Socrates

Buffon: I Would Have Liked To Play In The Premier League http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/buffon-i-would-have-liked-to-play-in-the-premier-league/? Sep 29, 2015 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon admitted that he would have liked to experience Premier League football. The 37-year-old also offered his thoughts on Sevilla ahead of their trip to face Juve in the Champions League on Wednesday night. “Sevilla are a strong side, they play with an intelligent style and they are convinced of their own quality,” said Buffon to Marca. “It’s true that they have lost some important players but the likes of [Ciro] Immobile and [Fernando] Llorente arrived over the summer. “Their squad is made up of great players and we must have a lot of respect for them. “Juventus have also changed a lot and we are finding our balance again. “Some players are difficult to replace but we will be back.” The legendary Italian goalkeeper also explained what the keys to his success and longevity have been. “My secret is that I have grown and evolved as the sport has changed,” Buffon went on. “I have matured and not just in terms of behaviour, my love of competition has kept me at a high level. “When I was small I was a midfielder and nowadays a goalkeeper needs to be able to use their feet as well as their hands in order to launch attacks or keep possession with their defenders.” The former Parma man also has much admiration for Juve team-mate Alvaro Morata. “Alvaro has the potential to become one of the top two or three players in the world in a few years,” added Buffon. “He has physical strength, he works hard and he is a complete attacker. “For me, everything now depends on him and what’s going on in his head.” The shot-stopper also acknowledged that he would have liked to test himself in a different league but he has no regrets about staying in Serie A. “I have always been happy at my clubs and I’ve never felt the need to try something different,” Buffon explained. “I have two and a half years of my career left but it’s probably too late to change now. “I would have liked to play in the Premier League because of the atmosphere and tradition that you have behind you there. “However, I have always been loyal to my teams, first Parma and then Juve.”

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Juventus vs. Sevilla: Team News, Predicted Lineups http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2572977-juventus-vs-sevilla-team-news-predicted-lineups-live-stream-tv-info? Sep 29, 2015 As domestic matters are put aside and continental action returns this season, Juventus host Sevilla in a meeting that would have looked very different had it taken place just a few months ago. Indeed, this fixture would have been a mouth-watering proposition back then, pitting the Europa League winners against the Champions League runners-up. Fast-forward to today, however, and a very different picture emerges, with both clubs underperforming. Juventus lost to Napoli this past weekend, their third defeat of an already difficult campaign. That total already equals their mark for the whole of 2014/15 and leaves them sitting in 15th place, with just five points from their opening six Serie A matches. It is a disappointing return for a team who have won the league title for four consecutive seasons. "We’re on a poor run but we mustn’t dwell on it," coach Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Italia shortly after the Napoli game (h/t the Juventus club website). "The important thing for us now is to get back to work and start winning football matches.” That aim will be boosted by the return of Sami Khedira, the Germany international returning to training this week per the club’s official website. That would add some much-needed reinforcements to a struggling midfield, perhaps providing the spark so sorely missing in recent weeks for the Bianconeri. Yet, their poor league form did not affect their first European outing, running out 2-1 winners away to Manchester City, a result that saw them join Sevilla at the top of Group D. The Spanish side also shrugged off domestic woes to enjoy a comfortable victory over Borussia Monchengladbach two weeks ago. OptaJose @OptaJose 2 - Just in four previous La Liga seasons did Sevilla had 2 points or fewer at this point (the last time, 2013/14). Stress This past weekend saw Unai Emery’s men get their first La Liga win of 2015/16, enjoying a 3-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano that pleased the coach as he looked ahead to Wednesday’s trip to Juventus Stadium. “Playing against Juventus is a great opportunity to show the whole of Europe what we are capable of,” Emery told reporters after the game, per Football Italia. “We’re facing the vice-champions of Europe, a big team, and our only objective is to give a good account of ourselves." Probable Formations Juventus (4-3-1-2): Gigi Buffon; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Patrice Evra, Mario Lemina, Hernanes, Paul Pogba; Juan Cuadrado; Alvaro Morata, Roberto Pereyra Unavailable: Mario Mandzukic, Claudio Marchisio (all injured) Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Sergio Rico; Coke, Marco Andreolli, Timothee Kolodziejczak, Benoit Tremoulinas; Grzegorz Krychowiak, Steven N’Zonzi; Jose Antonio Reyes, Vicente Iborra, Yevhen Konoplyanka; Kevin Gameiro Unavailable: Beto, Daniel Carrico, Adil Rami, Nicolas Pareja, Ever Banega (all injured) Player to Watch Given the way Juventus have struggled to repeat last season’s fine form, it is somewhat of a relief that Fernando Llorente has been ruled out of this clash. One of the many players who left the club this past summer, the prospect of seeing him battle against Giorgio Chiellini for 90 minutes would have been an intriguing one. However, the Spanish striker's injury likely creates space for Ciro Immobile to play in attack for Sevilla. The 25-year-old grew up in the Juventus youth sector, joining the Bianconeri back in 2008 and eventually making his first-team debut three years later. He would not stick around for long, sent on a series of loans before becoming Serie B top scorer with Pescara during the 2011/12 campaign. Immobile since repeated that feat in the top flight with Torino, netting 20 goals in 2013/14 and paving the way for a big-money move to Borussia Dortmund that never panned out. Now with Sevilla, he may feel he has a point to prove when taking on his boyhood club here, and he is almost certainly the man to watch. Key Battle While many eyes will be on that return, perhaps this game will be decided in a midfield clash between two players at very different points in their respective careers. At the heart of Sevilla’s midfield is former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City man Steven N'Zonzi, landing in Andalusia back in July. He was sent off on his Sevilla debut, but has since become an important part of the team, netting two goals in four matches thus far for the La Liga side. Putting in a some excellent displays in the absence of Ever Banega, N'Zonzi is instrumental to the team, just as Paul Pogba hopes to be for Juventus. So far this term his only solid performances were his two-goal display against Genoa and the Manchester City win. During the latter, he clearly enjoyed being matched up against Yaya Toure, and whoever comes out on top between N'Zonzi and Pogba could well be the man to lead his side to victory. Odds (via Odds Shark) Away win: 173-50 Home win: 50-59 Draw: 239-100

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Juventus - Sevilla Betting: Back Unai Emery's side to be involved in another high scoring game Both teams have failed to convince domestically but have made impressive starts in Europe and at least three goals look likely when they meet at Juventus Stadium. http://www.goal.com/en/news/2994/betting/2015/09/29/15806902/-? Sep 29, 2015 Villarreal may sit top of La Liga, with St Etienne currently second in Ligue 1, but arguably the biggest story in European football so far this season has been Juventus' disastrous start to the campaign. The side who have claimed the Scudetto for the last four seasons and reached the Champions League final back in May have won just one of their opening six Serie A matches. Indeed, their last home game saw them draw 1-1 with Frosinone, the Serie A newcomers' first ever point in the Italian top flight. And yet despite their awful domestic form the Old Lady managed to come from behind to win 2-1 at Manchester City in match day one of the Champions League. In similarly poor domestic form are their opponents in the second round of fixtures, with Sevilla only moving off the bottom of the La Liga table at the weekend with their first win of the season, 3-2 at home to Rayo Vallecano. Unai Emery's men did win their opening game of the group stages though, overcoming Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 and should be able to provide strong opposition for Juve on Wednesday. The hosts are offered at 5/6 (1.83) by Paddy Power and despite their recent form, their record at Juventus stadium remains extraordinary. Their 1-0 defeat to Udinese on the opening day of the season was their first at home in Serie A for 47 games, while in the Champions League Bayern Munich are the only side to win in Turin in the last 11 years. Those kinds of statistics make for ominous reading for Sevilla, who are priced at 16/5 (5.20) with the Andalusians considerably weaker on the road than at home. In La Liga last season they lost seven times away from home, with the Spanish side also losing their first away game of the current campaign at newly promoted Las Palmas. There should be plenty of money for the hosts then and rightly so, but instead bolder punters should take the price of evens (2.00) for over 2.5 goals. Both teams have been scoring but conceding regularly too, and while Juve have historically been strong at home, Sevilla will be set up to counter attack extremely effectively. This bet has already paid out five times in competitive games involving Sevilla so far this season, and a repeat in Turin looks likely.

Mancini shocked by Juventus crisis The Bianconeri have won four consecutive league titles but are 10 points off the pace at the top after a dreadful start to the season. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4563/main/2015/09/29/15831312/-? Sep 29, 2015 Inter coach Roberto Mancini has admitted he has been surprised by Juventus' poor start to the campaign. Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez all left Juventus Stadium ahead of the 2015-16 campaign after playing key roles in their success last term and the Turin giants have struggled to replace them. The reigning Serie A champions have collected just five points from their opening six fixtures and currently sit 15th in the Serie A table, trailing leaders Fiorentina and Inter by 10 points. "I did not expect Juventus to have such a bad start," Mancini told Il Messaggero. "Of course, it was to be expected that they would have a difficult start after losing key men such as Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal. You knew that would have its effect, but I did not expect this. "But Juventus remain Scudetto contenders for me once they get back on track, together with Roma and Napoli. "Our goal remains to finish in the top three and return to the Champions League. "The Scudetto? We cannot rule anything out..."

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Immobile: ‘Special match with Juve’ http://www.football-italia.net/73625/immobile-%E2%80%98special-match-juve%E2%80%99? Sep 29, 2015 Sevilla striker Ciro Immobile says he ‘will do everything to score’ when he faces his former club Juventus on Wednesday. The 25-year-old came through the Old Lady’s youth system but also represented city rivals Torino in the 2013-14 season, when he finished as Serie A top scorer. Immobile joined the Spanish side from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and anticipates a ‘special match’ when the two sides face off in Champions League Group D this week “It’s strange to return to Italy and see Juventus at the bottom half of the table,” he told Tuttosport. “We’re working well at Sevilla, but when you change so many players you need time to gel. “We’re back to winning ways and getting a victory in Turin would represent the turning point of the season. “I feel great affection for Torino, but this isn’t a derby for me. “It’s a special match because I’m Italian and I’m facing Juventus with a foreign club. “I would celebrate scoring and will do everything in order to do that – no so much for Juve, but because I miss scoring goals. “I haven’t scored since March in the German Cup. “I know that my moment will come soon. I’m calm, I don’t feel discarded and I’m an integral part of the group.”

JUVENTUS - SIVIGLIA - Giornata 2 Mercoledí, 30 settembre 2015 - ore 20:45 Juventus Stadium, Torino Arbitro:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Svezia) Confronti ufficiali 0 Vittorie Juventus 0 Pareggi 0 Vittorie Siviglia 0 Goals Juventus 0 Goals Siviglia 0 Juventus - Siviglia - Champions League a Torino Confronti ufficiali 0 Vittorie Juventus 0 Pareggi 0 Vittorie Siviglia 0 Goals Juventus 0 Goals Siviglia 0 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro il Siviglia - - Ultimi confronti diretti - Giocate 0 - Vittorie Juventus 0 - Pareggi 0 - Vittorie Siviglia 0 - Goals Juventus 0 - Goals Siviglia 0

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Llorente ‘suffering to see Juventus' http://www.football-italia.net/73623/llorente-%E2%80%98suffering-see-juventus? Sep 29, 2015 Sevilla striker Fernando Llorente says Juventus’ recent results ‘make me suffer’ ahead of their Champions League meeting on Wednesday. The Bianconeri have got off to a dismal start to their Scudetto defence, picking up five points from six matches. Llorente left the Old Lady in the summer, but could face his old club again at the midweek European clash at Juventus Stadium. “I spent two wonderful years in Turin, a city that will always remain in my heart,” he said to giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “I feel like a Juventino and these results make me suffer. “I knew it would not be easy, as losing players like Vidal, Pirlo and Tevez is crucial. It takes time to find harmony and a style of play. “Why did I leave? I would have had less space and then the club was not sorry I left. “I am sure, however, that Juve will be high up the table again by the springtime, although at the moment all their worst rivals are at the top (Fiorentina, Inter and Torino). “Emery and Italy? It’s normal that they like him, he would do very well in Serie A.”

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Trying to make something out of Juventus' miserable start to the 2015-16 season http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/9/29/9391035/juventus-max-allegri-serie-a-uefa-champions-league Sep 29, 2015 It was the easy narrative to figure out. Juventus wins in Manchester to open the Champions League group stage — their first win on English soil in 20 years — and it's the jumping off point for a season that has pretty much stalled out of the gate. Hey, It was easy, and that's why I wrote about it like it was something that should happen. Except it hasn't happened. Suck on that, you stupid piece of logic! Your narratives have no power here! Outside of the comeback win over Manchester City, Juventus' season has failed to truly get going domestically. Not unless you call an uninspiring win over Genoa and a couple draws a "good" start. Sure, we're now done with six of the 38 rounds in the Serie A schedule, but only one of those games have resulted in all three points being captured by a Max Allegri-managed team. They've already matched last season's total for league losses and we still have over 80 percent of the schedule to go. But I'm not going to sit here and continue to compare this season and last season. That's unfair to this current squad, which is obviously going through so many different issues that it doesn't even need to be in the same conversation as the team that had one of the club's best seasons ever nd played for the Champions League trophy on June 6th of this year. Is there even the ability to put into context what is wrong with this team right now? Or, better yet, do we even want to? There is no single person or player we can point to and say they are responsible for Juventus playing the way they are to open the 2015-16 season. Allegri is at fault, Paul Pogba is at fault, they're all at fault in some way or another. Some more than others, but it's a group effort here, folks. They're all fighting for the same cause, all wearing the same jersey. All wanting to have the same amount of success as the guy next to them in the locker room. Yes, even those who aren't the ones on the field. JUVENTUS WENT WITH A LONG-TERM VISION THIS SUMMER AND THE RESULT IS THAT THIS SQUAD IS STRUGGLING IN THE SHORT TERM. Turning over this squad in the kind of fashion that happened this summer was never going to be easy. As much as the quality of the talent that left this summer sucked, it's not like Juve's front office, led by Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici, replaced them with a bunch of scrubs. Juventus went with a long-term vision this summer and the result is that this squad is struggling in the short term. As much as we want it to be the best of both worlds, that's clearly not going to happen. At least right now, anyway. I guess envisioning it click right off the bat might have been too much for us to ask. And then you throw in all of those nagging injuries that keep popping up at every turn we come across, and you have a squad that is stuck in neutral rather than giving us early-season satisfaction. Think about all of the projected starters who have suffered an injury at some point of the preseason or the first month of the season: Claudio Marchisio Mario Mandzukic Álvaro Morata Sami Khedira Stephan Lichtsteiner Giorgio Chiellini Some of those players have been injured for more time than others, like Marchisio, who we all miss very much these days. But the end result is still the same: Allegri hasn't been able to field his best of the best starting lineup at any point this season. Not once. And when you're trying to get a team to gel and find some kind of cohesion, the last thing you want to see happen is important players miss any kind of significant time. Yet, they have. And, as if Juve needed any more problems these days, the injuries still remain. However, that still doesn't excuse Juve from playing like they have outside of the Man City game. This squad is deep enough to be competitive against — and beat — teams that they've failed to get three points against. You know, the Chievos, the Frosinones of the world where Juve have even struggled to get a result. I don't know. You want to be patient because this team does have more talent than any other team in Serie A. But, at the same time, you see them playing the way they are right now and it's frustrating as all can be — especially with what they were able to do in Manchester in a few weeks ago. The potential is there, they're just not tapping into it yet. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. It's still early. I'll just keep telling myself this for the time being. Because it's still early. Yeah, still early.

http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/calcio/serie-a/juventus/2015/09/26-4388371/napoli-juventus_le_emozioni_del_match/#1 http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Ig93xBfhgHG/SSC+Napoli+v+Juventus+FC+Serie

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Juventus V Sevilla – Preview: Bianconeri Hope To Continue Impressive European Form http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/juventus-v-sevilla-preview-bianconeri-hope-to-continue-impressive-european-form/? Sep 28, 2015 Juventus host Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday night, hoping to put its dismal domestic results behind them. The Bianconeri have endured a turbulent start to the Serie A season, but managed to secure an inspired 2-1 come-from-behind win against English heavyweights Manchester City on the first matchday. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri will be hoping for a similar showing from his players to maintain their unbeaten status in the competition and is desperate a win against the Andalusian outfit will reignite their Serie A campaign. The Torino-based side are currently positioned 13th in the Scudetto race with five points. Meanwhile, Sevilla’s performances are not too dissimilar from that of the Italians, who have also found it tough going domestically in La Liga. However, Unai Emery’s men did manage a 3-2 triumph over Rayo Vallecano in its previous outing, as the Spaniards lie in 15th place in the league standings on five points. This Champions League encounter at the Juventus Stadium will be the first official meeting between the pair. For the match, Allegri will be without Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, after he sustained a thigh injury against Genoa just over a week ago. However, the former AC Milan coach may have a few selection headaches in determining his best eleven, but Mario Lemina and Alvaro Morata should get the nod ahead of Simone Padoin and Simone Zaza respectively. As for the Rojiblancos, coach Unai Emery will be without a host of regulars which has coincided with the team’s recent struggles in La Liga. Ever Banega, Gael Kakuta, Daniel Carrico, Beto, Sergio Escudero, Adil Rami, Nicolas Pareja will all be missing from the clash through various injuries. N’Zonzi will continue in the absence in of Banega, while Yevhen Konoplyanka remains in contention to replace Jose Reyes. Form Guide: Juventus (D-W-L-D-L) Sevilla (D-W-L-L-W) Expected Starting XIs Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Lemina, Pogba, Hernanes, Pereyra; Dybala, Morata Sevilla: Sergio Rico; Coke, Andreolli, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; N’Zonzi, Krychowiak, Iborra, Krohn-Dehli, Reyes; Gameiro

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Lichtsteiner returns for Juventus http://www.football-italia.net/73602/lichtsteiner-returns-juventus? Sep 28, 2015 Stephan Lichtsteiner has returned to Juventus training ahead of the Sevilla match on Wednesday. The Bianconeri face the Spanish side in the Champions League this week, and it was feared the Swiss international could be absent after missing the weekend defeat to Napoli. “Rejoining his team-mates for the full [training] session, which focused on technique and specific tactical movements to be deployed against the Spaniards, was Stephan Lichtsteiner, who has made a full recovery after suffering breathing difficulties during last Wednesday’s Serie A home meeting with Frosinone,” a statement on the Old Lady’s website confirmed. It was also confirmed that Massimiliano Allegri and Gigi Buffon will address the media in their pre-match Press conference at 18.20 UK time tomorrow.

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Eriksson for Juventus-Sevilla http://www.football-italia.net/73595/eriksson-juventus-sevilla? Sep 28, 2015 Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson will be in charge for Juventus’ Champions League clash with Sevilla. The Bianconeri take on the Europa League winners at Juventus Stadium on Wednesday, and Eriksson will run the rule over proceedings. The referee has been in charge of a Juve match on three previous occasions, with the Old Lady undefeated in those ties. Eriksson ran the rule over the 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk in 2012, as well as a 3-1 win over Copenhagen in 2013-14. Most recently, the Swede oversaw last season’s 1-1 draw at Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition, which saw Juventus progress to the final on away goals.

Buffon: ‘Presumptuous to talk of Scudetto’ http://www.football-italia.net/73591/buffon-%E2%80%98presumptuous-talk-scudetto%E2%80%99? Sep 28, 2015 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon believes it would be “presumptuous” to talk about the Scudetto, targeting Champions League qualification. The Bianconeri have lost three of their opening six games of the season, and currently lie in 15th-place in Serie A. “It would be superficial and presumptuous to talk of the Scudetto now,” Buffon admitted, speaking to Mediaset. “Were we too contented? There could have been some initial contentment, but if that had been in anyone’s mind it’s definitely gone now. “The Champions League places have to be a target, it’s the natural habitat of Juventus and the players on this team. “At Christmas I hope to be able to say that Juventus are in the second round of the Champions League, and hope for a lucky draw. “With regards to the League, I’m sure we’ll be in the top half of the table, in a mid-to-high position.”

Tevez: I Am Suffering For Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/tevez-i-am-suffering-for-juventus/? Sep 28, 2015 Boca Juniors striker Carlos Tevez admits he is suffering for former club Juventus, as the Bianconeri’s early season woes continue in Serie A. The Argentine forward left the Juventus Stadium to return to Argentina in the summer, having spent two successful seasons in Turin, in which in won successive Scudetti and reached a Champions League final. Speaking on Argentine television when interviewed on La Corsina, the former Bianconero admitted his suffering. “I am watching from afar and I am suffering for Juventus,” Tevez began. “I am suffering because I left a part of my heart in Turin and it hurts to see Juventus in this position,” he added. The 31-year-old went on to say that he feels their problems are normal, considering the turnover faced by the club in the summer. “But I think it’s normal. “There was a lot of turnover at the club and the new group are yet to get to know one another.” The striker concluded by stating his reasons for leaving Serie A. “I had given everything I could to Juventus in my two years. “I saw the trouble in Boca and wanted to help. “I had to come back, every day I dreamt of returning to La Bombonera.”

Khedira: ‘Juventus never give up’ http://www.football-italia.net/73586/khedira-%E2%80%98juventus-never-give-up%E2%80%99? Sep 28, 2015 Sami Khedira says Juventus ‘never give up’ as he announces his return to fitness after an injury layoff. The Germany international signed for the Old Lady in the summer, but is yet to make a competitive appearance following a thigh injury. Today the midfielder announced his return on his Facebook page. “I’m happy to return to the disposal of the team and to help my teammates, because we’re Juventus and we never give up,” he wrote. “Until the end, Forza Juventus!”

Jovetic out of Derby d’Italia? http://www.football-italia.net/73584/jovetic-out-derby-d%E2%80%99italia? Sep 28, 2015 Inter striker Stevan Jovetic could miss the Derby d’Italia against Juventus due to injury, according to reports. The Montenegrin picked up an injury to his left thigh in the warm up before Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Fiorentina. Nerazzurri Coach Roberto Mancini announced at the end of the match that Jovetic wouldn’t be available for Sunday’s trip to Sampdoria, but the knock now appears to be more serious. Inter host Juventus at San Siro on 18 October, after the international break, but Sport Mediaset have reported that the former Manchester City man is at risk of missing out.

JUVENTUS - SEVILLA - Matchday 2 Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Juventus Stadium, Turin Referee:‬ Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Emery: ‘Juventus an opportunity’ http://www.football-italia.net/73580/emery-%E2%80%98juventus-opportunity%E2%80%99? Sep 28, 2015 Sevilla Coach Unai Emery says facing Juventus is ‘a great opportunity to show what we’re capable of.’ The Andalucian side have got off to a stuttering start in La Liga, like their Serie A counterparts, but Emery sees the match as a big chance to turn things around. The two sides face off at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night, with kick off at 19:45 UK time. “Playing against Juventus is a great opportunity to show the whole of Europe what we are capable of,” he said after their win over Rayo Vallecano. “We’re facing the vice-champions of Europe, a big team, and our only objective is to give a good account of ourselves. “It’s our duty to help Konoplyanka adapt to our football. He has excellent quality and a great shot, but he still must find his position. “We’re trying to involve him and I'm sure that if he continues like this he’ll become an important player for us.”

Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira returns to training http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/9/28/9406179/juventus-midfielder-sami-khedira-returns-to-training Sep 28, 2015 These days, good Juventus news is hard to come by. Every couple of days we see Juve play like crap again, then hear about another player getting injured in the process. It's a cycle that has gone on for pretty much the entire month of September. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat. Yet after Juventus stumbled once again — I'm getting so tired of writing this — against Napoli on Saturday night, they received some good news on Sunday afternoon. From Juventus' official website: Sami Khedira was back among the first-team squad as the Bianconeri began their build-up to Wednesday's Champions League fixture against Sevilla with a morning training session in Vinovo. The German midfielder, who suffered a thigh injury during Juventus' friendly against Marseille on 1 August, made his return alongside those who didn't feature at the San Paolo last night, while the remainder of the squad underwent a warm-down. See? Good news for once! You gotta take what you can get these days. And hearing that Khedira probably isn't too far off from making his official Juventus debut is something to be considered a positive development during a series of crappy happenings. Khedira returning will obviously be something of note mainly because he's been expected to be one of the fundamental players in the midfield ever since he was signed this summer and then two-thirds of last season's starting midfield subsequently left. The interesting thing is now that Mario Lemina is playing so well to begin his Juve career and Claudio Marchisio is expected to return some time shortly after the international break, where is Khedira going to fit into the equation? Marchisio is going to play, Paul Pogba is going to play, Lemina is playing so well he's essentially forcing Max Allegri to keep him in the starting lineup. Having plenty of depth is going nice and all and something Allegri definitely has not had at any point over the last month or so, but I'm sure Khedira didn't sign with Juve and have visions of being a part-time player this season. Maybe, just maybe, we're getting close to Allegri actually having the chance to field his best XI soon. That'd be nice.

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS . 2 - 1 Lorenzo Insigne (26') Gonzalo Higuaín (62') Mario Lemina (63') MATCHDAY 6 Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM San Paolo Stadium - Naples Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato Buffon: Juventus need to find their identity The Scudetto holders have already lost three Serie A matches this term, but the Italy international believes they have what it takes to turn their form around. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4563/main/2015/09/27/15781692/-? Sep 27, 2015 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has called on Massimiliano Allegri's struggling side to "find an identity" after their terrible start to Serie A. Allegri's men slumped to their third defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss to Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday. And Buffon insists that he and his team-mates must shelve any talk of securing a fifth successive Scudetto for the time-being. "We have to put aside all talk of the Scudetto for the next few months," he told Sky Italia . "The distance [between Juventus and the top of the league] is so great that we can't allow ourselves to get carried away by flights of fancy. "We have to roll up our sleeves, get our hands dirty and deal with the situation. We know what we need to change to improve, and we'll be taking it now match by match. "When we find our identity and start playing compact football we will become a really strong team." http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Khedira returns to Juventus training The Germany international is yet to make his debut for the Serie A champions having missed the opening weeks of the season, but is nearing a full return to fitness. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4563/main/2015/09/27/15775552/-? Sep 27, 2015 Sami Khedira has stepped up his recovery from a thigh injury after making his return to Juventus training. The Scudetto holders have endured a disappointing start to the new campaign, with Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Napoli leaving them languishing in 14th place in the Serie A standings. A 2-1 win over Manchester City on matchday one of the Champions League provided a rare highlight, and they could have Khedira available for Wednesday's Group D meeting with Sevilla at Juventus Stadium having missed the last two months. The midfielder picked up the injury during a pre-season friendly with Marseille on August 1 and is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Turin giants having joined from Real Madrid in the summer. But Khedira returned to training on Sunday alongside team-mates that did not travel for the meeting with Napoli.

Buffon: 'Shelve Scudetto talk' http://www.football-italia.net/73557/buffon-shelve-scudetto-talk? Sep 27, 2015 Gigi Buffon told Juventus to “shelve the Scudetto talk for a few months” after losing three of the first six rounds. The Bianconeri are looking for a club record fifth consecutive Serie A title, but the 2-1 defeat to Napoli last night left them with only five points. “So far this season in all competition we’ve had some convincing responses, others not so much,” the captain told Sky Sport Italia. “We have to find a balance as a team. I think it’s time to shelve the Scudetto talk for a few months, because the gap is so big that we certainly can’t afford to reach beyond our current grasp.”

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS . 2 - 1 Lorenzo Insigne (26') Gonzalo Higuaín (62') Mario Lemina (63') MATCHDAY 6 Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM San Paolo Stadium - Naples Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato NAPOLI 2-1 JUVENTUS PLAYER RATINGS SERIE A Juventus slipped to their third defeat of the season with a thoroughly lacklustre display against Napoli at the San Paolo. http://www.juvefc.com/napoli-2-1-juventus-player-ratings-serie-a/? Sep 27, 2015 The Bianconeri were coming off a disappointing midweek draw against Frosinone and the stakes were high with both Juve and Napoli in desperate need of points. Both sides started brightly but it was Napoli who took the lead after a well worked move between Higuain and Insigne paid off with the young Italian striker slotting the ball past Gigi Buffon. Napoli continued to dominate the second-half and a poor pass from Hernanes gifted the ball to Higuain who fired an angled shot past Buffon to double the lead. Juve got one back immediately when Paulo Dybala lofted a cross into the box for Mario Lemina to head home but the game was out of reach. Gigi Buffon 6.0 - Had very little to do but made some terrific saves when he was called upon. Could do very little about Napoli’s two goals. Simone Padoin 5.5 - Solid in defence but little more. A better right-back than midfielder by all accounts, but he showed little going forward. Leonardo Bonucci 6.0 - Was thoroughly outmatched by the duo of Higuain and Insigne. Couldn’t do much about the second goal other than try and track back. Giorgio Chiellini 6.5 - Juve’s best defender on the night, put himself about, made some great intercceptions and tried to keep Higuain at bay. Patrice Evra 6.0 - Looked outmatched at times, made some rash tackles and ended up getting booked. Despite that, he did a good job to keep Callejon quiet but offered little by way of an attacking threat. Mario Lemina 7.5 - Exceptional yet again, kept the side ticking over with simple passes. Tackled and defended well and scored the only Juve goal of the night. Great work yet again. Hernanes 5.0 - An abject display in midfield – Some strong tackles but very little by way of creativity. His misplaced pass gave Napoli their second goal. Paul Pogba 5.5 - A player who seems to be struggling under the weight of the shirt number and the responsibility of carrying the midfield on his own. Trys too often to do too much when the simple things might be best. Roberto Pereyra 6.0 - Started brightly when playing behind the strikers but gradually faded as the game went on. Paulo Dybala 6.0 - Great workrate but the end product was lacking. Didn’t seem to have much of a rapport with Zaza but still managed to pick out the cross for Juve’s goal. Simone Zaza 6.0 - Many will disagree, but his workrate was flawless. Tried to bully the Napoli defences and played off the shoulder of the last man. Could and should have created one goal for Juve. Might work better with other players around him. Substitutes Juan Cuadrado N/A - Came on in the second half but it was too late for him to make a real impact on the game Alvaro Morata N/A - Came on for Dybala but failed to create anything of note. Alex Sandro N/A http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS . 2 - 1 Lorenzo Insigne (26') Gonzalo Higuaín (62') Mario Lemina (63') MATCHDAY 6 Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM San Paolo Stadium - Naples Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato Sarri: Napoli Victory Over Juventus Is Dedicated To The Fans http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/sarri-napoli-victory-over-juventus-is-dedicated-to-the-fans/? Sep 27, 2015 Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri has dedicated the victory over Juventus to the club’s fans. The Partenopei defeated the Bianconeri 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday night, with Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne getting the goals for their second win of this Serie A season. “This is a game for the fans of Napoli,” Sarri told the press after the match. “I had made a promise to the public and the team responded well.” The coach said that, despite the performance against Juventus possibly not being their best, he gave the players a target to reach and they managed to achieve it. “The team has perhaps played better in other games but we had more personality tonight,” he said. “We know how important this game is for the fans, I tried to show this to the team and they showed commitment in response.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

NAPOLI - JUVENTUS . 2 - 1 Lorenzo Insigne (26') Gonzalo Higuaín (62') Mario Lemina (63') MATCHDAY 6 Saturday, September 26th, 2015 - 8:45 PM San Paolo Stadium - Naples Referee:‬ Daniele Orsato No excuses for Juventus - Evra The Old Lady lost 2-1 at Napoli on Saturday evening and are already 10 points behind Serie A leaders Inter following a poor start to the season. http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2015/09/27/15766702/-? Sep 27, 2015 Juventus defender Patrice Evra says there are no excuses for his team's slow start to the Serie A season after another loss on Saturday. Max Allegri's squad was overhauled in the summer following the exits of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, while injuries have also hit in the early part of the campaign, with Claudio Marchisio and new arrival Sami Khedira out for long spells. The defending champions went down 2-1 at Napoli to leave them with just one win from their opening six league games and 10 points behind leaders Inter. And Evra was in no mood for excuses when he spoke to reporters at the San Paolo: "We're all responsible." "Our young players cannot be used as an excuse and it's down to the older heads to help them out. "It's a difficult moment for us, and it hurts, but we're not panicking and I remain fully optimistic. Now we've got the Champions League and Bologna and we want to win at home." Goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain sent Napoli to their win, and they held on despite Mario Lemina pulling one back for Juve. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Allegri: 'Call me mad...' http://www.football-italia.net/73538/allegri-call-me-mad? Sep 27, 2015 Max Allegri believes Juventus can emerge stronger from their current crisis after defeat at Napoli. “It’s not a funeral.” The Bianconeri were beaten 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo last night, leaving them with only five points from six Serie A games. “I expect people think I’m mad for saying it, but I am not worried and actually compared to other matches I feel more relaxed than usual,” the Coach told reporters. “Do I feel in the firing line? I’m a Coach, so I am always in the firing line. Now I have to work on what is best for Juve. Last year we did well, this time there are a few difficulties, but we must work to overcome them. “What is this team lacking? Points. Everyone sees things their own way and I saw a good performance. The lads didn’t do badly. “In football there are moments of difficulty, I don’t want to see faces that look like we’re at a funeral. These moments must be faced and overcome. “People acted as if we were in crisis because we conceded a last-second corner against Frosinone, ignoring the performance that came before it. We will climb back up. “Tomorrow Sami Khedira should be back training with the squad.”