Socrates

Juventus could use two creative midfielders against Stuttgart Juventus is set to face Stuttgart in their third Champions League group-stage match, following a strong start with victories over previous opponents, including a hard-fought win against RB Leipzig. ............ Today’s encounter against Stuttgart promises to be challenging, particularly given Stuttgart’s solid form, which included a commendable performance against Real Madrid in their previous group game. Motta is reportedly opting for a more creative approach in midfield to counter Stuttgart’s threat and exploit any weaknesses in their setup. The Juventus manager is likely to deploy both Nicolò Fagioli and Douglas Luiz as dual playmakers, aiming to maximize the team’s creativity. The two midfielders will alternate in the playmaking role, providing flexibility and ensuring that Juventus can exploit spaces and openings in Stuttgart’s defensive structure. ............ The decision to utilise Fagioli and Luiz in this dual creative setup is not just about adding attacking flair. The midfield will need to strike a balance between creativity and defensive solidity. With Stuttgart’s capacity to launch rapid counterattacks, Motta’s midfield configuration must also include defensive responsibilities to prevent leaving the backline exposed. ............ The Bianconeri will need to be disciplined and take advantage of the home-field atmosphere to gain an edge. Juventus must convert their chances efficiently, especially since their opponents have already shown resilience against one of Europe’s elite teams. ............ Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-could-use-two-creative-midfielders-against-stuttgart/

Pavan reacts to Gianluca Rocchi’s admission of refereeing mistakes against Juventus Refereeing controversies continue to dominate discussions in Serie A, with inconsistencies in decision-making drawing criticism from players, fans, and analysts alike. The introduction of VAR was intended to bring greater fairness to football by reducing human errors, but even with technology, controversial calls persist. The situation has sparked frustration, especially among Juventus fans, who feel aggrieved by specific decisions against their team. The controversy surrounding Francisco Conceição’s red card against Cagliari remains a sore point. The winger was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in what many believed was a harsh decision. Italian referees’ chief Gianluca Rocchi acknowledged that the call was “excessive,” admitting that mistakes have been made this season. ............ Massimo Pavan, an outspoken critic, has highlighted the inconsistent use of VAR and decision-making standards in favour of or against Juventus. Pavan noted the inconsistency between the analysis of incidents. He said, “When I hear Rocchi saying that they didn’t analyze Pellegri’s intervention, we understand everything… when I hear it happened a few weeks ago in an Empoli-Juventus match, but we didn’t analyze it, it was a head-to-head and we decided to stick with the decision on the pitch, I get a few annoying and negative feelings. So on an episode in favour of Juve, you analyze it and it creates a mess, in one against, you don’t analyze it and everything is passed over in hushed silence, good… no?” ............ For now, players and coaches seem resigned to the fact that officiating errors are part of the sport, hoping to minimise their impact on results. The hope is that, as technology and training continue to evolve, refereeing decisions will become more consistent and transparent, ultimately improving the game. Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/pundit-reacts-to-gianluca-rocchis-admission-of-refereeing-mistakes-against-juventus/

Juventus Ready to Invest to Keep Conceiçao Permanently Juventus are satisfied with what they have seen with Francisco Conceiçao and have already started negotiating with Porto to acquire him. The ongoing loan deal doesn’t have an option to buy, but the attacker will have a €30M release clause next summer. According to Sky, the Bianconeri will end up signing him permanently for about €33/34M. They shelled out €7M to have him this campaign, wages included. He has appeared four times so far, missing a few games due to a thigh problem, scoring twice and providing one assist. ............ That’d be quite the disbursement, considering they’ll pay €35M for Nicolas Gonzalez in the same role, but his early showings justify it. ............ Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/juventus-ready-to-invest-to-keep-conceicao-permanently/

Juventus vs VfB Stuttgart: Preview and Prediction Juventus will be aiming to continue their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League campaign when they host VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday. Thiago Motta has made some significant strides towards confirming his status as one of the current elite managers in the game. Juventus have picked up form of late and are climbing towards title contention in Serie A while starting their Champions League campaign with a perfect record as they get set to host VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Stadium tonight. ............ Motta will want a third consecutive win in the Champions League when they host VfB Stuttgart. In doing so, he will become the third Juventus manager to win his first three games in the competition while joining the likes of Fabio Capello and Marcelo Lippi. VfB Stuttgart do not have a good enough record against Italian opposition, and this will be their first-ever competitive match against Juventus. ............ Team News & Tactics Juventus Thiago Motta will miss several of his stars, including summer arrivals Nicolas Gonzalez, Teun Koopmeiners, and Michele Di Gregorio. The latter will have to serve a suspension following his red card against RB Leipzig, while the other two have thigh and rib issues, respectively, that rule them out of the VfB Stuttgart tie. Weston McKennie is in line to return following a muscular problem sustained on international duty. Motta may not include the USMNT star immediately, as he does have other options to use there, with Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Fagioli the preferred choices in central midfield. With Gleison Bremer out for the season, Motta is still finding the right partnership, at least until January, when he can use the transfer window to find solutions. For this clash, Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu are well-placed for the central defensive role, while Mattia Perin will replace the suspended Di Gregorio in goal. Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Perin; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Cabal; Locatelli, Fagioli; Cambiaso, Yildiz, Mbangula; Vlahovic VfB Stuttgart ............ Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Millot, Undav, Leweling; Demirovic Key Stats Tuesday’s match will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Juventus and VfB Stuttgart. Juventus are unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions. Only Bayern Munich (69.9%) and Manchester City (67.6%) have averaged more possession than Stuttgart (65%) in the UEFA Champions League this season. Indeed, the German club’s average of 76.5% against Sparta Praha last time out was the highest of any team in a single game in the competition this term. VfB Stuttgart have won just one of their 11 major European games against Italian opposition (D4 L6), winning 1-0 against Torino in the UEFA Cup in September 1979. ............ Player to Watch Jamie Leweling The Stuttgart winger is getting the recognition he deserves, as he took his big German national team opportunity with both hands. On his debut for the Bundesliga team, Leweling scored the winner against the Netherlands, which will keep him in Julian Nagelsmann’s mind for some time to come. ............ Prediction Juventus 2-1 VfB Stuttgart Stuttgart will have to bring their A-game to Turin when they continue to search for their first win in this season’s Champions League. However, the task is a big one considering the quality of their opponents, although Sebastian Hoeness’s side does boast a healthy attacking unit to trouble the Juventus defence. Juventus have progressed steadily into an attractive football team under Motta, unlike the one that played for Massimiliano Allegri. Currently, they are one of the in-form sides in Europe. They will likely continue their unbeaten run and maintain the 100% record in the Champions League this season, as the Bianconeri are expected to take three points against Stuttgart. Read more -> https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2024/10/21/juventus-vs-vfb-stuttgart-preview-and-prediction/

Champions League Preview: Juventus vs Stuttgart – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction Brimming with confidence after another domestic triumph, Juventus turn to their UEFA Champions League commitments as Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart touch down at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday. The stage looks all but set for Bianconeri’s third European victory in as many matches under new manager Thiago Motta. ............ Despite their inconsistency in front of goal in Serie A, Juventus are firing on all cylinders in Europe. Before scooping up three precious points on German soil, they hammered PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in Turin to kick off their first Champions League campaign since 2022/23. With out-of-sorts Stuttgart rolling into town, optimism is sky-high among Juve supporters. In addition to being thrashed by fellow Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich 4-0 at the weekend, the visitors have stuttered at the beginning of their first European campaign in over a decade. Following a 3-1 thumping at the hands of Real Madrid on matchday one, Sebastian Hoeness’ side could only manage a 1-1 home draw against Sparta Prague in the last round. ............ Match Preview Juventus As aforementioned, Juventus have got their Champions League journey off to a flyer. However, they failed to keep a clean sheet against Leipzig and PSV, something they’ve not got used to in Serie A since Motta replaced Massimiliano Allegri at the helm. A narrow win against Lazio solidified their sterling defensive record of just one goal conceded in the opening eight league rounds. Therefore, Juventus remain the best defensive side in Europe’s traditional top-five leagues. But another shutout isn’t a foregone conclusion. That’s because seven of their last eight Champions League fixtures have seen both teams score. Juventus fans probably wouldn’t mind seeing their side concede as far as they make it six consecutive victories against German opponents in major European competitions. If Motta’s men can achieve that feat, they’d swing their evenly-poised home record in all competitions this term into their favor (W3, D3). Stuttgart ............ Team News Juventus will be without several first-team stars tomorrow. Michele Di Gregorio is unavailable after picking up a red against Leipzig. Gleison Bremer, Nicolas Gonzalez, Teun Koopmeiners, and Arkadiusz Milik are out injured, with Paul Pogba still on the sidelines due to a long-term ban. ............ Juventus vs Stuttgart Potential Starting XI Juventus (4-2-3-1): Mattia Perin; Nicolo Savona, Pierre Kalulu, Federico Gatti, Juan Cabal; Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Fagioli; Andrea Cambiaso, Kenan Yildiz, Samuel Mbangula; Dusan Vlahovic. Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Alexander Nubel; Pascal Stenzel, Anthony Rouault, Jeff Chabot, Maximilian Mittelstadt; Atakan Karazor, Angelo Stiller; Enzo Millot, Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling; Ermedin Demirovic. Juventus vs Stuttgart Prediction Several high-profile absences in the home camp could give Stuttgart an unexpected opportunity to end Juventus’ 14-game unbeaten home streak. However, we still have confidence in Motta’s charges to take care of business on Tuesday and extend their super home form with a win. Prediction: Juventus to Win Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/champions-league-preview-juventus-vs-stuttgart-team-news-line-ups-prediction/

Motta hints Danilo could start, warns Juventus about Stuttgart: “They deserved to beat Real Madrid” Juventus coach Thiago Motta insists his team will be facing a tough challenge when they host Stuttgart in their upcoming Champions League contest. ............ But even though Stuttgart lie in the middle of the Bundesliga table, Motta believes they still constitute a formidable opponent for his team. The Italo-Brazilian coach notes the Germans almost managed to beat reigning European champions Real Madrid, before conceding twice late in the match and suffering a 1-3 defeat. “In the Champions League, Stuttgart played their first match in Madrid and deserved to win in my opinion,” said Motta in his pre-match interview. “They then conceded two goals at the end but they put a big team in difficulty. In the league, the first half with Bayern was balanced, they have great players who make the difference. In the second half, Bayern were superior. “Stuttgart are comfortable with the ball, in possession, in controlling the game, and Bayern didn’t allow that. Stuttgart are a strong team, who play good football, we are ready to do everything to put them in difficulty.” ............ Motta also hinted Danilo could get the nod following an impressive cameo against Lazio. “Let’s see for tomorrow, I agree that against Lazio, Danilo’s introduction gave a lot of rhythm to the team. Against Lazio, we were a bit too disorganized while having an extra man on the pitch. Then we managed to create chances which resulted in an own-goal.” Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-hints-danilo-could-start-warns-juventus-about-stuttgart-they-deserved-to-beat-real-madrid/

Juventus to ring the changes for Stuttgart clash: New Yildiz role, midfield revamp Juventus coach Thiago Motta will be looking to tweak his starting lineup ahead of the upcoming Champions League contest against Stuttgart. After beating PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig, the Bianconeri will be aiming for their third European victory in as many matches, and their second in a row against a Bundesliga opponent. ............ Moreover, Motta often tends to ring the changes and give opportunities to those who deserve it. Therefore, the manager is expected on field a strikingly different starting lineup on Tuesday night. ............ After his solid cameo against Lazio, club captain Danilo will reportedly earn a starting spot. The Brazilian could be deployed on the right side of the backline instead of the young Nicolo Savona. The rest of the defense should remain intact with Federico Gatti, Pierre Kalulu and Juan Cabal. In the middle of the park, Motta could rely on Nicolo Fagioli in the Regista role. Weston McKennie should recover from his slight muscular problem to rejoin the Italian in the double-pivot. Due to Teun Koopmeiners’ continued absence, Kenan Yildiz could be fielded in a new role. The Turk has been struggling to influence the match on the left wing, so Motta could use him as an attacking midfielder behind Dusan Vlahovic as was the case in the first few weeks of the season. Moreover, Francisco Conceicao will start on the right wing, while the versatile Andrea Cambiaso could be deployed on the left. Juventus Probable XI (4-2-3-1): Perin; Danilo, Gatti, Kalulu, Cabal; Fagioli, McKennie; Conceicao, Yildiz, Cambiaso; Vlahovic Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-to-ring-the-changes-for-stuttgart-clash-new-yildiz-role-midfield-revamp/

Totti defends Yildiz: “He has quality, but comparing him to Del Piero doesn’t help” Francesco Totti, the legendary Italian footballer, recently shared his thoughts. The former Roma captain discussed various topics. He also commented on Juventus’ young talent, Kenan Yildiz. ............ Regarding Juventus’ rising star Kenan Yildiz, Totti was cautiously optimistic but warned against premature comparisons to Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero. He stated, “Yildiz is a young talent, he needs to prove himself. He has great qualities to show he can be a great player. Comparing him to Alex (Del Piero) is reductive and doesn’t benefit the boy. What Alex has done will be difficult to replicate.” Totti emphasized the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the iconic number 10 jersey, adding, “Wearing the number ten is not easy, the number ten is heavy.” Read more -> https://www.footitalia.com/totti-defends-yildiz-he-has-quality-but-comparing-him-to-del-piero-doesnt-help/

Should Juventus continue to play Yildiz on the left despite his struggles? Kenan Yildiz’s recent dip in form has raised concerns at Juventus, especially after a strong start to the season where he thrived in the number ten role behind Dusan Vlahovic. Initially, Yildiz displayed great promise, contributing creatively and playing with confidence. However, the arrival of Teun Koopmeiners, who has taken over the central attacking midfield position, has pushed Yildiz out to the left wing, where his performances have been less impactful. Though he has experience playing on the left for the Turkish national team and has scored notable goals for Juve, such as against PSV in the Champions League, Yildiz seems to be struggling to adapt fully to the role at the club level. His positioning and decision-making on the wing have been inconsistent, affecting his ability to influence games as effectively as he did earlier in the season. ............ The situation is complicated by the presence of other players, such as Samuel Mbangula, who appears to have made a greater impact in the same position. Mbangula’s performances could potentially push Yildiz further down the pecking order if the latter does not quickly adjust. Thiago Motta, known for his willingness to give young players opportunities, still has faith in Yildiz’s abilities. ............ For Yildiz, this is a critical period to prove that he can contribute from various positions, which will be essential for his development and continued inclusion in Juventus’ plans. Otherwise, he may face the possibility of losing his spot to teammates who are more consistent in their performances. Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/should-juventus-continue-to-play-yildiz-on-the-left-despite-his-struggles/

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee ‘open’ to Juventus move Manchester United set to provide Joshua Zirkzee an exit route amidst Juventus interest. According to a report by Daniele Longo, Joshua Zirkzee is hoping to return to the Serie A as early as January after failing to impress at Manchester United. The Dutchman joined The Red Devils at the start of the new season on a €36 million deal from Bologna following a remarkable campaign under manager Thiago Motta. ............ Juventus are amongst the sides currently looking for a player with the 23-year-old’s capabilities and Zirkzee wants to capitalise on the opportunity to wear the Bianconeri colours. Man United are not contemplating selling him now but will be ready to explore loan deals with interested parties. Read more -> https://www.getfootballnewsitaly.com/2024/manchester-uniteds-joshua-zirkzee-open-to-juventus-move/

Preview: Juventus vs. Stuttgart - prediction, team news, lineups Aiming to extend their perfect start in this season's Champions League, Italian giants Juventus will meet Stuttgart for the first time ever on Tuesday evening. Having won in Leipzig last time out, Juve now face more German opposition back on home turf; meanwhile, their struggling visitors have picked up just one point so far. Match preview Showing great spirit to turn the game on its head despite only having 10 men, Juventus battled back twice to claim a 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig earlier this month, returning to Turin with maximum points against all the odds. ............ This week, Thiago Motta could become just the third Juventus coach to win his first three Champions League matches, after legendary duo Fabio Capello (2004) and Marcelo Lippi (1995), which would further highlight his arrival as one of Europe's elite managers. ............ Ahead of Sunday's Derby d'Italia against reigning champions Inter Milan, Motta's men must now tackle Stuttgart, who already have a five-point deficit to their hosts in the 36-team league-phase table. ............ Team News Thiago Motta will again be without long-term absentees Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik, both of whom are on the long road to recovery from knee surgery, while two expensive summer signings - Teun Koopmeiners (rib) and Nico Gonzalez (thigh) - are also ruled out of Tuesday's game. Furthermore, first-choice goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio must serve a suspension, but USA midfielder Weston McKennie may be ready to return after sustaining a minor muscular injury on international duty and Francisco Conceicao is back in the fold after a one-match domestic ban. Juventus have lowered their age profile again this season, regularly fielding academy graduate Nicolo Savona and Turkish teenager Kenan Yildiz, and the latter should support Dusan Vlahovic up front. Vlahovic has either scored or provided an assist in each of his last three Champions League matches, so he will now try to become the first Juve striker to do so in four consecutive appearances since Cristiano Ronaldo. ............ Juventus possible starting lineup: Perin; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cabal; Locatelli, Fagioli; Cambiaso, Yildiz, Mbangoula; Vlahovic Stuttgart possible starting lineup: Nubel; Stenzel, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Millot, Undav, Leweling; Demirovic We say: Juventus 2-0 Stuttgart Not only have new-look Juventus kept several clean sheets this season, but they also have a 14-match unbeaten streak behind them on home soil. As Stuttgart have won only twice on the road in 2024-25 - and one was against lower-level opponents in the DFB-Pokal - they have little hope of taking anything away from Turin. Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/champions-league/preview/preview-juventus-vs-stuttgart-prediction-team-news-lineups_555930.html

Motta must find a way for Juventus to break teams down Juventus secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lazio, even though their opponents were reduced to ten men early in the match due to a red card. This win was another indication of the Bianconeri’s strong form, keeping them within reach of the top of the Serie A standings. Under new manager Thiago Motta, Juventus is emerging as a serious contender for the league title, despite the significant changes in the squad and coaching staff during the summer. This progress under Motta has come as a surprise to many, considering the number of new players and the transition to a different style of play. However, the team’s struggles against defensively compact teams have been a recurring theme. In matches where opponents sit deep and focus on defending, Juventus has often found it challenging to create clear scoring opportunities. ............ Giovanni Guardalà weighed in on this issue, noting that Juventus must improve their ability to unlock defensive teams if they hope to maintain their title push. He said: “When the Bianconeri meet closed teams, they have difficulty finding the goal consistently. No one in the history of Juventus had ever conceded a single goal in eight games, including a penalty against Cagliari. However, Motta must work on finding space against closed teams.” ............ This observation highlights a crucial area for development. While Juventus has been one of the top defensive teams this season, their offensive play needs refinement to overcome stubborn defences more effectively. Motta’s side will need to find more dynamic solutions in attack, especially as opponents become more familiar with their style and adjust their tactics accordingly. ............ Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-must-find-a-way-for-juventus-to-break-teams-down/

Juventus set impressive new club record in victory over Lazio On Saturday night, Juventus emerged victorious from their Serie A contest against Lazio who were reduced to 10-man following Alessio Romagnoli’s dismissal. ............ After the match, the official Juventus website revealed some of the most interesting stats and facts registered in the aftermath, and it includes an impressive club record. After eight Serie A outings, the Bianconeri have only allowed a single goal (a penalty kick against Cagliari). So as the source explains, this is the first time the club concedes so little at this stage of the season. They had previously shipped in two goals in each of the 1966/67, 1986/87, 2004/05 and 2005/06 campaigns. The Turin-based giants have thus raised their clean-sheet tally to 44 over the past three seasons (since 2022/23). Only Barcelona (46) have recorded more shutouts over the same period in Europe’s Top Five Leagues. ............ Finally, Vasilije Adzic made his Juventus debut after overcoming a few injury hurdles. He becomes the sixth player born after 2002 to feature for the club this season (The others are Kenan Yildiz, Nicolo Savona, Samuel Mbangula, Jonas Rouhi and Lorenzo Anghele). Only Genoa (seven) have fielded more youngsters than Thiago Motta’s side this season. ............ Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-set-impressive-new-club-record-in-victory-over-lazio/

Motta talks important win over Lazio, reveals why Cambiaso was the captain, praises Danilo Juventus ended their three-match winless streak in Serie A at home by earning a hard-fought victory over 10-man Lazio. The Bianconeri had the numerical advantage for most of the encounter following Alessio Romagnoli’s red card, but none of their players managed to put the ball in the back of the net. Eventually, it was Mario Gila who “beat” his own goalkeeper with an all-advised interception to direct Juan Cabal’s pass towards goal. Nevertheless, Thiago Motta still cherished the important victory over a tough opponent. “It is an important and deserved victory against a team that plays very well,” noted the 42-year-old in his post-match press conference ............ “Often with crosses that come from the flanks, it is difficult for defenders to deal with it. It happens that an own-goal occurred. It was a difficult match against a complicated opponent.” “I’m very proud of everyone. After Bremer’s injury, we talked about how we all need to give something more and they are showing it every day. ............ For the first time, Andrea Cambiaso donned the captain’s armband. Motta applauded the 24-year-old for his great versatility and positive attitude, but insisted he still has major room for improvement. At the moment, Andrea is showing that he is improving every day, playing in different positions, doing it well, with a great attitude. It is not easy. ............ “Danilo changed the match. He did very well, he changed the pace with his energy at the back which was what we needed. “Starting the action from behind well helps the offensive phase. I’m happy for him and for the team.” Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/motta-talks-important-win-over-lazio-reveals-why-cambiaso-was-the-captain-praises-danilo/

Juventus player ratings v Lazio – midfielder gets the highest rating Michele di Gregorio – 6.5 Because Juve dominated most of the game, he did not have much work to do, but he made at least one key save. Nicolo Savona – 7.0 It was another good performance from the young fullback who did not give Danilo a chance to return to the team. Federico Gatti – 6.5 ............ Pierre Kalulu – 7.0 He keeps getting better, and his surging run caused the red card. He could be Juve’s Player of the Season. Juan Cabal 7.0 He was given another starting opportunity in the team and impressed as he defended well and his cross was deflected for the goal. Manuel Locatelli – 7.0 ............ Khephren Thuram – 7.0 ............ Andrea Cambiaso – 8.0 He was Juventus’ best player on the night. He defended well, and when he attacked, it caused Lazio all kinds of problems. Douglas Luiz – 6.5 It was a busy performance from Luiz, and he performed better than before, but there has to be more to the Brazilian midfielder. Kenan Yildiz – 6.0 He seems to struggle on the right wing and would rather play behind the striker. However, he had a good game, which caused Lazio’s defence to panic whenever he had the ball. Dusan Vlahovic – 6.5 This was one of those matches where the ball just wouldn’t go in for him, and if he plays this way again, he will score in the next game. Substitutes Nicolo Fagioli – 6.5 Added some creativity to the Juventus midfield and helped them maintain control of the game. Timothy Weah – 7.0 ............ Vasilije Adzic – 6.5 It is great to finally see him in a Juve shirt. He was composed and confident on the ball and nearly scored the game’s second goal. Danilo – 6.0 His experience helped to keep the defence focused as Juve pressed for the winner. Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-player-ratings-v-lazio-midfielder-gets-the-highest-rating/

La serie A é come il wrestling. Uno sport solo apparentemente sport.

Juventus 1 - Lazio 0: Initial reaction and random observations I can’t remember the exact point of Saturday night’s game against Lazio where I didn’t really care how Juventus scored just as long as they did score. ............ Then Juan Cabal, a player we have not seen appear in a game in many weeks, sent in one of the most dangerous crosses we’ve seen all game long. And, against a tired defense, all of the good Lazio had done to not break finally washed away in a split second. Juventus finally got the lead they had sought against 10-man Lazio when Cabal’s cross into the 6-yard box turned into an own goal off Mario Gila’s boot and past a helpless Ivan Provedel in goal. It gave Juventus a 1-0 win over the visitors from Rome on a night that would have left just about everybody wearing something Juventus-related in the stadium wondering what the heck happened after the Bianconeri played all but 24 minutes with a man advantage after Alessio Romagnoli was sent off midway through the first half. It had all the makings of one of those frustrating results that we’ve seen from Thiago Motta’s side a decent amount already this season. The biggest of chances weren’t put away, with Dusan Vlahovic and Douglas Luiz missing quality scoring opportunities within a few minutes of one another. ............ Good thing they head back to the Champions League in a few days because that seems to be the only place where they’re scoring goals and putting away their chances on a consistent basis. Just like what we thought would be the case when this season kicked off, right? This game, it remains somewhat confusing even when you think you’ve got it figured out. RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS Pre-game thought No. 1: The Thiago Motta rotation of captains on full display! Even with Federico Gatti in the starting lineup, Andrea Cambiaso was the one leading the team out of the tunnel with the captain’s armband on his bicep for the first time. ............ Thiago Motta’s celebration on the own goal made me smile. I love him and how much passion he’s brought back to this club after more than few years of frustration. ............ This is your reminder that Milan were totally OK with loaning a player like Kalulu out to a direct rival and he has delivered time and time again. What a signing. ............ Di Gregorio had almost as many touches as Kenan Yildiz. I don’t like the sound of that. I get that Yildiz loves to drift out wide and then cut in because his dribbling ability is one of his best assets to hurt a defense, but you just feel sometimes that Yildiz gets wasted out wide on a full-time basis. Maybe in a game like this where Lazio is packing so many numbers deep and trying to clog the central channel isn’t the best for Yildiz to get lost in the muck, but there were more than a few times where I was left wondering what the young Turk was up to because so much of the second half was right-wing dominated. ............ Hey, it’s Vasilije Adžić! Welcome to the show! It was a short cameo, but seeing Adžić in his debut makes you want to see his playing time happen a little more often. He has to actually stay healthy, of course, but boy is that an 18-year-old kid who really doesn’t look 18 years old at all. ............ A little bit better luck and Vlahovic’s shot that hit the under part of the crossbar saves us from a lot of stress on this day. Them’s the breaks sometimes, I suppose. At least all of that stress didn’t leave us with the feeling of two points dropped. Juve got the win. Sure, it’s far from a pretty win, but it’s a win and after so many draws already this season, maybe this is the moment where the luck starts to turn a little bit. Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2024/10/20/24274377/juventus-lazio-2024-serie-a-matchday-8-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

Juventus Player Ratings vs Lazio: Kalulu Enthralls Again Juventus (4-2-3-1) Michele Di Gregorio – 6.5 Another clean sheet for the Italy international who didn’t have a dangerous save to make, but was always alert to the danger. Nicolò Savona – 6 A no-nonsense pefrormance from the young right-back who held his own against Mattia Zaccagni, but was unlucky to receive a booking for a tackle on Nuno Tavares despite reaching the ball first. Pierre Kalulu – 7.5 The Milan loanee was the difference maker yet again. His menacing run from the left flank towards the box led to Romagnoli’s dismissal after forcing the Lazio defender to commit a foul. He was also superb at the back. Federico Gatti – 6.5 ............ Juan Cabal – 7 The new Juventus signing will take the credit for the own-goal as his squared ball towards the mouth of the goal sparked the fumble. An encouraging showing overall. Manuel Locatelli – 5.5 ............ Khephren Thuram – 6.5 The Frenchman was all over the pitch, and managed to cause havoc for Lazio in the final third. However, he lacked the final touch at times, and his impact dwindled as the match progressed. Andrea Cambiaso – 6 The versatile star was the Juventus captain on the night, but didn’t seem quite comfortable on the right flank. His best moment ensued when he provided a sublime cross for Gatti from the left wing. Douglas Luiz – 5.5 ............ Kenan Yildiz – 5.5 The Turkish teenager didn’t see much of the ball and was isolated at times. His flashes of brilliance were very few and far between. Dusan Vlahovic – 6.5 A positive display from the Serbian, even if it lacked the customary goal against Lazio. Put Kalulu through on goal with a brilliant touch, but was unluck to miss the net on the ensuing freekick and then hit the woodwork in the second half. Picked up Cabal just before the own-goal. Substitutes Nicolò Fagioli – 6 The Italian proved to be a upgrade on his compatriot Locatelli, particularly in the attacking phase, as his introduction fastened the Old Lady’s tempo. Timothy Weah – 6 ............ Danilo – 6 The original Juventus captain showcased his great experience while injecting some much-needed determination and tenacity. Vasilije Adzic – 6.5 An impressive Serie A debut from the Montenegrin teenager who threatened Ivan Provedel with a dangerous shot. Read more -> https://cultofcalcio.com/juventus-player-ratings-vs-lazio-kalulu-enthralls-again/

Juventus leave it late to beat 10 men Lazio in Turin Juventus secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Lazio, marking one of their toughest wins this season. The Bianconeri started brightly, stringing together some slick passes that challenged Lazio’s defence, though the visitors managed to keep Juve at bay. ............ Juventus looked set to score, but Pierre Kalulu was fouled just outside the box, leading to Alessio Romagnoli’s red card following a VAR review. Dusan Vlahovic missed the target with the ensuing free kick, and despite their numerical advantage, Juventus struggled to convert their dominance into a goal. Lazio’s defence held firm, while Juve squandered several opportunities. ............ Juventus continued to struggle offensively in the second half, prompting Motta to introduce Nicolo Fagioli and Timothy Weah. The move almost paid off immediately, but Vlahovic’s shot rebounded off the crossbar. Juve dominated all attacking metrics except scoring, with Douglas Luiz missing a golden opportunity to head in the opener. ............ However, Mario Gila inadvertently turned Juan Cabal’s dangerous cross into his own net, finally breaking Lazio’s resistance and giving Juventus the lead. Lazio then shifted to a more attacking approach, but it was too late. ............ Juventus closed out the match with another win and a clean sheet. Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-leave-it-late-to-beat-10-men-lazio-in-turin/

Mi sembra chiaro che il VAR stia indirizzando questo campionato verso una lotta fra Napoli e Inter.

1-0

Douglas Luiz si mangia un gol

Non si riesce a finalizzare il possesso palla.