Let’s say the team restarted in the last twenty minutes. We need to play the entire game like this and with more energy. We must pass the ball forward and press higher. The goal is to always play like this; twenty minutes are not enough. We need to control the match like this for ninety minutes; the responsibility lies with us players.” ............ “It’s difficult to say what’s missing to win. The energy we saw in the last twenty minutes must last the entire game. We’ve seen that it’s not enough. We must feel this responsibility; only then can we grow.” ............ “Honestly, I don’t feel happy about scoring. I play for the team, and winning is what’s important. I don’t just think about my goal.” . Read more -> https://www.footitalia.com/juventus-koopmeiners-playing-well-for-only-20-minutes-is-not-enough/

Juventus 2 - Bologna 2: Initial reaction and random observations Guess what? It’s another draw! For the second time in as many games, Juventus were one half of a one-goal lead going up in smoke thanks to a goal deep into second-half stoppage time. At least the second time around, they were the benefactors of that rather than what took place last weekend against Lecce. That feels like one of the only good things to come out of the first of four straight home games to be played in Turin. Samuel Mbangula’s 92nd-minute golazo saved Juventus from their first defeat of the season Saturday night at the Allianz Stadium. On a night in which Juventus were clearly the second-best side, Bologna was oh-so-close to claiming their first win in Turin against Juventus since the 2010-11 season. ............ The whistles Juventus players and coaches heard as they walked off the field at the end of the first half were very much a deserved sound. And it looked like those same whistles were pretty much on standby entering the final moments before Mbangula’s heroics that allowed Juventus to spoil what was all set up to be a big night in Turin for Bologna. If it wasn’t for Mbangula’s first goal since the opening weekend of the 2024-25 season, those whistles would have certainly appeared again. Same goes for Teun Koopmeiners (finally) scoring his first as a Juventus player just after the hour mark to give his team a chance. But still, it’s another draw. And it’s another performance from Thiago Motta’s squad that leaves a lot to be desired as a very, very important Champions League fixture awaits on the horizon. So, through Juve’s first 15 games in Serie A under Motta, they look like this: Six wins Nine draws ............ In those nine draws, Juventus have scored 10 goals. Take out the crazy 4-4 draw against Inter Milan back in late-October, and you’ve got six goals scored in eight draws. To go even further, we already know that four of Juve’s draws in Serie A have been of the scoreless variety, so on top of the inability to win on a consistent basis there’s also the inability to consistently score goals. This is why Juventus are sixth in the Serie A table despite being the only team in the league without a loss. They have shown to be their own worst enemy yet again this season, and as time goes on there’s only so much they can withstand before it becomes a major, major issue. Yet, as much as Juventus scoring goals has been an issue, it was simply Bologna completely throwing Motta’s squad off its axis. Bologna pressed like hell, they forced Juventus into stupid mistakes, and the 2-0 lead they had because of it was completely deserved. Juve looked all out of sorts, and — a lot like the game against Inter — they seemed destined to lose. ... and they didn’t. ............ RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS Of course when the injury situation gets a little bit better one of Juventus’ most important players in Cambiaso gets hurt all of six minutes into the next game. Yeah, it’s just been that kind of season on the injury front. When you consider how freaking hard Dan Ndoye hit that shot in which Cambiaso hurt his ankle, you can understand why he was in so much damn pain. That was an absolute bolt that seems pretty impossible to brace for no matter how hard you try. So now, unless Thiago Motta gets creative or Cambiaso can recover quickly, the only option to play at left back against Manchester City is probably going to be Jonas Rouhi — which, I have to say, is not a very encouraging thing based on how he’s looked in his small number of appearances this season. ............ I think it’s safe to say Motta earned that red card. Yep, no doubt about it. ............ Up until his assist to Mbangula on the tying goal, I was very much thinking “a day to forget” would have been apt for Dusan Vlahovic as well. I get that he’s just back from injury, but the individual numbers Vlahovic put up were not kind. Most notable of them all: his assist to Mbangula was just his 10th completed pass the entire night. Not great. ............ Boy is it nice to see one of those runs into the box down the center channel finally pay off in a goal for Koopmeiners. We’ve seen him be very unlucky in those situations so far this season, so hopefully him scoring and actually having it stand is the thing that kicks him off and gets him rolling. That sure would be nice considering how up and down Juve’s attack has been, Speaking of Koopmeiners, seeing him drop deeper after the first set of Juve substitutions certainly had to be something a lot of folks have been wanting to see. It also allowed Kenan Yildiz to play a little more centrally and have the floating No. 10 role that he had earlier this season as Koopmeiners was still waiting on his move to Turin to be finalized. An underappreciated aspect of the Koopmeiners goal: Francisco Conceição getting the double team that allowed Danilo to have plenty of room on the overlapping run to get a cross off. And he put it right on the money to a wide-open Koopmeiners. ............ There were seven yellow cards shown in this one and at times it felt like twice that amount. ............ So, after all of that, Juventus and Bologna finished with 10 shots apiece. Wouldn’t have guessed that one. . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/12/7/24315583/juventus-bologna-2024-serie-a-matchday-15-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

“Officially out of the fight” Santarelli reacts to Juventus draw against Bologna Juventus suffered a setback in their Serie A campaign after being held to a 2-2 draw against Bologna, a result that significantly impacted their chances of winning the Scudetto. Thiago Motta’s team entered the match knowing that anything less than a victory would damage their title hopes. ............ Juventus faced additional challenges as Motta was sent off during the match, leaving the team to rally without him. Despite showing resilience to level the score and preserve their unbeaten run, the draw felt more like a missed opportunity than a positive outcome. ............ The frustration surrounding the team’s performance was palpable, with Alessandro Santarelli, a pundit analysing the game, voicing his disappointment: “I’m very angry, because you don’t get anywhere with draws. A draw is better than a defeat, but is a draw good or bad? You can’t afford to draw certain games. Lots of mistakes this evening, even from the coach. I’m disappointed with the team this evening. Mbangula scored a beautiful goal, but you won’t get far like this. Motta must realize that. Juve is officially out of the fight for the Scudetto today. The sporting director must also intervene, and make the coach understand that some technical choices aren’t good. I expected to be at a different point on December 7th.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/officially-out-of-the-fight-pundit-reacts-to-juventus-draw-against-bologna/

Thiago Motta: ‘The red card? I went too far with my complaints’ Juventus head coach Thiago Motta addressed the media following his team’s match against Bologna, which ended in a dramatic comeback for the Bianconeri. The game, which took place in Turin, saw Juventus trailing 2-0 before mounting a spirited fightback to salvage a draw. ............ The manager also addressed his own dismissal during the match, taking responsibility for his actions: “What happened with Marchetti? He was right to send me off. I got angry and made a gesture that I should have avoided. I went overboard with my complaints.” ............ “Manchester City? I think there’s no better time to face City. There’s no better moment to take on a team of that caliber.” . Read more -> https://www.footitalia.com/thiago-motta-the-red-card-i-went-too-far-with-my-complaints/

Player ratings: Juventus 2-2 Bologna – Koopmeiners inspires Bianconeri fight Juventus left it late to rescue a point at home against Bologna in an eventual 2-2 draw in Serie A on Saturday evening. Teun Koopmeiners got his first goal ini Juventus colours, despite coach Thiago Motta being sent to the stands a quarter of an hour earlier. ............ Juventus player ratings Perin 6; Danilo 6.5, Gatti 5 (Savona 6), Kalulu 5, Cambiaso n/a (Rouhi 5); Locatelli 6 (Thuram 6), Fagioli 6 (Yildiz 6); Conceicao 6.5, Koopmeiners 7, Weah 6 (Mbangula 7); Vlahovic 6. Best Juventus player: Koopmeiners 7 – It’s taken 15 appearances, but the €50m summer signing finally has his first goal in Bianconeri colours. He held up his run well and was open in acres of space when he latched onto Danilo’s low cross in the area. The Dutchman tried his best to get the stadium going after halving his side’s deficit, and Juventus did look an improved side in the final 30 minutes of proceedings. That improvement was confirmed with Mbangula’s fine equaliser in injury time. Coach: Thiago Motta 4.5 – Headloss. The Juventus coach had been warned in the first half, but couldn’t keep himself in check before being sent off six minutes into the second period. A temporarily disorganised Juventus then fell two goals behind shortly after the coach’s dismissal. That said, Juventus looked vastly improved after going two goals behind, and were threatening with their attacking play in the second portion of the second half. ............ Bologna player ratings Skorupski 6; Holm 7 (Posch n/a), Beukema 6, Lucumi 6, Miranda 6; Freuler 6.5, Pobega 7 (Moro 5.5); Ndoye 8, Odgaard 6.5 (Fabbian 6), Dominguez 6.5 (Iling-Jr n/a); Castro 7 (Dallinga 5). Best Bologna player: Ndoye 8 ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/player-ratings-juventus-2-2-bologna-ndoye/

Mbangula saves Juventus unbeaten record with late stunner against Bologna. Juventus played out a 2-2 draw against Bologna this evening, salvaging a point with a late equaliser. Thiago Motta faced his former club for the first time since leaving them in the summer, and Juventus knew this encounter could be one of their toughest tests yet. ............ The men in black and white found themselves in trouble almost immediately after the game began, as Dan Ndoye rattled the crossbar with an early effort. Juve also suffered an early blow when Andrea Cambiaso was forced off due to injury. Shortly afterwards, Ndoye silenced the Juve fans with a superb opening goal. ............ Bologna started the second half on the front foot, and just six minutes in, Thiago Motta was sent off. This incident seemed to energise Bologna, who soon doubled their lead. Despite trailing, Juventus pressed forward relentlessly. Their efforts were eventually rewarded when Teun Koopmeiners pulled one back for the Bianconeri. ............ Bologna’s defence held firm as Samuel Mbangula and Nicolo Savona also joined the fray for Juventus in the closing stages. The substitutions paid off in dramatic fashion. Mbangula struck a stunning equalizer in the first minute of added time, embodying the club’s motto “fino alla fine”—until the end. . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/mbangula-saves-juventus-unbeaten-record-with-late-stunner-against-bologna/

Fagioli pensa ad altro

Come corrono sti bolognesi

Gol preso da polli

Oddio, si scalda Rouhi

Juventus vs. Bologna match preview It’s May 20, 2024. It’s a rainy night in Bologna, and Juventus are rolling into town fresh off a Coppa Italia win but also without the manager who helped them win it. Instead, there’s a caretaker manager for the first time in a long time on the Juventus sideline, with the man who everybody expects to become the next full-time boss just a short distance away on the Bologna bench. It proved to be a wild night in the rain, with Juve going down 3-0 only to score three goals within 14 minutes to pull even and provide one last bit of last-season fireworks during a five-month run that was very much ... not that. Fast forward to this weekend and many of the major players in that late-May matchup in Bologna are now somewhere else. But one of the main protagonists will be on the sidelines once again — albeit on the one who calls Allianz Stadium home rather than when he was at the Dall’Ara. Saturday night in Turin will be the first time Thiago Motta faces Bologna since his summer move to Juventus, with both teams looking very, very different compared to when they took part in the six-goal thriller that had Paolo Montero sprinting down the sideline as he celebrated the final two goals of the night. ............ The good news is that the injury crisis has met a bit of a reprieve, with three players who missed the draw with Lecce — most notably Dusan Vlahovic — back in the fold to face Bologna, Motta said at his pre-match press conference. That does, on paper, make you believe that Juve’s attack will be more dangerous than it has been over the last few weeks as Vlahovic dealt with the muscle injury he picked up on international duty. But just because Vlahovic is back doesn’t necessarily mean everything is fixed. Juventus are a team that still very much is a work in progress, and with Motta being forced to work with limited options over the last few weeks, the injury situation has not eased the frustrations of a team that enters Saturday night with more draws (8) than wins (6) in Serie A so far this season. Four of Juventus’ last six Serie A fixtures have ended in draws. ............ Bologna entered Matchday 15 sitting in eighth place, five points behind Juventus. Just like when Juventus took on Lecce six days earlier, Saturday night’s matchup against Bologna has us asking the question of “Is this the day when Juve’s streak of draws comes to an end?” While we don’t know the question to that just yet, there’s one thing that’s for certain: if they continue to stack up draws one after another, it’s going to continue to put stress on the situation no matter the current status of those who are injured. Juventus need a win over Bologna for a variety of reasons, but the biggest might be just to feel that winning happiness once again. ............ TEAM NEWS I know it’s hard to believe considering what the last couple of weeks have been like, but Juventus actually received some good injury news this week. That included Dusan Vlahovic returning to full training with the squad on Wednesday and is going to be back in the matchday squad, according to Motta at his pre-match press conference. Another Juve attacker, teenager Vasilije Adžić, also returned to training this week. The final player back from injury and available to face Bologna is fullback Nicolo Savona, who was forced to come off injured in Juve’s Champions League draw against Aston Villa. That means Juventus’ injury list has gone down from nine to six players. They are: Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Nico Gonzalez, Arek Milik, Douglas Luiz and Weston McKennie. Motta said that Juve youth sector players Diego Pugno, Augusto Owusu, Filippo Pagnucco and Niccolo Rizzo will also be called up to face Bologna on Saturday. ............ JUVENTUS PLAYER TO WATCH Well, Juventus actually has a No. 9 to play up front again. And, wouldn’t you know, it’s the guy who actually wears No. 9 on the back of his jersey. So, while so much of the conversation the last three games has been about what Juventus hasn’t been able to do without somebody like him out there, let’s talk about him coming back. Yep, it’s time to talk Dusan again. Obviously. ............ So now, as Juve look to actually get three points. If anything, simply having somebody like Vlahovic and his big frame up front rather than somebody shoehorned in there like Koopmeiners or Weah should help Juventus’ attack. That’s just the line of thinking, though. We know from this season and years past, just because Vlahovic is there it doesn’t always equate to goals being scored. If he isn’t seeing much of the ball or very much isolated for a variety of reasons. Even though we haven’t reached the midway point of the 2024-25 season, Bologna’s defense has already hit half the number of goals allowed (16) as they did a year ago under Motta (32). So, even though he is not facing a very vulnerable defense like Juve matched up against last weekend in Lecce, Bologna have proven to be susceptible to goals being scored against them. ............ MATCH INFO When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Where: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy. Official kickoff time: 6 p.m. in Italy and the Central European time zone, 5 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 12 p.m. Eastern time, 9 a.m. Pacific time. . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/12/7/24310856/juventus-bologna-2024-serie-a-matchday-15-preview-team-news-schedule-how-to-watch

Danilo will not be available for transfer even if Juventus sign a new defender Danilo’s situation at Juventus has become a significant topic as the Brazilian defender underperforms and approaches the final six months of his contract. Once an undisputed starter and a key figure under former manager Max Allegri, Danilo now finds himself in a diminished role under Thiago Motta, who has often opted to bench the club captain when other defensive options are available. Despite his reduced playing time, Danilo reportedly wants to stay at Juventus and sign a new deal. However, the club appears less inclined to extend his contract, suggesting a potential parting of ways at the end of the season. Interest from other clubs could open the door to a January move, especially as Juventus is actively seeking reinforcements to address injuries to Juan Cabal and Gleison Bremer. ............ Danilo remains one of the most seasoned players in the squad, bringing leadership and experience to a relatively young team. While his on-pitch performances may not be at their peak, his presence in the dressing room and ability to step in when needed are still valuable. Allowing him to leave as a free agent next summer, rather than in January, ensures Juventus can maintain depth during a challenging campaign. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/danilo-will-not-be-available-for-transfer-even-if-juventus-sign-a-new-defender/

Guido Vaciago insists Juventus is on the right path despite their struggles This season has been challenging for Juventus, as they grapple with inconsistency. However, such struggles should not be unexpected, considering the club is working with a new manager and several new players. Despite this, the team continues to push forward, striving to stay competitive. Over time, they are expected to improve as they settle into the season. ............ Some supporters have already voiced frustration with manager Thiago Motta, but it is important to remember that he is only six months into the job. Additionally, the club has made several new signings who still need time to adjust. Journalist Guido Vaciago shared his thoughts on the situation at Juventus: “Today, Juventus has problems: many injuries, little brilliance in the offensive phase, and some distractions that have cost them precious points. Thiago Motta must invent solutions and Cristiano Giuntoli must prepare them for January: in short, there is a lot of work to do while the opponents (Atalanta and Napoli in particular) are moving quickly.” ............ “In short, the situation at Continassa is not easy. However, there is no sense of nervousness in difficult moments, despite the awareness of the circumstances. In fact, Juventus, in addition to the problems, has a direction, a path decided last spring in the planning phase for the future. There is an economic plan, there is a technical program, and there are comforting signs that the path taken is good. Motta is building.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/guido-vaciago-insists-juventus-is-on-the-right-path-despite-their-struggles/

When will Nicolas Gonzalez return to fitness for Juventus? Nicolas Gonzalez last played for Juventus two months ago, and since then, he has missed nine matches for the Bianconeri. His absence has been a significant blow, as Juve signed him to become one of their key attacking players. He started his tenure at the club on a positive note, showcasing the skills that made him an important addition to the squad. The Bianconeri had always viewed him as an integral part of their future plans, and they are desperately in need of his return to full fitness. However, Gonzalez’s injury troubles are not a new issue. Before joining Juventus, he was known to be injury-prone during his time at Fiorentina, which raised some concerns. Now, Juventus is facing the consequences of those concerns, with the player’s fitness issues continuing to hamper the team’s progress. Gonzalez will miss the upcoming matches against Bologna and Manchester City, which further complicates matters for Juventus as they head into a crucial period of the season. The hope is that Gonzalez may be ready to return for their match against Venezia in mid-December, but even that timeline remains uncertain. ............ Given these repeated setbacks, Juventus may need to consider finding a replacement for Gonzalez in the January transfer window. If the Argentine winger does not return by the end of the year, it might be necessary for Juve to bring in another option to ensure the team’s depth and attacking power. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/when-will-nicolas-gonzalez-return-to-fitness-for-juventus/

Juventus vs Bologna: Preview and Prediction Thiago Motta prepares for a reunion with his former side as Juventus prepare to take on Bologna, with the pressure to keep up with the top five. Juventus are at risk of falling behind in the title race as the five teams above them in the standings are clearing room as they get set to host Bologna at the Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri suffered another setback with yet another draw that saw them drop more points in the title race. Their 1-1 draw away to US Lecce was their third in a row in all competitions and fourth in five games, which could come to bite back later in the season. It’s a similar pattern that ensued earlier in the season, although Juventus have the firepower to bounce back and make their presence felt in the race. Meanwhile, Motta will have to prove a point against former side Bologna, as they visit Turin ahead of Saturday. Bologna have performed in a different way than many had expected, but they are not too much off the pace, as their current position in the 8th spot suggests. ............ Team News & Tactics Juventus Thiago Motta still has a long injury list to contend with, Gleison Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik aside; they have winger Nico Gonzalez missing, while full-back pair Juan Cabal and Nicolo Savona are also absent with injury issues. Midfield pair Weston McKennie and Douglas Luiz are also out of the contest, meaning Motta’s options in many kep positions are thin heading into this weekend’s game. In those full-back positions, Danilo and Andrea Cambiaso are expected to start. Motta will continue to pick Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli in his midfield. Francisco Conceicao is in line to start on the right wing, with Kenan Yildiz on the other flank. Teun Koopmeiners will complete the attacking setup behind striker Dusan Vlahovic, who will lead the line for Juventus. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Danilo, Gatti, Kalulu, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatell; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic Bologna ............ Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Dominguez, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro Key Stats Juventus are undefeated in their last 26 matches against Bologna in all competitions. Juventus are undefeated in their last 22 matches in Serie A. Juventus have drawn their last three games in all competitions. Bologna have won three of their last four matches in Serie A. Bologna are 5 points behind Juventus in the current Serie A standings. Player to Watch Dusan Vlahovic Juventus are dealing with another injury crisis, as the list has grown long, and Thiago Motta has yet to find a solution to creating enough chances in games. Some of their recent draws are proof of their inefficiency in the final third, as Vlahovic’s return will be a welcome boost for the Bianconeri. ............ Prediction Juventus 1-0 Bologna Bologna are in a good run of form and could take on Juventus in a challenging way on Saturday. Vincenzo Italiano will want a big fight in Turin from his players, as this is a chance to close the gap on the Bianconeri and return to their objective of finishing in a big European place. Juventus, on the other hand, may not have had results go their way recently, but they are still a strong side to deal with. The return of Dusan Vlahovic could be key to determining which way this result swings, as the Bianconeri are tipped to take three points with a slender scoreline. . Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/12/07/juventus-vs-bologna-preview-and-prediction/

Serie A Preview: Juventus vs Bologna – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction New Juventus manager Thiago Motta faces former employers Bologna in one of the standout fixtures of Serie A Matchday 15. Saturday’s encounter at the Allianz Stadium has all the makings of a must-win clash for the home side amid their faltering Scudetto pursuit. Conceding a heartbreaking stoppage-time equalizer condemned Juventus to a 1-1 away draw against Lecce, marking their sixth stalemate across their last eight outings in all competitions (W2). That inability to turn single-point affairs into victories has significantly derailed Bianconeri’s hopes of halting a four-year title duck in Serie A. ............ Match Preview Juventus In dire need of three points, Juventus come into this fixture looking to put a decisive halt to a three-game winless run against Bologna. All three showdowns have ended all square, with the Bianconeri conceding the opening goal on each occasion, underscoring the magnitude of the task awaiting them this weekend. Therefore, another stalemate is well on the cards. As aforementioned, sharing the spoils has been a running theme for Juventus this season, especially in Turin. Motta’s men have drawn half of their home games in all competitions (W2, D3, L1) but remain undefeated in their last 14 Serie A outings at the Allianz Stadium (W6, D8). Remarkably, those results form part of Juve’s formidable 22-match unbeaten streak in league action, accounting for the longest current run without losing in Italy’s top flight. Extending that purple patch may also witness a quick-fire start. Indeed, three of Juventus’ last four home league matches have produced an opener inside the first 20 minutes. Bologna Italiano has recovered from a miserable start, re-establishing Bologna as one of the most resilient and tactically disciplined sides in Serie A this season. In addition to winning four of their last five league contests (L1), the Rossoblu humbled Monza 4-0 in midweek Coppa Italia action, consolidating their spirits ahead of this road trip. ............ Team News Long-term absentees Arkadiusz Millik, Douglas Luiz, Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, and Nicolas Gonzalez have got company in the treatment room amid a full-blown injury crisis in Turin. Weston McKeenie is the latest Juventus ace to be sidelined by an injury. However, Dusan Vlahovic is back to full fitness and should spearhead the attack. ............ Juventus vs Bologna Potential Starting Line-up Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Danilo, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic. Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Ndoye, Odgaard, Dominguez; Castro. Juventus vs Bologna Prediction This meeting has a low-scoring theme written all over it. Though both teams have thrived in such circumstances, the home comforts of the Allianz Stadium favor Juventus for the win. We back the hosts to live up to the billing. Prediction: Juventus to Win . Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/serie-a-preview-juventus-vs-bologna-team-news-line-ups-prediction/

Motta confirms Vlahovic will make his return to action against Bologna For the majority of the 2024-25 season, Juventus coach Thiago Motta has been leaning on Dusan Vlahovic to shoulder the load of playing time up front. Juve’s only other option in the No. 9 position, Arek Milik, has been injured ever since June, meaning the big Serbian had started every game up until last month when he suffered a muscle injury during the November international break. After missing three games due to said injury, word came out earlier this week that Vlahovic had returned to training — a welcome sight for a Juve attack that struggled mightily to score goals in his absence. On Friday, Motta confirmed that the 24-year-old striker would return to the squad that will face Bologna at the Allianz Stadium. ............ “Dusan will be in the group tomorrow. He’s trained with the team this week,” Motta said at his pre-match press conference. “We are happy Vlahovic is back to do what he loves and his work, which is to enter the pitch and play football.” ............ “Adzic and Savona will also be back,” Motta said. “We are happy that there is more depth in the squad again, but also personally for those returning to be able to do their job on the pitch. We will also have youngsters Diego Pugno, Augusto Owusu, Filippo Pagnucco and Niccolò Rizzo in the squad with us tomorrow.” ............ “I spent two fantastic years in Bologna at a human and sporting level. I have nothing to add about the rest,” the 42-year-old Motta said. ............ Besides the big injury boosts with Vlahovic and Savona returning this weekend, Juventus also have the good fortune of being able to play their next four games in front of their fans at the Allianz Stadium. After three straight games away from home coming out of the international break, Motta’s squad won’t head back out on the road until they play against Monza a couple of days before Christmas. “We would like to thank the fans again who will come to support us in large numbers at the stadium tomorrow: the important thing is what we do on the pitch and the quality of our play”. ............ . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/12/6/24314486/juventus-bologna-thiago-motta-dusan-vlahovic-2024-serie-a-matchday-15-team-news-press-conference

Juventus could welcome back three injured players against Man City Juventus is slowly seeing their injury crisis ease, with several key players nearing a return to action. Manager Thiago Motta has kept the team unbeaten in Serie A despite being forced to adapt to a stretched squad, showcasing resilience and tactical flexibility. The return of injured stars is set to bolster Juve’s options, providing much-needed reinforcements as the season intensifies. Among the players expected back soon is striker Dusan Vlahovic, whose recovery is progressing well. ............ Additionally, the Bianconeri anticipate welcoming Weston McKennie, Douglas Luiz, and Nicolo Savona back to the fold in the coming days. These players are expected to regain full fitness ahead of Juventus’ high-profile clash against Manchester City. This critical Champions League fixture presents an opportunity for Juve to make a strong statement on the European stage, and having key players available could make all the difference. ............ As the team transitions into a phase of greater stability, fans will hope the worst of the injury woes are behind them. Juventus is determined to capitalise on this period of recovery and use their rejuvenated squad to push for success domestically and in Europe. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-could-welcome-back-three-injured-players-against-man-city/

Giuntoli hands Juventus and advantage in the race to sign Victor Osimhen Juventus remains determined to pursue Victor Osimhen despite knowing the challenges involved in negotiating with Napoli, a club notorious for avoiding deals with their Serie A rivals. The Nigerian striker, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has reignited his career after a summer of uncertainty. His decision to leave Napoli came as no surprise, given his desire for a fresh challenge and the lack of attractive offers from top European clubs at the time. Osimhen’s exceptional performances in Turkey have caught the attention of Europe’s elite once more. ............ Paris Saint-Germain has emerged as a serious contender. The French giants, armed with substantial financial resources, are prepared to make an aggressive push for the striker. However, Juventus might hold a crucial edge in the race, thanks to the presence of Cristiano Giuntoli. The Bianconeri’s sporting director was instrumental in bringing Osimhen to Napoli during his time with the Partenopei. His established rapport with the player’s camp could prove decisive in swaying Osimhen toward Turin. ............ Osimhen is open to reuniting with Giuntoli, a factor that places Juventus in a favourable position. Despite this advantage, the Bianconeri will need to make a significant financial commitment to secure the deal. Osimhen remains one of the world’s most prolific strikers, and his current contract situation—with just one year remaining—means Napoli could demand a sizable fee despite limited leverage. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/giuntoli-hands-juventus-and-advantage-in-the-race-to-sign-victor-osimhen/