Socrates

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Mandzukic ready for Udinese http://www.football-italia.net/71445/mandzukic-ready-udinese? Aug 22, 2015 Mario Mandzukic, Alex Sandro and Giorgio Chiellini are available for Juventus against Udinese. It kicks off on Sunday at 18.00 CET (16.00 GMT). There are still fitness doubts over Mandzukic, who went off during a midweek friendly after a knock to the thigh. He is in the squad along with newcomer Alex Sandro, who had his first training session today after the transfer from Porto. Chiellini has also shaken off a summer injury, but Alvaro Morata, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira are sidelined. Juventus squad for Udinese: Buffon, Isla, Chiellini, Caceres, Zaza, Pogba, Coman, Alex Sandro, Llorente, Barzagli, Mandzukic, Bonucci, Padoin, Dybala, Rugani, Neto, Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra, Vitale http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

'Buffon the best of goalkeeper of his generation - but not Italy's No.1' EXCLUSIVE: Former Juventus shot-stopper Stefano Tacconi is a huge admirer of the club's current captain but believes that Dino Zoff remains the benchmark. http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2015/08/22/14481512/buffon-not-italys-best-ever-no1?ICID=TP_HN_1 Aug 22, 2015 Stefano Tacconi believes that while Gianluigi Buffon is the greatest goalkeeper of his generation, the Juventus captain should not be regarded as Italy's all-time No.1. Since making his Serie A debut as a 17-year-old with Parma, Buffon has proven himself one of the finest shot-stoppers of the modern era. Indeed, his €32 million move to Juventus in 2002 remains a record for a goalkeeper, while the only goals he conceded during Italy's World Cup triumph in 2006 were an own goal and a penalty. At 37, he shows no sign of slowing down, having helped Juve reach the final of last season's Champions League, where the Bianconeri were beaten 3-1 but through no fault of Buffon, who pulled off a stunning save from Dani Alves while the Scudetto holders were struggling during the first half. However, Tacconi nonetheless feels that Buffon still has some way to go to surpass their fellow Juve alumni, Dino Zoff, who lifted the World Cup as Italy captain in 1982. "Is Gigi the best in Italian history?" the 52-year-old muses during an exclusive interview with Goal. "No, but he is the best of his generation. "For the greatest, there's Dino Zoff. And even during my era there was Walter Zenga, and then Angelo Peruzzi. "But Buffon is a great goalkeeper. He has done great things and he's the best of his generation. "And he could still be like Zoff: he could play in the World Cup in 40. He is still in shape and playing well. I certainly hope he makes it to Russia. "I also wanted him to win the Champions League last season. That would have been perfect for him and his career. He deserved it. "But now we don't know if he will get another chance because there are so many great teams in Europe. It will be difficult for Juve to reach the final again." Buffon, of course, faces fresh competition for his starting berth, with Juve having picked up Neto on a free transfer during the summer, after the expiration of the Brazilian's contract with Fiorentina. Tacconi liked what he saw of Neto during his four-year stay at the Stadio Artemio Franchi but feels that the 26-year-old must now prove his worth all over again. "Neto is a good goalkeeper. But he will need to show character at Juve," the ex-Azzurri shot-stopper added. "He did well at Fiorentina but Juve are different. "He will have to wait for his opportunities because Buffon is ahead of him and is showing few signs of ageing. Therefore, Neto must be patient. "Then, he must also adapt to the pressure of playing for Juventus, which is never easy. Players must have a strong mentality to play for Juve."

Allegri ignores Mourinho comments The coach avoided being drawn on the Chelsea boss's remarks regarding Oscar and Ramires, as well as the future of Paul Pogba. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/08/22/14653642/allegri-ignores-mourinho-comments?ICID=TP_HN_HP_RI_0_2 Aug 22, 2015 Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri declined the opportunity to respond to comments made by Jose Mourinho after being asked about the future of Paul Pogba on Saturday. The Chelsea coach refused to rule out a move for the midfielder on Friday, but made a swipe at the Italian for publicly courting Oscar and Ramires during the summer. "Mourinho's words? It's better to talk about our championship," said Allegri. Juventus face Udinese in their opening Serie A fixture on Sunday having lost three key players over the summer, with Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo all departing. The likes of Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic have arrived as the Bianconeri have sought to rebuild, but Allegri is expecting a closer title race than last season. "The new season starts tomorrow and it will be a big one," he continued. "It'll be a much tighter title race this season, everyone has strengthened. Milan, Inter, Roma and us are in race for Scudetto, it will be a more balanced tournament. "Winning the Supercoppa was the perfect start to the new campaign, it's given us a massive boost." Allegri also offered an update on the fitness of several of his players and spoke of his delight at securing another summer signing: "Morata will rejoin the squad on Monday, we'll have a closer look at Mandzukic today. "Fernando Llorente will be important for us again this year. He's in good shape and he's a player I trust. If we decide that Mandzukic isn't fit for tomorrow, Fernando is definitely in my plans. Chiellini will be available tomorrow. "We're delighted with the arrival of Alex Sandro, tomorrow he'll be on the bench. Isla? He should stay with us."

Massimiliano Allegri ignores Jose Mourinho comments http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/news/allegri-ignores-jose-mourinho-comments_241059.html Aug 22, 2015 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has purposely ignored comments made by Jose Mourinho on Friday and said that he would rather 'talk about Juve's championship'. The Italian manager was accused of courting Oscar and Ramires throughout the summer by Mourinho and the Chelsea boss says that he would not rule out making a move for Paul Pogba, another comment which was ignored by Allegri. "Mourinho's words? It's better to talk about our championship," said Allegri, according to Goal.com. According to a report, the Blues are offering a record-breaking £86m for Pogba's services.

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni MATCH PREVIEW http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/preview/69825 Aug 22, 2015 Juventus begin their quest for a fifth consecutive title against Udinese on Sunday. Not since Inter’s monopolisation of the Serie A between 2005 and 2010 has any team managed to win five consecutive Scudetti. With four already under their belt, Juventus will be looking to create history as their campaign begins on Saturday against Udinese. Speaking ahead of their upcoming fixture, Bianconeri’s chief executive Guiseppe Marotta has warned rivals that the loss of several of the club’s key players will not hinder their bid for yet another league title. Indeed, the Old Lady have sold the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal, but have made up for the aforementioned departures in spectacular style as they captured the likes of Sami Khedira, Paul Dybala and Mario Mandzukic. Their Supercoppa Italiana triumph a fortnight ago should settle some nerves as they prepare to take on a Udinese outfit who are looking to improve following a disappointing 16th-placed finish last term. The Zebrette have undergone a summer of changes which has seen Andrea Stramaccioni, who was ousted as coach back in, replaced by former Atalanta boss Stefano Colantuono not to mention their sale of Allan to Napoli this summer. Colantuono, though, will be hoping to lead the club into a new era with a refreshing style of attacking football, with the evergreen Antonio Di Natale set to play a key part in leading the line this season. Keep an eye on: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus): The nomadic striker enjoyed an impressive debut in the Supercoppa Italiana as he proved to be a constant threat against Lazio’s defence. Expect the Croatian to line-up up alongside Paulo Dybala as they look to dispatch what looks to be a mediocre Udinese outfit. Form Guide Last season: Udinese 0-0 Juventus Stat fact: Juventus have never lost the first game of the season in the league played at home: 40 games with 33 wins and seven draws. Juventus (probable): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Padoin, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala Udinese (probable): Karnezi; Heurtaux, Danilo, Piris; Edenilson, Badu, Guilherme, Fernandes, Adnan; Di Natale, Thereau http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Colantuono will 'attack' Juve http://www.football-italia.net/71433/colantuono-will-attack-juve? Aug 22, 2015 Stefano Colantuono assured Udinese “won’t just defend” against reigning champions of Italy Juventus. It kicks off on Sunday at 18.00 CET (16.00 GMT). “I don’t know what to expect from Juve, even if reading the papers I get the feeling it might be a 3-5-2,” said the Coach in his Press conference. “We prepared for either system. Tactics aside, this is a team that will be very aggressive and their attitude doesn’t change no matter the shape. “If you go to Turin only to defend, you will certainly lose. If you play all-out attack without balance, you will lose. We have to find that middle ground and play without putting up barriers. “Our aim is to play well and maintain our football philosophy against any team. I tell my players to face this challenge without fear, as in my career I have got results away to big clubs. “Juventus have lost important players, but brought in replacements and are still seeking others to strengthen further. At club level they’ve got practically nothing wrong over the last few years. “They still have this core of figures who drag the rest of the squad along with them and instil the Juventus mentality. They can be decisive even off the field. “In attack Paulo Dybala brings creativity, while Mario Mandzukic is very strong in the air and helps his teammates.” Udinese will be without Guilherme for this trip to Turin, as he has not recovered from a muscular injury, while Molla Wague is suspended. “We still need tests to work out how bad the injury is. I cannot say who will replace him. Giampiero Pinzi and Manuel Iturra are options, but I do not forget Alexander Merkel. They all have different characteristics, so we’ll see who is chosen to start. “Duvan Zapata hasn’t played regularly for a while, so we are working on fitness conditioning to increase the amount of minutes he can handle. As soon as he is fully in shape, he’ll be a candidate for a starting spot.” Max Allegri already confirmed Simone Padoin will play in the Andrea Pirlo role in front of the defence. “I have wonderful memories of Simone,” said former Atalanta boss Colantuono. “He is very versatile and it’s no coincidence Juventus never wanted to be without him. He can cover many roles and I consider him to be one of those players who Coaches love. He is also unique in terms of boosting team morale.” Udinese squad for Juventus: Karnezis, Meret, Perisan; Ali Adnan, Domizzi, Danilo, Edenilson, Heurtaux, Neuton, Pasquale, Piris, Widmer; Badu, Fernandes, Iturra, Kone, Merkel, Pinzi; Aguirre, Di Natale, Perica, Thereau, Duvan Zapata http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni JUVENTUS V UDINESE – SERIE A MATCH PREVIEW AND SCOUTING http://www.juvefc.com/juventus-v-udinese-serie-a-match-preview-and-scouting/? Aug 22, 2015 Juventus Serie A is finally back, a much appreciated break from the transfer market routine that will continue to intoxicate us for the next ten days. A particular extenuating window not only due to the never-ending trequartista saga, but especially because in the mid of July everything looked in place for a quiet August focusing on the actual matches. At that point, we just needed to put the final touches on the Draxler acquisition, but the impromptu sale of Arturo Vidal put us back to square one and shattered every hope of chilling till the start of the real games. The management has done a terrific job so far adding Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira and Simone Zaza and I certainly did not expect them to pay €26M for a fullback, although a quality one like Alex Sandro. However, it is necessary to finish off the job with an attacking midfielder and maybe a central midfielder too: the squad could really use some creativity. Juventus have had no trouble dispatching Udinese in recent years: Udinese last won in 2011 and then the Old Lady tallied six wins and two draws since, with only two Udinese goals in eight matches. Juventus steamrolled the opponents at the Stadium in the past season: 16 wins, three ties, 45 goal scored and 11 conceded. Solid numbers that indicate that Juventus should have a good start of their Serie A campaign. However, there are some little problems regarding the lineup as the midfield, not our deepest department at this stage, has been hit by a number of injuries. The absences of Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira and Kwadwo Asamoah mean that Massimiliano Allegri will have to be creative and postpone the debut of his trademark diamond formation, opting for a 3-5-2 that would allow him to have more alternatives on the bench. The coach suggested that Paul Pogba could develop into a deep-lying playmaker and actually tried him in that position in Villar Perosa, but he admitted that it was just an experiment. I think that Stefano Sturaro has the poise, the presence of mind and the passing skills to play there, but on Sunday the choice in that delicate position will fall on Simone Padoin because of his experience, as Allegri confirmed in the pre-game press conference. That will leave Sturaro and Roberto Pereyra battling out for the final spot in the midfield. Giorgio Chiellini is fully recovered from his thigh strain and is expected to play, anyway Martin Caceres and Daniele Rugani are reliable options if Allegri decides to be cautious. Mario Mandzukic suffered a knock to the knee in the midweek friendly: he did not sustain a significant injury, but he is questionable for this match, we will see if he will be part of the squad list. With Alvaro Morata still recovering from a calf strain, Fernando Llorente, who has not been sold yet for a reason, is the frontrunner to pair up with Paulo Dybala. Simone Zaza has struggled a bit during the pre-season and still need to climb the pecking order, while a Coman-Dybala duo does not make much sense. Coman has been tested as attacking midfielder: he has not been particularly impressive but it could an interesting move to add some zing during the game and I think he could eventually shine in that position if need be, in the event the management does not find the talented and reasonably priced no.10 they are looking for. Probable lineup: 3-5-2: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Padoin, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic. Injuries: Morata (calf), Khedira (thigh), Marchisio (thigh), Asamoah (knee), Mandzukic (knee) Suspended: None Udinese Udinese have been mostly quiet this summer, so far they have lost only Allan from their ideal XI in 2014/15, but they were pretty deep in the midfield and added the veteran Manuel Iturra to fill the void. I expect them to sell Silvan Widmer too: they brought back Edenilson whom they had loaned to Genoa so they have two above average players at the same position, which is a waste, and a couple of Serie A giants are looking for a right-back. Maybe Thomas Heurtaux will depart too, he could be a decent contingency plan if some top clubs fail to acquire their primary targets. After a disappointing year with Andrea Stramaccioni at the helm, they have appointed Stefano Colatuono: a solid choice, but not very exciting. They have added Ali Adnan, which could end up being either a brilliant acquisition or a bust, and Marquinho, who could find a nice niche in their schemes. They are going to use 3-5-2 at least at the start of the season, we will see if they will switch to Colatuono’s pet 4-4-1-1 later on: they have the men to deploy it. The jewel of their reinforcement campaign has been Duvan Zapata, who joined on a two-year loan from Napoli in the Allan deal. The Colombian striker had an insane goal-per-minute ratio, but of course the situation is much different now: Udinese are not as offensive-minded as Napoli was, but he has the tools (physicality, quickness, finishing skills) to establish himself as an excellent centre-forward. He is not in perfect physical condition yet, so Cyril Thereau should start on Sunday. With Molla Wague sidelined by a suspension (watch out for him, he could have a big year), Heurtaux, Danilo and Ivan Piris should play in front of Orestis Karnezis. The nominal starter Guilherme is out with a thigh injury that is still being evaluated, Colatuono stated that he will choose between the newcomer Iturra, the veteran Giampiero Pinzi and Alexander Merkel to replace him. Probably Iturra has more experience as pivot in front of the defense. The midfield will be completed by Emmanuel Badu and either Bruno Fernandes or Panagiotis Kone, who will have the task to add some creativity. In any case, we can expect a defense-first approach and quick counter-attacks to exploit Antonio Di Natale and the flank game, which should be very strong. They were blah on the road last season: four wins, six draws and nine losses, only 17 goal scored and 27 conceded. They hope that a charismatic coach like Stefano Colatuono will be able to right the ship after a year where they underachieved and were never able to find the most suitable tactical identity. Probable lineup: 3-5-2: Karnezis; Heurtaux, Danilo, Piris; Edenilson, Badu, Iturra, Fernandes, Adnan; Thereau, Di Natale. Injuries: Guilherme (thigh). Suspended: Wague Formation http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni You Can't Just Defend At Juventus Says Udinese Coach http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/you-cant-just-defend-at-juventus-says-udinese-coach/? Aug 22, 2015 Stefano Colantuono believes a team cant just defend when they play Juventus. The Udinese coach was speaking ahead of Udinese’s trip to the Juventus stadium in round one of the Serie A and Colantuono admits he does not know how Juve will play. “You cant not play at Juventus and just defend because you won't win,” Colantuono told reporters at his pre match press conference ahead of the Juve game. “I have read in the newspapers that Juve will play 3-5-2, but really I am not sure how they will line up. “Their forward partnership of Mandzukic and Dybala is very good and we will have to defend well. “It will be a huge ask for us to get a result but we have an opportunity to do something special.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Juventus Have To Beat Udinese, Claims Coach http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/juventus-have-to-beat-udinese-claims-coach/? Aug 22, 2015 Massimiliano Allegri is adamant Juventus have to beat Udinese in their first game of the Serie A season. The Juve coach was speaking at his pre match press conference and Allegri also spoke about his recent transfer activity. “Udinese are a difficult team but we have to beat them,” Allegri told reporters at his press conference. “We have to start the season well. “To win the league we have to score 75-80 goals and concede 20-25, football is sometimes a numbers game. “A lot of the top teams have strengthened like Roma, Inter and AC Milan. “We can not forget about Fiorentina or Napoli either. “We are not a complete team, we are still missing something. “We have brought in a lot of players so it might take time for us to get to our best. “Carlos Tevez wanted to return home, Andrea Pirlo made a personal decision and Arturo Vidal received a huge offer from a big club. “We only sell players if they want to leave.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni 'Inter, Milan, Roma, Napoli for title' http://www.football-italia.net/71422/inter-milan-roma-napoli-title? Aug 22, 2015 Juventus face “a much more balanced” Serie A season with Inter, Milan, Roma and Napoli Scudetto challengers, said Max Allegri. The Coach spoke at his Press conference this morning, as the 2015-16 campaign kicks off this weekend. “The season begins, we have many games ahead of us. First of all 38 in Serie A, at least six in the Champions League and at the moment one in the Coppa Italia. “For the title race I’d say Inter, Milan and Roma had a great transfer campaign, reinforced a great deal and I believe with Juventus are the favourites for the Scudetto. “Let’s not forget Napoli, as the new Coach Maurizio Sarri has brought a lot of motivation. They maintained practically the entire squad, bringing in a few new buys. “Fiorentina are also doing well. I believe it will be a much more balanced tournament than last year, so we must do well to keep our balance throughout. Take one step at a time and reach May 16 at the top.” The other big clubs have particularly strengthened in attack with the likes of Edin Dzeko, Carlos Bacca, Stevan Jovetic, Mohamed Salah and Luiz Adriano. “Football is made up of numbers and statistically you need to score 75-80 goals and concede 20-25. If you manage to get those two figures right, you will win the Scudetto.” The former Milan boss was asked about his ‘second season syndrome’ – having won the Scudetto on his debut campaign for both the Rossoneri and Juve, will this next step be a let-down? “I think every year is different. My second at Milan was certainly not a disaster, as we reached the Champions League quarter-final, won the Super Cup and fought with Juventus for the title. “I am not remotely worried. In fact, I am very realistic over the fact I have a new squad and players capable of winning the Scudetto again. It’s normal that with new players it’ll take a little more time to gel and a bit more patience. “This summer some players went, others arrived with different characteristics and we cannot think of simply replacing those who left. I must put my squad in the condition to give their best, whether that means playing 4-3-3-, 4-3-1-2 or 3-5-2. “The system is irrelevant, as the important thing is for the team to command games. There’s always going to be a question mark over a new side and beating Lazio in the Super Cup gave us a boost of self-esteem. “In modern football the substitutes are almost more important than the starting XI, so this season we certainly have more strength in depth.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Allegri: 'Padoin takes Pirlo role' http://www.football-italia.net/71421/allegri-padoin-takes-pirlo-role? Aug 22, 2015 Max Allegri reveals another midfield shake-up amid injuries as Juventus start their Serie A season against Udinese. It kicks off on Sunday at 18.00 CET (16.00 GMT). Allegri was first asked about Jose Mourinho’s comments – sniping that the Juve Coach had talked about Oscar and Ramires all summer – but brushed off the question. “The season starts tomorrow, so it’s better to talk about Serie A.” The Bianconeri are seeking a fifth consecutive Scudetto, but begin against Udinese with injury problems for Alvaro Morata, Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio. “It’s only normal we are in a period of construction, as many new players arrived and we’re still missing others to complete the squad. The club is working well and we are in total sync. “It’s a shame about these injuries, especially Khedira as his will be more long-term. Morata will be back with the squad on Tuesday, Chiellini is available and today we have to evaluate Mandzukic after this knock to the thigh that is troubling him. “I prefer not to risk someone who isn’t in the best shape, especially as with Fernando Llorente, Simone Zaza, Paulo Dybala and Kingsley Coman we are covered.” Llorente has been heavily linked with a transfer to Spain, Germany or England, but Allegri backed the striker. “Llorente is an important element and in good shape. We didn’t discuss the market because there was no need. If Mandzukic doesn’t start, then Llorente probably will. “Alex Sandro trains with us for the first time today and will be on the bench tomorrow. I think Mauricio Isla will stay, as he arrived on good form.” Paul Pogba was tested in the Andrea Pirlo role and Marchisio is the more natural heir, but Allegri revealed another change of tack. “Tomorrow Simone Padoin will play in front of the defence. He played there last season and is a versatile figure, so I think having him is an advantage for a Coach. “Against Udinese we must quickly get a hold of the game, as they are a side who force their opponents to play badly. “The important thing is to get the first three points of the campaign, aware we’re going into a tough test and have to make the most of our scoring opportunities. We should also try to take advantage of dead ball situations.” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Juventus vs. Udinese: Team News & Predicted Lineups http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2552070-juventus-vs-udinese-team-news-predicted-lineups-live-stream-tv-info? Aug 22, 2015 After a three-month break, Serie A returns to action this weekend and sees Udinese travel to Turin to face the reigning champions. Juventus have undergone a huge number of changes this summer, and it will be a very different looking side that takes to the field on Sunday evening. Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez have all moved on, with a raft of new signings arriving to replace that superb trio of talent. However, despite the surprising overhaul, the Bianconeri have continued their winning run, comfortably dispatching Lazio earlier this month to claim the Supercoppa Italiana at Shanghai Stadium. That victory saw Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala both grab their first competitive goals for the club, and Massimiliano Allegri is likely to field that duo from the start against Udinese. Injuries have robbed the coach of some important players, meaning he is likely to opt for a 3-5-2 formation out of necessity rather than choice. Udinese are expected to adopt the same framework, and they too have endured a summer of change. Andrea Stramaccioni was sacked at the end of a difficult 2014/15 campaign that saw the club battle relegation, eventually finishing in 16th place, just two spots above the drop zone. Former Atalanta, Torino and Palermo boss Stefano Colantuono has been appointed as his replacement, and they will hope to enjoy a more positive year after also bringing in the likes of Ivan Piris and Duvan Zapata. A trip to Turin makes for a tough start, particularly as the Zebrette have lost on each of their four league visits to Juventus Stadium and been outscored by a nine goal to one margin. Predicted Formations Juventus (3-5-2): Gigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Martin Caceres; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Stefano Sturaro, Paul Pogba, Roberto Pereyra, Patrice Evra; Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala Unavailable: Sami Khedira (injured), Claudio Marchisio (injured), Kwadwo Asamoah (injured), Alvaro Morata (injured) Udinese (3-5-2): Orestis Karnezis; Thomas Heurtaux, Danilo, Ivan Piris; Edenilson, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Guilherme, Bruno Fernandes, Ali Adnan Kadhim; Antonio Di Natale, Cyril Thereau Unavailable: Molla Wague (suspended) Player to Watch The departures of Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo meant that 2015/16 was always going to be a season in which Juventus leaned more heavily on Paul Pogba. With both Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira missing through injury, that responsibility is set to be even more evident on Sunday. It is something the player himself seems keenly aware of, with Massimiliano Allegri revealing at a recent press conference (h/t giornalaccio rosa World) that the Frenchman asked to wear the club’s prestigious No. 10 shirt vacated by Carlos Tevez. Previously worn by the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Michel Platini, the honour is one that carries a heavy legacy and the Bianconeri will hope Pogba will live up to the challenge. He has certainly has made a positive start, creating Paul Dybala’s goal in the Super Cup win over Lazio before netting the only goal of Tuesday’s friendly against a youth team XI. Key Battle While Pogba’s importance in midfield will be essential for Juventus, Udinese’s hopes will once again be carried by Antonio Di Natale. The 37-year-old—having already set club records for both appearances and goals—returns for his 12th season with the Friulian side, hoping to once again help them compete with Italy’s biggest clubs. OptaPaolo ✔@OptaPaolo 206 - Antonio Di Natale has scored his 206th goal in Serie A, overtaking Roberto Baggio amongst the best Serie A goal scorers. Legend. Last year saw him score 17 league goals, his lowest return since the 2008/09 campaign. He went scoreless in both matches against the eventual champions. Standing in for Giorgio Chiellini, Martin Caceres will hope to continue that streak as he lines up in Juve’s back three. The Uruguayan will be keen to put his injury problems behind him. His speed adds a vital element to the side whenever he is called upon, and it will help him deal with opposition skipper Di Natale. Their clash will be vital to the outcome of this encounter, with the Turin giants seeking to add an eighth consecutive win against Udinese to an already impressive record. Odds (via Odds Shark) Home win: 100/417 Away win: 501/50 Draw: 127/25 http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Juventus - Udinese Preview: Allegri urges patience with new-look champions The Bianconeri have seen a significant overhaul of the first team and their coach has warned fans not to expect them to gel instantly. http://www.goal.com/en/match/juventus-vs-udinese/2120381/preview Aug 22, 2015 Massimiliano Allegri says it make take time for Juventus to find their rhythm as the Serie A champions prepare to start the new season against Udinese on Sunday. Allegri's men are seeking a fifth successive Scudetto following a superb 2014-15 campaign in which they also won the Coppa Italia and reached the Champions League final. And Juve have been extremely busy in the transfer market during the close-season. Pablo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Roberto Pereyra and Sami Khedira are among those to join the Turin club in the transfer window, with Alex Sandro becoming their latest recruit on Friday. But the title holders have also seen a number of players leave for pastures new, such as Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo. All that activity has left Juve looking like a new teame, and Allegri says time will be needed for them to gel. "We are ready for this tough season," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. "It requires patience and balance, because we are a new team and have to find our rhythm. There is enthusiasm, though." Juve are set to be without some key players due to injury this weekend. Alvaro Morata has a calf problem, Khedira is out with a thigh injury and Claudio Marchisio is expected to be unavailable for three weeks with a similar issue. Manduzkic has shaken off a knee injury sustained in training and Allegri is unconcerned about the injuries affecting his side. "There's no need to worry," he added. "Injuries happen, Morata will be back in training from Tuesday and has the chance to play against Roma in week two." Udinese's last win over Juve came back in 2011 as they claimed a 2-1 away victory in Turin. Since then Udinese are winless in eight meetings with Juve but Duvan Zapata - on loan at the club from Napoli - is hopeful Stefano Colantuono's men can spring a shock. He told Sky Sport Italia : "This first game is going to be difficult, but if we do things properly we can take home points. "We have to take to the pitch with the right mentality, doing everything that the xoach taught us in training so that we can win. "With Antonio Di Natale and the other strikers we can do great things, it's important that everyone contributes to bring about the goals and the movements requested by the coach." OPTA FACTS Juventus have scored the most goals (182) and won the most times (53) on Serie A MD 1. Juventus have lost only one of their last 31 Serie A opening games (0-1 at Bari in 2010), winning 23 times in this period. Juventus have never lost the first game of the season in the league played at home: 40 games with 33 wins and seven draws. Juventus and Udinese have met twice in Serie A on MD 1: Juve have won both matches conceding no goals. Udinese have won only one of their last eight Serie A opening games (D4, L3). Udinese haven’t defeated Juventus in Serie A since January 2011: since then they have drawn twice and lost six times. Juventus have won the last four home clashes against Udinese in Serie A, keeping a clean sheet in the last three. Juventus scored four direct free-kick goals last season in Serie A, more than any other side – however, Pirlo (two free-kick goals) and Tévez (two) are no longer part of the squad. LAST FIVE MATCHES Juventus W L W L L 8/8/15 - Juventus 2 - 0 Lazio 8/1/15 - Olympique de Marseille 2 - 0 Juventus 7/29/15 - Lechia Gdańsk 1 - 2 Juventus 7/25/15 - Borussia Dortmund 2 - 0 Juventus 6/6/15 - Juventus 1 - 3 Barcelona Udinese W L W L W 8/16/15 - Udinese 3 - 1 Novara 8/8/15 - Granada 2 - 0 Udinese 8/5/15 - Al Hilal FC 0 - 1 Udinese 8/1/15 - Bastia 3 - 2 Udinese 7/22/15 - Panathinaikos 1 - 2 Udinese HEAD TO HEAD 2/1/15 - Udinese 0 - 0 Juventus 9/13/14 - Juventus 2 - 0 Udinese 4/14/14 - Udinese 0 - 2 Juventus 12/1/13 - Juventus 1 - 0 Udinese 1/19/13 - Juventus 4 - 0 Udinese http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

Rejuvenated Juventus braced for strong Serie A title challenge from Milan, Inter & Roma As Serie A gets back under way this weekend, Massimiliano Allegri's men are once again the team to beat - but their rivals have strengthened significantly during the summer break. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4659/editorials/2015/08/22/14648482/-? Aug 22, 2015 It seems that there are three certainties in life: death, taxes and a scandal before the start of the Italian football season. However, even Thursday's news that Catania have been relegated from Serie B to Lega Pro for match-fixing cannot dampen the enthusiasm of the neutral ahead of the start of the 2015-16 Serie A campaign. Juventus, of course, will once again begin as the team to beat in Italy's top flight, with the Bianconeri bidding for a fifth successive Scudetto. However, there have been enough changes in Turin this summer to cast some doubt on whether Massimiliano Allegri's men will be as imperious as they were last term, when they finished a staggering 17 points clear of nearest rivals Roma. Indeed, two key cogs have been removed from what was arguably the second best midfield in Europe last term, with playmaker Andrea Pirlo departing for MLS and Arturo Vidal joining Bayern Munich. As a playmaker, Pirlo is utterly irreplaceable but Claudio Marchisio has proven an able deputy in the past and while he lacks the finesse and intelligence of his Italy team-mate but he will, at least, greater mobility and superior protection in front of the defence when he returns from injury. Vidal's departure is less of a blow - €40 million for a player of fluctuating form and fitness levels represents another astute piece of business by director general Giuseppe Marotta - but the decision to bring in Sami Khedira, while not costly, almost immediately backfired, with the free transfer from Real Madrid picking up an injury in his first pre-season outing that ruled him out for two months. However, several statement signings have been made by the Old Lady's rivals this summer, most notably in Milan. Indeed, after several seasons of disillusionment, there is an unfamiliar sense of optimism surrounding San Siro ahead of the big kick-off. After years of relying on free transfers and loan signings, Milan have spent big once more, emboldened and enriched by Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol buying a 48 per cent share in the club. Approximately €80 million has been splashed on the likes of Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Alessio Romagnoli and Andrea Bertolacci, providing new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic with a squad capable of banishing the memory of last season's dismal 10th-placed finish under Filippo Inzaghi and challenging for a top-three finish. Mihajlovic, of course, used to play for Inter and previously declared: "I could not coach Milan. I was at Inter. I could not do it out of respect for my old fans." Consequently, the Rossoneri were a more than a little pleased with themselves after persuading the highly-rated Serbian to join them from Sampdoria. However, Inter supporters took great joy in hijacking Milan's move for Geoffrey Kondogbia, with the Nerazzurri paying approximately €40 million for a player eminently capable of reinvigorating their midfield. The sale of a talented player like Mateo Kovacic due to the effects of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations is disappointing, but then the Croat never played with any consistency during his time in Italy and there can be no denying that Roberto Mancini now has a far stronger squad at his diposal. Indeed, if Stevan Jovetic stays fit, the former Manchester City man could form a prolific pairing with last season's Capocannoniere, Mauro Icardi. However, much depends on Mancini. He brought about no discernible improvement upon succeeding Walter Mazzarri last November and now, having been backed in the market, the former City boss is under intense pressure to secure a return to the Champions League. Rudi Garcia is also feeling the heat at Roma. The Frenchman arrived at the Stadio Olimpico from Lille two years ago as a virtual unknown in Italy (midfielder Daniele De Rossi had to 'Google' him!) but promptly transformed the Giallorossi from also-rans to title challengers. However, while there was no shame in finishing second to Juve in - quite the opposite - the way in which Roma's title tilt fell apart during the second half of last season has raised considerable doubts about Garcia's man-management. Some shocking deals during the January transfer window hardly helped, so it's encouraging, then, that Roma have now taken the novel approach of actually buying a centre-forward worthy of the name by acquiring Edin Dzeko from City. The Bosnian should also be ably supported by Mohamed Salah, who lit up Serie A during his loan spell at Fiorentina during the second half of last season, and ex-Genoa ace Iago Falque. However, serious question marks remain over the defence, making the decision to sell the promising Alessio Romagnoli to Milan all the more puzzling. Napoli, meanwhile, have their own problems at the back. Nobody in the top 10 conceded more goals than the Partenopei last season, with their defensive deficiencies completely undermining their Champions League aspirations. Maurizio Sarri looks a canny choice as coach, though, with the former Empoli boss shunning the methods of predecessor Rafael Benitez by putting players in their preferred positions, much to the delight of captain Marek Hamsik: "Why did I find it difficult with Benitez? Last year I played nearly always with my back to the goal." Whether Napoli have what it takes to challenge for the title remains to be seen but, after holding onto star striker Gonzola Higuain, they should certainly once again entertain. The same can definitely be said of Fiorentina, with new coach Paulo Sousa not only intent on implementing his adventurous attacking principles at the Stadio Artemio Franchi but also putting his faith in the exciting Khouma Babacar and Federico Bernardeschi. Lazio should also provide plenty of excitement, with the precociously talented Keita Balde Diao set for an extended run in the starting line-up alongside Felipe Anderson, the breakout star of last season. Indeed, Serie A looks extremely well placed to maintain its position as the highest-scoring of Europe's top five leagues. Serious problems remain, of course - most notably off the field - but the return of any league that guarantees goals is always reason for excitement.

Juve reject Chelsea Pogba advances http://www.football-italia.net/71407/juve-reject-chelsea-pogba-advances? Aug 21, 2015 Juventus continue to slam the door on Chelsea despite an increased offer in the region of €100m. According to The Sun newspaper, Jose Mourinho’s side agreed terms for a transfer fee worth £69m (€95m). Sky Sport Italia confirm an offer, but insist Juventus will refuse to part with the 22-year-old midfielder this season. The club gave Pogba their iconic Number 10 jersey and, after parting with Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, will build their team around the Frenchman. Barcelona had previously been considered the hot favourites to tempt Pogba away, but their attempts were also rebuffed. After Manchester City spent big on Raheem Sterling, Chelsea suddenly stepped up their interest in the former Manchester United man. However, Juve have no financial problems and no intention of selling Pogba this summer.

Juventus out to remind Serie A that they're still the team to beat in Italy http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2574338/juventus-out-to-remind-serie-a-theyre-still-the-team-to-beat? Aug 21, 2015 The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. Serie A is back and Juventus play their first match of the season, a home game against Udinese, on Sunday. With so many great leaders departed and as many interesting faces arriving, one large question hangs over the state of this Juve side: are they strong enough to win the league for the fifth consecutive season? Indeed they are. When compared to the competition and the sides that are best equipped to offer a real challenge, the Bianconeri still seem to be the most well-balanced side in Serie A. While management continues to search for the coveted playmaker to complete an exciting and young attack, the midfield has enough to offer security and imagination going forward. The defence is still as strong as ever and well reinforced with youngster Daniele Rugani and now the fabulous capture of Alex Sandro, a full-back with an incredible appetite to prove critics wrong. Many have been left somewhat shocked at the amount the Old Lady has shelled out (€26 million) for the defender who in December 2011 was noted as the worst signing in the league by Portugal's Mais Futebol. A youngster who struggled with injuries in the early part of his career with Porto, the Brazilian has gone from strength to strength to be the undisputed left-back of choice for the Portuguese giants -- a player Dunga says reminds him of Roberto Carlos. An explosive player with mouth-watering pace, Sandro is the typical Brazilian full-back who contributes so much to the attack but is still defensively responsible. His technical skills are to be admired. His dribbling, ability to take on players in one-v-one situations coupled with his power and wonderful crossing make him a great asset. Juventus will offer him the chance to further develop, honing his skills and teaching him the importance of tactical versatility and discipline. With a team that may well look narrow on occasion due to how manager Massimiliano Allegri wishes to play the game, Sandro will ensure there will be some width, power and speed for opponents to contend with. Sadly, fans will not be able to enjoy his strengths just yet with Patrice Evra looking likely to start the match on Sunday. With several players missing in action due to injury, it seems as though Allegri will opt for a 3-5-2 formation as he seeks the Bianconeri's first win of the season. With all eyes on the Old Lady, fans and critics alike expect a win. After all, Juventus lead all other clubs in Italy when it comes to securing success on the first day of the season, having registered more wins and more goals than any other side. In the last 31 first-round games, Juve have only lost once, in 2010 against Bari, and they'll be hoping to continue that trend. Udinese were once a formidable opponent, but since the departure of coach Francesco Guidolin, they have experienced a slight shift in fortune that new boss Stefano Colantuono hopes to change. The Friuli side have not beaten the Old Lady in the league since 2011 and odds are they'll suffer again when they travel to Turin, regardless of the many absences the Bianconeri are dealing with. While they have reinforced the attack, an area that created many problems last season due to their inability to finish off their chances, they have lost quality in midfield when they sold Allan to Napoli. A midtable position is what many opine Udinese will manage this season. As such and in line with what Beppe Marotta has said, injuries are no excuse, and Juventus must achieve the wins. Thankfully, it seems Giorgio Chiellini will start the match having recovered from his injury while Mario Mandzukic should lead the line, even if he came off limping in the traditional friendly against the B-team in Villar Perosa training ground. A win is crucial if Juventus want to remind all others that they are still the team to beat in Italy.

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Preview: Juventus vs. Udinese http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/preview/preview-juventus-vs-udinese_240816.html? Aug 21, 2015 Juventus play host to Udinese on Sunday evening as they begin their quest to win a fifth successive Serie A crown. As far as Udinese are concerned, a trip to Turin is not the start that they craved, but new boss Stefano Colantuono may welcome the chance to learn more about his new squad against the best team in Italy. Juventus After they claimed the Serie A title by 17 points last year, Juventus are favourites to make it five league crowns in a row, but the Italian giants will have to go through a transitional period during the opening months of the season. While much of their uncompromising defence remains, the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez have all departed the club, leaving huge shoes needing to be filled, but while they have been replaced, it may take time for the new arrivals to adapt to Italian football and playing for such an illustrious club. Paulo Dybala and Simone Zaza are no strangers to the rigours of the division, but Mario Mandzukic, Alex Sandro and, when fit, Sami Khedira may require a settling-in period to fully justify their place in the team. That said, they are all established names in European football and will be aware of the job that awaits them. First and foremost, Juventus will be focused on their own performances, but for the first time in a couple of years, they could face competition from both the Milan clubs, as well as recent rivals Roma. They are not expected to canter to the title as they have previously done, and it is important for them to get their campaign off to a positive start. Transfer speculation still remains about star man Paul Pogba, but with or without the impressive French international, the Turin giants need to produce a performance that informs their nearest challengers that they can continue to be the most feared side in the country, even if it is without Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez. Recent form (all competitions): W Udinese Udinese ended the 2012-13 campaign in fifth place and looking to continue to challenge near the top of the standings, but since that moment, they have spent much of the last two years as nothing more than a mid-table outfit, something which resulted in a change in manager in the summer. After the club finished just seven points above the relegation zone, Andrea Stramaccioni was soon sacked as the club's boss and replaced by Colantuono, who had spent the previous five years at Atalanta. It was not the most inspired appointment that could have been made, but the 52-year-old has been brought in to bring stability to a club who need to be back challenging for a European place. Pre-season did not go exactly according to plan, with defeats coming against both Bastia and Granada, but they at least recorded a 3-1 victory over Novarra in the opening round of the Coppa Italia last weekend. Each of the club's five new signings were handed their debut during that game, and with former Roma man Marquinho having followed to Stadio Friuli, optimism is high that the recruits can help ensure that they can look forward rather than back, although they could have their backs against the wall for much of the 90 minutes at the Juventus Stadium. Recent form (all competitions): W Team News Dybala could be drafted into the starting lineup to partner Mandzukic after coming off the bench to score in the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio two weeks ago. New signing Alex Sandro may have to wait to make his first start for the club after signing from Porto, while Giorgio Chiellini and Sami Khedira are absentees through injury. The trio of Ali Adnan, Edenilson and Ivan Piris are all expected to make their league debuts for Udinese after featuring in the Coppa Italia last week. Fellow new arrival Manuel Iturra came off the bench during that game and could also start against The Old Lady, while Coluntuono must decide whether to use Duvan Zapata and Marquinho from the opening whistle. Juventus possible starting lineup: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres, Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Padoin, Sturaro, Evra, Mandzukic, Dybala Udinese possible starting lineup: Karnezis, Danilo, Heurtaux, Edenilson, Piris, Ali Adnan, Agyemang-Badu, Guilherme, Bruno Fernandes, Di Natale, Thereau Head To Head Since their first fixture in 1994, the two clubs have met on 40 occasions, with Juventus winning 27 times compared to just the seven victories recorded by Udinese. Unsurprisingly, given their recent dominance in Italy, Juventus are unbeaten in recent fixtures between the two teams, with their current streak reaching eight matches. However, it has only been four years since Udinese scored an away win over the Bianconeri, with Alexis Sanchez scoring in the closing stages to earn his team the three points. We say: Juventus 2-0 Udinese After going through the entire 2014-15 campaign without losing at home in the league, it is unrealistic to back against the defending champions beginning this season on a similar note. It has been a summer of change in Turin, but it would come as a surprise if they deliver anything other than a professional performance. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Zapata: 'Juve difficult, but...' http://www.football-italia.net/71369/zapata-juve-difficult? Aug 21, 2015 Duvan Zapata admits Juventus are a 'difficult' opponent but doesn't rule out 'taking home points' for Udinese. The striker joined the Zebrette on loan from Napoli this summer, and will be up against defending champions Juventus in his very first game. “This first game is going to be difficult, but if we do things properly we can take home points,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “We have to take to the pitch with the right mentality, doing everything that the Coach taught us in training so that we can win. “With Antonio Di Natale and the other strikers we can do great things, it's important that everyone contributes to bring about the goals and the movements requested by the Coach. “Stopping Juventus to make a present to the Napoli supporters? Let's hope so!” http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

JUVENTUS - UDINESE - Sunday, August 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Juventus V Udinese – Preview: Reigning Serie A Champions Looking For Bright Start http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/juventus-v-udinese-preview-reigning-serie-a-champions-looking-for-bright-start/? Aug 21, 2015 Serie A title holders Juventus will host Udinese on Sunday evening at the Juventus Stadium in an exciting season opener for the two sides. The reigning Serie A champions have won the title for the last four years , and have set the gold standard for Italian teams, even facing Spanish giants Barcelona at the 2015 Champions League final. Juventus have shaken up their squad a bit, with notable departures in Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez, and Arturo Vidal. Despite the exit of some of the club’s established stars, the Bianconeri have managed to introduce the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza, and Sami Khedira to the club, just to name a few. Meanwhile, Udinese are rather struggling to stay afloat, signified by their poor 16th place finish last season. The Zebrette have traditionally been a mid-table team, and will start their season with renewed determination to do well, especially with the memories of a fantastic 3rd place finish not long ago in the 2011-12 season. However, compounding their problems are the high-profile departures of Allan and Luis Muriel. The team are expected to rely heavily on talismanic veteran and captain Antonio Di Natale, who scored 14 goals last season, elevating his total to an astonishing 206 in Serie A. Despite his 37-year-old body, Di Natale looks hungrier than ever, and recently expressed his intentions in surpassing both Jose Altafini and Giuseppe Meazza to become the fourth highest scorer in the history of the Italian top flight. Udinese have also managed to snatch Duvan Zapata on loan from Napoli to aid their captain in the front line. History suggests Juventus will come away victors, with the Turin club notching over two-thirds of victories in matches between the two sides. However, it is worthy to mention that the last meeting between the two sides, back in January this year, ended in a goalless draw. Juventus will have to do without young forward Alvaro Morata, who is out for a month due to a calf tear. Additionally, they will have to cope with injuries to Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Giorgio Cheillini and Kwadwo Asamoah. Udinese, on the other hand, have the blessing of a full squad to choose from. Expected Starting XIs Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Barzagli; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pereyra, Padoin, Sturaro; Mandzukic, Dybala Udinese: Karnezis; Wague, Danilo, Piris; Widmer, Badu, Pinzi, Guilherme, Fernandes; Zapata, Di Natale http://www.goal.com/en-gb/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=SP_TN_127

How Many Years Does Gianluigi Buffon Have Left at the Top Level? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2550459-how-many-years-does-juventus-gianluigi-buffon-have-left-at-the-top-level? Aug 21, 2015 His is a transfer record that remains unbroken, and for many that is a fitting accolade for one of the modern legends of the game. Gianluigi Buffon is still the most expensive goalkeeper in world football history following his £32.6 million move from Parma to Juventus back in 2001. It’s a huge sum of money now but, adjusted for inflation, it was massive back then. And for the 14 years Buffon has been the planet’s costliest ‘keeper, there would be many who’d claim that he’s been the best, too, but just how much longer does he have to go at the top level for both club and country? Now in his 38th year, Buffon has just had a season when he appeared 47 times for Juventus, more than in all but three of his previous 14 campaigns with the club. He also added to his astonishing total of 148 caps for Italy, a tally which makes him the player to have represented the Azzurri more times than anyone else. Not a bad accolade at all. And so given that we all know goalkeepers have a tendency to outlast outfield players when it comes to the longevity of their careers, what is stopping Buffon from going on to play for a few more years yet? According to a report by Reuters' Brian Homewood on the Daily Mail in April, he has no plans to retire in the near future, saying: A player stops when he feels that he is no longer what he was before on the pitch. Looking at it objectively, that is not my case. I will continue to keep playing as long as I am doing well, otherwise it would be a waste. Why bid farewell to football if you are playing well? Why indeed, and if, as Buffon asks us to, we do look at his case objectively, then there is even more reason for the veteran to stick around. He’s just featured in 33 of Juventus’ 38 league games in 2014/15, with the club’s concession of just 24 goals going a long way toward securing a fourth-straight Scudetto. Indeed, that figure of 24 goals is joined by 23, 24 and 20 in those other three Serie A-winning seasons, with Buffon appearing in 133 of the 152 matches Juve played over those four campaigns—87.5 percent of them. Of course the art of not conceding goals isn’t just down to the goalkeeper, but these are mightily impressive figures and—when you factor in Juve’s run to the Champions League final last season—would be celebrated whatever the age of the man between the sticks. Consider too that plenty of other world-class goalkeepers have kept active beyond the age of 40. Ex-Juve stopper Edwin van der Sar—who left for Fulham when Buffon was signed in 2001—won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final with Manchester United just months before his 41st birthday in 2011, whilst the legendary Dino Zoff lifted the World Cup for Italy at 40 and played for Juventus until he was 41. Could Buffon do that? Absolutely. The 2006 World Cup winner will be eyeing success with Italy at the European Championships in France next summer, but he’ll also feel as though he has a great opportunity to add a few more Serie A titles to his name given Juve’s status as undoubtedly the best team in Italy right now. June’s defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final in Berlin would have been a cruel one for Buffon to take, as he has still never won that competition following a previous final defeat in 2003, and that motivation will also still be uppermost in his mind as he goes into a new European season. He’s certainly showing no signs of slowing down, though, and quite frankly nor should he. It is conceivable that Buffon could play for at least three more seasons for both Juventus and Italy, and those two teams will doubtless be delighted if he does so.

Del Piero: Juventus have been brave this summer The former Bianconeri No.10 has applauded Massimiliano Allegri for the personnel changes that the coach has made since the end of 2014-15. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/21/14619672/-? Aug 21, 2015 Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has hailed the "brave" transfer changes made at the Scudetto holders this summer. Key trio Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal have been sold to Boca Juniors, New York City and Bayern Munich respectively as last season's Champions League runners-up revamped their squad. Juve signed promising attacker Paulo Dybala for €32 million from Palermo at the climax of 2014-15, while strikers Simone Zaza and Mario Mandzukic have been signed for a cumulative total of €37m. On Thursday, Porto star Alex Sandro became the latest high-profile signing for Massimiliano Allegri's men, who forked out an estimated €26m for the left-back. Del Piero, who was part of the Bianconeri squad that won the first of their current four-in-a-row Serie A titles in 2011-12, thinks his former club deserve credit for their purchases. "I'd call Juve's changes brave," he told La Stampa. "Their team have changed so much, but with careful tinkering and rigour. "It may take a bit of time to replace the core team of recent years, but Allegri has clear ideas and the alterations will pay off in the future. "I think it's great that Juve have reinforced with intelligent, targeted purchases. Everyone they've bought is useful, there's no wasted money of players brought in for the bench." Allegri enjoyed an almost-perfect first season at the Turin club, winning Serie A and Coppa Italia in addition to taking Juve to the Champions League final for the first time since 2002-03.

'Milan & Inter? Juventus will win Serie A again' Former Bianconeri No.1 Stefano Tacconi says that while the champions' new signings will need time to settle, Massimiliano Allegri's men remain the team to beat in Italy. http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4655/exclusives/2015/08/21/14621202/-? Aug 21, 2015 Former Juventus goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi believes that while AC Milan, Inter and Roma have strengthened significantly during the summer, the Bianconeri will win the Serie A title again this season. The Old Lady claimed a fourth successive Scudetto last May, with their subsequent Coppa Italia triumph merely emphasising the scale of their domestic dominance. Juve's remarkable run to the Champions League final, which featured a shock semi-final win over Real Madrid, appeared to underline the Bianconeri's return to the top table of European football. However, the summer departures of top scorer Carlos Tevez, peerless playmaker Andrea Pirlo, and midfield dynamo Arturo Vidal have sparked fears that the Old Lady's meeting with Barcelona in Berlin was an anomaly rather than evidence of a renaissance. Juve, though, have dealt with the losses impressively, bringing in the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Simone Zaza during a busy summer of comings and goings in Turin. Consequently, while Tacconi believes that Juve will still prove too strong for their Serie A rivals, they may struggle to replicate their Champions League success. "Juve are in a period of reconstruction after losing a lot of talent and experience," the ex-Italy international told Goal at the 'Football Heroes' exhibition in Rimini. "They have bought well but the new players will need time. "Juve just need to keep growing. And, with [sporting director Giuseppe] Marotta working well in the market, they're building for the future. "They're still the strongest team in Italy. I think they'll win Serie A again but the other teams have strengthened this summer." Indeed, there have been several notable arrivals at San Siro during the close-season, with Milan splashing on €83 million on Carlos Bacca, Alessio Romagnoli, Andrea Bertolacci and Luiz Adriano alone, while city rivals Inter have added Geoffrey Kondogbia, Stevan Jovetic, Miranda and Jeison Murillo to their ranks at a combined cost of €60m. In addition, Roma, last season's runners-up, have bolstered their attack with Edin Dzeko, Mohamed Salah and Iago Falque, with further reinforcements expected in defence before the close of the transfer window. Tacconi has been impressed by the quality of the new additions across the peninsula but still feels that the most decisive moves are always made on the bench. "It's not about the players," the 58-year-old argued. "It's about the coaches. "Garcia at Roma, who knows how it will go this season? Last season didn't go well for him. "Mancini is already under pressure at Inter. He has found more difficulties than he thought. "And now Mihajlovic is at AC Milan. He did well at Sampdoria but Milan is different. "Napoli also have a new and interesting coach in [Maurizio] Sarri and it's the same at Fiorentina, with Paolo Sousa. So, we'll see. But Juve are still the strongest team in the league." Tacconi, of course, played for Juve during a golden era for Italian football, winning every major club honour available to him during his eight-year association with the Old Lady. Serie A is no longer the richest league in world football, with the majority of the game's top players now flocking to England and Spain in search of fortune and fame. Tacconi is disappointed by the way in which Italian football has fallen from grace and feels that Juve are showing the way forward, particularly in terms of stadium ownership, it will be some time before more of the country's top clubs reclaim their place among Europe's elite. "Look around," Tacconi added, alluding the famous jerseys surrounding him. "This is the story of Italian football: players like Platini, Maradona, Zico, Van Basten. "It's different today. There are not the same stars. There is not the same money. Juventus did very well last season but nobody expected that. Nobody said that they would go far in Europe. "So, while Juve are an example for the other Italian teams, it will take time for Italy to get back to the top in Europe."

What to expect from Juventus in 2015-16 After a summer shake-up of Massimiliano Allegri's squad, can the Bianconeri maintain their domestic dominance while at the same time pushing on in Europe? http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4659/editorials/2015/08/21/14619332/-? Aug 21, 2015 Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo - how heavily will departures of this quality weigh upon Juventus' bid for a fifth successive Scudetto? We'll find out very soon. Of course, in the first true test of their season, the Bianconeri passed with flying colours, sweeping Lazio aside in the Supercoppa Italiana to rack up the third trophy of coach Massimiliano Allegri's tenure, and the eighth of the Andrea Agnelli's presidency. However, claiming another Serie A title will prove a far sterner examination of the Old Lady's credentials. Furthermore, replicating last season's run to the final of the Champions League final will not be at all easy, particularly in light of the greater financial might of Europe's top clubs and a summer of wholesale changes in Turin. While it would be wrong to talk of a revolution at Juve, the Old Lady has certainly been rejuvenated, reinvigorated by the arrival of several fresh faces. Director general Beppe Marotta and sporting director Fabio Paratici wanted, for several reasons, to shake up the squad. The experienced core remains well represented by Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio and Leonardo Bonucci but there have been notable departures, including Simone Pepe and Marco Storari. Unlike Vidal, Pirlo or Tevez, neither Pepe nor Storari were particularly important on the pitch but they were influential presences off it, in the dressing room. There's also been a subtle but significant tactical and strategic shift, with Juve having now decided to fully embrace 'Allegri 2.0', which essentially means a less physical and more technical approach. The former Milan boss wants a flexible team, one capable of changing formation depending upon characteristics of the opposition. Indeed, while 4-3-1-2 is the preferred system, 3-5-2 remains a vital alternative, as evidenced by its deployment in the Supercoppa against Lazio. Once again, Allegri's insistence on tactical fluidity yielded a positive result. Consequently, there is now total faith in the coach and his project. This summer, then, was about acquiring players that are not only versatile but young and hungry; new additions to maintain Juve's drive for further trophies; to ensure that the Bianconeri's training sessions are as competitive as their matches. Juve want to not only strengthen their stranglehold on Serie A but also solidify their standing on the European stage. Achieving the latter will be far from straightforward, of course, but the Bianconeri proved last season that they are once again capable of rising to the big occasion. In addition, they have made several quality signings to replace those who have departed - Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira are proven world-class talents, while Paulo Dybala is player of enormous potential - but, in the short-term, Juve's fate will depend upon Paul Pogba. Having stayed in Turin despite interest from England and Spain's finest, Pogba has been handed the prestigious No.10 jersey and is no longer a member of the supporting cast - he is now Juve's leading man. The Bianconeri are hoping to start a new cycle of success and Pogba is the key cog in the wheel. Much will depend on Allegri, though. After the initial scepticism that greeted his appointment as Antonio Conte's successor, the former AC Milan boss didn't just keep Juve on track domestically last season, he drove them all the way to Berlin. It will now be fascinating to see where he takes them next.

OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: Juventus sign left back Alex Sandro from Porto http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/20/9170303/official-juventus-sign-alex-sandro-from-porto-serie-a-transfers-2015 Aug 20, 2015 From afar, it looked as though Juventus didn't even have a chance to sign Porto at this point a week or so ago. There were other names that were being thrown about, with the only opportunity to see the 24-year-old Brazilian left back in a Juventus jersey coming in something that was played virtually, not in actual reality. Well, maybe we should re-think all of that now. Here's the most interesting part of it all. Alex Sandro is no longer "Porto left back Alex Sandro." Nah, Alex Sandro is now "Juventus left back Alex Sandro." Feels good, man, feels good. The official word on Juve's latest summer transfer, courtesy of the club's official website: Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the agreement with Futebol Clube Do Porto SAD for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Alex Sandro Lobo Silva has been finalised. The consideration for the acquisition is € 26 million payable in 3 financial years. Juventus and the player have signed a 5-year contract of employment. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen OFFICIAL: Alex Sandro completes a switch from Porto, penning a five-year contract Beppe Marotta saw an opportunity with Sandro reportedly turning down a contract extension at Porto and pounced on this new development like a damn dog with its favorite toy. And just like said pooch and dog toy, Marotta got exactly what he wanted when he initiated talks with Porto — a new left back that has the chance to be in Turin a long, long time. At 24, Sandro is the latest young and talented signing to join Juventus in the current transfer window. And, for that matter, just think about all the moves Marotta and Juventus have made where they've spent good money on high-quality — as well as young players — just over the last 12 or 14 months There's the major one in Paulo Dybala this summer that could push €40 million. There's Álvaro Morata last summer. Add in bringing Daniele Rugani back after buying his contract in full, signing Stefano Sturaro and Simone Zaza the last two summers and you've got a young nucleus that's only getting bigger and bigger. And, according to Marotta himself, there's likely more on the way. But back to Sandro. At the age of 24, he is now Juventus' long-term solution to a position that hasn't had a long-term solution in quite some time. There is a lot of money being paid to bring him to Turin. And it's definitely more than what was reported a few days ago in the Italian media. It's a hefty investment, but one that is needed to bring in a player like Sandro. So, welcome, Alex Sandro. May all those qifs and YouTube highlights we're seeing from your Porto days become all the more plentiful now that you're set to make your Juve debut in the very near future.