Socrates

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti LAZIO V JUVENTUS MATCH PREVIEW http://www.juvefc.com/lazio-v-juventus-match-preview-and-scouting/? Dec 3, 2015 Juventus Thanks to the win in Palermo and the results of the other competitors, the gap from the top of the table is seven points. Juventus come off four consecutive wins: the comeback is officially on and there is a lot of time left. At this point, Napoli and Inter, which squared off in a very enjoyable Monday night match, are the most credible rivals, while Roma seem to have been affected by the Camp Nou blowout. However, things are fluid and rapidly changing, it is early to start worrying about the others’ performances, at least until there is not a breakaway from the leading pack. The level of play by bianconeri is steadily improving: the Palermo game was very encouraging, even though it would have better to find the first goal earlier, but that is nitpicking. It was a very mature showing that indicates that the team has acquired enough confidence to manage games properly. The newcomers are getting more and more familiar with each others and with the veterans and the squad simply works better. The defensive phase was once again extremely good: this is not surprising considering that we were using 3-5-2, but it was not a given, especially if we look back at the first games of the season, where we struggled no matter the tactics. The main thing we have learnt from the last two games is that the formation is not really that important, we can play well with any of them. Replacing Paul Pogba, who is suspended, is the main task for Massimiliano Allegri ahead of this match. It gets particular hard because of the paucity of midfielders at disposal: Sami Khedira will not be rushed back, Roberto Pereyra aggravated his hamstring injury and Hernanes is a couple of weeks away from returning. Kwadwo Asamoah and Mario Lemina are dealing with knee soreness but they have resumed training with the rest of the group. Asamoah has one more full practice under his belt, therefore he is the favourite to start, also because the coach stated last week that Lemina needs to be better in training. Allegri has ruled out the possibility of deploying 4-4-2, but he has opened to fielding Juan Cuadrado or Alex Sandro as box-to-box midfielders, if need be. We might see this solution tomorrow night if Asamoah and Lemina can not go or most likely as in-game adjustment. Simone Padoin is be the very last option, I guess. 3-5-2 should be the choice once again, with the usual doubts: on the flanks and in the attack. Allegri is not necessarily methodical in his rotation, but after fielding Juan Cuadrado and Patrice Evra on Sunday, Stephen Lichteiner and Alex Sandro should get the nod in this one. However, considering that Lazio’s forte is their wing game, a defense-first approach with both Lichtsteiner and Evra is possible. Upfront, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic are the frontrunners: in this moment, Allegri seems to be in love with Mario’s work rate and form and Dybala’s movement and skills, so Alvaro Morata will need to pick up his game to re-gain the starting job. Juventus have won eight of the last ten games against Lazio. Probable lineup 3-5-2: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Asamoah, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Mandzukic. Injuries: Khedira (hamstring), Pereyra (hamstring), Hernanes (hamstring). Suspended: Pogba. Lazio Lazio’s decline has been fast and surprising: they have collected only one point in the last five matches. They have always been poor on the road, they have beaten only the struggling Hellas Verona, but they compensated with an excellent home record. However, things snowballed in the last month and they dropped points twice in a row at Olimpico: first they were badly outplayed by Milan and then they salvaged a point against Torino. Dark clouds are gathering over Stefano Pioli’s head and further poor results could get him sacked. It is hard to explain what went wrong. Surely losing Stefan De Vrij basically for the season was extremely hurtful as they do not have any other defensive leader in the roster. Half of the squad has been injured at some point and some players, primarily Antonio Candreva and Lucas Biglia, have underperformed. Still, they have so much talent that they should be overwhelmingly good in the attack and outscoring opponents should their calling card, but for some reasons they have never managed to get there. Besides De Vrij, they will be without Senad Lulic who just underwent surgery to try to save a phalanx after and weight room accident, and Edy Onazi who is out with a hamstring ailment. Stefano Mauri has resumed practicing in a limited capacity after a small hernia procedure, anyway he does not have a big role in this year’s Lazio, and Dusan Basta has muscle fatigue: both are considered questionable for this game. Pioli has used 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, which are not particularly different because in the first option Sergej Milinkovic-Savic acts as advanced midfielder, mostly as a tactical weapon because he is built like a defensive stopper and is not very creative. He has some talent and a decent shooting range but his ideal role is probably in the midfield. 4-2-3-1 remains a strong possibility for this one, but they have recently tried, with mixed results, a third formation, the oldest of them all: 4-4-2 as their three strikers are finally healthy at the same time. They like to have Miroslav Klose, who has lost a couple of steps and some of his in-the-box prowess but still has great vision, as offensive playmaker alongside another forward. If 4-4-2 indeed ends up being the choice, Alessandro Matri has a slight edge over Filip Djordjevic. None of their wingers, which is the most exciting part of their roster, has been incredibly effective and therefore “undroppable”: Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson have started most of the games, but Keita Baldé and especially Ricardo Kishna have a strong chance to start. Stefan Radu will replace Lulic as left back, while Abdoulay Konko would take Basta’s spot if the Serbian was not available. Santiago Gentiletti returns from a suspension and he is their most reliable option in the back. Mauricio has been bad but they prefer to have him instead of the unexperienced, but definitely more talented, Wesley Hoedt in big matches. Marco Parolo will flank Biglia in the midfield. Probable lineup 4-4-2: Marchetti; Basta, Mauricio, Gentiletti, Radu; Candreva, Biglia, Parolo, Felipe Anderson; Matri, Klose. Injuries: De Vrij (knee), Lulic (hand), Onazi (hamstring). Suspended: None Formation http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Khedira misses Lazio http://www.football-italia.net/76617/khedira-misses-lazio? Dec 3, 2015 Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has not been included in the squad to face Lazio tomorrow. The Bianconeri are suffering something of a crisis in midfield, with Paul Pogba suspended and a raft of injuries. It was hoped that the German international would be fit to return from a calf problem for tomorrow’s match, but Khedira has not been included in Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s 21-man squad. However, Mario Lemina and Kwadwo Asamoah have both been deemed fit enough to make the squad, meaning that the midfield may not be as threadbare as first feared. Juventus squad to face Lazio: Buffon, Chiellini, Zaza, Marchisio, Morata, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Lemina, Bonucci, Padoin, Dybala, Asamoah, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Evra, Rubinho, Vitale. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Lazio V Juventus – Preview: Bianconeri Look To Continue Their March Back To The Top http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/lazio-v-juventus-preview-bianconeri-look-to-continue-their-march-back-to-the-top/? Dec 3, 2015 Lazio host Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Friday night, with the two sides heading into the fixture in contrasting form. The Biancocelesti have really struggled of late in Serie A and have gone five games without a win, with speculation over the future of coach Stefano Pioli rife after a difficult start to the season. Le Aquile currently lie in 10th position in the standings on 19 points after round 14. Pioli’s side have failed to win their last two home fixtures but did record victories in their first five fixtures at the Stadio Olimpico. A 3-0 win over Torino in late October was the last of those five consecutive wins in Rome, with that victory being their only one against a side that currently sit above them in the table. The Old Lady, meanwhile, have won four out of their last five fixtures in Serie A and are enjoying their best spell of the campaign to date. The Bianconeri sit in fifth in the table on 24 points after 14 games. Massimiliano Allegri’s men recorded their third win on the road last weekend with a 3-0 victory over Palermo in Sicily, and that victory was their second consecutive away from Turin after defeating Empoli 3-1 at the start of November. The Turin giants won both fixtures between the sides last season, winning 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in November and 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium in April. Juventus also beat Lazio in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico in May with Alessandro Matri scoring the winning goal in extra time. The sides did meet in August in the Supercoppa Italiana, with the Old Lady winning 2-0 thanks to goals from new signing Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala. You have to go back to December 2003 for the last time the Romans beat Juve in Serie A, with the Old Lady winning 15 of the past 21 games between the teams since then. The Biancocelesti will be without wing-back Senad Lulic after the Bosnia international suffered a fractured finger in training on Wednesday, while midfielders Stefano Mauri and Ogenyi Onazi are ruled out until the end of the month. French midfielder Paul Pogba will miss the game through suspension for the Turin side, while Sami Khedira and Mario Lemina face late fitness tests. Form Guide: Lazio (W-L-D-W-L) Juventus (D-W-W-W-W) Expected Starting XI’s: Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, Gentiletti, Mauricio, Radu; Biglia, Parolo; Candreva, Milinkovic-Savic, Felipe Anderson; Djordjevic Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Marchisio, Lemina, Alex Sandro; Mandzukic Dybala. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Pioli: ‘Lazio must believe’ http://www.football-italia.net/76615/pioli-%E2%80%98lazio-must-believe%E2%80%99? Dec 3, 2015 Coach Stefano Pioli says his Lazio players must “believe” in their ability to beat Juventus tomorrow. The Biancocelesti haven’t won in Serie A since October 25, and welcome the champions to Stadio Olimpico tomorrow night. “We have two options,” Pioli informed journalists in his pre-match Press conference. “We can go onto the pitch trying not to lose, not to make mistakes and aiming not to concede. “Or, we can believe that we can play our game and that we have the qualities to attack and defend. We have only once choice, we have to believe. “The opponent is not that important, we can’t waste any time in picking up a result. That means we’ll have to put in a great performance. “We’re facing a great team, but I’m not interested in the past. Every game is a story in itself, I’m looking at tomorrow night and we need a positive result.” Pioli was then asked whether he would tinker with his line-up in order to counter specific threats from the Bianconeri. “Juve have players with diverse characteristics, but so do we. I don’t think [Juventus Coach Max] Allegri knows who I’ll play, I have two more training sessions, I have to evaluate things. “The players understand how to approach the game, now we must put that out on the pitch.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Lazio v Juventus: Preview http://www.espnfc.com/lazio/match/432123/hometeam-awayteam/preview Dec 3, 2015 Juventus cannot even start to consider mounting a title defence until they have broken back into the top four, insists head coach Massimiliano Allegri. The reigning champions suffered back-to-back defeats at the start of the Serie A season, a ruinous setback they have only just begun to recover from. Four straight wins have boosted them into fifth place, and the Bianconeri can draw level with Roma in fourth should they beat Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night. Allegri has moved quickly to dampen enthusiasm, however, stressing the fact Juve still have plenty of work to do to make up for lost time. He told a pre-match press conference: ``We have not achieved anything yet. It's true that we've won four in a row but our journey has only just began. ``Thinking otherwise could cause our level of intensity to drop and that must not be allowed to happen. ``We must focus on small goals and the first of those is reaching fourth place. Our overall objective must be to win a certain number of points by the end of the season. ``If you have 80 or more then you can win the title... between 72 and 80 you'll be second or third. ``It's a race against the clock and we need to sprint all the way to the finish line. It's now obvious to us that the margin of error - when it comes to winning the Scudetto - has thinned.'' French midfielder Paul Pogba is suspended, with Allegri likely to field Kwadwo Asamoah in his place. Lazio, meanwhile, are missing the injured trio of Stefan de Vrij, Stefano Mauri and Ogenyi Onazi. Midfielder Senad Lulic suffered a gruesome injury in the Biancoceleste gym this week but may still be able to line up against Juve. The Bosnian had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his right hand after several of his fingers were crushed by exercise equipment. Lazio, who finished third last season, have slumped to 10th in the table after losing four of their last five games. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Betting Preview: Lazio v Juventus With Stefano Pioli's men in rotten form, Al Hain-Cole expects the Serie A champions to continue their renaissance against a team that has rarely caused them recent problems. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2995/betting/2015/12/03/17964512/-? Dec 3, 2015 Juventus will be looking to continue their resurgent form when they travel to the Stadio Olimpico to take on Lazio on Friday. After a slow start to the season, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have now won four consecutive games in the league, and are available at with bet365 to make it five in a row here. In contrast, the Biancocelesti have lost four and won none of their previous five in the league, and are outsiders to arrest that malaise with a victory against the champions. The hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by Palermo in their last game on home soil, and you can get odds of on them claiming a single point yet again this time. Having bid farewell to Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez in the summer, the Bianconeri's start of just one win in six Serie A games this season looked ominous. Without those players most instrumental in winning the domestic double and reaching the Champions League final last term, the new-look team seemed set to meekly surrender their title after four consecutive Scudettos. However, Allegri's side have recovered admirably from that setback, and come into this game with five wins and one draw under their belt in the previous six matches in all competitions. Big victories over Milan and Manchester City before an emphatic 3-0 away triumph against Palermo in the last three fixtures should see the visitors arrive in the capital in particularly high spirits to take on a deflated home team. Considering they have collected just a single point from the last available 15, Stefano Pioli's men look set for a long afternoon against a team they have not beaten in the league since December 2003. Having won 15 and drawn six of the last 21 league encounters between the teams, those odds certainly look appealing on Juventus extending their fine form with another victory here. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Banti to ref Lazio-Juve http://www.football-italia.net/76605/banti-ref-lazio-juve? Dec 3, 2015 Luca Banti will referee Lazio-Juventus for the second time this season tomorrow, as Serie A Week 15 officials are announced. The 41-year-old took charge of the curtain-raising clash in Shanghai in August, when the Bianconeri ran out 2-0 winners. He has again been entrusted with the whistle when the two sides meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday evening in the showcase match of the round. Referees for Week 15 Atalanta-Palermo: Russo Bologna-Napoli: Mazzoleni Carpi-Milan: Irrati Fiorentina-Udinese: Guida Frosinone-Chievo: Rocchi Hellas Verona-Empoli: Tagliavento Inter-Genoa: Giacomelli Lazio-Juventus: Banti Sampdoria-Sassuolo: Mariani Torino-Roma: Damato http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Allegri: ’80 points for Scudetto’ http://www.football-italia.net/76603/allegri-%E2%80%9980-points-scudetto%E2%80%99? Dec 3, 2015 Juventus can win the Scudetto by reaching a total of 80 points says Massimiliano Allegri, who targets overtaking Roma. The Bianconeri are on a good run of four straight wins and face a Lazio side low on confidence after four defeats in their last five matches. Allegri says that the Old Lady are taking their comeback one step at a time, and that the next objective facing them is to leapfrog the Giallorossi into fourth place. “Seven point gap to the top? In our first few matches we left seven points on the road because we only got two points,” Allegri said at today’s Press conference. “It’s a positive period, but we’re still far from the positions in which we want to compete. We realised that to win games you have to suffer, fight for every ball, and in the last month we implemented this idea. “If you look only at the teams in front of you, you seem to have failed with a draw. You don’t lose the Scudetto with a draw. “We need to catch fourth place, now with Lazio and then with Fiorentina. We mustn’t feel despondent. “The league dictates says the numbers - with 80 points you win, with 72 to 80 you come second or third and we must build ourselves around this. “A number of points for the Scudetto is difficult to say, I think it’s hard to win with under 80. In the second half of the season it becomes more difficult to get points. “It’s always difficult when you’re chasing, we have to set ourselves mini goals. We look at the team in front of us and try to overtake them, that being Roma. “Playing before our competitors is only an advantage if we win, if we lose it isn’t. Evaluations in football always come after the result.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Allegri plays down Manchester United links The Juventus manager insists he is happy in Turin after rumours that he was being lined up by the Red Devils to replace Louis van Gaal in the Old Trafford hotseat. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/12/03/17963542/-? Dec 3, 2015 Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has played down reports linking him with the Manchester United job and insists he is happy in Turin. The former Milan boss, who led Juve to a league and cup double last season, is the latest coach to be named as a possible replacement for Louis van Gaal. However, the 48-year-old told reporters he is not looking to move on. "I'm focused on objectives, which is more important than rumours," he said. "I have a contract here until 2017 and I am very happy to coach Juventus. "I remain fully focused on achieving the very important targets that we have here." "Next month it will be the January [transfer window] and you will be moving players [not managers] from one place to another - we are just thinking about what we have to do this year.” After a slow start to the campaign, last season’s Champions League runners-up have slowly began to move up the Serie A table. Going into this weekend’s fixtures, they sit fifth, seven points behind leaders Napoli. "It will be a complicated and difficult match," Allegri added ahead of Friday’s clash with Lazio. "Against Empoli, they did not deserve to lose the game and against Palermo they played well, so it’s going to be tough. "They are out for revenge because of Shanghai and the Coppa Italia, while we can’t afford a slip up in the league because of the situation we’re in.”

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Allegri: ‘Only rumours, focused on Juve’ http://www.football-italia.net/76602/allegri-%E2%80%98only-rumours-focused-juve%E2%80%99? Dec 3, 2015 Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri responds to speculation linking him to Manchester United: “I’m focused on objectives more important than rumours.” The Bianconeri boss was linked with the Red Devils yesterday and today Tuttosport published a list of possible replacements should he depart in the summer. However, Allegri brushed off the speculation and focused on the ‘complicated and difficult’ match against Lazio on Friday evening. “I have a contract until 2017,” he said at today’s Press conference. “I’m happy at Juventus, I’m focused on objectives that are much more important than rumours about the transfer market. “In a month there will be the January mercato and then you (the media) will be happy to move players from one place to another. We’re thinking about what we must do this year. “There aren’t any problems with the team, I have several players available and ready to have a great game. “It’ll be a complicated and difficult match. Against Empoli, Lazio didn’t deserve to lose, against Palermo they played well and tomorrow will be difficult. “They want revenge for Shanghai and the Coppa Italia, we can’t afford a slip up, we are in a delicate moment and we want to gain another position within the league table.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Lazio vs. Juventus: Team News, Predicted Lineups http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2594765-lazio-vs-juventus-team-news-predicted-lineups-live-stream-tv-info? Dec 3, 2015 Travelling to Rome, Juventus’ season comes full circle on Friday evening as they take on the same Lazio side they defeated back in August. Both teams have endured difficult times since that clash in Shanghai, suffering a series of bad results that left many questions over the collective potential of each side. The Bianconeri have now seemingly put their woes behind them, winning their fourth consecutive Serie A fixture with last weekend’s victory in Palermo. With that match and the win over Milan sandwiching their Champions League tie with Manchester City, they have also now kept three clean sheets in a row. With seven goals and three assists to his name already, Paulo Dybala has been central to Juve’s resurgence, but he was quick to praise the effort of the whole team as he spoke to Sky Italia this week, per the club’s official website: We’re playing in the right way at the moment. We’ve approached all of the matches in this little run with the same rhythm while taking nothing for granted from our opponents and that consistent mindset is bringing us good results. There were big changes to the squad relative to last season so it's natural we started slowly. We're all working hard to put the boss' plans into practice: we'll get to where we want to be at the top of the table by all pulling together in the same direction. Having already climbed up to fifth, the Bianconeri have a chance to put real pressure on the sides above them if they can beat Lazio, a team devoid of confidence and cohesion.They look nothing like the confident and well-organised unit that rose to third place last season, failing to win any of their last five fixtures. But Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri is taking nothing for granted, noting that the current form of the Biancocelesti is likely to make them a more dangerous opponent when his men step out at the Stadio Olimpico. “I am looking at the fact we have Lazio coming up and they will be furious at recent results,” Allegri told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia), adding that they will be “extra determined and ready to throw everything at us.” Probable Formations Lazio: (4-2-3-1): Federico Marchetti; Dusan Basta, Santiago Gentiletti, Mauricio, Stefan Radu; Lucas Biglia, Marco Parolo; Antonio Candreva, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Felipe Anderson; Filip Djordjevic Unavailable: Stefan de Vrij, Stefano Mauri, Eddy Onazi (all injured) Juventus (3-5-2): Gigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sami Khedira, Claudio Marchisio, Stefano Sturaro, Alex Sandro; Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala Unavailable: Kwadwo Asamoah, Hernanes, Simone Padoin and Roberto Pereyra (all injured) Paul Pogba (suspended) Player to Watch If Lazio are to enjoy success against the Bianconeri, they will need Lucas Biglia to be on top form in central midfield. The Argentinian is the one player in Stefano Pioli’s squad who can compete with the likes of Claudio Marchisio in the Juve side, and the home side will need all his experience here. Biglia is the club’s second-highest scorer, weighing in with four goals and one assist in nine Serie A appearances thus far. He is also their most accomplished passer, statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com showing he has completed 86.1 percent of his team-high 69.4 attempts per game. The same source also highlights his excellent defensive effort, noting his averages of 3.4 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game. His form has attracted a host of European clubs, with giornalaccio rosa World reporting Inter, Real Madrid and Liverpool are believed to be pursuing the 28-year-old. Key Battle If Biglia will need to be on form, Lazio will also hope to see Felipe Anderson return to having the kind of impact he had last term, with the Brazilian playing way below that level so far in 2015/16. He may lead the side with four goals, but he has yet to consistently recapture the lightning-quick counter-attacking style that was such a feature of his—and indeed the team’s—play in the previous campaign. OptaPaolo ✔ @OptaPaolo 1 - Stephan Lichtsteiner has scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League on his 29th appearance. Heart. Looking to prevent him from doing so on Friday will be Stephan Lichtsteiner; the Juventus full-back is among the best in Europe at his position but will be tested in this matchup. The Swiss international has been as dependable as ever, netting a vital goal against Borussia Monchengladbach while helping to improve Juve’s defensive record. If he can successfully marshal Anderson, the Bianconeri will be well on their way to enjoying a good display in the Italian capital. Odds (via Odds Shark) Away win: 36-25 Home win: 48-25 Draw: 9-4 http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Four Allegri alternatives? http://www.football-italia.net/76596/four-allegri-alternatives? Dec 3, 2015 Reports name four alternatives to Massimiliano Allegri should the Juventus Coach leave, including Italy CT Antonio Conte. Allegri was yesterday linked with replacing Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, and is believed to be tempted by a move to the Premier League. Tuttosport write today that it would be difficult for the former Milan Coach to say no to the Red Devils should he be approached and that Bianconeri President Andrea Agnelli and director Beppe Marotta have four preferred replacements. The first is Conte, whose contract with Italy runs out after Euro 2016, although Milan, Roma and Chelsea are also believed to be monitoring him. France Coach and former Juve midfielder Didier Deschamps has also been linked, another who has already coached the club when he won Serie B in 2006/07. Sevilla’s Unai Emery, who was linked with Napoli and Milan in the summer, and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone are the final two names to be suggested by the newspaper. However, the latter recently renewed his contract in Spain until 2020 and would therefore be a more difficult target.

Claudio Marchisio is Juventus' Most Important Player At this crucial juncture in Juventus' season, 'il Principino' Claudio Marchisio has proven himself to be the glue that holds the Bianconeri together. http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/12/3/9831486/claudio-marchisio-juventus-2015-serie-a-champions-league Dec 2, 2015 We can finally breathe a bit. Away from the foot of the table, finally able to get the stink of the relegation zone out of our nostrils, Juventus has put together a decent run of results of late, beginning to look like the bianconeri side that's run rampant through Italy for the past five years. It was rough going for a while, but the team now sits 5th in the Serie A table and secured passage to the Champions League Knockout Rounds with a game in hand, with the opportunity to nail down top spot in the group with just a draw. Key to this resurgence has been a certain Claudio Marchisio. Absent due to injury for the first few weeks of the season, our principino's presence was sorely missed. Juventus suffered every single one of its four losses this season without him on the pitch, dropping points and generally performing poorly. In his absence, the team looked incredibly disjointed, devoid of ideas and without any real leadership from the outfield players. Back in October, Danny Penza postulated what Marchi's return would mean, and now we know. All too often this year Juve has lacked balance and cohesion in both attack and defense, but since his return, Marchisio has shown exactly why he's indispensable to Massimiliano Allegri's Juve. From his impeccable positioning, quiet direction on and off the ball, ceaseless running and metronomic passing, Claudio breathes life into the bianconeri, giving confidence to his teammates and allowing them to show their best self on a regular basis. The rest of Juventus' midfield has been hit-or-miss this season, with injuries, form and youth all contributing to the fluctuation in performances we've seen this campaign. Marchisio's 90 percent pass completion rate this season is only bettered by Hernanes (surprisingly checking in at 91 percent over the same period). What these statistics don't show are Marchisio's incredible ability to keep play ticking over with just one or two touches, adding much-needed pace to Juventus' attack, and unsettling opposing defenses with his lightning-quick switches of play. With Claudio's return, Paul Pogba is finally looking like himself again, the attack is more free-flowing and dynamic, and perhaps most importantly, Juventus' defense has stopped conceding goals like it's a Black Friday sale at the Juventus Stadium. Consider this: Out of the 11 matches Claudio Marchisio has played for Juve this season, they've kept clean sheets in a whopping seven of them. This is no coincidence. Now that Marchisio is fit, hale and hearty, a solid midfield trio has begun to flesh itself out; at least in the immediacy. With his intelligence and calming presence alongside Stefano Sturaro's endless energy and grinta, and Paul Pogba's otherworldly ability, the team has has finally found some real balance and the performances have begun to match. Things are beginning to look good for Juventus, and the key appears to be Claudio Marchisio.

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Lulic suffers crushed finger http://www.football-italia.net/76581/lulic-suffers-crushed-finger? Dec 2, 2015 Lazio wing-back Senad Lulic is at risk to face Juventus on Friday after requiring surgery on a crushed finger. A statement from medic Roberto Bianchini this evening confirmed Lulic “injured the fourth phalange in his right hand following an accident outside the training ground. “The athlete is currently in the operating theatre to resolve the lesion caused by crushing.” It’s not clear how this happened or whether Lulic will be ready to play Juventus in a crucial Serie A match on Friday evening. Dusan Basta also missed training today due to a muscular issue, but is given the all-clear to resume tomorrow. Ravel Morrison, meanwhile, resumed training today after reportedly walking out on the side last week without permission. He had a meeting with director of sport Igli Tare today. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Juventus sweat on Khedira fitness http://www.football-italia.net/76574/juventus-sweat-khedira-fitness? Dec 2, 2015 Juventus are sweating on the fitness of Sami Khedira, as Massimiliano Allegri faces a midfield emergency. The Bianconeri face Lazio on Friday night, looking to continue a run which has seen them take four Serie A wins in a row. However, Paul Pogba is suspended for the trip to Rome, with Hernanes, Kwadwo Asamoah, Roberto Pereyra and Mario Lemina injured. Khedira has been struggling with a thigh injury, but is aiming to be fit to face the Biancocelesti on Friday. However, Tuttomercatoweb reports that the German international is still not 100 per cent fit, and will face a fitness test at Vinovo tomorrow. If Khedira is not ready to play, Coach Allegri would only have Claudio Marchisio, Stefano Sturaro and Simone Padoin at his disposal in midfield. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Marchisio: ‘Lazio are dangerous’ http://www.football-italia.net/76568/marchisio-%E2%80%98lazio-are-dangerous%E2%80%99? Dec 2, 2015 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio believes Lazio’s crisis will make them even more dangerous on Friday. The Bianconeri travel to Rome to face Stefano Pioli’s side, who failed to win a Serie A game in the month of November. “It’s always a difficult match, beyond the periods a team can go through in the season,” Marchisio told JTV. “In fact, when going through less positive periods like Lazio are, you should always worry. Especially when you have a chance to make up for it with a game like this against Juventus. “So we know we’re definitely preparing for a difficult game. We have two days more to work and recover, we’re preparing well because we want to keep doing what we’re doing.” There are a lot of new faces in Turin this season after a summer of change, and Marchisio praises the new arrivals. “They knew they were joining a group which had been together for four years and who were coming off a Champions League final. “So with great results and great results at the European level, there was great availability from all of them, great lads. “There wasn’t one in particular, they all made themselves available immediately, because we went straight from a Supercoppa win in China, with great enthusiasm straight to a period of real difficulty which could have have left us in the lurch. “Not just in terms of results, but especially in terms of the dressing room and the team. Instead there was a great response, particularly in the dressing room.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Marchisio: ‘Comeback not complete’ http://www.football-italia.net/76567/marchisio-%E2%80%98comeback-not-complete%E2%80%99? Dec 2, 2015 Claudio Marchisio praises Juventus’ “pride and commitment” but warns “the comeback is not complete”. The Bianconeri endured a poor start to the defence of their title, but have now won four Serie A games in a row and climbed to fifth. “The comeback is not complete,” Marchisio cautioned, speaking to JTV. “To fight for the Scudetto there are still a lot of games for us and our opponents, the season is still long. “Certainly the pride and commitment that we’ve shown, especially in the last month, is right for Juventus, that of a great team. “At least in the last month we’ve found consistency, which is what we were missing, because there were excellent performances even in that [bad] period we had, but we weren’t getting wins one-after-another. “It was a difficult start, because after four years… or actually you could say three, because for the first Scudetto [in 2012] there was a title race, because there was a point where Milan passed us and we had to get back up there. “So in the last three years we’ve always had incredible starts, and we were always looking to see who could recover. Now it’s totally the opposite. “So it was a new situation for everyone. Not just for us, but for the fans and for the whole place. “But that should give us a lot of strength and energy to to continue as we have been in this last period, because the season is still long.” Marchisio was then asked to assess the chances of the Old Lady climbing back to the top of the table. “I’ll say again, it’s early. Also, those above us are having a great campaign, they’re playing really well and proving that they’re great teams who will fight until the end. “We definitely got used to winning, but we’re behind now, and as I said before we’ll have to put a lot more in than we’ve done in recent years. “So it’ll be difficult, but it’s always a goal for us.”

Ranking Juventus' Top 5 Players for November 2015 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2594299-ranking-juventus-top-5-players-for-november-2015? Dec 2, 2015 “November has been very good for us and we recovered some essential points in the Serie A table,” Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Italia and Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia) this weekend. He was reflecting on a fourth consecutive victory which has seen his side climb to fifth place in the standings, closing the gap on early leaders Inter, Fiorentina and Napoli. Indeed, since defeating cross-town rivals Torino on the last day of October, the following month saw the Bianconeri notch four wins and one draw. Scoring nine goals while conceding just two—and keeping three clean sheets along the way—it is little surprise that the coach is pleased with the way his team are now performing. Yet in that same aforementioned interview, Allegri was also quick to note there is still much more to come from them. “At this moment we can see the team has improved physically, we are sharper and can change tempo at the right times,” he continued. “This squad is capable of learning several different systems and approaches, but we still have lot that can be improved.” But there remains much to be proud of as Juventus finally round into form, and what follows is a look at the club’s top five players in November, ranked in order of impact on Juve’s results during that time. 5. Mario Mandzukic Much like the team in general, Mario Mandzukic struggled for form in the early part of the campaign, but as Juventus have begun to once again dominate matches he has proven vital to the cause. November has seen the Croatian striker begin to receive the ball in the right areas, as he showed with the only goal of the game against Manchester City. Having also struck in the win at Empoli, a wonderful cross from Paulo Dybala allowed Mandzukic to break the deadlock against a resilient opponent in Palermo. That came from his only shot on target, and while there is no denying he depends on service, three goals in four outings this month make his impact impossible to deny. 4. Gigi Buffon At the opposite end of the field, Gigi Buffon has been as reliable as ever, rescuing the Bianconeri whenever their defence breaks down. He made an incredible stop from Raheem Sterling to protect his side’s 1-0 lead, but it may well be that his leadership before November even began was his most important contribution. Slamming the performance of his team-mates following the loss to Sassuolo, the club captain told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia) that their display was “unacceptable” and went on to say that those who wear the Juventus shirt “must do it justice.” It seems Buffon’s words hit home, and the team have since registered four wins and one draw, visibly inspired by the words of their on-field leader. 3. Andrea Barzagli While Buffon may have been impeccable when called upon, it is thanks to Andrea Barzagli that the goalkeeper has often been reduced to a role as a spectator. Indeed, as statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com show he has averaged 1.3 tackles, 2.5 interceptions and 2.6 clearances per game. Tasked with marking Alberto Gilardino and Franco Vazquez as Juve took on Palermo, the defence ensured Buffon did not need to make a single save, completely neutralising the Rosanero attack. Furthermore, while Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have made mistakes this term, Barzagli has once again been flawless every time he has been selected. 2. Alex Sandro With Patrice Evra ahead of him and still performing to a high level, it is no surprise it has taken Alex Sandro time to make his presence felt in Turin. Massimiliano Allegri has eased him into the side, but after seeing the Brazilian weigh in with an assist in each of his last three outings, the coach is in no doubt about his ability. “Alex Sandro did very well this evening, and he is an excellent signing,” Allegri told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia) after the Manchester City clash. “Players like him need to be allowed to settle in, as nobody is ready to give their best in a new environment straight away.” That tie saw him provide the cross for Mario Mandzukic to net the only goal of the game, while he did the same for Paulo Dybala against Milan just a few days earlier. 1. Paulo Dybala Playing as the focal point of attack, Paulo Dybala has been Juve’s most influential player in the month of November, weighing in with two goals and an assist over his five appearances. His key contribution was undoubtedly that beautifully struck volley that took all three points against Milan, but his assist to Mario Mandzukic against Palermo was almost as important. Players able to open up resolute defences are essential, and Dybala clearly relished the appreciation of his goal against the Rossoneri. “Leaving the field to a standing ovation from the fans was an unforgettable moment,” he told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia) after the Milan victory, adding that “I know that I can do much more.” That is a daunting prospect for the rest of Serie A but good news for Juventus.

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Ravanelli: ‘Lazio lack motivation’ http://www.football-italia.net/76564/ravanelli-%E2%80%98lazio-lack-motivation%E2%80%99? Dec 2, 2015 Fabrizio Ravanelli previews Lazio-Juventus, insisting the Biancocelesti must find their “motivation”. Both sides had difficult starts to the season, but while the champions are on a four-match winning run, Stefano Pioli’s side did not win in the month of November. “These are two teams who are equipped to get to the top,” Ravanelli, who played for both sides, explained to LaLazioSiamoNoi. “They’ve both had problems, Juventus are starting to solve them, Lazio have had fluctuating performances. “The Biancocelesti have great players who can fight for the Champions League places, but they’ve yet to find their identity. “It seems that there’s not the same unity and motivation, and that has affected this great Lazio squad. It’s not easy to find the reason. “Lazio in Europe have that experience and determination which can give the squad enthusiasm and a higher level of character. They find the motivation to reach the goals which have been set. “There are a lot of games to play in the League, and they can recover, but the squad isn’t finding that consistency and character to achieve important results.” It has been suggested that a defeat in this match could spell the end for Aquile Coach Pioli, does Ravenelli think that’s the case? “I hope not, Pioli is a great Coach. You can’t put all the blame on him. Pioli is finding it hard, but there’s still time to work. “He’s a great Coach and great connoisseur of football. Lazio gave great performances last season, they achieved important objectives with him on the bench.” Finally, the former striker offered advice to Lazio, believing that they shouldn’t try to sit-in against Juventus. “Lazio will have to employ great pressing, great intensity and great motivation,” Ravanelli predicted. “I don’t think Lazio can wait for Juve, they’ll have to attack them. They’ll have to press well and smother the Bianconeri with their intensity. “Only in that way can they challenge a great team. Little details will shift the balance in such an important match. “It’ll be the team that first takes the lead that wins the match. “The suspension of Paul Pogba? Of course it matters a lot, he’s a player who can change the balance of a match. “He’s a big loss for Juventus, but the Bianconeri have others who can do well. We must also see if some injured players will recover. “They’ll always be a team who rise to the occasion.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Man Utd like Allegri? http://www.football-italia.net/76552/man-utd-allegri? Dec 2, 2015 Italian reports today suggest Manchester United want Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri to replace Louis van Gaal. La Repubblica writes that the Premier League giants are interested in Allegri and considering him as a replacement for the Dutchman. The report says that the club like his style of play and courage and are already discussing the possibility, although the 48-year-old’s contract runs until 2017. It appears unlikely that the Old Lady would be willing to let Allegri go before then as it could be difficult to find a top-level replacement. The newspaper believes the Bianconeri wouldn’t want to wrestle Fiorentina for Paulo Sousa and that President Andrea Agnelli isn’t enthusiastic about the return of current Italy CT Antonio Conte.

Paul Pogba is starting to look like the Paul Pogba we're all used to seeing And what does this mean for Juventus? Probably something good, IMHO. http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/12/2/9803992/paul-pogba-2015-serie-a-champions-league-form-HOT-TRANSFER-RUMORS-HERE Dec 2, 2015 I've said it here before and I am about to say it again: When looking at one single player who pretty much embodied Juventus' early-season struggles and frustration, you needed to look no further than one Paul Labile Pogba. The team couldn't find their footing out of the gate, and neither could Pogba. One went with the other, which resulted in plenty of grumbling amongst Juventus fans alike. Just as it was not a good start to the 2015-16 campaign for Juventus, Pogba's struggles to the begin his time as the man who donned the club's No. 10 jersey are rather well-documented at this point. "Why is Pogba struggling so much?" they said. Others pondered if the weight of such a historically significant number and a major uptick in responsibility with the departure of two midfield stalwarts. We all tried to play armchair manager/psychiatrist while trying to figure out what was truly at the heart of Pogba's early-season funk. But here's another correlation between Juventus as a whole and Pogba himself: As the team's form is starting to seriously find its footing and head on an upward trajectory in the month of November, the same can be said for the 22-year-old Frenchman. Juventus is getting better as the season is heading toward its midway point, and it's now pretty clear that it's the same when it comes to Pogba's game. Ah, now that's refreshing to see, isn't it? You see, Pogba's too good and too talented to play like he did earlier in the season for an extended stretch of time. To see somebody as talented as he is struggle for a month or so is one thing because it happens to everybody at some point. Nobody is immune to a run of bad form. But to have that last for massive stretches throughout the season — no matter what the current state of the club is at that given time — is a completely different deal. It's not just the successful return of the fancy tricks that we saw Pogba bust out against Manchester City or any of the other games these last few weeks. This is the return of the entire offering of Pogba's game, essentially. There's not just small glimpses of what might be viewed as Pogba getting out of his form struggles. This is the entire package of Pogba's game that is starting to truly show itself once again. Those forward-bursting runs from one end of the field to the other are back. He's not the hot-and-cold kind of performer these days, either. Much like the team, he's found consistency in his game. How much of that has to do with Claudio Marchisio being back from injury to help shoulder the burden, I dunno exactly, but it has to help a pretty good amount just knowing that Pogba doesn't have to shoulder the load in the midfield anymore these days. Juventus haven't lost a game since Marchisio returned from injury, which obviously proves the point that he is so incredibly important to this current Juve squad. So much of Pogba's early-season problems came when he was trying to do too much. But now that he's not forcing the issue, hie's resembling his old self. And that might be the most important thing of all when it comes to Pogba's return to form. How many times did we see Pogba trying to overdo most things in the first part of the season? How often did we see Pogba screaming at the top of his lungs when things were going all sorts of wrong in September and October? It wasn't just once. It wasn't just twice. Whether it was feeling the weight of his new jersey number of him trying to overcompensate But now that things are simpler, more results are starting to show. Pogba's best games came in the month of November. Same goes for Juventus as a whole. One translates to another, which makes a whole lot of sense when you apply simple logic to the situation. Juventus' rise up the table has been thanks to a lot of factors, but one of the biggest was Pogba righting the ship and playing like the guy we all know he can be and has been in the past. It might have been a somewhat slow and arduous adaptation to the new season, but now that we're heading toward Christmas season, it's not like it once was back in September. Juventus is starting to truly grow into the season and hit its stride, and so is Paul Labile Pogba.

Juventus to face Torino in the Coppa Italia's Round of 16 http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/12/2/9832380/juventus-torino-2015coppa-italia-round-of-16 Dec 2, 2015 Thanks to Torino's 4-1 win over Cesena on Tuesday, Juventus will be in line to play another Derby della Mole before the calendar year comes to an end. Maybe you're in favor of that, maybe it's something that might cause you to bite some of your nails off because of how the last few derbies have gone, or maybe you don't have any opinion about it right now. But here's what we know: On Wednesday, Dec. 16 at a time still to be announced, Juventus will be playing Torino within Turin city limits with a spot in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals on the line. This isn't like last season where Juventus hopped into the tournament and proceeded destroy their first opponent, Hellas Verona. I feel pretty safe in saying that another 6-1 scoreline in favor of Juventus won't be happening nearly 12 months later. Nope, not happening. I say this because this is what Juventus and Torino have done in their last seven games against one another... Oct. 31, 2015: Juventus wins 2-1 April 26, 2015: Torino wins 2-1 Nov. 30, 2014: Juventus wins 2-1 Feb. 23, 2014: Juventus wins 1-0 Sept. 29, 2013: Juventus wins 1-0 April 28, 2013: Juventus wins 2-0 Dec. 1, 2012: Juventus wins 3-0 Okay, so, five out of the seven games decided by one goal. Pretty sure that's what people in the journalism business like to call a 'trend,' guys and gals. Seeing what some of the other Round of 16 matches might be if the team you expect to win actually does win, Juventus vs. Torino is certainly going to be the most intriguing simply because it's a derby against two teams that don't like each other, let alone an inner-city matchup. You think Torino would love nothing more than to not just advance to the quarterfinals, but also eliminate the current Coppa Italia holders? I think that would give Torino players, management and fans alike a whole lot of joy, but that's just one guy's opinion. So, just a few days after Juventus faces Fiorentina in what could be a top 4 battle by the time Dec. 13 arrives, the Bianconeri get to face their little brother to open Coppa Italia play. Good times (hopefully) ahead.

LAZIO - JUVENTUS - MATCHDAY 15 Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 8:45 PM Olimpico Stadium, Rome Referee: Luca Banti Dybala Believes Match Against Lazio Will Be Difficult http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/juventus-forward-believes-match-against-lazio-will-be-difficult/? Dec 1, 2015 Juventus forward Paulo Dybala believes his side is finally starting to play well, but warns his teammates that their upcoming match with Lazio will be difficult. The Bianconeri started their campaign in poor form; but having won their last five matches in all competitions they have climbed to fifth place in Serie A, and currently sit at the top of their Champions League group, having qualified for the next round with a game to spare. “I think we are finally playing matches the right way,” the striker explained to Sky Sport Italia. “We are playing with a high pace and we are not underestimating any team. “Lazio will be a difficult match. “When any team plays against Juventus they have extra motivation to go out and try to win. “We have to play well and in the best way in order to bring home three more points.” The 22-year old Argentine joined Juventus over the summer following the departure of Carlos Tevez, and has scored six goals for his side in just 13 appearances including a stunning game winning strike against AC Milan. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Marotta: ‘Rugani will get his chance’ http://www.football-italia.net/76531/marotta-%E2%80%98rugani-will-get-his-chance%E2%80%99? Dec 1, 2015 Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta assures Daniele Rugani’s “chance will come”. The defender returned to the Bianconeri from Empoli this summer, but has so far made just one cameo appearance for the club. “We’re extremely pleased [with him],” Marotta assured Radio Sportiva. “He has champions in his position though, it’s hard to force his way in. But he embodies the spirit of this club, a sense of belonging, playing in the Champions League. “He’ll be a protagonist in the coming years. His chance will come.” Striker Alvaro Morata has been given scant opportunities as a starter for the Old Lady, but Marotta assures there’s no problem with the 23-year-old. “At this time Morata isn’t finding space, these are specific choices of the Coach [Max Allegri]. No-one can doubt his quality, least of all Allegri, who appreciates him. “We have to have patience, there are a lot of competitions.”

Marotta: ‘Juventus back on track’ http://www.football-italia.net/76530/marotta-%E2%80%98juventus-back-track%E2%80%99? Dec 1, 2015 Giuseppe Marotta believes Juventus are “back on track” and will only look for “opportunities” in January. The Bianconeri had a difficult start to the Serie A season, but have now climbed to fifth on the back of four wins in a row. “The win in the Supercoppa and getting through the Champions League group gives us the confidence to continue the season, with [Coach Max] Allegri who has our full support,” general manager Marotta told Radio Sportiva. “We have total confidence, recent history tells us that, we have several players who have experience this cycle of four Scudetti, the Coach has taken us to the Champions League final. “He only came last year, but he’s proved that he’s got great qualities. “I’d say it’s rare that you win four Scudetti, the Coppa Italia and reach the final of the Champions League. “Allegri wanted to be able to say that we’re part of an ongoing process in the Champions League, we’ve had a run of several useful results. “We’ve lost only one of our last 15 games, it’s good from that point of view. We had problems in the League, but we’re back on track with four straight wins.” It’s been rumoured that the Bianconeri will seek to bring Roberto Soriano of Sampdoria as a midfield reinforcement in January, but Marotta will only look for bargains. “It’s important to try and get the injured players back, to have 24 players who meet the needs of the Coach. “We’ve felt the effect of the absences in midfield, but we won’t enter the market in January just to patch things up. “If there’s an opportunity, we’ll take it, but doing something extremely advantageous is difficult to achieve in January.”