Socrates

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti JUVENTUS VS ROMA MATCH PREVIEW http://www.juvefc.com/juventus-vs-roma-match-preview-and-scouting/? Jan 23, 2016 Juventus Juventus’ ten-game winning streak will be put to test on Sunday night against what was once believed its main duellist for Scudetto: Roma. Juventus hold a seven-point lead over giallorossi while Napoli is two points above bianconeri. We are entering a crucial stretch of schedule: by the end of March, Juventus will host Roma, Inter and Napoli. We will definitely see some energy management in the least complicated matches. Juventus come off a very good win in Coppa against Lazio: the results was a mere 1-0, but we had plenty of chances that were denied by outstanding saves by Etrit Berisha. More importantly biancocelesti barely posed any threat to Neto’s goal. A commanding performance, where Simone Zaza in particular shined with his movement and tenacity. Overall, everybody played pretty well. As for the Sunday big game, there are not many doubts about the lineup. Andrea Barzagli has resumed practicing fully with the rest of the group and he is slated to start as right centre-back. If there is the smallest of hiccups in the next day or so, as I do not see the coach trusting Daniele Rugani in this situation, Martin Caceres would replace him in the lineup, even though he is in the midst of very intense transfer market rumours and he could end up leaving to join Roma itself. As we all know by this point, the Uruguayan defender has an expiring contract and an extension is unlikely, so he is set to depart anyway. The management would like to keep him and not make any move in January and we have not been linked to any centre-back besides the usual Andrea Ranocchia, but late in the window receiving actual money rather than losing him for nothing at the end of the season could be tempting. Patrice Evra and Sami Khedira did not make the trip to Rome but it was just to rest and they will be out there on Sunday. Evra is favourite to start over Alex Sandro on the left, but I doubt we will see Juan Cuadrado on the right: after that period early in the season where either him or Paulo Dybala were used as super sub, the Colombian winger has now assumed that role on a permanent basis. It suits him because he can be disruptive, but I would like to see him start more often because he was excellent in the first part of the season. He is really the one who suffered the most with the switch back to 3-5-2: I am not sure if he is worth €22M, the rumoured redemption fee, if utilized once every three games. Massimilano Allegri will go with the best attack available and that is composed by Dybala and Mario Mandzukic. Roberto Pereyra is almost back from his injury after an absence longer than anticipated: he might be called up. Going forward, we will see if his return could lead to some tactical chance, he is definitely an exciting change-of-pace option off the bench. Probable lineup 3-5-2: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic. Injuries: Lemina (knee), Pereyra (hamstring). Suspended: None. AS Roma The issues of this year’s Roma are well-documented and they led to the firing of the (initially) beloved coach Rudi Garcia. The defence is only so-so and they have not found the right partner for Kostas Manolas; Edin Dzeko has not fit properly, he rarely scores and misses easy chances; some players, notably Daniele De Rossi, Leandro Castan (very understandably), Maicon and Gervinho have declined and two leaders like Seydou Keita and Francesco Totti have missed a large part of the season due to injuries. Most importantly they have psychologically frail: they are not able to come back if they go down in the score. It is now up to Luciano Spalletti to solve these deep problems. The veteran coach is off to a poor start as they drew against the moribund Hellas Verona. Spalletti is a 4-2-3-1 lover and the peak version of Roma, with Rodrigo Tadderi and Amantino Mancini dancing on the wings, Francesco Totti dishing assists and scoring like crazy and Simone Perrotta impersonating the prince of dirty work and sneaky cuts was really pleasant to watch. It was prime time football, a critically acclaimed team. The coach has made some experiments in his first match back at Olimpico to fit the squad in that tactic. Miralem Pjanic was moved in front of the defence: he is not a stranger to that position and he could thrive there and be more involved in the build-up of the play; since he is not really a slasher, he might not be the most adequate to be the advanced midfielder in this system and he certainly has the vision to distribute the ball in the right way. Radja Nainggolan was used in the “Perrotta” role: he scored, so the move had immediate results, but I do not like the long-term outlook should he be placed there constantly; when he first joined from Cagliari, Nainggolan had no offensive game other than a robust shoot: he can learn but he does not strike me as a player that can become a big time attacking option. It is plausible that Spalletti was trying to make do with what he had at disposal and maybe once they complete the signing of a left winger, who will likely be Stephan El Shaarawy, Diego Perotti or both, Alessandro Florenzi will slide to the AM position and be awesome. Since things were not going so well with 4-2-3-1, Spalletti switch to 3-5-2, the scheme he used in Udine, with Nainggolan still taking on offensive duties, so almost a 3-4-2-1. This should be the case on Sunday night as it would help them match better with Juventus’ formation. There is only one doubt in terms of personnel: Daniele De Rossi was tried as centre-back, like with Italy few years ago. If it worked in practice, he could be deployed there, with Seydou Keita taking his spot in the midfield. If it did not, Vasilis Torosidis would play theere, because Castan is not ready to play and will probably be loaned to team where there is less pressure to perform at a high level. Antonio Rudiger will complete the defence: he is a trick or treat kind of player, you never know in advance whether he will have a good game or if he will give it away due to numerous blunders. He was held out of one practice because of a sore knee during the week, he should be ready to go also because they would really be out of alternatives without him. With 3-5-2, Alessandro Florenzi and Lucas Digne would be the wing backs, with a tiny chance of Florenzi sliding to the middle (with Torosidis on the flank), if Keita, who has just returned from a calf injury, can not start. They will be without Maicon and Gervinho because of bruised knees (and transfer market rumours), Kevin Strootman who is completing his recovery after a heavy knee procedure and Salih Uçan who has a turf toe. Probable lineup 3-5-2: Szczesny; Manolas, De Rossi, Rudiger; Florenzi, Keita, Pjanic, Nainggolan, Digne; Salah, Dzeko. Injuries: Gervinho (knee), Maicon (knee), Strootman (knee), Uçan (toe). Suspended: None. Formation http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus v AS Roma: Preview http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/match/432066/juventus-as-roma/preview Jan 23, 2016 Juventus striker Simone Zaza is fearful of Roma's ``venomous fangs'' ahead of Sunday night's Serie A showdown in Turin. The snake idiom can interpreted two ways in Italian - it could mean Roma carry a poisonous grudge having twice finished as runners-up to Juventus in the last two seasons. The fangs could also refer to the Giallorossi strike force which has scored 37 goals only to see sloppy defending compromise any real hope the capital club had of making another grab at the Scudetto. Juventus have won 10 games on the spin to reach second, while Roma tread water in fifth, but former Sassuolo frontman Zaza is well aware of the threat carried by the Eternal City side. He told Tuttosport: ``Roma are definitely one of the best teams in the league. They've always fought hard against us and have had a great rivalry with Juventus, especially recently. ``They will have venomous fangs because they've not managed to beat Juve to the title, so it will be a difficult game. If we can play at our very best, though, we'll get the result we want.'' Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon shared Zaza's concerns, telling giornalaccio rosa.it: ``The Giallorossi are a dangerous and fearsome team. ``The further we are away from them in the table, the better off we are. If we can put them away and pull 10 points clear of them, that would be ideal.'' Following Rudi Garcia's sacking, Luciano Spalletti has returned to the Stadio Olimpico after a seven-year absence. He could only secure a 1-1 home draw against rock-bottom Hellas Verona on his second debut, though. A tactical shake-up is clearly needed ahead of the trip to Juventus Stadium. Edin Dzeko - scorer of only three league goals following his move from Manchester City - should start alone up front, with the inconsistent Gervinho dropping into a support role or missing out altogether. Spalletti is also tempted to move playmaker Miralem Pjanic into a deep-lying midfield role while using tough tackler Radja Nainggolan in a more advanced position following his goal against Verona. It remains to be seen what role - if any - club captain Francesco Totti will play in the new Spalletti era. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juve to kill off wounded Roma The Juventus juggernaut is ready to add another victim, according to Luca Cetta, as Roma’s poor form will be under the microscope in Turin. http://www.football-italia.net/78784/juve-kill-wounded-roma? Jan 23, 2016 What a difference a season makes. When Roma last visited the Juventus Stadium they did so in a buoyant mood after a fine start to the campaign. It proved an evening both unforgettable and infamous in equal measure, a match which sparked furious debate and a certain violin gesture. Out of that ill-tempered October 2014 affair spawned Rudi Garcia’s misguided Press conference declaring Scudetto intentions. He was confident of becoming the first man since Fabio Capello to bring the championship back to the capital. That dream never materialised. Roma finished a mammoth 17 points adrift of Juve and this season failed to build on another excellent start, which brought the Frenchman’s reign to an end. Luciano Spalletti is now entrusted to take the fight to the Old Lady. A downtrodden Giallorossi go to Turin in this weekend’s big match to face a Juventus side brimming with confidence. The contrast could not be starker. Massimiliano Allegri’s team have won 12 of the last 14 matches in all competition since that season-changing Turin Derby victory on Halloween. The Derby della Capitale a week later marked Roma’s zenith. They’ve won just one of the past 11 matches. And Roma’s Juventus Stadium record only furthers the home team’s status as favourites. The aforementioned 2014-15 showdown – which ended 3-2 in Juve’s favour – is the closest the capital club have come to winning. Five defeats in five visits and outscored 17 goals to three. It’s a poor return. A 4-0 rout in 2012 is amongst the heaviest inflicted at the venue. The Bianconeri machine, gunning for an 11th successive Serie A triumph, is ready to pick off the wounded Lupi. As Spalletti’s second debut last Sunday ended with Stadio Olimpico jeers against Verona, Juventus were busy dismantling Udinese at their newly renovated Dacia Arena. The Old Lady was also in action midweek, offering a disciplined performance in Rome to eliminate Lazio from the Coppa Italia as Stephan Lichtsteiner grabbed the only goal against his former club. Particularly helpful for Allegri were positive performances from a number of players who stepped in and showed Juve can make changes and maintain their high levels. The boss has a strong group in reserve, with Neto, Daniele Rugani, Martin Caceres, Stefano Sturaro, Kwadwo Asamoah, Simone Zaza and Alvaro Morata all making contributions since returning from the Christmas break. The latter has been busy without ending his scoring drought, although Allegri is confident he can get back to scoring ways. It’s a fairly settled Juventus XI, but having that depth and players pushing for a place can only assist the tactician, as well as serve to be disconcerting to the rest of the Scudetto hopefuls. “To go forward in three competitions we need the entire squad to be in good physical and psychological shape,” Allegri said after Wednesday’s win. Yet as he reminded, it’s still only January and so the Turin club cannot rest on their laurels.“We must keep our feet on the ground and be aware we’ve achieved nothing yet.” Meeting Inter in the Coppa Semi-finals adds to a demanding schedule. Before the end of February the Bianconeri face Roma and Napoli in Serie A, Inter in both domestic competitions and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Gianluigi Buffon sees tomorrow as a ‘crucial’ game, “because we’re talking about a dangerous team. The further away Roma are, the better for us.” Grabbing maximum points could well and truly knock the Giallorossi out of Scudetto contention and leave only four horses in the race. Napoli are just two points up the road ahead of their tricky away clash at Sampdoria. Juve will know their situation as they take to the field on Sunday evening, whether there’s a gap to close or lead to claim. In doing so, a relentless Juventus can add to Roma’s misery. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus - Roma MATCH PREVIEW http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/preview/70027 Jan 23, 2016 Juventus are looking to extend their ten-match winning run when they welcome Luciano Spalletti's Roma to Juventus Stadium. It has been a truly wonderful run of results that has seen the Bianconeri change their fortunes, with Massimiliano Allegri guiding the Turin club to a Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday. Simone Zaza, who was given a vote of confidence by Allegri amidst transfer rumours, discussed Sunday's evening clash. "Roma are definitely one of the best teams in the league," stated Zaza to JTV. "The Giallorossi have a grudge with us, because in recent years of our rivalry they have never won the title over Juventus." The Italian, however, will probably have to wait in the wings behind the on form Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic. Andrea Barzagli will be evaluated prior to Sunday in regards to a return to the pitch. Juventus' visitors come in the shape of the Giallorossi, a side still getting to grips with their new - and also former - Coach Luciano Spalletti. The tactician was able to see what areas of the squad needed to be fixed and fine tuned following a disappointing draw to bottom of the table Verona. Miralem Pjanic was one to feel the force of the new man on the touchline, being moved back to a more defensive "regista" role. "We're expecting a tricky match against an opponent full of confidence and is the middle of a great comeback," Pjanic said. "It is not by chance they have won four successive titles." Spalletti has a pretty full squad to pick from, but both Maicon and Gervinho remain a doubt. Even with the odds stacked against them, Roma will be hoping to dent their rivals’ Scudetto ambitions when they visit Juventus Stadium, even if it wouldn't have a huge effect on their own title challenge. Keep an eye on: Paulo Dybala (Juventus) – Who else but the Argentinian? The 22-year-old is on hot form as of late, scoring seven goals in his last nine games. It also looks as though they've found their new set-piece man, with Dybala stating "He [Pirlo] must have left some magic in the number 21 shirt." Form Guide: Juventus (W W W W W) Roma (D D D W D) Last season: Juventus 3-2 Roma Stat fact: Expect a feisty affair, with seven red cards issued in the past five matches. Juventus (probable): Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Khedira, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Mandzukic Suspended: None Roma (probable): Sczzesny; Torosidis, Manolas, Rudiger; Florenzi, Pjanic, De Rossi, Digne; Salah, Nainggolan; Dzeko Suspended: None http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Nainggolan: Juventus Are Built To Win http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/01/nainggolan-juventus-are-built-to-win/? Jan 23, 2016 Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan says Juventus are a side that are built to win and has admitted they will have to drop below their normal performance levels if the Giallorossi are to triumph on Sunday evening. Luciano Spalletti’s outfit travel to the Juventus Stadium looking to halt the Bianconeri’s ten-game winning streak in Serie A. “They are used to winning,” the midfielder told Sky Sport Italia ahead of this weekend’s meeting. “In recent years they have triumphed and they are now back on track. “They are a team built to win, but maybe we are not as we used to be.” The Belgian conceded that, although Roma are capable of outplaying the champions, they will require a dip in levels from Massimiliano Allegri’s side. “It will be an important game and we must prepare as well to stand a chance,” added Nainggolan. “It does not depend only on us, however, Juve will have to help us by doing something wrong.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Allegri top choice for Chelsea http://www.football-italia.net/78775/allegri-top-choice-chelsea? Jan 22, 2016 The Sun claims that Juventus Coach Max Allegri is the first choice to take over at Chelsea next season. This is certainly not the first time that Allegri has been linked with the Stamford Bridge job, left vacant after Jose Mourinho’s dismissal. Allegri also made no secret of his desire to one day work in the Premier League. According to SunSport, Chelsea put the Italian top of their wish-list and have contacted him to discuss next season, offering up to £6m per season – double his current wages in Turin. However, Allegri is under contract with Juventus until June 2017 and director Beppe Marotta repeatedly noted there was no intention of interrupting this rapport early. Allegri was met with cynicism and even consternation when he replaced popular Antonio Conte in 2014, two days after pre-season training had already begun. He won the naysayers over by taking Juve to a fourth consecutive Scudetto, the Coppa Italia and above all the Champions League Final.

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus' winning ways the only key to continued revenue growth http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/12/blog/post/2791850/juventus-winning-ways-only-key-to-continued-revenue-growth Jan 22, 2016 Scoring a vital goal to secure a win against Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarterfinal, Juventus are through to the semifinals of the competition and perhaps the strongest looking side in it. A team that has rediscovered the art of winning and sacrificing, the match against the Biancocelesti may have been laden with needless fouls, but the Bianconeri showed heart, determination and a great level of play to achieve victory despite the stop start nature of the game. With their Coppa Italia hopes alive and well and only two points off the top of the Serie A table, Juventus look set for another exciting season, even if it all started so badly. Unfortunately for the Bianconeri, they must continue to perform at such high levels both domestically and internationally if they are to continue competing with the best European Football has to offer. Deloitte recently published the latest Football Money League report and the Old Lady finds herself in 10th place, the first Italian side to have broken through the €300 million revenue barrier. The Bianconeri owe much of the 16 percent growth in revenue in comparison to last year to their performances in the Champions League. In reaching the final, Juventus earned €89.1m from UEFA, the largest sum ever paid out to a club. While the club must be immensely proud of the remarkable figures and wonderful sporting achievements, there are still certain aspects Juventus must work on if they want to maintain their position in Europe. For one thing, it's rather worrying that 61 percent of the club's total revenue is dependent on what they earn through broadcasting. In fact only Real Madrid and Barcelona make more than the Italians in that aspect (both sides earn approximately €200m more than the Italians). The very best clubs in Europe know that no club should ever depend on one revenue generating steam. Other avenues must be explored and exploited to ensure long term health. Match day revenue has also steadily grown especially as there were more Champions League matches to attend, but on a commercial level, Juve still has so much more to learn. In comparison to the year before, the Turin giants' commercial revenue fell by €9.4m. While Deloitte forecast that J-Village will almost certainly bring in more money for the Italian giants when it opens at the end of 2017, this is still a team that makes on average, €24m less in commercial revenue than Milan (a team that finished in 10th position last season) and a staggering €224m less than top European earner PSG. This is a side that has to exploit the fame their sporting achievements have brought them and negotiate better deals in order to better compete with other footballing giants or they risk collapsing in much the same way Inter did -- a team that somewhat failed to enhance their global brand and increase commercial revenue after winning the treble in 2010. At least the Old Lady's social media presence is steadily growing, winning more admirers by the day. The more Facebook likes, Instagram and Twitter followers the club collect, the more the brand will grow and that will eventually turn into more money for the club. Sadly for Juve, they have been pitted against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a possible early exit form the competition will almost certainly result in a significant drop in revenue, making it harder for the club to compete with the other European footballing giants next season. One hopes for continued victories and stellar performances from a side that has achieved so much since Andrea Agnelli took over the reins and winning another Scudetto is the primary objective. In order to fulfil that dream, the team must collect a win against bitter rivals Roma on Sunday evening to maintain their winning momentum. With Rudi Garcia out of the picture, one imagines new coach Luciano Spalletti will attempt to remotivate a side that has suffered a psychological collapse as of late. While it's too early for the Giallorossi to effectively translate their new coach's tactical ideas on the pitch, they will still present Juventus with a stern challenge. On a technical level, not much separates the two sides. Roma not only boast players with great technique but they possess a wonderfully balanced squad and a coach who might just understand how to outsmart the tactically brilliant Massimiliano Allegri. The problem for the Giallorossi is, no matter how great the strategy is going forward, this is still a squad that seems to tire out rather quickly and one that is yet to find a solution to their defensive woes. According to latest reports, both Andrea Barzagli and Sami Khedira should be available for the match while it appears both Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic will start up front for the Old Lady. Can Juve achieve yet another victory? http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Juventus V Roma – Preview: Bianconeri Look To Continue Winning Streak http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/01/juventus-v-roma-preview-bianconeri-look-to-continue-winning-streak/? Jan 22, 2016 Juventus host Roma at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday evening in Serie A, with the Bianconeri looking for their 11th straight league victory, as they continue their relentless charge back to the top of the standings. The Turin giants cruised to a 4-0 victory over Udinese at the Stadio Friuli last weekend to bring their winning run into double figures in the league, and now have their sights firmly set on Inter’s record of 17 consecutive wins in the 2006-2007 season. The Old Lady currently sit in second in the table on 42 points after gameweek 20, two points off leaders Napoli at the top. Since losing to Udinese 1-0 at the Juventus Stadium on the opening day of the season, the Bianconeri are now unbeaten in their last eight home fixtures, winning six and drawing the other two. The Giallorossi, meanwhile, under new coach Luciano Spalletti, could only manage a 1-1 draw against bottom of the table Hellas Verona at the Stadio Olimpico last Sunday. I Lupi lie fifth in the standings on 35 points after 20 matches, nine points off leaders Napoli, and five points off third-place Inter in the last Champions League spot. The Roman giants have drawn their past four away games in Serie A, including a 0-0 draw with leaders Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo in mid-December. The two sides have already met this campaign with Roma running out 2-1 victors in Rome in gameweek two, thanks to goals from Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko. Last season, the Bianconeri defeated the Romans 3-2 at the Juventus Stadium in what was one of the games of the season. In recent history, the Old Lady have won seven and drawn two of the last ten encounters in Serie A between the sides in Turin, with Roma last registering an away victory six years ago on Saturday, in a 2-1 win thanks to a John Arne Riise strike in stoppage time. In team news, the Bianconeri are expected to recall strikers Mario Mandzukic and top-scorer on 11 goals Paulo Dybala to their starting line-up after they were rested in their 1-0 victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia in midweek. Roma, meanwhile, have doubts over defender Maicon and striker Gervinho through injury, while captain Francesco Totti is expected to return to the Giallorossi bench following a long spell on the sidelines with injury. Form Guide: Juventus (W-W-W-W-W) Roma (D-W-D-D-D) Expected Starting XIs: Juventus: Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Mandzukic, Dybala. Roma: Szczesny, Torosidis, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan; Florenzi, Dzeko, Salah. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Buffon: ‘Napoli, Inter Scudetto rivals’ http://www.football-italia.net/78731/buffon-%E2%80%98napoli-inter-scudetto-rivals%E2%80%99? Jan 22, 2016 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon says Napoli can win the Scudetto, but Inter “could have crushed us” earlier in the season. The Bianconeri are sitting second in Serie A, two points behind the Partenopei, despite a difficult start to the season which saw them take just 12 points from 10 games. “The defeat at Sassuolo?” Buffon considered, speaking to giornalaccio rosa dello Sport about the last League game the Old Lady failed to win, after which he criticised the team. “I think it was our last chance to get back on track. We risked getting sucked into oblivion for good. I don’t have many years ahead of me, so I don’t want to waste time and go through dark periods, without targets. “It was an important response for everyone in the dressing room, those who had just arrived in Vinovo and those who had been here for many years. “I think the Coach played a decisive role too, he knew which buttons to push to get the best out of us. “I like maths. I love numbers, and that night after Sassuolo I did the maths and it gave me hope. I only talked to the directors, just so that the dressing room didn’t risk not perceiving the seriousness of the situation. “'To win the Scudetto or get into the Champions League', I said, 'we need 25 wins. We have three, so we have to win 22 times in 28 games'. “It seemed feasible, and now we’re already there at the front fighting for the Scudetto. “Our most risky moment? I think it was the 0-0 in Milan, wrongly interpreted as a good result for Inter. In fact, if we’d lost that day it would have been a tombstone from a psychological point of view. “The Nerazzurri could have crushed us, but they didn’t. It was a good Juventus, and I realised with the right attitude and everything in place we’d be a match for anyone. “People say we’re favourites? They said that when we were further away in the table, and I smiled. It’s nice and rewarding to know how much fear and respect we instil. “I think at some points in the season everything was in the hands of rivals though, nobody had the strength to immediately put us out of contention, no-one was able to pull away like Juve in recent years. “I think if Juventus win the Scudetto, a lot of people will be kicking themselves. That said, there’s a long way to go and the games are open. “Are Napoli or Inter our main rivals? They’re both on the same level, even more so in such a balanced League, with the lead in the League changing almost every Sunday. “Inter aren’t in Europe, which helps a lot. Napoli are a well-oiled machine, they have one of the best attacks in Europe, and thanks to the excellent [Coach Maurizio] Sarri they now have great certainty in defence. “Napoli are worthy of the Scudetto.” The Bianconeri are also in the Last 16 of the Champions League, but have been handed a tough draw in the shape of Bayern Munich. “It’s a game in which we don’t have much chance, that’s the truth. We’ll need anger, ruthlessness, great will and a bit of luck to upset the odds.” One of the key men in Juve’s season so far has been Paulo Dybala, a summer arrival from Palermo, and Buffon discussed the young forward. “My dad is obsessed with Dybala!” the goalkeeper laughed. “He was happier than me after the deal with Palermo. I think Paulo has it all to be a champion: mentality, humility, attention to detail, character, hunger and technique. “He has what it takes to be among the best in world football.”

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Buffon: ‘Roma game crucial’ http://www.football-italia.net/78730/buffon-%E2%80%98roma-game-crucial%E2%80%99? Jan 22, 2016 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon admits Sunday’s game is “crucial” to put Roma 10 points behind. The Bianconeri are firmly back in the Scudetto race, while the Lupi have struggled in recent weeks, and the two meet in Turin on Sunday evening. “If we win we’ll send them 10 points behind,” Buffon noted in an interview with giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “It would be crucial, because we’re talking about a dangerous team, fearsome. The further away Roma are, the better for us. “Playing against Francesco Totti? There will only be a lot of affection. Maybe there will be a bit of melancholy looking back at the years we spent together in the Italy youth teams, when we were full of dreams. “Wonderful years.” Buffon is also Azzurri captain, and went on to discuss the national team’s chances in Euro 2016 this summer. “We have a team with a great style of play, strong character and there are some players who can make a big impact if taken at the right time. Verratti for example, then Pirlo. “Do I still think Pirlo can do it? Yes, I believe it. Of course I believe it. “The strongest Italy I played for? The one in 2002 was exceptional from a technical standpoint. In 2006 we found a unique team spirit, in terms of morale that team was unreachable. “In recent years I’ve seen an important sense of belonging.” The goalkeeper was not nominated for the Ballon d’Or, causing a storm in Italy, but the veteran insists he wasn’t fazed. “I’ll answer without hypocrisy, I honestly don’t think I was screwed out of anything,” Buffon insisted. “It might have been bad if I could compete to win it, but to come 14th or 20th… “In fact, I got more publicity this way!” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 03.04.1955 Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 06.12.1953 Juventus-Roma 4-0 - 13.04.1947

Juventus-Roma 1-0 - 17.09.1961 Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 02.04.1961 Juventus-Roma 4-0 - 27.12.1959 Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 24.05.1958

Juventus-Roma 2-1 - 07.11.1971 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 29.11.1970 Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 18.04.1970 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 09.04.1967

Juventus-Roma 4-1 - 22.04.1979 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 15.01.1978 Juventus-Roma 1-0 - 24.11.1974 Juventus-Roma 1-0 - 21.01.1973

Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 28.10.1984 Juventus-Roma 2-2 - 04.12.1983 Juventus-Roma 2-1 - 24.10.1982 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 09.12.1979

Juventus-Roma 2-1 - 21.05.1989 Juventus-Roma 1-0 - 11.10.1987 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 12.04.1987 Juventus-Roma 3-1 - 10.11.1985

Juventus-Roma 2-1 - 01.12.1991 Juventus-Roma 5-0 - 18.11.1990 Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 22.04.1990 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 31.01.1990 - Coppa Italia

Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 15.01.1995 Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 01.12.1994 - Coppa Italia Juventus-Roma 0-0 - 16.01.1994 Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 27.09.1992

Juventus-Roma 2-1 - 27.02.2000 Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 21.03.1999 Juventus-Roma 3-1 - 08.02.1998 Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 15.03.1997

Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 28.10.2004 Juventus-Roma 2-2 - 21.09.2003 Juventus-Roma 2-1 - 19.04.2003 Juventus-Roma 2-2 - 06.05.2001

Juventus-Roma 3-0 - 24.01.2012 - Coppa Italia Juventus-Roma 1-1 - 13.11.2010 Juventus-Roma 2-0 - 01.11.2008 Juventus-Roma 1-0 - 16.02.2008

Serie A - 2^ Giornata Ritorno - 24-1-2016 (ore 20:45) JUVENTUS - ROMA - 2^ giornata di ritorno Domenica, 24 gennaio, 2016 - ore 20:45 Juventus Stadium, Torino Arbitro: Luca Banti Confronti ufficiali 183 - 163 (Serie A) - 16 (Coppa Italia) - 4 (Campionato a gironi) Vittorie Juventus 86 - 77 (Serie A) - 7 (Coppa Italia) - 2 (Campionato a gironi) Pareggi 52 - 48 (Serie A) - 2 (Coppa Italia) - 2 (Campionato a gironi) Vittorie Roma 45 - 38 (Serie A) - 7 (Coppa Italia) Goals Juventus 286 - 257 (Serie A) - 24 (Coppa Italia) - 5 (Campionato a gironi) Goals Roma 195 - 176 (Serie A) - 18 (Coppa Italia) - 1 (Campionato a gironi) Juventus - Roma a Torino Serie A Confronti ufficiali 81 Vittorie Juventus 52 (L'ultima il 05.10.2014, 3-2) Pareggi 21 (L'ultimo il 13.11.2010, 1-1) Vittorie Roma 8 (L'ultima il 23.01.2010, 1-2) Goals Juventus 160 Goals Roma 59 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro la Roma a Torino 15 presenze Del Piero Alessandro 14 Furino Giuseppe 12 Bettega Roberto 12 Salvadore Sandro 12 Scirea Gaetano 11 Buffon Gianluigi 11 Zoff Dino 10 Cabrini Antonio 10 Causio Franco 10 Cuccureddu Antonello 10 Varglien I Mario 8 goals Del Piero Alessandro 6 Boniperti Giampiero 5 Bettega Roberto 5 Borel II Felice Placido 5 Praest Carl Aage Andersen 5 Sivori Omar Enrique 4 Cesarini Renato 4 Gabetto Guglielmo 4 Schillaci Salvatore 4 Vidal Arturo 3 Capello Fabio Ultimi confronti diretti 24.01.2012 Coppa Italia Juventus-Roma 3-0 22.04.2012 Serie A Juventus-Roma 4-0 29.09.2012 Serie A Juventus-Roma 4-1 16.02.2013 Serie A Roma-Juventus 1-0 05.01.2014 Serie A Juventus-Roma 3-0 21.01.2014 Coppa Italia Roma-Juventus 1-0 11.05.2014 Serie A Roma-Juventus 0-1 05.10.2014 Serie A Juventus-Roma 3-2 02.03.2015 Serie A Roma-Juventus 1-1 30.08.2015 Serie A Roma-Juventus 2-1 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 6 - Pareggi 1 - Vittorie Roma 3 - Goals Juventus 20 - Goals Roma 8 da juworld.net http://www.goal.com/it/tables/serie-a/13

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti HOW A RESURGENT JUVENTUS CLIMBED BACK INTO THE SCUDETTO RACE http://www.thehardtackle.com/blogs/2016/01/22/how-a-resurgent-juventus-climbed-back-into-the-scudetto-racehow-a-resurgent-juventus-climbed-back-into-the-scudetto-race/? Jan 21, 2016 The Serie A champions have found their feet after a stuttering start to this season and with 10 wins in a row they are firmly back in the title race, sitting just two points behind leaders Napoli. Max Allegri tweeted this after the win against Udinese: Massimiliano Allegri ✔ @OfficialAllegri Il dieci nel calcio è il numero della magia, e dieci vittorie di fila lo sono. Ora vietato rilassarsi che c'è una Coppa da difendere! Which means: “In football, the number 10 represents magic, which is what our winning streak feels like. Now, however, we can’t relax, we have a Cup to defend!”. Let us take stock of the situation and analyse the decisive factors which helped Juventus recover from their tough start. Dramatic Derby della Mole win was a massive moment for Juventus With the pressure intensifying on Massimiliano Allegri and his team after a shocking 1-0 loss at Sassuolo, Juventus needed a positive response in the Turin derby. For much of the game it seemed Torino would take atleast a point but Juan Cuadrado’s scrappy injury-time winner was a big relief for the entire squad. Forced into ritiro after the defeat against Sassuolo, Juventus were aware that anything less than three points would have increased the pressure. Paul Pobga’s glorious volley was a gentle reminder to critics that he could function even in the absence of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. Juventus were second best for most of the match but the late winner seemed priceless as the crowd was beginning to get restless. The aura of invincibility at the Juventus stadium was disappearing and as the groans of frustration grew louder, the Colombian on loan from Chelsea slid home the match winner. The manner of the victory fired up the players who earned a hard-fought win even though it was undeserving. The attitude and the lack of desire to win a game was publicly criticized by club captain Gianluigi Buffon after the midweek defeat. By grinding out a win deep into stoppage time the players showed they still had some fight left in them. This was definitely the turning point of the season for Juventus. Emergence of Paulo Dybala as the chief protagonist Dybala did not enjoy the best of starts to his career in Turin. While his quality was evident and goals arrived almost instantly, his influence was not enough to carry Juventus forward. The collective departures of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and most importantly Carlos Tevez left a gaping hole which seemed to have a decisive impact. The Argentine was used sparingly as Max Allegri felt he needed to be eased into things. With due respect to Palermo, it was an altogether different challenge to play for the champions of Italy. Allegri came under heavy criticism for benching Dybala but as it turns out he was right. Juve Stats ‏@juvestats1897 Jan 17 With 11 goals and 6 assists, Dybala has directly contributed 46% of Juve's goals in Serie A this season. BOMBER Juve Stats @juvestats1897 CORRECTION: With 11 goals & 7 assists, Dybala has directly contributed 49% of Juve's goals in Serie A this season. BOMBER A potentially tricky away trip to Udinese last Sunday was turned into a walkover as Dybala led the way with two goals and two assists. The obvious comparisons with Carlos Tevez seem a bit premature, but Dybala does share the winning attitude and consistency. Dybala himself has scored seven times and assisted five more in this 10 match winning run, establishing himself in the process as the leader of this team. The club’s improvement has been a team effort but the magnificent Dybala has been irreplaceable on the pitch, deciding the games with a string of wonderful displays and goals. He was a revelation in Serie A last year with 13 goals and 10 assists and there is no reason as to why he can’t match that tally this year too. Sami Khedira is the driving force behind this new-look Juventus A World Cup and Champions League winner, Sami Khedira adds organization to Juve’s midfield and the trio of Khedira, Marchisio and Pogba is quite clearly the best Allegri can field. Juventus have recovered well after their poor start but still the team feels incomplete in Khedira’s absence. The German is tactically very sound and his presence allows Pogba more freedom to venture forward and play with ease. His physical condition has been a big minus point for the past few years but when fit he is a valuable asset for Max Allegri. PakPoSan @MazzShan #Sami 12 - Juve are unbeaten in their 12 games (all comps) with Sami Khedira on the pitch: 10 wins, 2 draws. Basic. He might not garner the same attention as fellow summer signing Paulo Dybala but he is equally important to his side. Juventus have not lost a single game in which Khedira has started so far this season and it is no coincidence that his return to full fitness has coincided with Juve’s positive run of results. His first six months in Turin have shown Sami Khedira is more than capable of becoming a new leader in this team and he is slowly establishing himself as the driving force behind this new-look Juventus. Settled lineups and treatment of younger players The return of Claudio Marchisio in Juve’s lineup restored balance and experience to a side which was struggling to find its identity. Allegri’s decision to play new players every game robbed Juventus of fluidity and cohesion, making them look like a bunch of individuals trying to win a game. While it will be unfair to blame Allegri only for the poor start, he should own the failure to establish a proper rhythm in the side as it lacked continuity. Allegri was seeking a way to overcome the injuries but the incessant tinkering did not help the players settle in their role easily. It seems he has finally decided to go with the 3-5-2 module which plays to his team’s strength and helps express them in the best way possible. Pogba and Marchisio are comfortable in this system while the back three look a safer bet compared to the back four. The front pair of Dybala and Mandzukic has a great understanding and the only place where Allegri is frequently rotating is the fullback position. Sami Khedira has done remarkably well and in his absence Juventus have solid options like Kwado Asamoah, Lemina, Pereyra and Sturaro. Hernanes and Morata might have been below par this season but have done a reasonable job when called upon. Simone Zaza, who is the fourth choice striker, has the best conversion rate among the frontmen. Allegri’s handling of young players has been exemplary. Dybala and Rugani were slowly integrated while the likes of Lemina, Sturaro, Zaza and Morata have all been handled in the best way possible for the team. Despite heavy criticism from the press and fans, Allegri did not feel he had to justify himself to anyone. His record of managing youngsters speak for itself: Radja Nainggolan (Cagliari), Stephan El Shaarawy (Milan) and Alvaro Morata last year. In a sport where the pressure to perform can easily burn out young talents, Allegri knows precisely the right time to introduce them. He does not get influenced by the price-tag of a particular young player and uses them only when he feels that he can make a difference. Similar to Dybala, another big summer signing Alex Sandro played second fiddle to Patrice Evra at the beginning of the season but slowly started to make decisive impacts with game deciding assists against Torino, AC Milan and Manchester City. Both Dybala and Sandro are starting to justify the €66m Juventus invested in them. Dave Dwicarta @dwicarta Alex Sandro's last four games: Sassuolo 1-0 Juve Juve 2-1 Torino (1 assist) Juve 1-0 Milan (1 assist) Juve 1-0 Man City (1 assist) #crucial http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Andrea Barzagli, Roberto Pereyra return to training ahead of Juventus' showdown with Roma http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/1/21/10810070/juventus-andrea-barzagli-roberto-pereyra-injury-training-2016-serie-a? Jan 21, 2016 Maybe, just maybe, Max Allegri will soon have a full squad to choose from again. Maybe. That is, if the stupid injury bug that has bit Juventus at every turn of the long and winding road we go on for nine months out of the year continues to ease up as we roll on through the second half of the 2015-16 season. From juventus.com's recap of Thursday's training session: As is the norm for a training session the day after a match, Allegri's charges were split into two groups with those involved at the Stadio OIimpico undergoing a routine warm down session in the gym and the remainder of the squad focusing on ball work and movement in the final third. Joining the latter was Andrea Barzagli, as predicted by the boss last Saturday, as the defender continues to work towards a return to action after a four-game absence through injury. Roberto Pereyra also featured in parts of today's workout, stepping up his own rehabilitation program. Two quick thoughts This is good. This is really, really good. So that's basically the same thing, but this is good news, so I am excited about it. It's for one main reason: In what will be one of the busiest and most important stretches of the schedule over the next six weeks, Juventus will have two of the lengthiest injury absentees back in the fold. We might not know officially when they will actually be available for Allegri to use in games, but the fact both Barzagli and Pereyra are back in training means they're getting close at the very least. In terms of their status for this weekend's showdown with Roma, who knows. Based on how it's described, I have a hard time thinking Pereyra would be available. Barzagli, on the other hand, might be considering how Allegri has talked about the 34-year-old defender's recovery in recent weeks. The good thing is Daniele Rugani and Martin Cáceres are more than just adequate cover and have proven that over the last four games coming out of the holiday break. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - ROMA - MATCHDAY 21 Sunday, January 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Luca Banti Zaza: ‘Roma one of the best’ http://www.football-italia.net/78721/zaza-%E2%80%98roma-one-best%E2%80%99? Jan 21, 2016 Juventus striker Simone Zaza says Roma are “definitely one of the best teams in the League”. The Bianconeri welcome Luciano Spalletti’s side to Turin this Sunday, looking to extend their Serie A winning run to 11 matches. “They’re definitely one of the best teams in the League,” Zaza acknowledged in an interview with JTV. “They’ve always been competitive, and there’s a big rivalry with Juventus, especially in recent years. “They’ll have a grudge, because they’ve never managed to win the League over Juventus, so it’ll be a difficult game. “However, if we play with our mentality we’ll bring home the result.” Zaza has scored six goals in all competitions since arriving from Sassuolo this summer, and was asked which of them was his favourite. “They’re all important, because I scored them in a Juventus shirt. The most exciting one was maybe the one in the Champions League against Sevilla, my first goal in Europe. “But also the two goals against Torino were just beautiful. After [the 1-0 defeat to] Sassuolo it hasn’t really been a change of mentality, but in terms of hunger. “I hadn’t really understood what it meant to play here, and a lot of the young players were like me. “At that moment the season changed for Juventus, and now we’re a totally different team. The quality is still the same, but the approach has changed.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127