Socrates

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus can announce title intentions with Fiorentina win http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2751456/juventus-can-can-announce-title-intentions-vs-fiorentina? Dec 11, 2015 Former Juventus coach and architect of the Bianconeri's 1996 Champions League triumph was recently asked about Fiorentina manager Paulo Sousa. "Sousa?" said Lippi, "I met him by chance in the hotel after the match and we had a chat. I reminded him of a midfield for Juve from 1994 to 1996: Conte, Deschamps and Sousa, in fact. Now one coaches Fiorentina with success, one is the CT of Italy and another is the CT of France." The Portuguese player arrived at Juventus from Sporting in July of 1994. A man who tactically understood the game perfectly, he played as if he had a magnet in his boots -- the ball controlled so well, his tenacity meant possession was often won back quickly, and attacking patterns initiated swiftly and effectively. Deployed alongside Antonio Conte and Didier Deschamps, two leaders who went on to coach the Old Lady, the Bianconeri at that time possessed the perfectly-balanced midfield, enjoying great success that culminated in the Champions League triumph of 1996. It was in Turin that Sousa understood the desire to expend every last drop of energy, to remain concentrated at every moment of the game and to never lose faith in a positive result. What he learned has served him well in his career as a manager, bringing the best out of the men he has had at his disposal, enjoying great success as coach of Basel and Maccabi Tel Aviv before that. In each club he has come to lead, he has evolved, learning new ideas and grasping new concepts to improve as a tactician. Perhaps that is why he felt comfortable taking on the enormous challenge of coaching Fiorentina, a club that had been revived under Vincenzo Montella but still not capable of trophies. Synonymous with sexy football and beautiful rotation, the Viola won and performed exceedingly well in Europe, but they were considered a bit light weight -- not strong enough to mount serious challenges. That has all changed under Sousa. Always battling for 90 minutes, this is a Viola side that could potentially win the title. Maintaining the aesthetic beauty Montella was fond of, Sousa has since introduced the grittiness and nastiness required to win the tough challenges. Not only are they statically the most accurate passers in all of Serie A, but they know how to keep possession and frustrate the opponent. Scoring more goals than any other side in the league (equal only to Roma), they have conceded more than Juve and Inter but conceded fewer shots on goal, demonstrating the inundating task opponents have in penetrating this tight Viola ship. Should Juventus manage their sixth consecutive Serie A win, then there will be no doubt that this is a side back in the hunt for the title, with great potential to win it. While they trail the likes of Roberto Mancini's Inter, the Bianconeri possess the mentality and experience to know how to grit their teeth and push to the finish, especially now that the youngsters have understood the requirements of playing for such a big club. Unable to beat Sevilla -- a Spanish side that turned their home into a fortress -- in the Champions League on Tuesday, the Old Lady must do the same with her own stadium and ensure that when clubs come to visit, they leave with no souvenirs. In the upcoming Sunday evening match against Fiorentina, much will depend on the performance of the midfield. Sami Khedira looks to be available. And if does indeed play then it's important he, alongside those beside him, understand Fiorentina's creative strength but also their weaknesses. Much like Roma managed to do in their win earlier this season, the Old Lady's midfielders must quickly close down those who create through the middle for Sousa's side, forcing them into useless rotations. As the Tuscans are incapable of stretching the game as they should, Juventus need to do what Sousa managed during his playing days -- win back possession high up the pitch and launch swift attacks that overwhelm the opponent. With Paulo Dybala improving in his ability to drop deep and aid the midfield and Mario Mandzukic likely to lead the line again, Juventus need clinical efficiency and speed of thought to defeat their tough opponents. This is a Viola side that, as usual, knows how to use the quick feet of its men to attack a stagnant opponent. But unlike before, is much more efficient in front of goal. Likely to deploy a 3-5-2 formation, If Massimiliano Allegri's men use the full width of the pitch and make the incisive runs that have damaged their most recent of opponents, there is every reason to believe they can continue celebrating. One small stutter or even a slow thought and Fiorentina will attack, exploiting the length of time it takes for certain Bianconero to make the right decision. It will be Sousa against his former side and also Juan Cuadrado against his. Will it be the Colombian or the Portuguese who celebrate? http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus v Fiorentina Preview: Marchisio calls for caution from resurgent champions The defending champions entertain Serie A's second-placed side on a weekend that could see plenty change at the top of the table. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/juventus-vs-fiorentina/2120529/preview Dec 11, 2015 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has urged his team-mates to be wary of second-placed Fiorentina on Sunday as the champions seek to extend their winning run in Serie A to six matches. Following a difficult start to their Scudetto defence, Juve have picked up of late and climbed to fifth following last Friday's victory over Lazio. Ahead of Fiorentina's trip to Turin - the visitors seeking to make it seven Serie A games unbeaten - third-placed Napoli take on Roma in fourth, meaning Juve have the potential to make further ground on the leading pack. Juve, who saw Alvaro Morata agree a new contract on Thursday, have lost just one of their last 23 Serie A home matches against rivals Fiorentina but Marchisio feels Paulo Sousa's men have earned their lofty place this term. "The match on Sunday is very important," explained the Italy international. "It's an opportunity to change things up at the top of the table as there are a few big clubs playing one another and we need to be able to take advantage of the situation. "Fiorentina are an excellent side and they deserve to be where they are at this moment in time. We'll need to be on our toes, even if we're playing at home. "We've shown considerable consistency of late with the five league wins in a row, but we know that there remains plenty of work to be done." While Juve surrendered top spot in their Champions League group with defeat to Sevilla, Sousa's Fiorentina made certain of Europa League progression courtesy of Thursday's 1-0 win over Belenenses. Fiorentina maintained their impressive domestic form with a 3-0 win over Udinese last weekend and could go top depending on Inter's result at the Stadio Communale Friuli on Saturday. Following their Europa League group stage finale, Borja Valero told Sky Sport Italia: "We have to prepare for Juventus now and we hope we can do well. "The fans consider this the most important game of the year and therefore so do we as players. "We want to win both for the fans and for us, so we can stay near the top of the table. We are not afraid of anyone, we'll go to Turin to play our game, even if it won't be easy against a very strong Juventus side." Allegri still has doubts over Roberto Pereyra and Sami Khedira (both thigh) - who missed the Sevilla defeat - while Jakub Blaszczykowski (muscle) is set to miss out again> OPTA FACTS Fiorentina haven’t found the net in five out of the last seven league games against Juventus. Juventus have lost only one of the last 23 Serie A home matches against Viola: 17 wins in this period and four wins in the last four meetings. The Bianconeri have scored at least one goal in all the last 29 home league games against Fiorentina: the last match in which Viola kept a clean sheet was back in November 1981 (0-0). Juventus have picked up 15 points in their last five Serie A games, at least three points more than any other team; and in their last three matches the Bianconeri have not conceded goal. However, Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last six Serie A games. After losing to Udinese in the first Serie A MD, Juventus are unbeaten in the last six home leagues games and they have won the last four in a row. Viola have picked up 32 points in the first 15 Serie A games this term: the last time they did this was back in 2005/06. Fiorentina have scored in 22 consecutive Serie A games (average of 2.2 goals per game). LAST FIVE MATCHES Juventus L W W W W 08/12/2015 - Sevilla 1 - 0 Juventus 04/12/2015 - Lazio 0 - 2 Juventus 29/11/2015 - Palermo 0 - 3 Juventus 25/11/2015 - Juventus 1 - 0 Manchester City 21/11/2015 - Juventus 1 - 0 AC Milan Fiorentina W W D D D 10/12/2015 - Fiorentina 1 - 0 Belenenses 06/12/2015 - Fiorentina 3 - 0 Udinese 30/11/2015 - Sassuolo 1 - 1 Fiorentina 26/11/2015 - Basel 2 - 2 Fiorentina 22/11/2015 - Fiorentina 2 - 2 Empoli HEAD TO HEAD 29/04/2015 - Juventus 3 - 2 Fiorentina 07/04/2015 - Fiorentina 0 - 3 Juventus 05/03/2015 - Juventus 1 - 2 Fiorentina 05/12/2014 - Fiorentina 0 - 0 Juventus 20/03/2014 - Fiorentina 0 - 1 Juventus http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Juventus talks with Barzagli, Evra http://www.football-italia.net/76977/juventus-talks-barzagli-evra? Dec 11, 2015 Juventus will reportedly offer new contracts to Andrea Barzagli and Patrice Evra, but Martin Caceres will leave. The three defenders are all out of contract at the end of the season, meaning they can talk to other clubs in January. According to Calciomercato, the club will meet with Barzagli’s agent, Claudio Orlandini, before Christmas, with the veteran expected to agree on a new deal, although he has other offers. It’s thought the World Cup-winner could agree a slight reduction in his current €2.5m per year salary, in exchange for an extension. There is said to be more doubt, however, about Evra, who has an offer on the table but is also considering a move to MLS. Calciomercato reports that Bianconeri general manager Giuseppe Marotta has planned a meeting with the left-back’s agent to determine whether or not he wishes to remain in Turin. As for Caceres, the website reports that the Old Lady will seek to sell the Uruguayan international in January, rather than lose him for free. The defender has suffered with a series of injury problems, and was excluded by the club earlier this year after crashing his Ferrari in Turin while under the influence.

Juventus referred over Motta deal http://www.football-italia.net/76973/juventus-referred-over-motta-deal? Dec 11, 2015 Juventus have been referred to the FIGC over the Marco Motta transfer, and could even be deducted points. The Italian federation has announced that it is investigating the Bianconeri, along with Udinese and Genoa for an alleged breach of rules concerning agents. Nine individuals have also been named Andrea Stramaccioni, Gino Pozzo, Franco Collavino, Cristiano Giaretta, Giuseppe Bozzo, Marco Motta, Giuseppe Marotta, Alessandro Zarbano and Fabio Paratici. It’s alleged that, in breach of regulations which stood until March of this year, Bozzo was paid for agent work without the prior written consent of the FIGC. Juventus and Udinese are under suspicion over the transfer of Marco Motta, with giornalaccio rosa dello Sport speculating that a fine of €50,000-€180,000 is likely. However, the sports daily suggests there could even be a point deduction of one or two points for the sides involved. “It was a surprise for me,” Motta told Tuttomercatoweb. 
“I accepted an offer and moved from Roma to Udinese. I didn’t think I was risking anything, we’ll see how the situation evolves.” Motta's time in Turin was not successful, with the full-back released in January having played just 23 minutes since 2011. Despite 22 appearances in his first season with the club, Motta was made a scapegoat by fans as the club struggled. He is currently without a club, after nine games for Watford.

Paulo Dybala Eyes Lionel Messi Partnership Amid Rumours http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2598012-barcelona-transfer-news-paulo-dybala-eyes-lionel-messi-partnership-amid-rumours? Dec 11, 2015 Juventus striker Paulo Dybala is reportedly the subject of interest from a number of elite European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona—and it seems he would prefer to play for the latter in order to link up with Lionel Messi. That's according to Sport's Veronica Brunati, who adds: "Pushed to choose, Dybala would be especially inclined to lean towards Barca due to his admiration for Messi. He believes it would be a big step in his career to play in Spanish football one day, above all for Barcelona." The 22-year-old burst onto the scene with Palermo last season, for whom he proved a key figure, according to Opta Paolo: OptaPaolo ✔ @OptaPaolo 43% - Paulo Dybala was directly involved in 23 of Palermo's 53 goals in the 2014/15 Serie A (13 scored, 10 assisted). Bianconero. Indeed, football writer and pundit James Horncastle highlighted Dybala as one of Italy's top young talents and placed him alongside some considerable company: James Horncastle @JamesHorncastle Pogba, Dybala, Anderson, Icardi. All 21. Kovacic 20. Could go on. Some great young talent in Serie A. His exploits earned him a move to Serie A champions Juventus in the summer, and he has adapted to his new surroundings and the added pressures of being at a bigger club quite well, bagging eight goals and four assists so far this season. As Brunati notes, the forward has not yet been able to play alongside Messi for the Argentina national team, but the Barca superstar gave the youngster his backing upon receiving his first call up, saying: "Dybala is going to be a big player. He’s a player with a big future." Football writer and presenter Mina Rzouki believes Dybala is fulfilling his considerable potential and runs the rule over his strengths and weaknesses: Mina Rzouki @Minarzouki Oh my what a delicious goal from Dybala - this guy really is the real deal. He makes it 2-0 for Juve against Lazio. Mina Rzouki @Minarzouki Dybala has so much talent. Great ideas, works hard. Great technique. Perhaps can improve physicality. Team player. Indeed, along with his pace and agility, the Argentinian's technique and work rate would likely see him fit in well at the Camp Nou. Courtesy of FourFourTwo's Stats Zone, football writer Adam Digby reveals Dybala's stats from the recent 2-0 win over Lazio, in which he not only scored, but showcased his hard work and dribbling skills: Adam Digby @Adz77 Paulo Dybala vs Lazio: 4 shots, 1 goal, 21/28 passes, 6/8 take-ons, TEN ball recoveries (via @StatsZone) Of course, the eagle-eyed will also notice the majority of his missed passes came in the final third—something he perhaps still needs to work on. Nevertheless, Dybala's promising development continues to impress, and the youngster would make a highly useful addition to Barcelona's squad following the departure of Pedro. The difficulty will of course be prying him away from Turin after signing so recently for Juventus. Brunati notes the Bianconeri are well aware of his talent and eager to keep him. "He’s got a huge capacity for learning, he’s like a sponge. Just look at his eye, he’s got so much focus, he has a killer look," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said. If and when Barca do decide to pursue the player in earnest, they'll at least take comfort in the knowledge they already have a leg up on his other suitors.

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Betting Preview: Juventus v Fiorentina Playing a free-scoring brand of attacking football under Paulo Sousa, Al Hain-Cole expects La Viola to cause Massimilano Allegri's side some problems in an exciting clash. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2995/betting/2015/12/11/18238282/-? Dec 11, 2015 Resurgent Juventus will be looking to further close the gap on the Serie A top spot when they welcome Fiorentina to Turin on Sunday. After an underwhelming start to the season, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have now won five consecutive games, and are 20/31 (1.61) favourites with NetBet to make it six in a row here. However, La Viola head into the weekend just a single point off first-placed Inter, and are available at 5/1 (6.00) to enhance their Scudetto chances with a big victory against the champions. The guests have drawn two of their last three matches in the league, and there are odds of 13/5 (3.60) on offer for them to play out another stalemate in this one. While until recently the Bianconeri were enduring an extremely disappointing campaign, their opponents could not have asked for a much more encouraging start to life under new boss Paulo Sousa. Having led the Florentines to three consecutive fourth-placed finishes and a runners-up medal in the Coppa Italia, predecessor Vincenzo Montella was not the easiest act to follow, but the former Basel manager has already won over the supporters with an exciting brand of attacking football. Joint top-scorers in Serie A with 30 goals to their name after 15 matches, Sousa’s men are also the only team to have found the net in every league game so far. In fact, that run actually extends all the way back to last April, meaning a goal on Sunday would equal a club record of scoring in 23 consecutive league games - last achieved by Gabriel Batistuta and Co. back in 1997-98. Having beaten Belenenses 1-0 in Thursday’s Europa League game to make it 24 consecutive fixtures in all competitions, Fiorentina are surely capable of getting on the scoresheet at the Juventus Stadium. Considering Juventus have failed to score just once in their previous 57 league games on home turf, odds of 21/20 (2.05) are not to be missed on both teams finding the net in this one. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Cannavaro: ‘Pogba must prove himself’ http://www.football-italia.net/76964/cannavaro-%E2%80%98pogba-must-prove-himself%E2%80%99? Dec 11, 2015 Fabio Cannavaro believes Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba “has yet to prove that he’s a great player”. The Frenchman took over the famous number 10 shirt this summer, and has returned to form in recent weeks after a difficult start to the season. “Pogba isn’t doing very well at the moment,” Cannavaro, a former Bianconeri defender, told Cadena Ser. “This year should’ve been his consecration because it was his first without Vidal and Pirlo next to him. “The great players are those who play 10 or 15 years at the same level. One good year doesn’t mean he’ll be the midfielder of the future. “It’s phenomenal that Andres Iniesta has played at his level for 10 years. “Pogba has yet to prove that he’s a great player. He has the potential but needs to learn how to withstand pressure. That’s what makes a great player.” Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or during his playing days, and admits he was surprised to be given the prize as a defender. “FIFA always wants to give the Ballon d’Or to a striker. To win it as a defender, you have to do everything right. “I won the World Cup with Italy playing very well, but I was surprised it was awarded it to me. “When I received the call from France Football [who awarded the prize before it merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year], I didn’t believe it was them. “I never thought I’d win it. Some may see it as a good thing, others as a bad thing, but I keep the trophy in my bedroom. “In Italy, players like Maldini, Buffon and Franco Baresi never won it either. “To win it, you have to be lucky that the forwards didn’t do so well. If Messi and Ronaldo score 50 or 60 goals, FIFA will always give it to them.”

What Does the Future Hold for Kwadwo Asamoah at Juventus? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2596916-what-does-the-future-hold-for-kwadwo-asamoah-at-juventus? Dec 11, 2015 Juventus have suffered with countless injuries this season, with a variety of knocks robbing the side of some important players at crucial times. Ongoing health problems were a major factor in their early struggles, and even though the team have clearly improved, the issues have clearly persisted. Indeed, as the Bianconeri headed to Spain for this week’s meeting with Sevilla, coach Massimiliano Allegri was forced to leave a number of his men behind. As this list of those who travelled—per the club’s official website—shows, Patrice Evra, Hernanes, Sami Khedira, Mario Mandzukic, Roberto Pereyra, Martin Caceres and Mario Lemina were all absent. In addition, Simone Padoin and Kwadwo Asamoah remained in Turin, both having been omitted from the club’s Champions League squad for 2015/16. While the former was left out to allow other players space to shine, the latter’s long-term injury problems were the reason for his exclusion. Last week’s Serie A meeting with Lazio saw Asamoah make his first start of the campaign, and the midfielder had made just two substitute appearances before that outing. With just 10 starts—and a total of just 884 minutes of action—last season, his impact at Juventus has been dramatically reduced. That stands in stark contrast with his 45 appearances in 2013/14, with only five of those coming from the bench as the Ghanaian established himself as a key figure in Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 system. Fielded almost exclusively as a left wing-back, Asamoah contributed two goals and four assists that season, with statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com showing he also averaged 2.0 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game. Allegri's arrival gave Juventus a far more tactically flexible approach, while the signing of Patrice Evra provided the coach with an experienced and orthodox full-back on the left flank. Alex Sandro has since supplemented that duo, and Asamoah’s continual injury problems leave him at a crossroads. Rapidly closing in on 100 appearances for the club, both parties will likely need to consider their position this summer. Juventus are clearly well-covered in the defensive role that was once Asamoah’s regular slot, and they also have a raft of young midfielders with very promising futures. Mario Lemina continues to improve, while the emergence of Stefano Sturaro was discussed at length in this previous post. Furthermore, Allegri discussed the squad’s core of young players at a press conference this week (h/t Football Italia), adding the name of homegrown 18-year-old Mattia Vitale to the list: [Paulo] Dybala is growing, and we also have to include Vitale in that group, he’s a lad who is always with us and has improved a lot in the last two months. I think he’s a lad who could carve out a space for himself during the course of the campaign, and that shows that there are good youngsters at Juventus, guided well by a group of older ones, who understand the responsibility they have. It remains to be seen whether Asamoah still has a role to play there, but the clash with Lazio showed just what he has to offer. As the graphic in the tweet below shows, the 27-year-old completed 13 of his 19 pass attempts, won two tackles, won one aerial duel and was successful on the one occasion he took on a defender. Adam Digby @Adz77 Kwadwo Asamoah #LazioJuve (Dec 4 2015): 13/19 passes, 2 tackles, 1/1 aerial duels, 1/1 take-ons (via @StatsZone) Possessing all the skills to be a viable alternative to Paul Pogba on the left of Juve’s midfield three, if Asamoah can remain healthy, there is no reason why he cannot be an important figure as the club battle on three fronts. The Champions League, Coppa Italia and Serie A mean there are plenty of games to be played, and Kwadwo Asamoah is a proven winner and an international-quality midfielder. For the grand Old Lady of Italian football—desperate to continue her recent winning run—he is a good man to have around for the foreseeable future.

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato INSIDE THE OPPOSITION – FIORENTINA Q&A http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/2751025/borja-valero-juventus-clash-biggest-game-of-the-year? Dec 11, 2015 Juventus have won their last five Serie A games in a row but they face the toughest test of the season so far when they host high-flying Fiorentina this weekend. In anticipation of what has always been a standout of the Serie A calendar, we put your questions to writer, journalist and Fiorentina supporter, Giancarlo Rinaldo. Fiorentina have been in sensational form this season – Do you think they can maintain it until the end of the season? I don’t see any reason why Fiorentina can’t keep playing this way all season but it will be vital to avoid injuries to key players like Nikola Kalinic, Borja Valero and Gonzalo Rodriguez. Some fresh resources in January might help them to sustain their form. Do you think Fiorentina are title contendors this season ? I think top three is a more realistic target, unless their rivals keep taking points off one another. The defence, in particular, makes a few too many slip-ups to be Scudetto quality. It’s nice to dream, though. Who have been the standout performers so far? Biggest surprise had been Kalinic, greatest return to form is Borja Valero but the tandem Matias Vecino-Milan Badelj has really made the midfield tick. Federico Bernardeschi has been a revelation in recent games. Whats the verdict on Beppe Rossi ? Do you think his Fiorentina career is over or can he become a key performer again? It takes time to get over serious injury and he’s had more than one of those. He has struggled since he returned but I’ve seen enough flashes of class to suggest that he can still be a big player for Fiorentina and Italy. Anyone who has read his book could not doubt his determination. Davide Astori is having a fine season so far – How do you rate him? I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Astori. I thought he might find it harder to fit in. He can only learn from Gonzalo Rodriguez. How should Juve approach the game against Fiorentina ? how can we handle that midfield ? Marking Valero? The times I’ve seen Fiorentina struggle is when they’ve been pressed – effectively – high up the pitch as Empoli did. It chokes the supply lines to a quality midfield and puts pressure on Tatarusanu who is not always convincing with his feet. The ill feeling between the two clubs is well documented – do you think it’s abated in recent years or is it just as strong as in the 90’s? It’s lost some of its venom, but that’s a welcome thing. It’s still the game of the season for Fiorentina, though. Thoughts on Bernandeschi and his promising career so far? Bernardeschi is a superstar of the future if he maintains the attitude and versatility he has shown so far. He has played in a number of positions and shone in them all. His balance, touch and effort are all impeccable. Do you know the story behind the famous purple shirts that Fiorentina wear? The first strips were red and white. A long-standing story is that the purple ones were created by washing them with blue ones but it appears to have been actually a colour picked by founder Luigi Ridolfi. Thoughts on Mario Suarez, Kalinic & Gilbertoso far? Suarez has struggled to play at the tempo the Viola demand although he’s clearly a quality player. Kalinic has given the attack a workrate and cutting edge it lacked. Gilberto has shown moments of brilliance but needs time to adapt. Are you a fan of Sousa’s 3-4-2-1 formation ? Does it work to Fiorentina’s strengths? It’s a very fluid formation which suits the lovely passers Fiorentina have. Not sure it suits Rossi & Babacar, though, to wait in line behind Kalinic. Which Fiorentina player stands out as the biggest threat to Juve? It would be easy to say Kalinic as Juve have shown more cracks at the back than in recent seasons. But Josip Ilicic, if he’s in the mood, might be the man to unlock that back line after Chiellini and Kalinic battle it out. How can Juve stop Kalinic ? As I’ve said before, Juve need to cut off his supply lines if they possibly can. To keep him quiet, you have to work as hard as he does – which isn’t easy but the Bianconeri do have the players to do so. Prediction for the game? Juve have more experience of these big games but I expect Fiorentina to try to play their football. It probably won’t be enough to win – those are rare in Turin – but I’ll go for a 1-1 draw. What would be your Juve/Fiorentina XI ? Asking a few to play out of position – Buffon; Barzagli, Rodriguez, Alonso; Bernardeschi, Vecino, Badelj, Pogba; Dybala, Borja; Kalinic. I couldn’t bring myself to pick Cuadrado but I bet he’ll score on Sunday! http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Borja Valero: Juventus clash the 'biggest game of the year' http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/2751025/borja-valero-juventus-clash-biggest-game-of-the-year? Dec 11, 2015 Juventus and Fiorentina are preparing themselves for their "biggest game of the year" when they meet in Serie A this weekend. Fiorentina's Borja Valero and Juve's Claudio Marchisio have raised the stakes in one of the bitterest of rivalries in Italian football by declaring Sunday's fixture the match of the season. Five points separate second-placed Fiorentina from their rivals in fifth, giving a great significance to the three points on offer at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday. "We know it's the biggest game of the year for the fans, and it's the same for us," Valero told Sky Sport Italia after the Viola booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 1-0 win over Belenenses. "We're not afraid of anybody. We're going to Turin looking for a win, even though we know Juventus are very strong." The game is no less vital for Juve, with Marchisio stating that the Bianconeri are "ready" for Sunday's test. "It's an important game against Fiorentina, also because Napoli play Roma on Sunday, so the top teams in the table are meeting," he said at a charity event on Thursday, according to La Stampa. "We're ready for it, and a lot can still happen." Juve go into the game on a five-game winning streak, which has catapulted them from the bottom half of the table into their highest position of the season so far -- six points from the summit, rather than the 11 they needed to make up just over a month ago. Fiorentina have not lost any of their last six league games, though, and will be keen to leave their rivals eight points in their wake after the weekend. "Hopefully we can win it to stay up there," Valero added. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Sousa: 'I'd like an English opponent' http://www.football-italia.net/76953/sousa-id-english-opponent? Dec 10, 2015 Paulo Sousa would “like to face an English team” in the Europa League and prepares Fiorentina for the Juventus clash on Sunday. The Viola secured their spot in the Round of 32 with a 1-0 victory over Belenenses this evening, but Khouma Babacar did not celebrate the goal. “He just has to think about scoring. I am happy for him and the team,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia. “I’d like to face an English team in the next round and there are several that we could be paired with in the draw. I really like the atmosphere of playing in England and we will be competitive. “Manchester United? It’s great to play against these clubs and we want to honour the competition while giving the opportunity to those who don’t play as much to get some minutes in their legs. “I am satisfied because we got through the group and my squad proved itself to be competitive. In February the situation will be different and we’ll see what happens. “We have to make better decisions and move the ball quicker. When the intensity level drops, our style of football gets worse too. The team has understood the concepts and puts them into practice, but we have to keep them up throughout the entire season.” Fiorentina face arch rivals Juventus in Serie A on Sunday and it’s a game against his former club. “My job is all about emotions and excitement, so the game with Juve is just like any other, the important thing is to be there.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Borja Valero: 'Now for Juventus' http://www.football-italia.net/76950/borja-valero-now-juventus? Dec 10, 2015 Borja Valero celebrates Fiorentina’s Europa League qualification and looks ahead to Juventus, “the most important game of the year.” The Viola secured their place in the Round of 32 with a 1-0 victory over Belenenses, going through second behind Basel. “Today we had to get the result and now we wait to see what the draw has in store for us,” Borja Valero told Sky Sport Italia. “All that mattered tonight was winning, even if the style of football wasn’t up to our usual standards. “Now we have to prepare for Juventus and we hope to do well. The fans consider this the most important game of the year and consequently so do we players. “We want to win both for the fans and for us, so we can stay near the top of the table. We are not afraid of anyone, we’ll go to Turin to play our game, even if it won’t be easy against a very strong Juventus side.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

No Easy Ties For The Bianconeri In The Champions League After their failure to top Group D in the Champions League, Oscar La-Gambina analyses the Bianconeri’s potential opponents in the next round of the competition. http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/juventus-club-focus-no-easy-ties-for-the-bianconeri-in-the-champions-league/? Dec 10, 2015 Over the past few weeks, we have discussed the improving form of Juventus in Serie A after their stuttering start to the season. The poor beginning to the domestic campaign didn’t transfer across to the European stage however, with the conclusion of the Group Stages of the Champions League finalising the positions in Group D on Tuesday night, we can analyse where the Old Lady is now positioned. After falling victim to former employee Fernando Llorente in Sevilla, Juventus lost 1-0 to the Spaniards but, thankfully, qualification was already secured, declaring this match void in terms of progression to the next round. It was, however, a vital game in the chase for an easier tie in the first knockout round, with Manchester City being awarded the easier fixture out of the top two in the group as the Italians finished second. The Citizens came from behind to win 4-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach, thus cementing their place at the top of the group and adding a few more nerves to the Bianconeri faithful. We are, of course, only predicting a nightmare situation in the next round, although no outcome will be particularly favourable towards last season’s runners-up. Following the conclusion of the first round, the other six teams who topped their respective groups pose far from comfortable ties to look ahead to. The Italians cannot be drawn with Manchester City in the Round of 32 as they were from the same group, meaning that in the pot to face Massimiliano Allegri’s men are: Real Madrid, Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Zenit St Petersburg. A rematch of last year’s final against Barcelona would arguably be the worst case scenario as their front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez appear unstoppable this season. The best case scenario for La Vecchia Signora, going by performances in the compeititon this season, would be a tie with Wolfsburg. The German Wolves got the lowest number of points (12) out of the group stage stage winners and lost the joint most in the same category, albeit only twice. With the draw to be made on December 14, it will be a nervous wait to see whether Juventus’ hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals can becoming a reality. Before that, though, there is the rather large obstacle of Fiorentina to overcome on Sunday night. La Viola travel to the Juventus Stadium knowing that a win could take them up to first place in the league table should Inter slip up, while the hosts can only climb up to fourth, provided that Roma’s result goes their way. Although not completely convincing against Sevilla on Tuesday, the Juventus squad are capable of beating the high-flying Fiorentina side. An impressive 2-0 victory away to Lazio on Friday night further suggests that three points are a likely possibility. With Paul Pogba back in the team, along with the potential return of Mario Mandzukic to the field and the impressive form of Paulo Dybala being at Allegri’s disposal, Paulo Sousa’s defence could crumble should the reigning champions apply enough pressure.

Buffon: ‘Coaching? I’ll decide later…’ http://www.football-italia.net/76925/buffon-%E2%80%98coaching-i%E2%80%99ll-decide-later%E2%80%A6%E2%80%99? Dec 10, 2015 Juventus captain Gigi Buffon admits he’s unsure if he’ll move into Coaching when he retires. The goalkeeper’s stated aim is to continue until the 2018 World Cup, but he’s given no indication yet of what he’d like to do afterward. “Would I like to Coach Juventus?” Buffon considered, speaking to a group of children at Juventus Stadium. “I'll have a better idea as to what I'd like to do once I've finished playing. I think I'll always remain in football, but I’m not sure what role yet.” Buffon also discussed the proudest moments of his long career, having made his debut for Parma 20 years ago. “The proudest moments of my career? My Serie A debut, my first cap for Italy, my first Scudetto, winning the UEFA Cup with Parma, and also the ‘perfect match’ against Real Madrid [in 2003]. “More recently, Juve’s four straight Scudetti. “Do I ever have an urge to run up the pitch and help the team score? Sometimes, yes, but obviously I can’t…”

Juventus' best and worst case scenarios for the upcoming Champions League draw The draw for the Round of 16 is on Monday in Nyon. http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/12/10/9882330/juventus-2015-champions-league-round-of-16-draw-scenarios Dec 9, 2015 EDIT: The draw will be held on Monday at 12pm CET, which is 3am PST / 6am EST / 11am GMT. Seeded group winners will be away in the first leg, and home for the second leg. ------------------------ The UEFA Champions League group stage is complete, and the bittersweet news is that Juventus have made it through to the knockout rounds. However, they lost their last game to finish Group D in second place and this poses a tricky problem for the Bianconeri when the draw will be done next Monday. First legs of the round will be played on Feb. 16/17 and 23/24. Second legs will be on March 8/9 and 15/16. Since no Italian team won their group, the remaining seven group winners are all fair game to play Juve in the first knockout round. Let's take a look at who's who, and how they got there. Group A - Real Madrid were run close by Paris Saint-Germain, but beat on the minnows scoring 19 goals in six games. Group B - Wolfsburg pipped PSV Eindhoven to the top, knocking out Manchester United in the process. Group C - Atlético Madrid stayed ahead of Benfica to qualify comfortably. Group E - Barcelona humiliated Roma and the rest of the group on their way to winning the group. Group F - Bayern Munich also pumped in 19 goals to win, while Arsenal barely qualified on goal difference. Group G - Chelsea put aside their miserable Premier League form and topped the group, while FC Porto were unfortunate to get knocked out by Dynamo Kiev. Group H - Zenit St. Petersburg won a soft group, with KAA Gent coming in second. Had Juventus won the group, their task in the next round would have been immeasurably easier. However, to win the Champions League, you have to play the best and beat the best, and that is what the Old Lady might have to do. Worst case: Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich Real would be the least worst of the lot - Juve have actually had the better of the Merengues in a two-legged knockout round multiple times, as recently as the semi-finals last year. Real are embroiled in controversy with manager Rafa Benitez in charge, so this might be as good a time as any to play them. Barca are in irresistible form as always, and Juventus have something to say to them after the loss in last year's Champions League final. But do the Italians have what it takes to beat them over two legs? It could come down to whether the first leg is at home or away for Juve. Group winners play away in the first leg. And then there is Bayern. The Germans have looked almost mortal at times this year, and are plagued by injuries. But even in a transition year for the squad, there is plenty of quality there to give Massimiliano Allegri sleepless nights ahead of the fixtures in February and March. Okay case: Wolfsburg & Atletico Madrid The German side Wolfsburg have qualified for the Round of 16 for the first time in the club's history, but don't mistake them for a soft touch. They possess plenty of pace and skill despite having lost Kevin De Bruyne, and would pose a challenge for Juve. Atleti are not as fearsome as in the last couple of years, but going up against any side of Diego Simeone's would pose a true test of grinta over 180 minutes. They are currently second in La Liga, and are only two points behind Barcelona. Best case: Chelsea & Zenit Jose Mourinho simply cannot find a solution to the physical challenges posed by smaller English clubs. Expect Allegri to outwit the 'special one' in a similar manner should Chelsea be Juve's opponents. Willian is their best player right now and must be kept quiet to beat the London side. Zenit are a bit of an unknown quantity - they have some quality players in the squad, and manager Andre Villas-Boas has international pedigree having managed Chelsea and Tottenham. Playing in Russia in the dead of winter is not something Juve would relish nor have they done well in the past though. Tell us in the comments below who you would like Juve to play, and who you would rather they avoided in the next round.

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Pogba eager to beat Fiorentina after Sevilla defeat The France international has put Juventus' Champions League defeat to the back of his mind as the champions prepare to take on Fiorentina in Serie A. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/12/09/18176912/-? Dec 9, 2015 Paul Pogba has called for Juventus to forget about their Champions League defeat to Sevilla and instead focus on Sunday's crucial Serie A clash with Fiorentina. Massimiliano Allegri's side were beaten 1-0 in Spain on Tuesday, with former Juve striker Fernando Llorente scoring the only goal of the game in the 65th minute. That result, coupled with Manchester City's 4-2 triumph over Borussia Monchengladbach, means the Italian champions finished second in Group D. They must now wait to find out who they will face in the knockout stages, but Pogba's immediate concern is this weekend's clash with Fiorentina, who sit second in Serie A - five points above Juve. The France star told Sky Sport Italia : "Our aim in the Champions League was to get through to the knockout stages. "We could have done so as group winners but weren't able to. Now we'll await the draw. We're Juventus and always want to win, regardless of who we're up against. "Now we'll focus on the game against Fiorentina. They're playing very well this year and beating them would be a very important result for us. "We'll just keep taking one game at a time though, we still haven't achieved anything." After a shocking start to their title defence, Juventus have now won five on the spin in Serie A, six points adrift of leaders Inter and Pogba says they can retain their crown. "We didn't begin the season well but we're making up ground," Pogba added. "Do I think we can win the Scudetto? Of course I do. There's a French expression that says 'musicians are only paid at the end of the dance', so we'll wait until the end of the season and see where we end up." http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - FIORENTINA - MATCHDAY 16 Sunday, December 13th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Badelj: ‘Not thinking about Juve’ http://www.football-italia.net/76882/badelj-%E2%80%98not-thinking-about-juve%E2%80%99? Dec 9, 2015 Milan Badelj assures Fiorentina are fully focused on Belenenses, despite the trip to Juventus on Sunday. The Viola can secure their place in the Last 32 of the Europa League with a win at Artemio Franchi tomorrow, but are also riding high in Serie A ahead of the clash with the Turin giants. “We can’t be swayed by voices from outside,” Badelj explained in the pre-match Press conference. “A lot of people are already looking at Sunday, but we want to progress in Europe so we’re only focused on the game with Belenenses. “We’re preparing as we always do. Tomorrow will be a decisive game, and we want to win in front of our fans. “We still haven’t achieved anything in Europe this year, and we want to do it tomorrow.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/calcio/champions-league/2015/12/08-6578878/champions_league_siviglia-juventus_le_foto_del_match/ http://www.lastampa.it/2015/12/09/sport/calcio/qui-juve/sivigliajuve-le-pagelle-bianconere-super-buffon-per-barzagli-gara-sofferta-saxndlkn4hj16jFS82DkhI/pagina.html

Barcelona Scout Juventus Star http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/barcelona-scout-juventus-star/? Dec 9, 2015 Paulo Dybala’s excellent form for Juventus has not gone unnoticed as the Catalan giants Barcelona sent scouts to see him in action during Juve’s 1-0 Champions League defeat away at Sevilla. The 22-year-old forward was linked with the Blaugrana while still at Palermo before becoming a Bianconeri player and he stated that they would be one of his preferred destinations as they were one of his favourite teams as he grew up. According to Tuttosport, both Barca and their rivals Real Madrid had scouts present at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan to monitor Dybala’s performance. Dybala is thought to be more of an option for the future as he only moved to Turin over the summer and his contract runs until 2020 with Juve unwilling to let him go. The 22-year-old has made 10 starts in Serie A for Juventus and scored an impressive tally of seven goals.

Molto meglio.

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS 1 - 0 F. Llorente (65') Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Attendance: 35583 Pogba: 'Juventus fear nobody' http://www.football-italia.net/76888/pogba-juventus-fear-nobody? Dec 9, 2015 Paul Pogba is not bothered who Juventus face in the Champions League - “if we play Bayern, Barça or Zenit, it’s all the same.” The Bianconeri lost 1-0 at Sevilla last night, allowing Manchester City to sneak past them and win the group, but the midfielder is not overly concerned. “The goal was to get through,” Pogba told Sky. “We could have got first place, but we didn’t and now we have to think of other things. We’ll think about the next League game [against Fiorentina], which could be very important for our season, and then we’ll see. “A team to avoid? As always, we’re Juventus and we always want to win and do well. “Like last year, whether we play Bayern [Munich] Barça [barcelona] or Zenit, it’s all the same. It’s a Champions League match, you never know who’ll win.” The Old Lady had a difficult start to the season, as did Pogba, but the 22-year-old is targeting a return to the top of Serie A. “It’s not like last year. Last year I started the season with six goals, and at the beginning of this season we didn’t do great, but we’re recovering. “Personally, I’m always doing my best for the team. If I can score 10 goals for the team and myself it would be something extraordinary. “It’s true I haven’t scored a lot of goals this season, but it’s not over yet. “I want the team to win, and returning to top spot to win the Scudetto is the most important thing. “Can we recover? We have a saying in French: ‘it’s at the end of the dance that you pay the musicians’. It means that we’ll see at the end.” It has been suggested that a win in Sunday’s Fiorentina game would be like starting the League from scratch, but Pogba isn’t getting carried away. “You could say that, because we know if we win this game it would be very good for us,” the French international admitted. “But we’re taking it one game at a time, we’ve achieved nothing yet and there’s still a long way to go. “I’d like to win against Fiorentina. We know that Fiorentina are very good this year, as are other teams. “So the most important thing for us is to get a result against them, and against a team that is close to the top.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS 1 - 0 F. Llorente (65') Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Attendance: 35583 SEVILLA 1-0 JUVENTUS – ALL IS NOT LOST! http://www.juvefc.com/sevilla-1-0-juventus-all-is-not-lost/? Dec 9, 2015 If there was one player who could put us to the sword and still leave me smiling, or rather, avoiding the eagerness to roar and smash the screen, it was Llorente. I have always liked the Spaniard, not just for his selfless build-up play, ability to bring others into an attacking move and his outstanding aerial ability but mainly for his temperament and professionalism. He truly is a gentleman of the game, a rare thing in the current climate of overpaid superstars with the demeanour of spoilt, capricious teenage girls. We played well. Surely well enough to earn a point and had we taken any of our numerous chances created we would now be facing the draw for the knock-out stage with less trepidation. As it stands, we may well find ourselves facing Barca or Bayern, assuredly the only two teams I cannot see us or anyone else beating, on present form. The chances are 3 in 4 that we will avoid them. Its that 1 in 4 which causes concern. Yet the fact of the matter is that it makes no sense to be facing a tournament hoping always to avoid the best sides, for we will face them at one stage or another if we are to progress. It is of course more exciting for the elite clubs to lock horns in the latter stages, yet we should not be afraid of any team. Especially over two legs. And its worth bearing in mind that the last 16 matches begin in mid February. Which gives us plenty of time to recover players from injury, continue developing as a team and add momentum to the fine form of late which has seen us move back into contention for domestic honours. Despite the result our performance was sound. We created plenty of decent chances. Sturaro and Morata were both guilty of wretched misses. Pogba was solid and also managed to test the ultra impressive Rico from range. Two major positives from the game were the upturn in form of Marchisio, who guided the team well in both the defensive and attacking phases. And then there is Dybala…who hit the bar, forced the keeper into numerous saves and looked by far the most naturally gifted attacking force on the field from the start to the finish. The Argentine is growing in confidence and comfort on the ball and I have no doubt his debut season at the club will be a memorable one, for player and fans alike. I felt sympathy for Morata, who really should have won us the game. Yet what can we expect of a player who has been in and out of the side all season and has recently been not exactly criticised but certainly spoken about in at very best, an encouraging manner, by the coach. Of course Allegri was led into such comments by the media, but still, words have been spoken, plenty written and this clearly wasn’t the best time to ease the striker back into a starting role. Yet the manager had little choice. Other than Cuadrado and Neto, we had no experience to call upon on the bench due to injuries. Three primavera players are far from ideal for an away fixture at one of the most fiercely partisan crowds out of Turkey! And if there is one strength of our Mister I trust, it is his ability to change a game during a game with tactical tweaks. This was simply not possible on this occasion. Allegri chose the best players available. Which precluded the possibility of much of a game plan other than Plan A. There could be no Plan B, other than bring on Cuadrado. I suspect the outcome would have been very different had we been able to rely upon Mandzukic, Asamoah, Khedira, Evra and Zaza. There is no need for alarm. Our decent form has continued. We were very unfortunate not to take all 3 points, let alone the solitary point required to retain top spot in the group. And better teams than us have fared worse in the same fixture this season… I suspect that more teams will be worried about facing us in the next round than praying to meet us. We have acquitted ourselves well whilst journeying through a tough group, the team development is continuing on an upwards trajectory and with the host of players still to return to the ranks, our fortunes will improve yet further. So let us sweep aside the concerns and regrets and focus on the huge game against Fiorentina, the perfect opportunity to put right what went wrong last night. (NB The draw for the knock-out phase is set for Midday CET, Monday 14th December) http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS 1 - 0 F. Llorente (65') Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Attendance: 35583 Alvaro Morata's Poor Form on Full Display as Juventus Lose to Sevilla http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2597229-alvaro-moratas-poor-form-on-full-display-as-juventus-lose-to-sevilla? Dec 9, 2015 Knowing they needed just a single point to secure top spot in Group D, Juventus travelled to Sevilla hoping to gain the positive result that would allow them to do just that. Ultimately they fell short, losing 0-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to a goal from their former striker Fernando Llorente. Once again, injuries made the task more difficult for Massimiliano Allegri, with the squad list for the encounter, per the club’s official website, showing the coach was forced to do without Patrice Evra, Hernanes, Sami Khedira, Mario Mandzukic, Roberto Pereyra, Martin Caceres and Mario Lemina. Yet despite those absences, the Bianconeri were arguably the better side, enjoying the better chances of the game but failing to convert them. Indeed, according to statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, possession in the game was split 50-50, but Juve made more passes (473-407) while taking more shots and getting more on target. Ultimately, though, that inability to put the ball in the net came back to haunt them when Llorente headed home Yevhen Konoplyanka’s 65th-minute corner. The Spanish striker was able to escape the attention of his marker Andrea Barzagli, but Alvaro Morata—positioned in the near post area—failed to intervene. Llorente’s desire to win that header separated the two sides, but the performance of the man charged with preventing that was arguably the real difference. Morata—given his first start in a month—endured a poor evening, looking devoid of confidence and nothing like his clinical best. He missed the target with three of his six shots, failed in two of his four take-on attempts and committed three fouls. While it is easy to note he completed 19 of his 22 passes and worked hard defensively, there is little doubt that he failed when it mattered. Adam Digby @Adz77 Alvaro Morata #SevillaJuve (Dec 8) 6 shots, 2/4 take-ons, 3 fouls made, 2 suffered, 19/22 passes (via @StatsZone) In the fourth minute, Morata flashed a header wide from Claudio Marchisio’s cross, but if that was a difficult chance, he would miss a number of far easier ones. Just 20 minutes later, a ball into the box was headed back to him by Paulo Dybala, but somehow Morata managed to scuff it when it seemed far easier to hit the target. The 23-year-old would burst into the box on a strong run, beating one defender before attempting to take on another; both occasions seemingly allowed him the chance to shoot only for him to decide not to. Late in the game, Juan Cuadrado would give Morata one final chance, but his shot only struck Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico. It was a performance which vindicated Allegri’s decision to prefer Dybala and Mandzukic in recent weeks, with that duo hitting good form while the former Real Madrid man sat on the bench. Given his last goal came on October 4, Morata clear needs to break out of this slump, but Tuesday night’s match-winner has no doubt about the ability of his former team-mate. Llorente told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia): If Morata had scored then it certainly would’ve made everything more complicated for us. He needs to stay calm, because he knows he has great quality and there mustn’t be too much pressure on him. Morata just needs confidence and the chance to prove what he’s worth, I am sure of it. The player needs to quickly rediscover his best if he is to become a protagonist for the Bianconeri in the coming months, and perhaps director general Beppe Marotta summed it up best as he spoke to Mediaset Premium before the meeting with Sevilla. “It’s up to him to prove his quality,” the club official said (h/t Football Italia) and that is almost certainly true. Juventus certainly need the real Morata. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

Del Piero: ‘Pogba atypical no.10’ http://www.football-italia.net/76860/del-piero-%E2%80%98pogba-atypical-no10%E2%80%99? Dec 9, 2015 Alessandro Del Piero says Paul Pogba is an ‘atypical Juventus number 10’ because he isn’t ‘a complete player.’ The former Bianconeri great spoke to Sky Sport Italia’s ‘Football Night’ programme about the Champions League, the upcoming clash with Fiorentina and his memorable goal against La Viola in 1994. “When we think of the Juventus number 10 we imagine a complete player,” he said. “But today Pogba isn’t yet, he’s an atypical number 10. You have to give him a bit of time to grow even more. “I don’t know if Juventus will return to the Champions League final. “It must be said that at the moment Bayern and Barcelona are unreachable, but who knows if they have a small decline.

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS 1 - 0 F. Llorente (65') Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Attendance: 35583 WHO WOULD YOU PREFER TO FACE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ? http://www.juvefc.com/who-would-you-prefer-to-face-in-the-champions-league/? Dec 9, 2015 Juventus are through to the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League where Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid await. The Bianconeri needed a point from their final group game against Sevilla to guarantee top spot but a disappointing performance was capped off by 1-0 loss, including a goal from ex-Juve forward Fernando Llorente. With Juventus qualifying in second place, they could face any one of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg, Zenit and Chelsea. Poll Who would you want to face in the last 16 of the Champions League ? Chelsea 27% Zenit 26% Wolfsburg 23% Barcelona 8% Real Madrid 8% Bayern 4% Atletico Madrid 3% Votes 248 http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10