Socrates

Cuadrado: ‘Dance moves with Pogba’ http://www.football-italia.net/77847/cuadrado-%E2%80%98dance-moves-pogba%E2%80%99 Jan 4, 2016 Juan Cuadrado explains his dance celebrations with Juventus teammate Paul Pogba - “we prepare them in the dressing room.” The pair have become well-known for celebrating together whenever either scores, and the Colombian international explained the custom in an interview with Sky. “We sometimes prepare them in the dressing room, or at the training camp,” Cuadrado told the news outlet. “He likes to listen to music beside me, and I often go to his room to talk to him like: ‘if you score a goal, I’ll do this’. “Then if we score a goal we try to celebrate like that. “Have we planned the next one? No, not yet. “The music? Reggae, salsa, South American music… Paul and I even like to listen to Ghanaian or Nigerian stuff.”

JUVENTUS - HELLAS VERONA - MATCHDAY 18 Wednesday, January 6th, 2016 - 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Gianpaolo Calvarese Week 18 referees announced http://www.football-italia.net/77810/week-18-referees-announced Jan 3, 2016 Paolo Valeri gets the Genoa-Sampdoria derby as the other Serie A referees enjoy an unusual lull. The referees for Week 18 of the Italian league have been announced. While the Derby della Lanterna will provide Valeri with plenty to negotiate, the rest of the championship looks relatively calm. Antonio Damato deals with Palermo-Fiorentina, which is probably the closest match after the Genoa derby, while Juventus, Napoli, Inter, Milan and Roma do not cross paths with each other. Week 18 referees MASSIMILIANO IRRATI – CHIEVO-ROMA DOMENICO CELI - EMPOLI-INTER PAOLO VALERI – GENOA-SAMPDORIA GIANPAOLO CALVARESE – JUVENTUS-VERONA CARMINE RUSSO - LAZIO-CARPI DAVIDE MASSA – MILAN-BOLOGNA MARCO DI BELLO – NAPOLI-TORINO ANTONIO DAMATO – PALERMO-FIORENTINA LUCA PAIRETTO – SASSUOLO-FROSINONE ANGELO CERVELLERA – UDINESE-ATALANTA http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Sturaro: It’s Too Early To Discuss Juventus Scudetto Challenge http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/01/sturaro-its-too-early-to-discuss-juventus-scudetto-challenge/? Jan 4, 2016 Juventus midfielder Stefano Sturaro has calmed expectations that The Old Lady can win the Scudetto this season, saying that it’s too early to judge the Scudetto race. After an underwhelming start to the season the Bianconeri have fought back to put themselves in contention to win the Serie A title, as they find themselves just three points of leaders Inter with 17 games played. “On winning the Scudetto, as I have said before, it’s still premature and wrong to say we’ll win it.” said Sturaro in an interview with Sky Sport Italia. “There are many teams still in the race so we’re going to take the season game by game, and see how we do. “The desire to win, the hunger to win and the desire to improve in training is certainly equal to our opponents, if not better, because we are a team of young players. “All we want to do is prove ourselves and improve as much as we can.” Moreover, Sturaro said that despite facing Bayern Munich in the round of 16, Juventus could still win the Champions League this season. “Can we win the Champions League?” the 22-year-old pondered, “In football anything is possible. “Bayern Munich are a huge club, they are playing well and they’ve been doing well for many years now. “It will be a game where we can win if we give our best and stay true to our style.” Finally, Sturaro was asked about the possible transfer of midfielder Rolando Mandragora from his former club Genoa. “I don’t talk about the transfer market, especially not players who play for other teams and I do not know if a deal can be done; he is a great guy but he is a different type of player to me.”

3 Ways Massimiliano Allegri Can Make Juventus Better in 2016 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2604690-3-ways-massimiliano-allegri-can-make-juventus-better-in-2016? Jan 4, 2016 It'll be hard to find a better calendar year in the annals of Juventus history than 2015. The Italian giants cruised to a fourth consecutive Serie A title, won the Coppa Italia for the first time in 20 years and battled their way to the Champions League final, where they lost a hard-fought match 3-1 to Barcelona. When the new season came around, it looked like 2015 might need to be split in two for posterity. The team lost three of their first six games and were left in 12th place after 10 rounds—12 points behind the leaders. Then, in concert with a few important returns from injury, the Bianconeri surged. Seven consecutive wins have propelled them into fourth place, only three points behind leaders Inter. With the majority of their big games coming at home, there is a growing feeling that the champions could defend their crown after all. What can coach Massimiliano Allegri do to make sure that Juve's 2016 is even better? Let's take a look at three things that will make the coming year just as memorable. Figure Out the Right Formation This has been a constant question for Juve since the departure of Antonio Conte in 2014. Allegri initially kept the team in the 3-5-2 that the former head coach had used to dominate Serie A for his three-year tenure. This was a prudent move. Conte's abrupt departure had been traumatic, and there was little time to try to install an entirely new system. Instead, Allegri let the team do what it knew. While the results certainly came in the league—Juve won its first six games and took 25 of a the first 30 points available in the league—they struggled in the Champions League, losing two of their first three games. It was clear that while the team could function in the 3-5-2 under Allegri, the new coach didn't quite know how to get the best out of it. Conte's system was rigorously rehearsed on the training ground and often used pre-set movements to get results. Tactics made the chances, individual quality finished them. Allegri, while no tactical slouch himself, is much more a proponent of individual skill being the creative impetus of an attack than Conte—and it was clear that the 3-5-2 wasn't built for that kind of game. Staring down a must-win game against Olympiakos in the Champions League at the beginning of November 2014, Allegri switched to a 4-3-1-2. Juve gritted out a 3-1 win and used the 4-3-1-2 as their primary formation for the rest of the year, bringing in Andrea Barzagli for the 3-5-2 late in games to protect leads. That's what everyone expected would happen this season, but Giuseppe Marotta's failure to bring in a quality trequartista in the summer transfer window (Hernanes doesn't count) and an injury to Roberto Pereyra has limited Allegri's ability to deploy his favorite formation. He's utilized Juan Cuadrado's ability to play the wing to set up in a 4-3-3 on several occasions. Early in October, he covered for an injury crisis at right-back by lining up the Colombian and Barzagli in an intriguing 4-3-3/3-5-2 hybrid that produced results against Sevilla and Bologna. While Pereyra has been absent, the 3-5-2 has again become the default—at least for now. This tactical instability was a major contributor to Juve's early-season struggles. Their current seven-game winning streak has been mostly achieved in the 3-5-2, showing just how important being stable in the lineup can be. But the 3-5-2 is still Allegri's forte. Few of the wins in their seven-game string came easy. The 3-0 victory over Palermo at the end of November was a 1-0 game until Stefano Sturaro and Simone Zaza scored in the 89th and 93rd minutes, respectively. The tie-breaking goals in their 3-1 victory over Fiorentina on December 13 didn't come until the last 10 minutes, and they spurned several chances to truly put Carpi to the sword before the winter break, allowing the Serie A debutants a golden chance to equalize in stoppage time. When Pereyra recovers from his injury—or if they acquire another trequartista in the transfer market— the 4-3-1-2 should probably become the default again. It fits Allegri's style better than the 3-5-2, which will still be valuable in late-game situations. Whatever Allegri chooses, it should stay the default, lest the same instability plague them in the season's crucial stretch run. Get Alvaro Morata Back on Track Alvaro Morata was one of Juve's most important players in 2015. While his goal total wasn't huge in terms of quantity, it was the quality that was impressive. Morata scored in five consecutive Champions League games this year. That tied the club record held by the legendary Alessandro Del Piero, and they all came in massive situations. The young Spaniard scored the decisive goal in both legs of the UCL semifinal against Real Madrid—his former team—and the equalizer in the final. In this year's group-stage opener, he scored a stupendous winner against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and the opener against Sevilla two weeks later, fueling big wins that allowed them to emerge from this season's Group of Death despite their early-season struggles. The 23-year-old threw in a winner against Inter in the final Derby d'Italia of the year as well. But Morata has fallen off since then. Part of his dip in form can be chalked up to his playing out of position when Allegri experimented with a 4-3-3 earlier in the season. Another can be blamed on the form of Mario Mandzukic, who is finally scoring and keeping himself on the field by doing so. Fortunately, Morata isn't that far off. His performance in the return against Sevilla on December 8, while frustrating, was also a good sign. The forward was getting himself into incredibly dangerous positions, but he fell victim to both rust and an incredible goalkeeping performance by Sergio Rico. It's clear that he isn't that far off hitting his stride again. His performance against Torino in the Coppa Italia a week after the Sevilla game was proof of that. He was again in dangerous spots, and he provided assists on two of Juve's four tallies in the 4-1 demolition of their city rivals. All Morata needs is some consistent playing time to get his considerable talents in line. If Allegri gives it to him, the trio of Morata, Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala will be a fearsome one. Incorporate Alex Sandro More Frequently The signing of Patrice Evra in 2014 was always meant to be a stop-gap solution to allow for the Bianconeri to find a more long-term left-back in the summer of 2015. The fact that the Frenchman played so well—and continues to do so—is a welcome bonus to the move. But that long-term left-back did arrive this summer in the form of Alex Sandro. The 24-year-old was signed from Porto for €26 million and is signed with the team until 2020. He has been eased into the lineup, only playing eight games to Evra's 14. To be clear, Evra hasn't done anything particularly worthy of a benching. To the contrary, he's been fantastic, supplying a goal and two assists while averaging 2.1 tackles and one interception per game, according to WhoScored.com. But Sandro has earned more playing time. He's a dynamic attacker whether he's playing as a wing-back or a traditional full-back and has performed well defensively as well. He has also supplied two excellent assists in games against Torino and AC Milan that turned out to be decisive. Sandro is the future on the left flank, and his crossing ability could be a decisive difference in their attacking play. Even with Evra playing well, getting Sandro consistent playing time will make Juventus better.

Buffon 'rejected triple wages' http://www.football-italia.net/77818/buffon-rejected-triple-wages? Jan 3, 2016 Gigi Buffon “turned down the chance to triple his Juventus wages” so he could stay in Turin, said his agent. The goalkeeper is continuing to maintain an extraordinarily consistent level of form, so how long can he keep going? “At the age of 38 it’s difficult to make predictions, but Gigi is beating all records in terms of performance over such a long career,” agent Silvano Martina told the Corriere dello Sport. “He is truly an exceptional player and man. In 2013 he turned down the chance to triple his Juventus wages. He signed the Juve extension without asking for a cent more. “I think Juventus have to be considered among the favourites for the Scudetto again.” Who is the top candidate to take over the Italy gloves after Buffon does retire? “Gianluigi Donnarumma is very strong, but I’d include Alex Meret of Udinese too.”

JUVENTUS - HELLAS VERONA - MATCHDAY 18 Wednesday, January 6th, 2016 - 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Gianpaolo Calvarese Del Neri: 'I didn't fail at Juve' http://www.football-italia.net/77802/del-neri-i-didnt-fail-juve? Jan 3, 2016 Current Verona boss Gigi Del Neri faces Juventus for the first time since he was sacked, but insists “I didn’t fail.” Serie A resumes for 2016 and on Wednesday Hellas visit Turin at 14.00 GMT. Click here for a match preview. This will be his first encounter with the Bianconeri since the ill-fated 2010-11 campaign, when Juve finished seventh, failed to qualify for Europe and were knocked out of the Europa League and Coppa Italia relatively early. “And yet, in the autumn we had beaten Max Allegri’s Milan at San Siro, who went on to win the Scudetto, and were second in mid-December,” he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “What ruined us was the 4-1 defeat to Parma after Christmas. Felipe Melo was sent off and got a three-match ban, plus Leonardo Bonucci and Fabio Quagliarella were injured. Quagliarella was particularly crucial for my style of football. With a bit more luck we could’ve finished at least fourth.” That was also a turning point in Del Neri’s career, as he left Sampdoria ahead of the Champions League preliminary round to take the Juve job. Does he regret that? “In hindsight I wouldn’t do it again, but at the time absolutely, because it’s impossible to turn Juve down. No, I have no regrets. I did what I had to do. “I don’t think that I failed at Juve and still have an excellent rapport with Andrea Agnelli, Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici. Every now and then we talk on the phone and I’ll be happy to see them at the Juventus Stadium. “I left Turin with sadness and disappointment, but time has changed certain memories and today I feel neither anger nor absurd desire for revenge. It was an honour to be Coach of Juventus. “As for my rapport with the fans, it was so brief that we never really got to know each other. You can say the work I did laid the groundwork for Antonio Conte, but of course he also had new players like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner.” Back to the present day, how can bottom of the table Verona hope to get a result in Turin? “With aggression and temperament, but ultimately we can only do what Juve allow us to. If we are often defending, it won’t be our choice, but because we are forced to. It is not in my nature to field remissive teams. “Will Luca Toni and Giampaolo Pazzini start together? Perhaps, perhaps… They are a great battle pairing who could potentially score 40 goals between them, but I’d be happy with half that. They remind me of the Toni-Matri duo I used at Juventus.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

'Juve trained for Bayern' http://www.football-italia.net/77812/juve-trained-bayern? Jan 3, 2016 Sami Khedira claims that Juventus 'trained very hard' after the holidays, and will reap the results in Serie A and against Bayern Munich. The Bianconeri are the only team alongside Roma to represent Italy in the Champions League, even though their German opponents will make for an intimidating rival on February 23. The Old Lady may draw strength from the bounce-back in their performances this season after an embarrassing beginning. “It was a difficult start for the team and also for me because I was new here, then I got injured, which kept me out for two months,” Khedira said, in an interview published on Juventus.com. “Results were not going well in Serie A. “Our Champions League campaign was progressing quite well and then eventually our domestic form improved too. We are now in a much stronger situation than in the summer. “The most important thing now is that the team keeps pushing on to win more matches. As we have seen in recent games in the league, we are all playing with more confidence, we’re set up better tactically, we score more goals and concede less. “I think it’s normal that we took a bit of time to get going, after changing so many players, but now we’ve all settled in, we’re performing well and getting results regardless of who is on the pitch. “We’ve trained very hard since returning from our holidays last Tuesday. We’ve done a lot of running and tactical work which will stand us in good stead for the second part of the season. “On Wednesday we have a tough match, as it’s the first one after the Christmas break, but it’s one which we need to win in order to keep up the pressure on Inter at the top of the table. “We’re also at home which perhaps makes victory even more important, but we’ve had a good week’s training, we’re very focused on the task at hand and so I’m optimistic about our chances of taking maximum points.” Echoing similar statements from his Inter rival Miranda, the German international said the Italian championship was highly competitive by comparison with other leagues. “In previous seasons, I’ve only ever followed Serie A on TV, but this year it certainly strikes me as a very competitive division with other strong teams like Inter, Napoli and Fiorentina all doing well. “That said, I am convinced that, if we continue to play the way we have done over the last seven league games, then we can overtake them to finish in first place.” “The match against Bayern Munich? It’s a great game for the clubs and fans alike. Beating Bayern is obviously a very, very difficult challenge, but not impossible. They are, without doubt, one of the best teams in the world, but, then again, we are also a strong side. “Over the course of the two matches, if we can play to the best of our abilities and maintain concentration throughout, then I think we’ve a chance of reaching the next round.”

'I was desperate, I couldn't see a way out' - Mandzukic reflects on 'terrible' Juventus start The Croatia international struggled during his first few months in Italy but says Massimiliano Allegri helped him get out of it by believing in him. http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/01/03/18947322/-? Jan 3, 2016 Mario Mandzukic has admitted that he felt "terrible" and "desperate" during his poor start to life at Juventus, insisting he had never before gone through such a bad spell in his career. The Croat failed to score in any of his first five league games for Juve this season, though his start was disrupted by a muscle injury which kept him out for a month. While the attacker improved towards the end of 2015, scoring six goals in as many Serie A matches, he says the impact of his underwhelming start had a massive impact on him mentally. "I was playing bad and I got injured, and the infection struck me for a long time and I was weakened," he told Sportske Novosti. "Sometimes I was awake all night thinking about what was going on, I was desperate because I could not see the way out, something that had never happened to me before in my career. "I was not looking for excuses. I got an infection that affected me against Udinese in the first week of the season. I had to take antibiotics and the pain stuck with me for two months. "I felt weak, not strong, then I got an injury against Genoa. It was a terrible time. "Massimiliano Allegri coach helped me, had confidence in me and he insisted on me joining Juve - a very important factor in the decision for every player. It means a lot to me." The striker joined the Bianconeri from Atletico Madrid in the close season and admits he has been impressed by the stature of the club, while he could not wait to link up with Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini. "This club is an institution. I was fascinated by the reaction of the club and the team leaders in the training - with their discreet presence, no fuss, they just asked for the maximum commitment and the need to return to the levels that Juve want to reach. "I had been in contact with Juventus before going to Bayern. I had great respect for the players before I arrived here. "Buffon was my idol as a child, I had good battles with Chiellini and we always shook hands after matches between real men. No tears. "I knew Juventus and this prompted me to accept the offer."

Why Leonardo Bonucci Will Be the Juventus Player to Watch in 2016 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2602458-why-leonardo-bonucci-will-be-the-juventus-player-to-watch-in-2016? Jan 3, 2016 Juventus’s resurgence over November and December contained a number of excellent contributions, from Mario Mandzukic’s rich vein of goalscoring form to Gigi Buffon’s evergreen brilliance at the other end of the field. Paulo Dybala’s importance to the current winning run was discussed at length here, but perhaps the most important figure for the Bianconeri as they head into the new year is none other than defender Leonardo Bonucci. The former Bari and Genoa man was superb last term, arguably Serie A’s standout player in his position as he performed consistently throughout the campaign. Indeed, just last month the 28-year-old was voted into the Team of the Year by the Italian player’s association, per the giornalaccio rosa World website. Donato Daniel Grossi @Donatog87 Congratulations to @bonucci_leo19 for winning Best right sided CB at the #GranGaladelCalcio yesterday. #Juventus It was an honour he undoubtedly deserved, playing in 34 of Juve’s 38 league games last term and with the side failing to keep a clean sheet in any of the four games he missed. That should come as little surprise as he emerged as a genuine leader over the course of 2014/15, combining with a number of players to keep the back line as solid as possible. According to statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, Bonucci did so while averaging 1.1 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 4.8 clearances per game, also winning a career-high 2.2 aerial duels in each of those outings. He weighed in with some key goals too, netting in important league matches against AS Roma, Lazio and Milan, while a goal in the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina ultimately secured their passage to the final. Yet despite relatively similar statistics this time around, he has undoubtedly not matched those same high standards over the first half of the current campaign. The same source shows Bonucci has maintained the same average number of tackles, an increased number of interceptions (2.9) but few clearances (3.6) and headers (1.6). To watch Bonucci so far this term is to see a player with a little less confidence, as he showed in allowing Marco Borriello to open the scoring in Juve’s most recent match. The Carpi striker ran directly at his former team-mate, who subsequently backed up until a shot opened up and once again the Bianconeri conceded a soft goal. The defender’s mistakes have not been as high-profile or as frequent as those seen from Giorgio Chiellini, nor has he been sent off yet as the latter was against Sassuolo in October. But Juve’s increased fragility—which arguably stemmed from their unsettled and injury-ravaged midfield—has undoubtedly affected Bonucci’s play. As a result, the Viterbo native has turned into something of a bellwether for the side, and if he rediscovers his best form then it is likely the Bianconeri as a whole will follow suit. That narrow 3-2 win over Carpi also saw him net an own goal, but before that Juve boasted six clean sheets in Bonucci’s previous seven appearances. Arguably the best of those came against Manchester City, helping the Old Lady to keep Sergio Aguero and Co. at bay in a 1-0 victory at Juventus Stadium. As the graphic in the tweet below highlights, Bonucci made one tackle, one interception, four clearances and completed 43 of his 50 pass attempts (86 percent). Adam Digby @Adz77 Leonardo Bonucci (#JuveCity 25/11) 43/50 passes, 1 tackle, 1 int, 3 balls recovered, 4 clearances (via @StatsZone) But the man himself is quick to deflect credit to the efforts of the group, as he explained the reasons behind Juve’s improved cohesion in interviews with Sky Italia and Mediaset Premium back in December. “The credit for the defensive solidity is down to the coach and the whole team that works to protect us,” insisted Bonucci (h/t Football Italia). “This system does give us more confidence and that solidity allows the forwards to express themselves better.” The same is undoubtedly true for Bonucci, and it seems as he goes, so goes Juve’s form, making him almost certainly the player to watch in 2016.

Mandzukic: 'My secret injury' http://www.football-italia.net/77796/mandzukic-my-secret-injury? Jan 3, 2016 Mario Mandzukic reveals he almost joined Juventus in 2012 and the secret infection that caused his early season problems. The Croatia international spoke to Sportske Novosti about his first six months in Turin. “It was a perfect start with victory in the Italian Super Cup and my goal against Lazio, but two defeats and a draw in the first three Serie A rounds sparked immediate pressure. All this negativity was poured on to the team and on me. “From the opening game against Udinese I got injured and an infection debilitated me for a long time. I was distraught, as it had never happened in my career, but I didn’t say anything publicly because I did not want it to turn into an alibi. “My body was really weak and the pain continued for around two months, then I got another injury to the tendon and had to sit on the sidelines.” Mandzukic found his form eventually and has now won over the Bianconeri supporters, but he reveals it could’ve all been very different. “I had already been in some pretty big talks with Juventus in 2012, then Bayern Munich arrived, but it was my destiny to end up here sooner or later. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for the old guard, as Gigi Buffon was my childhood idol, while I already knew Andrea Barzagli from Wolfsburg and had some really tough battles on the field with Giorgio Chiellini. Knowing so much about the squad, it was even easier for me to accept the Bianconeri offer. “Max Allegri supported me during the most difficult moment and that means a lot to me. Juventus are an institution in Italy and wherever we play there are thousands of fans. “What really struck me was the club’s reaction during our negative period. With their presence at the training sessions, always discreet and without a sense of panic or confusion, they made it clear how serious the situation was. They invited us to get back to the level Juventus belong at.”

Juventus Turn Down Crystal Palace Offer For Sturaro http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/01/juventus-turn-down-crystal-palace-offer-for-midfielder/? Jan 3, 2016 Juventus have reportedly turned down two Crystal Palace transfer bids for midfielder Stefano Sturaro. The 22-year-old has started eight games in Serie A so far this season, being particularly precious to coach Massimiliano Allegri as a back-up to either Sami Khedira or Claudio Marchisio when the two Bianconeri men have been sidelined through injury. According to The Mirror, the South London club first made an approach to the Turin giants proposing a €3 million loan with the option to buy, then returned with an offer for a permanent deal worth around €12m. After meeting with the player, the Old Lady decided to reject both offers. The Mirror added West Ham United are also keeping an eye on Sturaro, without officially stepping forward so far. Nonetheless, a transfer is unlikely to happen at this stage, with Juventus seemingly determined not to sell the former Genoa star during the January transfer window.

Khedira: 'Juve challenge Bayern' http://www.football-italia.net/77789/khedira-juve-challenge-bayern? Jan 3, 2016 Sami Khedira believes Juventus can upset Bayern Munich in the Champions League. “I’m widening my horizons.” The German midfielder is preparing for a return to his homeland in next month’s Round of 16. “These are in or out games and I think we picked the toughest team in the draw,” he told Welt am Sonntag. “This is a competition we play to win, so it doesn’t matter who we face. We need to be able to beat anyone. “Bayern are among the best in the world, but we are strong too, even if we needed a little time to get into gear. I am convinced Bayern know we’ll cause them trouble. It’ll be two fantastic nights of football. “I am very happy in Turin and settled in right away, despite some fitness problems. Now I am finally in good shape and am enjoying my football. “I live in the city, as I did in Madrid, because you learn so much more about a country and its people than living on the outskirts. I tend to walk a lot too. “After my years in Madrid I am happy to experience a new culture and widen my horizons.” Khedira is less impressed with the current Germany set-up only two years after winning the World Cup. “For decades Germany have been among the favourites for a major tournament, but right now there’s even more pressure. What’s better than beating the world champions? Our opponents will give extra against us. “We must be honest, in our current condition we cannot win Euro 2016. The performances of the last few months have not been good enough.”

JUVENTUS - HELLAS VERONA - MATCHDAY 18 Wednesday, January 6th, 2016 - 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Gianpaolo Calvarese Juventus - Verona MATCH PREVIEW http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/preview/69993 Jan 3, 2016 Basement boys Hellas Verona travel to a revitalized Juventus as this could prove vital in the title race and the hunt for survival. The doom and gloom for the Bianconeri faithful is now over. Seven successive Serie A wins following progression from a tough-looking Champions League group has the Old Lady looking like their old self again. Paulo Dybala's breathtaking performances have filled a Carlos Tevez shaped hole in the front line and the commanding Giorgio Chiellini is back to his best. With the January transfer window officially open, the search for a trequartista can continue, meaning Max Allegri can return to his favored 4-1-2-1-2 shape. Verona meanwhile couldn't be in worse condition. Still winless after 17 rounds, bottom of the table and in the midst of an injury crisis, a trip to a very real Scudetto contender could get very ugly very quickly. Luca Toni will be approaching full fitness, but the morale boost of having the club's all time leading goalscorer and last season's Capocannoniere may not be enough to oust Serie A's strongest squad. Although only a few weeks into the job, Luigi Del Neri must turn things around quickly to avoid the axe, but with vast Serie A experience and time spent as a former Juve Coach, the ex-Roma man will know just how big of a mountain Verona must climb to stand a chance. Expect Allegri to lead Juventus out in a pressing 3-5-2 formation to try and break Verona down early and seal all three points in the first half. Roberto Pereyra and Kwadwo Asamoah remain long-term absentees, but on the plus side, Mario Mandzukic appears to be growing into his role as a Juventino after an inconsistent start. Expect Dybala to play in the hole between midfield and attack, while Sami Khedira and Paul Pogba do the legwork beside Claudio Marchisio. Giorgio Chiellini will marshal a back three consisting of himself, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, while Gianluigi Buffon is on course to make his 608th Serie A appearance, and number 440 in a Juve shirt. Del Neri will likely set up a defensive 4-2-3-1 formation in attempt to crowd the midfield and spark quick counter-attacks via the wings. With only two points taken from their last five games, Verona have found themselves in an early relegation battle. Although only two points separate the Mastini from 19th placed Carpi, they currently lie eight points from safety and the crisis bells are ringing. The young Pierluigi Gollini will likely hold his place in goal while the back four will be missing star player Jacopo Sala, but with the experience of Eros Pisano, Vangelis Moras and Samuel Souprayen can keep the young Matteo Bianchetti in check. Keep an eye on: Paulo Dybala (Juventus) - Signed from Palermo for a reported €42m last summer, the young Argentine has yet to disappoint. Often deployed behind Mandzukic or Alvaro Morata in the Francesco Totti role, he has notched eight goals and three assists in 16 league appearances, and is slowly becoming the Bianconeri's most important player. With a special Centenario Copa America taking place in the USA over the summer, and strikers such as Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez to compete with, the former Palermo man must be at his best for the remainder of the season to stand a chance, and it looks like he's up for the challenge. Form Guide: Juventus (W W W W W) Hellas Verona (L L L D D) Last season: Juventus 4-0 Verona Stat Fact: In 15 attempts Hellas Verona have only managed one victory against Juventus in Serie A history. The solitary win came in April 2000 when a young Fabrizio Cammarata grabbed a brace to down Juventus and hand the title to Lazio. Juventus (Probable): Buffon; Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci; Cuadrado, Pogba, Khedira, Marchisio, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic Suspended: None Verona (Probable): Gollini; Pisano, Bianchetti, Moras, Souprayen; Viviani, Hallfredsson; Wszolek, Ionita, Siligardi; Toni Suspended: Sala http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Serie A - 19^ Giornata Andata - 10-1-2016 (ore 20:45) SAMPDORIA - JUVENTUS - 19^ giornata di andata Domenica, 10 gennaio, 2016 - ore 20:45 Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Marassi), Genova Arbitro: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Confronti ufficiali 123 - 114 (Serie A) - 9 (Coppa Italia) Vittorie Juventus 61 - 53 (Serie A) - 8 (Coppa Italia) Pareggi 37 - 37 (Serie A) Vittorie Sampdoria 25 - 24 (Serie A) - 1 (Coppa Italia) Goals Juventus 202 - 174 (Serie A) - 28 (Coppa Italia) Goals Sampdoria 125 - 112 (Serie A) - 13 (Coppa Italia) Sampdoria - Juventus Serie A a Genova Confronti ufficiali 57 Vittorie Juventus 20 (L'ultima il 02.05.2015, 0-1) Pareggi 18 (L'ultimo il 23.01.2011, 0-0) Vittorie Sampdoria 19 (L'ultima il 18.05.2013, 3-2) Goals Juventus 68 Goals Sampdoria 66 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro la Sampdoria a Genova 13 presenze Boniperti Giampiero 11 Del Piero Alessandro 10 Salvadore Sandro 9 Castano Ernesto 9 Furino Giuseppe 9 Scirea Gaetano 8 Leoncini Gianfranco 8 Tacconi Stefano 7 Anastasi Pietro 7 Cuccureddu Antonello 7 goals Boniperti Giampiero 7 Sivori Omar Enrique 4 Altafini Josè João 3 Del Piero Alessandro 3 Mora Bruno 3 Muccinelli Ermes 2 Bettega Roberto 2 Inzaghi Filippo 2 Leoncini Gianfranco 2 Platini Michel Ultimi confronti diretti 28.10.2009 - Serie A - Juventus-Sampdoria 5-1 21.03.2010 - Serie A - Sampdoria-Juventus 1-0 12.09.2010 - Serie A - Juventus-Sampdoria 3-3 23.01.2011 - Serie A - Sampdoria-Juventus 0-0 06.01.2013 - Serie A - Juventus-Sampdoria 1-2 18.05.2013 - Serie A - Sampdoria-Juventus 3-2 24.08.2013 - Serie A - Sampdoria-Juventus 0-1 18.01.2014 - Serie A - Juventus-Sampdoria 4-2 14.12.2014 - Serie A - Juventus-Sampdoria 1-1 02.05.2015 - Serie A - Sampdoria-Juventus 0-1 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 4 - Pareggi 3 - Vittorie Sampdoria 3 - Goals Juventus 18 - Goals Sampdoria 13 da juworld.net http://www.goal.com/it/tables/serie-a/13

Sturaro: 'Juve are versatile' http://www.football-italia.net/77762/sturaro-juve-are-versatile Jan 2, 2016 Marco Sturaro says Juventus found new strength in 'versatility' and looks ahead to Bayern Munich: 'Yes, we can win'. The Old Lady is finally back on track after an embarrassing start to the season, though drawing the Germans in the Champions League's round of the last sixteen casts dangerous shadows on the future. “We’re taking each game at a time,” Sturaro told Sky Sports. “To start talking about the title now would be premature and the wrong way to go about things because we’re only at the midway point of the season. “Our desire to win and better ourselves with every match and training session is perhaps even greater than it was last year. “This team is extremely versatile, a lot of the guys are able to excel in a number of positions. Therefore, the 3-5-2 is not necessarily the only formation that we can play, even though it’s worked out well for us recently. “We know that there’ll be some games where we need to vary up our approach, but we’ve certainly got the depth of squad to do just that.” Finally, the midfielder discussed their Champions League rivals, whom they will be hosting on January 23 and then visiting on March 16. “Bayern is a European powerhouse, but we’ll be looking to play to the best of our abilities over the two matches. We have the possibility of getting through.”

Giampaolo: 'I was Juve Coach' http://www.football-italia.net/77757/giampaolo-i-was-juve-coach Jan 2, 2016 Empoli Coach Marco Giampaolo is ready for “unpredictable” Inter and reveals he had agreed to take over at Juventus. The tactician was expected to falter when replacing Maurizio Sarri, but has kept the Tuscans on an even keel with spectacular football and fine results. “We must do well to get right back on track after the winter break,” Giampaolo told Sky Sport Italia. “Inter are strong and you cannot define them. They change players and system from match to match, so it’s not easy to prepare this game tactically. “The Nerazzurri are unpredictable and you can’t put them in a box. I think their best player is Marcelo Brozovic, as he has quality and is dynamic.” Giampaolo isn’t letting the recent fine form get to him, as he’s been close to glory and disaster before. “Empoli represented a new opportunity for me. Up until five months ago I was working in Lega Pro. Cremonese really was my last chance and if I had failed there, I would probably have quit football. “Before that in 2013 I told Brescia that I wanted to leave, but someone at the club announced I’d gone ‘missing.’ I paid a heavy price for that in the papers. I was left at home for many months, but fortunately then Cremonese arrived. “In the past I had actually agreed terms with Juventus. The night before it was all sorted, then the morning after someone changed their mind. “Obviously there were regrets, as it was the chance of a lifetime. I never asked why. I was just told that at Juve there are things bigger than us when it comes to decision-making.”

Pogba inspired by Iniesta The Juventus No.10 believes there is no one better in the business of setting chances than his Barcelona counterpart, and discusses his role at the club. http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/01/02/18910752/pogba-inspired-by-iniesta?ICID=TP_HN_1 Jan 2, 2016 Paul Pogba is taking inspiration from Barcelona's Andres Iniesta as he learns to live with more responsibility at Juventus following Andrea Pirlo's departure. Juve released the Italy legend, together with Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal over the summer, thus increasing the focus on Pogba to step up as the team's leader. But despite initially appearing to falter under the pressure of delivering in their absence as the Bianconeri set out to retain the Serie A title, the 22-year-old has roared back since. And Pogba has now come out to shed light on the source of his struggles at first, and how he overcame them by taking lessons from Iniesta. "Obviously without Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez it is a different Juventus. There's more responsibility on the other players and we have to focus more on working as a unit," he told La Stampa. "The same is true for me. Before I had Pirlo by my side and one of our opponents was always marking him. Now they put the same marker on me. "I have to find the right moment to make the pass. I must learn, and for that I watch Iniesta." Pogba was handed the iconic Juventus number 10 jersey following Tevez's departure – a shirt worn previously by the likes of Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero – despite not being an orthodox playmaker. But the former Manchester United outcast has said the pride he feels remains undiminished, continuing: "I am not a classic number 10 for my position on the field. "I consider myself a midfielder and it is an honour to wear the number of so many Ballon d'Or winners. In the history of Juve it is a very important shirt and I want to honour it. When I look at the jersey, I do not see the number or even my name, I only see Juve: with the desire to give 100 per cent. And win." Juve's early-season struggles have since given way to a seven-match winning run in Serie A which has taken Massimiliano Allegri's men up to fourth - three points behind leaders Inter - and Pogba is confident about their season. "The last few months have been different to previous years, when we were always top of the table. Things have changed," he concluded. "You can't say we are any better or worse than last season, but the other teams have certainly strengthened. Having said that, we are not afraid of anyone."

Dybala: Replacing Tevez not easy The former Palermo man was chosen by Massimiliano Allegri to fill the gap left by his compatriot, and he admitted the Boca idol is a hard act to follow. http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2016/01/01/18900012/dybala-replacing-tevez-not-easy?ICID=TP_HN_2 Jan 2, 2016 The past 12 months have been good for Paulo Dybala, but replacing Carlos Tevez at Juventus has not been easy for the Argentina striker. Last year saw Dybala secure a move from Palermo to Serie A champions Juve and 10 goals in 24 games in all competitions represents a solid start to life with Massimiliano Allegri's side. "Arriving at Juventus has been an important step in my career," Dybala told ESPN. "It has been a big leap from Palermo, where I was good and it was great, and now I'm at one of the largest clubs in the world. "There is pressure, expectations are high and I knew it would not be easy to replace someone like Tevez." Tevez scored 50 goals in 96 games for Juventus before moving back to Argentina to play with boyhood club Boca Juniors and, while Dybala's early form has been promising, he says playing for the Italian giants has driven him to become a better player. "The team-mates and the coach have helped me so much and I hope to continue like this," Dybala said. "At Juve, you must win every game you face, which wasn't always the case at Palermo."

Pogba: Man Utd was like a holiday compared to Juventus work ethic The France midfielder says there is a "different culture" in Turin and compared the professionalism of his former club unfavourably with his current employers. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2016/01/02/18912282/-? Jan 2, 2016 Paul Pogba has described life at Manchester United as being "like a holiday" compared to the work ethic demanded at Juventus. The France international left Old Trafford in 2012 and has gone on to win three Serie A titles in Italy in addition to reaching last season's Champions League final. United were managed by 13-time English champion Sir Alex Ferguson during Pogba's period in Manchester but the 22-year-old claims far more is expected of players in Turin. "People need to know that nothing at Juve is easy," he said to La Stampa. "There is a different culture of work compared to elsewhere. I was at Manchester - it seemed like being on holiday. "Here we work so much. All these titles, we did not steal them. It was by working right to the end." Pogba has been tipped as a future Ballon d'Or winner but believes he may face competition from one of his own team-mates in summer signing Paulo Dybala, who joined Juventus from Palermo in June. "He can get there," Pogba said when asked about comparisons between the Argentine and Lionel Messi. "Do you know what I call him? Square R2, the button that you have to push on a PlayStation to do a shot on the turn - he always gets goals like that. "Has he surprised me? No, because I always said he was a phenomenon. To do what he has done, playing for Juve, is something>

JUVENTUS - HELLAS VERONA - MATCHDAY 18 Wednesday, January 6th, 2016 - 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Gianpaolo Calvarese Toni: 'Retirement undecided' http://www.football-italia.net/77748/toni-retirement-undecided? Jan 2, 2016 Luca Toni admits he “hasn’t decided yet” whether to retire at the end of the season and looks back over Juventus regrets. He will turn 39 in May, but the Verona hitman is still as potent as ever, finishing joint Capocannoniere last term with Mauro Icardi on 22 Serie A goals. “Everyone says I signed on to become a director of Verona, but the truth is I am still a football player and I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll retire in June or in 2017,” he told Tuttosport newspaper. “I’ve been supposed to quit for the last four years and I’ll make a decision in the spring. A lot will depend on how the season goes and how I’m feeling, so whether I want to keep challenging myself all over again. “Would I become a Coach? No, it’s far too stressful. I’ve seen some of my ex-teammates get wiped out so fast.” Verona face Juventus on Wednesday, one of Toni’s many former clubs. “It’s better we face them now after the Christmas break, so hopefully some will still be distracted. Juve are clearly stronger, but we can cause them problems. “I like Mario Mandzukic, as like me he’s an old-school centre-forward. Now the fashion is for the ‘False 9,’ but when the team is struggling, a big striker knows how to help out. He might not be great to watch, but between goals, assists and hard work for the team, he does more than anyone. “I think to be considered a great striker you need to net 20 goals for at least four or five seasons. I prefer someone who trips up on the ball and scores 20 rather than a player who pirouettes three times with a back-heel flick and scores 10. “It’s true I have regrets about Juventus, because I was at a big club and would’ve gladly stayed longer, as I still have a strong rapport with the old guard there. “When Antonio Conte arrived, he had different ideas and I opted for a change of scenery. It’s a pity, as I never got the chance to prove what I could do with him, but a Coach can prefer different styles.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Cuadrado Key To Juventus Deal For Chelsea Star http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/01/cuadrado-key-to-juventus-deal-for-chelsea-star/? Jan 2, 2016 A deal for Juventus’ on-loan Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado could signal Brazilian playmaker Oscar making the same move to the Serie A giants. The Old Lady have been seeking an attacking midfielder since the summer, with Sevilla man Ever Banega and Isco of Real Madrid also heavily linked with filling the gap in Massimiliano Allegri’s ideal formation that is temporarily being occupied by Paul Pogba. Juventus’ move to sign Oscar in July was rebuffed by the Blues, but now Tuttosport believe that Chelsea will be ready to accept a cut-price deal should the Bianconeri also take Colombian winger Cuadrado off their hands and sign him on a permanent basis. Former Fiorentina man Cuadrado was a revelation in Tuscany before joining Chelsea in January 2015, but his progress stalled due to a lack of playing time and only while back in Serie A has he found anything like the form that attracted the Premier League side in the first place.

3 Targets for Juventus to Hit in 2016 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2602365-3-targets-for-juventus-to-hit-in-2016? Jan 2, 2016 Now firmly back in title contention, Juventus enter the new year looking to build on their good form and continue the success they have enjoyed over the past four seasons. The Bianconeri have put their poor start behind them and will certainly be seeking more silverware to add to their impressive 2015 haul. With the club’s first league and cup double in two decades secured last summer, coach Massimiliano Allegri believes his side must strive to get even better, as he told the Corriere della Sera in a recent interview. "We have room for improvement, but we can have a great season," he said (h/t Football Italia). "We have to continue like this, the team is growing and we mustn’t stop. Maintaining our position does not exist." Given his previous success with Italian football’s grand Old Lady, it is difficult to argue with Allegri’s judgment, and what follows is a look at three targets for Juventus—and their impressive coach—to hit in 2016. Retain Their Status as Champions After eight weeks of 2015/16, the Bianconeri had won just two matches and sat as low as 14th in the Serie A standings, a staggering 12 points behind the early leaders. Now, just nine games later, they have narrowed that gap to a mere three points and must firmly feel they can win yet another Scudetto this coming year. Indeed, despite his own side being top of the table, Inter boss Roberto Mancini counted Juventus among the favourites for the title at a recent press conference. Undoubtedly looking to take the pressure off his own players after a poor result against Lazio, his comments will fuel the belief of La Madama. If they are able to clinch a fifth consecutive title, it would be a remarkable accomplishment by Allegri and his players given their earlier weakened position. Defend Their Coppa Italia Crown Lifting another league title would be impressive, but a follow-up victory in the Coppa Italia would be a nice punctuation mark as the club has not recorded back-to-back wins in that competition since 1960. Furthermore, having watched AS Roma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria crash out in the last round, the cup suddenly looks much more straightforward with a repeat of last year’s showpiece waiting in the quarter-finals. Victory against Lazio would put the Bianconeri into a last-four clash with either Inter or Napoli, with the other side of the draw drastically weakened by those surprising exits. Challenge Bayern Munich While their domestic credentials need no introduction, Juventus—despite major victories over Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid en route to the Champions League final last term—still have much to prove in Europe. Indeed, while they recorded two wins over Manchester City in this season’s group stage, poor performances against Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach saw them finish second in their pool. That has seen the Bianconeri paired with Bayern Munich in the last 16, a daunting prospect given the form Pep Guardiola’s men are in thus far in 2015/16. Losing just two games in all competitions, the Bundesliga outfit will provide a stern test, one to which Juve must rise if they are to be seen as genuine contenders. "Bayern are one of the best teams in the world," Allegri noted at a recent press conference, adding, however, that "getting past them would make us one of the favourites for the Champions League." That is undoubtedly true, and laying down a marker in Munich should be a major target for Juventus when they return to action in 2016. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Pogba: 'I've done nothing yet' http://www.football-italia.net/77742/pogba-ive-done-nothing-yet? Jan 2, 2016 Paul Pogba “wants to honour” the Juventus Number 10 jersey, learns from Andres Iniesta and welcomes Bayern Munich. The Frenchman spoke to Turin-based newspaper La Stampa about what he expects from 2016. “The last few months have been different to previous years, when we were always top of the table. Things have changed. “I also treasure the defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League Final. We lost, but as they say, you learn from defeats and mistakes. I want to win it one day. “Obviously without Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez it is a different Juventus. There’s more responsibility on the other players and we have to focus more on working as a unit. The same is true for me. “Before I had Pirlo by my side and one of our opponents was always marking him. Now they put the same marker on me. “I have to find the right moment to make the pass. I must learn and for that I watch Iniesta.” There was controversy when Pogba inherited the Number 10 jersey, especially after he scrawled ‘+5’ on the back in pen. “I am not a classic Number 10 for my position on the field. I consider myself a midfielder and it is an honour to wear the number of so many Ballon d’Or winners. “In the history of Juve it is a very important shirt and I want to honour it. When I look at the jersey, I do not see the number or even my name, I only see Juve: with the desire to give 100 per cent. And win.” Pogba also has faith in the Bianconeri winning a fifth consecutive Scudetto, despite their worst start in decades. “You can’t say we are any better or worse than last season, but the other teams have certainly strengthened. Having said that, we are not afraid of anyone. “I am not surprised by Paulo Dybala, as he is my phenomenon. I love his technique and have always been crazy about left-footed players. That’s why I am learning to shoot with my left foot. “I think Dybala can win the Ballon d’Or. We call him ‘R2 Squared,’ because those are the buttons you press on the Playstation to get his curling shot. He always scores like that.” Juventus will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League next month, but Pogba is not concerned. “On the one hand we could’ve got an easier draw, but on the other it’s good that everyone expects us to lose. They said the same in the semi-final against Real Madrid last season. “It’s tough to play against Vidal, though. I am nobody yet, I’ve done nothing in my career.”

'€100m not enough for Pogba' http://www.football-italia.net/77716/%E2%82%AC100m-not-enough-pogba Jan 1, 2016 Agent Mino Raiola claims “€100m won’t be enough” to prise Paul Pogba from Juventus, advises Simone Zaza to stay and expects Alvaro Morata at Real Madrid. The transfer guru gave a lengthy interview with Tuttosport newspaper covering a range of topics, including one of his most famous clients. “Juve made the coup of the summer by keeping Pogba. Manchester United overpaid the most with €80m for Anthony Martial, so Monaco made a great deal there. “What are the chances of Pogba staying next season? We don’t know yet. Paul will decide based on the offers on the table and what he feels inside. He was already in the same situation last summer. “The player has grown and with him his price-tag, so I think €100m won’t be enough. It depends on (President Andrea) Agnelli. “I can say for certain that the fact Paul decided to stay shows how much he has invested in Juve. The club invested in him too, by giving up on many millions in transfer fees. “There is a strong bond between Pogba and Juve, while Paul is someone who thinks with his heart. He felt that was not the right moment to leave and in the end he was right. He remained and helped lift Juventus back up after initial difficulties this season, when the fans even jeered him unfairly. Many would’ve crumbled in his position. “Pogba was not irritated by the jeers, but I was. In any case, they won’t affect the decisions in July. We are not children, we aren’t after revenge. “There haven’t been many calls to my phone for Pogba because so few can afford him, like a limited edition Ferrari. Are Barcelona in pole position? No, the only favourites are Juve.” Raiola shrugged off questions about the Ballon d’Or, insisting it’s “not a real award, otherwise Zlatan Ibrahimovic would’ve won it at least once because he’s been the best striker over the last 10 years. He proved his worth everywhere, while Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stayed at the same top clubs, supported by champions.” Sticking with Juventus, Raiola was asked for his opinion on West Ham target Zaza. “I’d advise him to stay at Juve and play more often, it’s the team that must believe in him. The secret of all great Number 9 forwards is that they convince their teammates to have faith, it’s something a Coach cannot impose on others.” Morata is at Juventus in a complicated deal with options and counter-options for Real Madrid, so where will he be next season? “I think Real,” replied Raiola. “Oscar has a 30 per cent chance of joining Juve, while for Henrikh Mkhitaryan it’s 50 per cent. “Juve will win the Scudetto, as they are the strongest team. I am really impressed by Paulo Sousa, Maurizio Sarri and Sinisa Mihajlovic, though. And Roberto Mancini’s Inter reminds me of the side they had with Ibra.”