Socrates

Rico ne para un altro.

Incrocio dei pali clamoroso.

Bel gesto di Nando che non ha esultato dopo il suo goal.

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) HT 0-0: Morata misses Sevilla sitter http://www.football-italia.net/76848/ht-morata-misses-sevilla-sitter? Dec 8, 2015 Alvaro Morata missed an absolute sitter and both goalkeepers performed tough saves as it’s 0-0 between Sevilla and Juventus. At half-time, Manchester City are 2-1 down at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, which is bad news for the Spaniards and good for the Italians. The Bianconeri had already booked their spot in the Round of 16, but needed a point here to be sure of winning the group, while Sevilla would only snatch third with a victory and Borussia Monchengladbach failing to beat Manchester City. Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira, Martin Caceres, Simone Zaza, Patrice Evra, Hernanes, Mario Lemina and Roberto Pereyra were all unavailable, so there were only six Juve players on the bench. Ever Banega and Benoit Tremoulinas returned from injury, but Daniel Carriço, Gael Kakuta, Beto and Italian Marco Andreolli were sidelined. Fernando Llorente faced his former club, but Ciro Immobile was in the stands. Alvaro Morata made an increasingly rare start and within four minutes had turned a free header over from Claudio Marchisio’s cross. The Spaniard flashed another good opportunity across the face of goal, as did Paulo Dybala, while Llorente just failed to get the necessary contact to a Yevhen Konoplyanka snapshot. Stefano Sturaro’s header was beaten away by Sergio Rico, but Gigi Buffon needed a double save on both Llorente and the Konoplyanka follow-up at the near post. Morata missed an astonishing opportunity on 25 minutes. Dybala knocked down a cross and the Spaniard came sliding in only to prod it wide from a yard. Buffon again got down to palm a Llorente header off the line and Rico pushed a Dybala free kick out of the near top corner. Sevilla 0-0 Juventus (Half-Time) Sevilla: Sergio Rico; Coke, Rami, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, N’Zonzi; Vitolo, Banega, Konoplyanka; Llorente Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Dybala Ref: Marciniak (POL) http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

Goal di Nando.

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Half-Time 0-0: Sevilla and Juventus remain deadlocked http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/sevilla/champions-league/half-time-report/half-time-report-sevilla-and-juventus-remain-deadlocked_261304.html? Dec 8, 2015 Neither Sevilla nor Juventus have found a way through in the first half of their final Champions League group match as the sides headed into the interval tied at 0-0. The hosts dominated the opening stages but were almost pegged back in the fifth minute when Alvaro Morata's header flashed past the post. Another opportunity fell Morata's way moments later as he raced clear of the Sevilla defence, beating the offside trap but shooting just wide from a tight angle. Sevilla applied some pressure of their own in the 14th minute when Yevhen Konoplyanka let fly from 25 yards, his effort sailing wide and narrowly missing the head of Fernando Llorente in front of goal on the way. Llorente had the chance to do some damage to his former club five minutes when the ball fell kindly for him inside the penalty area, but his low strike was palmed away by Gianluigi Buffon. Juventus' best chance of the half came in the 25th minute when Paulo Dybala laid the ball on a platter for Morata inside the box, only to watch his strike partner fire wide from point-blank range. Sevilla, who need to win the match to stand any chance of salvaging Europa League football, struggled to create chances in the closing stages of the first half and are now relying on Manchester City to get a result against Borussia Monchengladbach in tonight's other Group D fixture. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Marotta: 'Morata must prove quality' http://www.football-italia.net/76846/marotta-morata-must-prove-quality? Dec 8, 2015 Juventus director Beppe Marotta praised Max Allegri, put pressure on Alvaro Morata and is “optimistic” in Sevilla. The Bianconeri have already booked their spot in the Champions League Round of 16 and will win the group with at least a point in Spain tonight. “Things are going better compared to the recent past. We’re back on track on all fronts, so I am optimistic for the future too,” director of sport Marotta told Mediaset Premium. Having been on the bench for several games in a row, Morata starts alongside Paulo Dybala tonight. “The strike force is made up of many important players, so it’s difficult for Morata to find consistency. At Juventus we need great forwards. Tonight, also due to injuries, it’s up to him to prove his quality. “The start to the season was damaged by certain injuries, but many returned to fitness and the younger players realised what it means to play for Juventus. “At the end we found a formation that reflects what Juventus has to be. Our history teaches us that Juventus must be protagonists in every competition.” Marotta was asked about reports Juve are targeting Sevilla manager Emery for next season. “There is no Coach problem. Last season Allegri did very well and this term, in the light of so many changes to the squad, he’s doing equally as well. We are not remotely thinking of Emery.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Monchi: 'Complicated for Sevilla' http://www.football-italia.net/76844/monchi-complicated-sevilla? Dec 8, 2015 Sevilla director of sport Monchi admits they “knew it would be complicated” in a Champions League group with Juventus. They host the Bianconeri this evening and must win with Borussia Monchengladbach failing to get the victory at Manchester City in order to snatch third place. “When we saw the draw, we knew this would be a complicated group with Manchester City, Juventus and Borussia Monchengladbach,” Monchi told Mediaset Premium in Italy. “We wanted to continue this Champions League adventure, but that is beyond hope now and so we want the Europa League. It would be a great objective and a concrete one too. “Unai Emery is a prestigious Coach and we hope he will continue with us for many years. He has a contract for next season.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Alvaro Morata returns to the Juventus XI at Sevilla http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/sevilla/champions-league/team-news/team-news-alvaro-morata-returns-to-the-juventus-xi_261279.html? Dec 8, 2015 Alvaro Morata has been handed a place in the Juventus starting XI after four consecutive matches on the bench. The Spaniard will partner Paulo Dybala in the attack during tonight's Champions League group match at Sevilla, with Mario Mandzukic suffering from flu symptoms. Paul Pogba returns for the Old Lady after serving a domestic suspension, but Sami Khedira, Martin Caceres, Patrice Evra, Hernanes, Mario Lemina and Roberto Pereyra are all unavailable. Sevilla have recalled Ever Banega and Benoit Tremoulinas to their lineup, but have Daniel Carriço, Gael Kakuta, Beto and Italian Marco Andreolli sidelined. Sevilla: Sergio Rico; Coke, Rami, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, N'Zonzi; Vitolo, Banega, Konoplyanka; Llorente Subs: Soria, Escudero, Mariano Ferreira, Krohn-Dehli, Iborra, Reyes, Gameiro Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Dybala Subs: Neto, Rugani, Vitale, Pellini, Cuadrado, Morselli http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Sevilla chance for Rugani? http://www.football-italia.net/76833/sevilla-chance-rugani? Dec 8, 2015 Daniele Rugani could make his first Juventus start tonight, away to Sevilla in the Champions League. Bianconeri Coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted yesterday he had not decided whether or not to start the youngster, who has made just one cameo appearance since moving from Empoli. According to SportMediaset, the Old Lady will deploy a 3-5-2 shape at Sanchez Pizjuan tonight, and Rugani could replace one of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci or Giorgio Chiellini. Alex Sandro and Stephan Lichtsteiner will occupy the flanks, with Paul Pogba expected to return in midfield after missing the Lazio match through suspension. The absence of Mario Mandzukic is likely to see Alvaro Morata return up-front, with in-form Paulo Dybala expected to start alongside him. Juventus will secure first place in the group if they avoid defeat, or if Manchester City lose to Borussia Monchengladbach. Probable Juventus team to face Sevilla: Buffon; Barzagli, Rugani, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Dybala http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Betting Preview: Sevilla v Juventus The side from the south of Spain have been disappointing this season in Europe and with Juve needing a win to clinch top spot, backing the in-form visitors is a wise option. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2995/betting/2015/12/08/18116862/-? Dec 8, 2015 Sevilla head into their final Champions League group match knowing that they need a win against last season's finalists Juventus to keep their European campaign alive. The Spanish side have already been eliminated from the tournament, but will want to finish third in Group D to move into the Europa League and attempt to win that competition for the third straight season. Even a victory may not be enough for Sevilla if Borussia Monchengladbach beat Manchester City in the other group game, but Unai Emery's men will no doubt have plenty of motivation come kick-off. Juventus for their part know a win at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan will secure their place as group winners, avoiding a less favorable draw in the last 16. With the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Barcelona all topping their groups, the Bianconeri too will be desperate for a victory. Sevilla are offered at 6/4 (2.50) by NetBet for the win, but the Andalusians have been one of the most unpredictable sides in Spain this season. The same team that has beaten both Barca and Madrid has failed to beat Las Palmas and Levante, and it is difficult to have much confidence in them. Juventus, meanwhile, are priced at a healthy 2/1 (3.00). After an extremely shaky start to the season, the Serie A champions have hit some form, winning their last five matches in all competitions. They have also kept four consecutive clean sheets and can be backed at 9/4 (3.25) to keep another. It is worth remembering that in the first game against Sevilla in Turin back in September, Juve were infinitely superior. The 2-0 scoreline barely did justice to how much better the Italians were and with top spot at stake, it is hard to back against the visitor on Tuesday evening. Bolder punters might take the price of 37/10 (4.70) for Juve to win and keep a clean sheet, but in truth the price for an away win looks generous. Sevilla have lost their last four Champions League matches, were utterly outplayed by Juve recently and face an in-form opponent who need a win. All those factors make opposing the hosts the logical selection. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

Allegri: ‘Juve lost their spirit’ http://www.football-italia.net/76820/allegri-%E2%80%98juve-lost-their-spirit%E2%80%99? Dec 8, 2015 Juventus ‘lost their spirit’ at the end of last season after ‘a tremendous expense of physical and mental energy’, says Massimiliano Allegri. The Bianconeri were beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League final, but completed a league and cup double in Italy. However, they started sluggishly this season and Allegri has pointed to the reasons that he believes the club hit such a slump on the back of a successful campaign. “Regardless of injuries, the arrival of new players and sales, after the great season last year and victory in the Supercoppa in August an environment was created in which it appeared that Juventus had to win every game 3-0,” he said to El Pais. “I said after a friendly in the summer: I don’t like the vibe you’re giving. Juventus must fight, suffer and run to win games. “And we lost this spirit. After four years in which Juventus won everything, a drop in pressure is physiological. “Last year was a season with a tremendous expense of physical and mental energy. “In those moments you don’t notice because you live in the wake of the enthusiasm, but for the first time since I’ve been coaching, after the final in Berlin, I turned off the phone and I left football for a month. So for me as well it was difficult to start again. "I've always said that the group was heterogeneous but not homogeneous. We're still trying to be a homogenous group. “The players have to acclimatise, get acquainted with the situation, get used to the pressure, and find the best physical and mental form.”

Real, Barca scouts to watch Dybala http://www.football-italia.net/76817/real-barca-scouts-watch-dybala? Dec 8, 2015 Juventus striker Paulo Dybala will reportedly be watched by Real Madrid and Barcelona scouts against Sevilla tonight. The Argentine arrived from Palermo in the summer and has settled well in Turin, scoring seven goals in 14 league appearances. Tuttosport write today that both of the La Liga giants will send representatives to watch Dybala in Juve’s Champions League clash with Sevilla this evening. The newspaper believes that his current valuation is around €60m, already €20m more than his summer transfer fee. However, the report says that the Bianconeri intend to build their future around the 22-year-old and that he will be off the market for at least three or four seasons.

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Sevilla V Juventus — Team News, Tactics, Lineups And Predictions http://www.thehardtackle.com/2015/sevilla-v-juventus-team-news-tactics-lineups-and-predictions/? Dec 8, 2015 Juventus travel to Seville on Tuesday night knowing that a draw will be enough to see them ensure top spot in Group D of the Champions League. The Bianconeri are slowly coming back to their top form after a shaky start to the season although they are unbeaten in Europe so far. They are on a run of five straight wins in Italy and have the momentum going into this tough trip to Spain. Last season’s finalists are already assured of a place in the knockout stages and clinically dispatched Lazio on Friday to move up to fifth place. Europa League winners Sevilla are already out of the competition. They sit bottom of the group having lost their last four games which happens to be their worst sequence of results in continental tournaments. However, domestically they have won five of their last six games including victories over Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Sanchez Pizjuan. Team news and tactical brief Sevilla FC Sevilla are playing for pride more than anything else but a win here could help them grab the Europa League place, a competition they have won in the last two seasons. If Borussia Monchengladbach fail to beat City in the other game, then Unai Emery’s men could seal their spot with a win against Juventus. This will be a special match for Fernando Llorente, who moved from Juventus to Sevilla in the last transfer window. He will be looking to make an impact against his former side after spending two successful years in Turin. The Basque man has netted three goals in La Liga so far but has not scored in the Champions League yet. Another crucial player for the hosts could be midfielder Ever Banega, who is set to make his return to the first team following a calf injury. Sevilla will definitely miss Italian defender Marco Andreolli who is out with an ankle injury and Beto (knee), along with Daniel Carrico and Gael Kakuta (both hamstring). Probable Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1): Rico; Coke, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; N’Zonzi, Krychowiak; Reyes, Banega , Konoplyanka; Llorente Juventus Juventus will be making a mistake if they are taking Sevilla lightly as they have shown their strength at home by securing wins against Real Madrid and Barcelona. Max Allegri has insisted his side are determined to get the point which will cement their position at the top. A loss here would hand City a chance to overtake them as they host a resurgent Monchengladbach side in Manchester. They are coming off a positive period of form and Allegri knows how important it is to keep the momentum going. Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala are the first choice at this moment but Alvaro Morata who scored in the corresponding fixture might get a start here as the Croatian is not present in the squad for this game. Juan Cuadrado who came off the bench against Lazio is a candidate on the right wing. Hernanes will miss out for the visitors as he serves the second game of a two-match suspension, with Roberto Pereyra and Sami Khedira (both thigh) also absent. Probable Starting Lineup (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Cuadrado, Sturaro, Pogba, Marchisio, Sandro; Dybala, Morata Key Facts Sevilla have lost 7 of their last 8 matches in the Champions League. Juventus are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 matches in the Champions League. Juventus have lost just one of their last 13 matches in all competition. Players to Watch Out For Fernando Llorente (Sevilla) Fernando Llorente has three goals and three assists for the Andalucian club even though he has made just four starts this season after his move from Juventus this summer. The 30-year-old did not feature in the previous meeting and will be hoping to see some action in Seville against his former club. Paulo Dybala (Juventus) Juventus had to rely on Dybala’s attacking prowess to get the three points against Lazio. He recently revealed how he has been working with Max Allegri to change his movements on the pitch and that has seen him develop a strong partnership with Mario Mandzukic. The sublime goal against Lazio took his season tally to eight goals and he looks very likely to open his account in Europe tonight. Prediction Sevilla 1–1 Juventus Juventus are in pole position to finish the group as winners and are slowly returning to the level that got them to the Champions League final last season. Sevilla head into this match unbeaten in their last three competitive matches, but before that they had lost six of their eight matches in all competitions. The Spanish club haven’t picked up any points since the opening matchday in this group and despite the fact they’ve beaten Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia at home in recent times, Juventus should maintain their unbeaten run here. Blast From the Past When these sides met in Turin back in September, Sevilla were comfortably despatched 2-0 at Juventus Stadium. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Juventus can make Champions League statement in Sevilla http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2745665/juventus-can-make-european-statement-in-sevilla? Dec 8, 2015 Slowly but surely, Juventus are starting to achieve their objectives. Having achieved five consecutive Serie A victories, the team must now turn its attention to the Champions League, where a tough match against Sevilla awaits. Four-time Europa League winners and a side coached by a master tactician in the form of Unai Emery -- a man linked with the Juventus job should Massimiliano Allegri vacate the post -- Sevilla pose a huge threat to a Juve squad seeking to top their group. Desperate to remain undefeated in Europe this season, the thought of having to travel to the hostile Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium -- a ground that recently swallowed up and spat out yet another Valencia coach -- is a disconcerting prospect. Nuno Espirito Santo, Valencia's recently resigned coach, was the latest to have lost his job after a defeat in Seville -- following on from Quique Sanchez Flores and Ernesto Valverde before him. To make matters worse, both Barcelona and Real Madrid surrendered to the power of Emery's men away from home this season. A win or even a draw on Tuesday evening and Juventus will not only seal top place in the group, but ensure they avoid the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the next round of the competition. For that to happen, the Bianconeri will need to play the game with great intensity. The Spaniards are aching for a win that, with a third-place finish in the group, could potentially allow them to compete in the Europa League yet again, a competition they have won each of the past two years. Despite the injuries, the departed and the many new arrivals, Los Nervionenses have only lost three home games all season. In front of their own fans, they display a confidence and an eagerness to take the initiative. Away from home, however, the players seem to collapse. They may run just as much if not more than they managed last season, but the runs are less incisive, the strategy seems far less understood. At home, Emery's men feel a certain level of confidence that allows them to interpret his tactics better. A team that demonstrates attacking fluidity when comfortable, the side has scored 15 goals in seven home games in the league, averaging just over two goals a game. While their defence still looks fragile, the likes of Fernando Llorente have begun to show their worth. The ex-Juventus striker is playing with greater frequency and has therefore adapted to the tactics, scoring twice and providing two assists over his past six games -- including a goal against Real Madrid. Defensively, they must still find the right balance to ensure security, but they have improved. Over those seven home games played in the league, Los Rojiblancos did concede 10, but seven of those game within the first month or so of the season. And since the beginning of October, they have only conceded three, all of which came in the two matches against Barca and Rafa Benitez's Los Blancos. The only way to beat them is to intimidate them, while practicing the art of fine defending. Nothing irritates Emery's men more than a disciplined back line that frustrates the forwards. And Juventus must play with confidence and intelligence to halt their Spanish opponents. With Mario Mandzukic absent due to a fever, it's likely Alvaro Morata will be tasked with leading the line for the Old Lady, and the Spaniard tends to excel in the big games. A player of immense technique, he has been depended on less in the last month or so, but his quality is evident even if he's yet to provide the coach with the consistency required. However, he is the player the fans most want to see play alongside Paulo Dybala. Both possess tremendous technique, youth and a varied set of skills. And if they demonstrate a growing chemistry, then the team have a forward line that can represent them for years to come. Mandzukic has proved what a hard worker he really is while excelling in creating room for Dybala, but Morata offers so much more on a technical level and is capable of creating things on his own. If he can continue to give his all in each and every match, sacrificing for the sake of the team and yet still knowing when to provide individual brilliance, then he can be unstoppable. With Alex Sandro -- a man capable of delivering accuracy into the box -- likely to play, fans are desperate to see how well the next generation can perform when all play together. Sadly, it seems Juan Cuadrado will be benched yet again. And that may not be such a bad thing. The Colombian may be talented and ambitious, but he's still not capable of intelligent movements in matches that require speed of thought and excellent decision-making skills. With Paul Pogba back in the squad and ready to guide the side forward, Allegri's men will need to prove why they are a team that Europe should fear and do what Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia couldn't: defeat Sevilla at home. Or, at the very least, walk away with a point. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Juventus boss Max Allegri: Sevilla match of 'paramount importance' http://www.espnfc.co.uk/uefa-champions-league/story/2745479/juventus-boss-sevilla-match-of-paramount-importance? Dec 7, 2015 Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has stressed the importance of his side's conclusive Group D fixture against Sevilla. Although Juventus have already reached the last 16 of the Champions League and Sevilla cannot catch either them or Manchester City, there is still plenty to play for in Spain on Tuesday night. The Bianconeri are not happy only to be among the list of the best 16 clubs on the continent -- they want to feature in the top eight: those who win their groups and are seeded in next Monday's draw. Sevilla, for their part, can soften the disappointing blow of leaving the Champions League by earning a shot at a third straight Europa League title, but only a win can keep that dream alive. "It's of paramount importance that we finish top of our group," Allegri said at a news conference in Seville. "We want to avoid Real [Madrid], Barca or Bayern [Munich] in the last 16. We also want to finish the group unbeaten." A draw would suffice for Juve to do that, but that is not going to be gifted to them by the hosts. "We all wanted to be in the Champions League," said Sevilla coach Unai Emery. "When I arrived, I set that as my objective. So this is either going to be a small disappointment or a big disappointment. We want to win tomorrow's game -- getting into the Europa League motivates us a lot." Beating Juve does not give Sevilla any guarantees, however. They would still need a favour from Manchester City, who host Borussia Monchengladbach and will also be out for victory to take advantage of any Juve stumble in the group's other game. "All that is in our control is to play a good game," Emery said. "If we win, we will look to Manchester. Borussia are also in good form. We will need to play well to have a chance to beat them." If all fails and Sevilla do exit Europe prematurely -- in view of their Europa League success in recent years -- they would focus their efforts onto getting back there next season, via La Liga. With six points currently separating them from fourth-placed Celta Vigo, that is still going to be a challenge, particularly with the likes of Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia ahead of them in that particular scramble. "Some years without beating Barcelona and Real Madrid, a consistent line got us into the Champions League positions," reflected Emery. "That balanced line, the team needs to find. I believe we are improving, but we need something more." http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Sevilla squad to face Juventus http://www.football-italia.net/76806/sevilla-squad-face-juventus? Dec 7, 2015 Fernando Llorente is included in the Sevilla squad to face his former side Juventus tomorrow. The Bianconeri will top their Champions League group with a draw at Sanchez Pizjuan tomorrow, but the hosts need a win to have a chance of getting Europa League football. Llorente will be in contention to face his former side, while Benoit Tremoulinas and Ever Banega return to the fold having missed the weekend trip to Deportivo with injury. Sevilla squad to face Juventus: Sergio Rico, David Soria, Mariano, Coke, Escudero, Tremoulinas, Rami, Kolo, Krychowiak, Iborra, Nzonzi, Krohn-Delhi, Banega, Vitolo, Konoplyanka, Reyes, Immobile, Gameiro, Llorente. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) SEVILLA V JUVENTUS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEW http://www.juvefc.com/sevilla-v-juventus-champions-league-match-preview/? Dec 7, 2015 Juventus When the draw was announced for the group stage of the Champions League I will admit I was a little worried. And this was before I watched us slump into a lethargy on the field domestically as the season drew close enough to embrace. For Man City with their billions bankrolling a fine selection of superstars, when fit and firing on all cylinders, are a very serious force to be reckoned with. Add to the mix Seville, who are canny operators on the European stage and a plucky Monchengladbach side and progression appeared far from a given. However, as we approach our final fixture of the group stage, the only fight left is not for qualification, but to head through in 1st, thus avoiding the other group winners such as Bayern, Real and Barca. Arguably, our best form up until recently has come in Europe. Perhaps I am paying Allegri too much credit, but the results and current state of play speak for themselves. With the loss of three world class, seasoned professionals and the intake of new, talented recruits we then found ourselves suffering our worst injury crisis for many moons. With forced changes and newcomers our only option, Allegri decided to prioritise the Champions League, whilst perhaps hedging his bets in the league. Believing that once key players returned from injury, league form would settle and we would climb the table before it was too late to mount a serious defence of our title. Some continue to criticise the coach, but presently, his bets are paying off. Regardless of Man City’s efforts at home to the Germans, due to our head to head record against the boys in blue, a draw in Spain will be enough to retain pole position of the group. Which will be a solid achievement, especially so given our struggles. Our form of late has been greatly improved. Five wins on the bounce. Points gained on the leading pack domestically. Key players finding their rhythm and more returning to the ranks. The defence has regained its solidity, the Dybala/Mandzukic tandem is working. Lichsteiner has returned from heart surgery every bit the locomotive of a player we all adore. Plenty of reasons to be cheerful. As for our opponents… Whilst placed presently bottom of the table, Seville can still qualify for the Europa league with a victory coupled with the expected Monchengladbach defeat in Manchester. Their pedigree in that competition is brilliant, having won the cup in both the last two seasons. Widely respected coach Unai Emery has been experiencing mixed form domestically, with his side presently sitting in a disappointing 10th spot of La Liga. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw away to La Coruna. We will have to be careful with Banega and Gameiro. For the two can combine well through the middle, yet we should be capable of dealing with the threat from wide positions, given our height in the box and power on the flanks. A victory would not only breed confidence, assure us of first place and aid the Italian european co-efficient, it would also add another EU1.5m to the prize money already obtained. We receive 12m for merely group stage qualification, 0.5m for each draw and 1.5m for each victory, with a further 5.5m for progressing to the knock-out phase. Which seems to have our champions league income, presently running at – 12m group stage inclusion prize 1m two draws 4.5m three victories 5.5m Knock-out stage qualification EU23m Which doesn’t take into account the TV money. Too much work on the calculations are required to glean an approximate figure for the market pool TV funds earned thus far. Yet for comparison, last season’s path to the final brought us close to EU60m from the market pool. Its plain to see why champions league qualification is essential for the club’s ambitions. It seems that plenty of supporters have rather short memories. For the return to the 3-5-2 has brought not only an upturn in our fortunes but also yet more wailing of ‘players demanded the change‘ and ‘Allegri has tinkered too much‘. Which seems at best odd, for Allegri began the season deploying the same 3-5-2 we now see as the answer to our hopefully fast vanishing woes. It wasn’t until the Chievo game that we changed to a back four, and this was more forced by selection options, than through attempting a new system. In Europe however, Allegri has deployed… Man City 1-2 Juventus 4-3-3 Juventus 2-0 Seville 3-5-2 Juventus 0-0 Monchengladbach 4-3-3 Monchengladbach 1-1 Juventus 4-3-1-2 Juventus 1-0 Man City 3-5-2 Present reports suggest we will go with a 3-5-2. There are some doubts over Mandzukic, which could allow Morata his first start for a while. Great chance to stake his claim for a place in the starting XI. Khedira and Pererya continue their comebacks on the training field though are out of contention for this match. Asamoah was not selected for our group stage squad due to injury, neither was – much to the rageful chagrin of his die hard supporters – Padoin. We can afford to set out to soak up pressure and hit the spaniards on the break. Which is different from playing for a draw. It is Seville who have to win to continue their european adventure in the Europa League. And as the home side, in front of their own fans, they will have far more pressure on their shoulders to perform. For us, it is a chance to continue decent form in Europe, add pace to the momentum and see how our newfound confidence in Serie A translates to the continental stage where we have raised our game and played well in all but the matches against the Germans. Probable lineup 3-5-2: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Morata. Injuries: Khedira (hamstring), Pereyra (hamstring), Hernanes (hamstring), Mandzukic (Flu), Evra (Knee), Lemina (Tendon) Suspended: Hernanes Sevilla Probable lineup 4-2-3-1: Rico; Escudero, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Mariano; Iborra, Krychowiak; Vitolo, Krohn-Dehli, Konoplyanka; Llorente Injuries: Beto, Daniel Carriço, Nico Pareja, Gaël Kakuta, Marco Andreolli, Benoît Trémoulinas Suspended: None Formation http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Allegri: ‘Juventus even better in Europe’ http://www.football-italia.net/76805/allegri-%E2%80%98juventus-even-better-europe%E2%80%99? Dec 7, 2015 Coach Massimiliano Allegri notes that Juventus “have done better” in this year’s Champions League group stage. The Bianconeri reached the final of the competition last season, but only secured qualification for the Last 16 in the last group game. “If we look at our results in Europe at the moment, the team have done better,” Allegri pointed out in his Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Sevilla game. “First of all we have a point more than last year, we’ve conceded two goals, we went unbeaten at home and most importantly we haven’t conceded a goal at home. “So it would be a major achievement to finish the group unbeaten, especially because it would mean finishing first. “I believe that Juventus are - as Gigi [buffon] said before - continuing on the path which ended with the final in Berlin last season. “This year we were in a very difficult group. Don’t forget, we’re in a group where we have Manchester City, who are one of the strongest teams in Europe. “We have Borussia, who had a great League campaign last year and are recreating that this year, because they’ve climbed sharply, and then Sevilla who have won the last two Europa Leagues. “So it was a very difficult group. The lads therefore deserve congratulations for playing very well in the group, but tomorrow is the most important and most difficult game for continuing in the Champions League. “Who will play? I still haven’t decided on [Daniele] Rugani, I think the team is growing right now because individual players are growing. “When I say that I’m talking about Rugani too, even though he hasn’t been playing. [simone] Zaza has been growing, and we saw that at Palermo. “[Paulo] Dybala is growing, and we also have to include [Mattia] 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. “So I think that’s a nice mix to have a good season.” Paulo Dybala has been in sensational form recently, after being in-and-out of the team in the early weeks of the season. Was Allegri simply trying to protect the forward? “Absolutely, I never had any doubt about the ability of the player, as I have no doubt about the ability of other players. “He’s a 22-year-old lad - I’ll repeat that, he’s 22 - and he’s coming off a season with Palermo, his only one in Serie A, where among other things he wasn’t playing for the last three or four months because he was preparing to move to Juventus. “So he has to be protected, just like all the lads. Right now he’s doing well, but there will come a time where he needs to stop and catch his breath. “I hope he can play 50 games at the highest level, and above all improve. He can be one of the best players in the world, and with his quality he could get there. “It’s just like the other players, they must be the same as [Alvaro] Morata who is a key player but has missed the last three games, and that can happen. “But he’s a player who can become, with the qualities and the characteristics that he has, one of the best players around in the future.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Allegri: ‘Important to top group’ http://www.football-italia.net/76804/allegri-%E2%80%98important-top-group%E2%80%99? Dec 7, 2015 Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri says it’s “very important” to win their Champions League group. The Bianconeri will secure top spot in Groud D with a draw against Sevilla tomorrow, meaning that they would avoid the other group winners. For that reason, the former Milan Coach insists he will not have one eye on the weekend clash with Fiorentina. “I will absolutely not base my team on the Fiorentina game for a simple reason,” Allegri explained in his pre-match Press conference. “First things first we have to secure first place, because first place is very important, above all in the draw. “Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will definitely finish first, and at this moment they’re the strongest teams in Europe, so it would mean we couldn’t get them. “Then we have another important goal, which is to finish the first round unbeaten. That would allow us to finish first. So I think we’ll approach tomorrow in the best way. “There’s absolutely no thought about Fiorentina, we’ll have four days to prepare for the Fiorentina game, and we have players who will come back. “At the moment we have to think game-by-game, because we have to continue the the positive results the team is getting. “Tomorrow I have four [central] defenders: Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini and Rugani. “Three of those four will play. They’re all fine, so tomorrow I’ll decide whether or not Rugani will play.” Mario Mandzukic was left out of the squad with illness, but Allegri is confident he’ll have a strong squad to face Fiorentina. “I’m not worried. Mandzukic came in this morning and was feverish, so it seemed to me that there was a risk, for him but also of infecting the team. “Evra took a knock to his knee on Friday, he didn’t train with the team for two days and this morning he had tests and wasn’t available. “So I decided to leave him at home to work toward the Fiorentina match. Khedira had tests this morning, everything is taking a turn for the better. “Asamoah and Padoin are not on the Champions League list, so obviously they stayed at home. “I’ve left Caceres at home to work, because he needs to work at the moment. Lemina has the same problem with his patellar tendon which unfortunately has slowed him down in recent weeks.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Buffon: ‘Barça favourites but…’ http://www.football-italia.net/76803/buffon-%E2%80%98bar%C3%A7a-favourites-but%E2%80%A6%E2%80%99? Dec 7, 2015 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon sees Barcelona as Champions League favourites but “a lot can change in 11 months”. The Blaugrana beat the Bianconeri in the final last year, and have laid down a marker in this year’s competition by thrashing Roma 6-1 at Camp Nou. “Who is favourite to win the Champions League?” Buffon considered in the Press conference ahead of the clash with Sevilla. “It’s very hard to say, in the sense that in a year of 11 months there will be moments of great excitement, great play and great enthusiasm, and for others maybe things will become a little tarnished. “So I think at this moment in time no team is ahead of Barcelona in terms of the trophy, but if you think back to last year, until December Barcelona were a very strong team, a squad to be feared, but they didn’t shine. “Maybe at that point Bayern Munich or Real Madrid were seen as favourites ahead of Barcelona. That means that over 11 months a lot can change in terms of the odds and your chances of winning. “Right now Barcelona are absolutely the strongest, both in regard to the Spanish teams and the European teams.” Buffon declared earlier this season that people “wanted a funeral for us”, after five Serie A wins in a row, does he think the other teams are worried? “I have no idea, because I’m not in the other dressing rooms, and as I said after the Lazio game when you look at the table we’re still fifth. “That’s a clear signal that there is still ground to make up. To do that we have to continue down the path we started on a month or so ago. “As for the thoughts of others, I don’t know.” Tomorrow will see a reunion with Fernando Llorente, and the goalkeeper is looking forward to seeing the big striker again. “Fernando is a lad who we we all have fond memories of,” Buffon admitted. “Over these two years he was really appreciated by everyone from all points of view. He’s left us at Juve with of a decent man and a really good lad. “But other than that there’s his sacrifice and desire to help the team, and his goals meant that we were able to achieve important results. "“It will be great to see him again.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Sevilla V Juventus – Preview: Bianconeri Look To Seal Top Spot In Spain http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/sevilla-v-juventus-preview-bianconeri-look-to-seal-top-spot-in-spain/? Dec 7, 2015 Juventus travel to Spain on Tuesday in the Champions League to face Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, with the Old Lady only needing a point to seal top spot in Group D and qualification to the round of 16. The Bianconeri head to Andalusia in fine form, winning their latest domestic Serie A game 2-0 away to Lazio on Friday night, a victory which was their fifth in a row in all competitions. Massimiliano Allegri’s men currently sit top of Champions League group D after matchday five on eleven points. A 1-0 win over Manchester City two weeks ago in Turin put the Old Lady two points clear of the Premier League outfit in second, with third place Borussia Monchengladbach further back on five points and Tuesday’s opponents Sevilla sitting last on three points. The Bianconeri are one of four teams yet to be beaten in this season’s competition and are on a six game unbeaten run away from home in the Champions league Unai Emery’s side, meanwhile, come into the game after drawing 1-1 away to Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in La Liga, and sit in 10th position in the La Liga table after round 14. The Sevillistas are currently on their worst sequence of results in their history in Europe, after suffering four defeats in a row in Champions League group D. The Europa League holders began their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win over Monchengladbach on matchday one, but have since lost to Juve, Manchester City twice and last time out 4-2 away to Die Fohlen, conceding eleven goals in the process. Los Rojiblancos need a win on Tuesday and hope Borussia fail to win against City to seal third place and Europa League entry. The sides have only met once before in the Champions League, which was on matchday two this season with the Bianconeri running out 2-0 winners. A goal just before the break by Alvaro Morata was followed up by a late second half strike by Simone Zaza to seal the three points for the Turin giants. Former Inter and Roma defender Marco Andreolli, Daniel Carriço, Gael Kakuta and Beto are all out injured for Sevilla, while Benoit Trémoulinas is a doubt for the Spanish side. Juventus midfielder Hernanes will miss the game through suspension, while striker Mario Mandzukic is ruled out with illness. Roberto Pereyra, Sami Khedira and Patrice Evra are injured and didn’t travel with the squad on Monday. Form Guide: Sevilla (L-L-W-W-D) Juventus (W-W-W-W-W) Expected Starting XIs: Sevilla: Rico, Marian, Rami, Krychowiak, Escudero; Kolodziejczak, Vitolo; N’Zonzi, Banega, Konoplyanka; Llorente. Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Dybala. http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Buffon: ‘Respect for Sevilla’ http://www.football-italia.net/76802/buffon-%E2%80%98respect-sevilla%E2%80%99? Dec 7, 2015 Gigi Buffon says Juventus “have so much respect for Sevilla” but are targeting the “big objective” of winning their Champions League group. The Bianconeri will advance to the Last 16 of the Champions League with a win in Spain tomorrow night, but the goalkeeper isn’t taking anything for granted. “We have so much respect for Sevilla,” Buffon told reporters in the pre-match Press conference. “They’re a team who have achieved almost unthinkable results at the European level in recent years. “We know that they’ll play hard against us, and we know it’ll be a very difficult game, and a very hard-fought one. “But we’re also playing for something which isn’t a small target, but a big objective because even though we’re already qualified, which was our intention, now that we have an even greater opportunity it would be a shame not to take it and have regrets after the game.” Juventus didn’t win the group last season and went all the way to the final, surely they have nothing to fear in the draw? “Let’s say that a certain Juve, with the right mentality and without any conceit or arrogance, is a Juve that can give anyone a game, and we showed that last year. “This year, unlike other years in Europe, we’ve come up with the right answers in the critical moments. “That was the most comforting thing, it reminded me that even in the most difficult moments we’re still a good team, even if we were maybe going through a negative period, a transition. “When you win at Manchester City, when you beat a team like Sevilla without conceding that means you’re a strong team. “After that we maybe had to find a bit of consistency, and I hope we’ve found that now. “I’ve been here for a few years, so this is definitely the team which - at least in the last 15 years - plays European games the most like when I first joined Juve and we got to the final in Manchester with a very important journey and the scalps of the top teams.” http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10

CLAUDIO MARCHISIO – LCD – LEADER. CHAMPION. DECISIVE. http://www.juvefc.com/claudio-marchisio-lcd-leader-champion-decisive/? Dec 7, 2015 Leader. Champion. Decisive. L.C.D. Three letters that briefly describe an everlasting figure at Juventus, Claudio Marchisio. This must not be confused with ‘liquid crystal display’ although some of the features between the two are similar. However, both are thin, efficient and ensure no geometric distortion. To watch Marchisio represent La Madama week in and week out is something I deeply cherish. He has evolved from being a little price in Turin to an Italian king. Much like a king, he has so many royalties that everyone would only dream to possess. One such royalty is that he has been a Bianconero in his playing career more than any other player in history. He joined Juve as a seven year old and has a contract with the club till 2020. 22 years and counting… He demonstrates Juventinita like no one else. Every winning team needs a player that can successfully enact the instructions of the coach during the course of play. Throughout the history of the beautiful game, there have been a few extra-ordinary teams widely accepted as the greatest in their era. Among those remarkable teams you will come across one player that is extremely pivotal to that team’s success. A player that has a great technicality, personality and mentality. More importantly, that one player is the fundamental aspect to decide the fortunes of the team. Rinus Michels had Johan Cruyff. Sir Alex Ferguson had Paul Scholes. Both, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique have had the privilege of coaching Sergio Busquets. Along the same lines, Giovanni Trapattoni had Giuseppe Furino initially and then Gaetano Scirea within his ranks that were essential to the success of one of the greatest footballing teams of all time. Those two guided Juve to win six Scudetti, two Coppa and every UEFA trophy under Il Trap. Two years after Trapattoni left Juve after a phenomenal decade in Turin, Scirea decided to retire. Following Scirea’s retirement, Dino Zoff became the coach of Juve and guided Juve to a UEFA Cup triumph apart from a Coppa Italia. Zoff, who was an integral part of Il Trap’s Juve was succeeded by his mentor, Trapattoni itself. Trapattoni spent another five years at the helm of Juve and managed to win a UEFA Cup. These were the only three trophies that Juve won in seven years following Scirea’s retirement despite having Roberto Baggio in their team for four of those years. Seven years that saw two Juve icons manage Juve, one of whom is their greatest ever coach to-date. Those seven less fruitful years seemed to always miss something… someone.. a player similar to Scirea. Marcello Lippi replaced Il Trap and his first action as a Juve coach was to find a missing link.. More importantly, someone that resembles Scirea. And so he added Didier Deschamps to his team. That would change Juve’s fortunes to a great extent as Deschamps won a domestic double in his first season and narrowly missed out on a treble by losing in the UEFA Cup final to Parma. The Frenchman’s team did not overly depend on Baggio in that entire campaign as Il divin Codino endured an injury hit season before leaving the Turin-based club at the end of the season. Deschamps would go on to win the Scudetto two more times and win every major UEFA trophy under Lippi before leaving Juve for Chelsea. La Vecchia Signora that Deschamps represented was widely considered to be the greatest side in his era. Following the departure of Deschamps, Alessio Tacchinardi, his teammate for five seasons, would take up his role and become the most integral part of the Bianconeri midfield. Subsequently, under three different coaches, Tacchinardi’s Juve would go on to win three Scudetti, two Supercoppa and an Intertoto cup in six seasons while finishing second twice in the Serie A and once in the Champions League. It would take Juve six years to fully recognize his replacement. A struggle that would see them win only one Scudetto and a Serie B in seven years of La Madama’s worst ever period in her history. Antonio Conte, a legend as a Juve player, took up the hot seat at the Bianconeri coaching department in the summer of 2011. His first action as a Juve coach was to shift Marchisio into the heart of the midfield. Marchisio was one of the survivors of the team that won the Scudetto in 2006, getting demoted to Serie B and returning to Serie A to personally experience three miserable years in Black & White stripes. The new Tacchinardi that Juve sorely missed since 2005 was within their own ranks but hardly featured as a centrocampista. Conte’s move would turn out to be a master stroke. Marchisio would inspire Juve’s rejuvenation by scoring a brace against reigning Italian champions AC Milan. Juve would not only conclude the season as the champions of Italy but also go unbeaten for an entire Serie A campaign while narrowly missing out on a domestic double, losing to Napoli in the Coppa final. Claudio had finally broken through into an established world class talent from a talented player brimming with great potential. Conte’s debut season saw Marchisio notch 36 appearances, become Juve’s second top scorer with nine goals and also rack up three assists. Il Principino had now become one of the core members of the team. Marchisio would then enter the 2012 European Championships with six of his Juventus compatriots to secure a runners up medal in the tournament. Back in Italy, the girlfriend of Italy would be embroiled in yet another scandal that saw her main protagonist, Conte facing prosecution for allegedly failing to report match-fixing during his stint at Siena. After an appeal, Conte’s touchline ban would be reduced to four months. However, La Vecchia Signora did not seem to be effected by losing her crusader as she would conquer Italy once again by winning the Scudetto for the second time in two seasons along with a Supercoppa, with Il Grintoso at the nucleus of the team. On the continental front, Juve lost out to a rampaging Bayern in the quarter-finals after Marchisio had aided them by scoring a goal to knock Celtic out of the knockout stages. He made the fourth highest tackles per game in the 2012-2013 Champions League among midfielders to have played a minimum of six games. Marchisio began the following season with an injury that resulted in him being brought off in a Supercoppa tie against Lazio. Juve defeated Lazio to claim their second successive Supercoppa and Marchisio successfully returned from injury a month later. During the time he was out injured, Paul Pogba had developed brilliantly into Marchisio’s position and the Italian international found it hard to displace the young Frenchman in the team. Despite that Marchisio racked up thirteen starts in the first half of the 2013-2014 season that saw his side get knocked out of the Champions League group stages. It is the second half of this season when he truly showed his importance to the team. Conte made another genius move by employing Marchisio as a regista in Andrea Pirlo’s role during a cup tie against Avellino. Marchisio blossomed in the regista role and gave Juve and the Azzurri the hope to succeed without Pirlo. However, Marchisio wasn’t used that often as a regista as he had to be employed with a physically struggling Arturo Vidal. Marchisio demonstrated the versatility of a great champion in his game. La Madama reached the summit of Italian football for the third season in a row while lose out narrowly to Benfica in the Europa League semi-finals, both with the little prince from Turin being pivotal in her journey once again. Claudio wore the Azzurri jersey to travel to Brazil for the World Cup with five other Bianconeri and opened the scoring in La Nazionale’s opening win over England before crashing out of the group stages. When Marchisio returned to Juve, Conte and the club decided to mutually terminate their relationship that had contributed to monopolize Italy for the last three seasons. The company decided to hire former Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri as his successor. After being abused, thrown stones at the bus he was traveling in, Allegri began to work under immense pressure at the Torinese club. After all, he represented Juve’s rivals only six months ago and had now succeeded an icon that had built a dynasty in Turin. The Tuscan’s preseason began badly as they lost in his first game to an amateur side under closed doors while losing Pirlo to an injury for the initial phase of the season. Meanwhile, Vidal continued to physically struggle while his name popped up continuously in a never ending summer saga of media reports linking him to the Manchester United. Allegri remained calm, tranquil and turned to the one man that was pivotal to his predecessor’s success. He relied on Marchisio to step into the Maestro’s shoes and conduct an orchestra for the most successful side in Italian football. Together they began a journey slowly but efficiently as they placed the team on a high pedestal before the Maestro returned to take his spot in the team. Vidal’s fitness seemed to improve over the course of the season as Allegri, like his predecessor took an unassailable lead in the Serie A as they ran out Scudetto winners for the fourth consecutive season. However, Allegri had already bettered Conte’s last season by not only guiding Juve into the knockout stages of the Champions League but also lifting an unprecedented domestic double by winning the Coppa. As they prepared to encounter Dortmund in a thrilling two leg encounter, Juve faced a setback by losing Pirlo to an injury during the first leg of the tie with the game evenly poised 1-1. No problem for La Madama though, as Marchisio automatically stepped into Il Professore’s shoes and orchestrated his side to overcome the Germans 2-1. In the return leg, Juve were already without Pirlo and endured the loss of Pogba during the game as Marchisio instructed his side to slaughter Jurgen Klopp’s side 3-0 at the Westfalen stadium. Pirlo did return in time for the quarter-final tie against Monaco but Pogba was absent from both the fixtures. No issue for the Torinese side as Marchisio took Pogba’s role and smoothly guided his side into their first Champions League semi-finals since 2003. In the semi-finals Pogba did miss the first leg that saw an Marchisio-enabled-Juve defeat the reigning European champions Real Madrid, but was present in the return leg as a draw was enough to send the Old Lady into her first European final for twelve years. In the final, in Berlin, Marchisio rescued his side with a majestic back heel that let in Stephan Lichtsteiner to create an equalizer for Alvaro Morata against Lionel Messi’s extraordinary Barcelona. However, it wasn’t enough as the experience of the Catalans prevailed in the competition and Giorgio Chiellini’s absence was too much for a Marchisio-based-Juve. It was a final that brought Pirlo to tears as he dropped the curtains on his Juventus career. The departure of Pirlo along with the sales of Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal meant that Juve had lost three senators that were major contributors to their recent success. Losing Fernando Llorente, Simone Pepe, Marco Storari and Alessandro Matri also ripped La Madama of highly influential squad members. The entire burden of midfield fell onto Marchisio’s shoulders as he entered his 23rd year as a Bianconero. Shrewd investments were made as the company spent over €120 million to keep the side competitive. Experience came through Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic while Paulo Dybala added quality along with enthusiasm to the new Juve. Juve began the transition process in style as another Supercoppa was added to the ever growing trophy cabinet. But, the biggest complication in this transition process occurred when Marchisio endured an injury that ruled him out of Juve’s two opening fixtures for the 2015-2016 season. So began the 2015-2016 season with back to back losses against Udinese at home and Scudetto contenders, AS Roma away. Marchisio did return against Chievo in a disappointing draw at the Juventus Stadium but missed another two weeks with injury. While Juve won impressively in Europe, they struggled domestically as they won only two of their four games in his absence. La Madama’s situation wasn’t helped by the fact that summer signing Khedira also sat out with a series of injuries. The midfield looked depleted and in dire need of a director. Luckily for Juve, their chief director did return. After missing the game against Sassuolo due to flu, Marchisio lifted his team and has now brought them back from crisis to contend for the Scudetto once again. With Marchisio out of the team, Juve have won only four games while they haven’t lost a single game with him in the starting XI. They now seem stronger, more confident and back to being the usual Juve that has dominated Italy for the last four seasons. Every team needs leaders, it is granted. But, every team needs one player to be an acting coach on the field to deliver the manager’s instructions. Milan had Franco Baresi, Manchester United had Scholes, Ajax had Cruyff, Bayern have Lahm & Barcelona have Busqets. Juve had Furino in the 70s, Scirea in the 80s, Deschamps in the 90s, Tacchinardi in early-mid 00s and now have Marchisio. An acting coach should make most outfielders look good around him and Il orchestratore specializes at it. Without having a player that can enact the coach on the field, the team plays like a group kids, lacking discipline & failing to succeed. Furino and Scirea enacted Trapattoni, who himself emulated Nereo Rocco in his playing days for the Rossoneri. Deschamps and Tacchinardi impersonated Lippi brilliantly. Marchisio is a player that Conte relied on heavily to execute his instructions on the field and Allegri does the same too. The common link between all those Juve players is that they are all underrated but essential for the team to do well. Every building needs a solid foundation and Marchisio is that basic entity for Juve to be monumental. Forget Marchisio’s passing, his work ethic, ability to recover possession or his technical qualities. He is fundamental to La Madama’s triumph. Without Marchisio there is calamity at Juve because there is no other player that can communicate the coach’s instructions on the field better. You don’t have to be a master tactician to understand what Marchisio means to La Madama, he is one of a kind. Everyone judges as to who the best player is, differently. In my opinion, the best player is someone that has major influence on the way his team plays. In this regard, Marchisio is the best player at Juve and in the Serie A. He influences La Madama unlike anyone for their respective teams in the peninsula. The day Marchisio retires will be one of the saddest days for the Juve tifosi and I only hope that the club can replace him successfully. Grazie Claudio for everything.

SEVILLA - JUVENTUS - Matchday 6 Tuesday, December 8th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Mandzukic misses Sevilla http://www.football-italia.net/76791/mandzukic-misses-sevilla Dec 7, 2015 Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic has been struck down by illness, and will miss tomorrow’s Sevilla match. The Croatian international has come down with “a bout of flu”, the Bianconeri have announced, and will not make the trip to Spain. Patrice Evra remains absent after suffering a knee injury in the win over Lazio, while Mario Lemina, Sami Khedira, Hernanes, Roberto Pereyra and Martin Caceres are also absent. A win would see Massimiliano Allegri’s side top the group ahead of Manchester City. Juventus squad to face Sevilla: Buffon, Chiellini, Zaza, Marchisio, Morata, Pogba, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Cuadrado, Bonucci, Dybala, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Vitale, Pellini, Del Favero, Morselli http://www.goal.com/en/tables/uefa-champions-league/10