Socrates

Mandzukic: 'Juve, forget Tevez!' http://www.football-italia.net/70729/mandzukic-juve-forget-tevez? Aug 8, 2015 Mario Mandzukic shrugs off the pressure of replacing Carlos Tevez and reveals how much he wanted to join Juventus. He’s expected to start the Italian Super Cup against Lazio, which kicks off today at 13.00 UK time (12.00 GMT) in Shanghai. “Do I feel pressure at replacing Tevez? Not at all,” the Croatia international told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “I am accustomed to it, as at Bayern Munich there was huge competition between strikers. I am Mandzukic and I believe in myself. Let me play, I am sure that I’ll have a great season. “There has always been reciprocal respect with Juventus. We’d had contact for a while and I am not surprised at being here. I wanted this move.” Mandzukic is still settling in to Italian football and teammate Stephan Lichtsteiner is helping him with the language barrier. “Italian training is tough, but you have to work hard in order to be well prepared. You must win over physical and mental fatigue, then you’ll reap the benefits. “I am used to worse than this, as I worked with Felix Magath at Wolfsburg. Ask Andrea Barzagli, he was there with me… “I like Massimiliano Allegri, as he talks to the players and you can tell he’s an excellent Coach. I will achieve great things here.” The Super Cup is Mandzukic’s first major test in a Bianconeri jersey, facing Lazio veteran Miroslav Klose. “Klose is one of the greats, both on the field and off it. For years he has been one of the most fearsome strikers in Europe. “I’m not that familiar with Italian teams, so I don’t know what to expect against Lazio. It will also depend on their preparations, the turf and the heat in China. “The important thing is to win, something Juve do well. And I believe in Juve.”

Marotta: 'Juve fear Milan and Inter' http://www.football-italia.net/70724/marotta-juve-fear-milan-and-inter? Aug 8, 2015 Beppe Marotta confirms Juventus “rejected offers above €80m for Paul Pogba” and snubs Edin Dzeko. “Milan and Inter are Scudetto favourites.” The director spoke to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport ahead of today’s Italian Super Cup against Lazio, kicking off at 13.00 UK time (12.00 GMT) in Shanghai. The Bianconeri have been looking for a trequartista, a player who traditionally wears the Number 10 jersey, but surprisingly handed that shirt to Paul Pogba. “Pogba asked for the Number 10 shirt, remembering the big Juve players from when he was a child. We thought that yes, he does represent the unique aura of that jersey. “Modern football has revamped the concept of a 10. We are still missing a midfielder who can cover various positions and it’s a small group to choose from, as few are Juve quality. “We have three weeks and the Super Cup to get the first responses of this season, then we’ll see. Max Allegri is a modern and versatile Coach, so if there is a new arrival, he will adapt his tactics to their characteristics.” After three consecutive Scudetti, Juve released Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal. “We are optimistic for this season, but the truth is we changed three players and must cover that gap with renewed motivation,” continued Marotta. “Juve also realised an era was coming to an end and brought down the average age of the squad. Paulo Dybala, Simone Zaza, Daniele Rugani, Stefano Sturaro and Roberto Pereyra bode well. If the results arrive, we’ll be a long-term squad already built. “Those who left made personal decisions. Tevez made a lifestyle choice, it was a unique opportunity for Pirlo and also Vidal. The Chilean was happy with us, but could enjoy a new experience with a four-year contract. “We are not a club who can afford €70m buys, but I say with pride that we refused offers above €80m for Pogba. We only sell those who want to leave.” Inter and Milan have spent big on the transfer market this summer, while they also don’t have to worry about European competition, so are they the main contenders? “I was surprised, especially at a time like this. It’s good to invest, though what happens on the field is decisive. Milan and Inter are favourites for the Scudetto because they have invested and have a superior winning mentality compared to the other rivals.” Roma have bought Mohamed Salah and Dzeko, but Marotta is not concerned. “We had thought about Dzeko years ago, while Salah was never an objective. We all think Juve are strong and are just missing a midfielder. I won’t name names, though.” Marotta was asked whether those included Ilkay Gundogan and Palermo’s Franco Vazquez. “Gundogan has international pedigree, but Vazquez has everything to prove, as so far he’s only played for a provincial club.”

Evra: 'Pogba, grow up!' http://www.football-italia.net/70719/evra-pogba-grow? Aug 8, 2015 Patrice Evra warned Paul Pogba is “not a youngster anymore and has to provide the breakthrough” for Juventus. Both are expected to start in the Italian Super Cup against Lazio today, which kicks off at 13.00 UK time (12.00 GMT) in Shanghai. “The more experienced members of the squad cannot hide. If anything, we must show that we have the same hunger and enthusiasm as always,” Evra told Rai Sport. “The younger players must understand that Juve want to win, always.” While he was treated as a prodigy until now, Pogba was given the Number 10 jersey and needs to step up. “Pogba wants to be decisive and I told him that he’s not a youngster anymore and has already been at Juve for four years. He has to provide the breakthrough during difficult games.” Evra already knew Pogba from Manchester United and the France squad, so the 22-year-old affectionately refers to him as ‘Uncle Pat.’

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Super Cup: Juve change tactics? http://www.football-italia.net/70718/super-cup-juve-change-tactics? Aug 8, 2015 The Italian Super Cup kicks off today at 13.00 UK time (12.00 GMT) in Shanghai, so we predict the Juventus and Lazio line-ups. This trophy is traditionally between the Scudetto winners and Coppa Italia holders, opening the new campaign. As Juve won both tournaments last season, Lazio are included as beaten Coppa Finalists. The Bianconeri are without Alvaro Morata, Giorgio Chiellini and Sami Khedira, but Andrea Barzagli has made a remarkably quick recovery from his thigh strain and could even start. Paul Pogba will wear the new Number 10 jersey for the first time, while new signings Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic should start together. Coach Max Allegri is considering a few surprises, as he could go back to the old 3-5-2 system or use a 4-4-2 with Simone Padoin wide left. Lazio have lost four consecutive friendlies leading up to this game and must also prepare for the Champions League play-off against Bayer Leverkusen on August 18. Senad Lulic and Marco Parolo are suspended following Coppa Italia cards, but the treatment table is empty at last. Veteran hitman Miroslav Klose is expected to lead the trident attack with Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson. There’s the possibility summer buys Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Ricardo Kishna could get their Aquile debuts, while Ravel Morrison and Keita Balde-Diao have been very impressive in pre-season. The referee will be Luca Banti of Livorno. Probable line-ups Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra; Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba, Padoin; Dybala, Mandzukic Juventus bench: Neto, Rubinho, Isla, Rugani, Padoin, Parodi, Tello, Vadala, Audero, Vitale, Pereyra, Coman, Llorente, Zaza Lazio (4-3-3): Marchetti; Basta, de Vrij, Gentiletti, Radu; Onazi, Biglia, Cataldi; Candreva, Klose, Felipe Anderson Lazio bench: Berisha, Guerrieri, Patric, Konko, Mauricio, Hoedt, Morrison, Milinkovic, Oikonomidis, Kishna, Djordjevic, Keita

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Italian Super Cup Preview: Juventus vs. Lazio — Let the games begin http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/7/9093817/juventus-vs-lazio-italian-super-cup-preview-and-team-news Aug 7, 2015 To say this Juventus team hasn't exactly impressed this preseason wouldn't be a stretch. Their three friendlies have been, well, uninspiring to say the least. But it's not like they can do anything about them now — especially with what is next up on the schedule. Juventus has made trips to Germany and Switzerland in weeks prior, but now the travel schedule has taken Max Allegri and the 2015-16 squad over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house in ... Shanghai? Yeah, yeah, Shanghai it is. And it's Shanghai Juve hope will be the trick as they look to take a trophy from Lazio for the second straight meeting between the two top-3 finishers. You see, the last time Juventus and Lazio played, there was a trophy on the line. This next time Juventus and Lazio play — which will be in less than 24 hours — there will be a trophy on the line. We're talking about two different trophies, sure, but they're still trophies. And last time I checked, winning trophies is a good thing and pretty much a way to evaluate just how successful a season was for a big-time club like Juventus is. Saturday night's result — good or completely bad — won't determine the fate of Juventus' upcoming season. But you know what would quell a lot of those fears about how Juventus are playing during their current preseason friendlies? A nice and shiny trophy for them to take back with them to Turin. You know, kinda like they did with the Coppa Italia — strap it into a seat next to somebody important on the team plane and the rest is pretty much self explanatory. Yes, Juve haven't played well, but that's okay. I'd rather Juventus struggle now when it's perfectly acceptable instead of, say. during the middle of the Champions League group stage when they need goals and points or when Serie A games truly matter. Maybe the Supercoppa is something that will make things click heading into the season. That would be okay, too. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen .@OfficialAllegri: "We've prepared well and will aim to clinch the #SuperCoppaTIM, our first target of the season." Let's just hope there's no typhoon. That would screw everything up. GOOD NEWS Juve's playing for another trophy. And trophies are cool, which is always good to remember. BAD NEWS Injuries are stupid. This is why: Giorgio Chiellini out with a thigh injury. Sami Khedira out two months with a hamstring injury. Álvaro Morata out a month with a calf injury. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. Which formation will Allegri go with? New season, same old decisions for Mad Max. Ah, how things kinda change, but not really change. (Okay, so things have changed at Juventus this season, you've got me there. There's no skating around that one.) But the internal debate within all our of minds will roll on until further notice. Does Allegri go with the 3-5-2 since Andrea Barzagli seems healthy enough to play? Or will Juventus' second-year manager go with his four-man backline, with a 4-3-1-2 likely to follow? I guess, like it was in the second half of last season, that it's dependent on how Barzagli truly does feel and if Allegri thinks he's up for a full 90 minutes worth of game time. At this point in time, is it smart to even risk Barzagli if he's not fully capable of playing a full game? Maybe the plan for Allegri is to do exactly what he did last season — start with a four-man defense and then use the 3-5-2 as the closer in the second half. Maybe. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen .@gianluigibuffon: "Playing with a back three or a back four doesn't matter. Other factors determine the final result, not the system." 2. Paul Pogba's first game wearing Juventus' No. 10 jersey. At the tender age of 22, Paul Pogba has taken on all the pressure and responsibility that comes with one of the most recognizable numbers in all of European football. And you thought you couldn't love the guy any more than you already do. Well, think again. There will be an even larger microscope on Pogba during the Supercoppa because of the number he has just taken. There's always going to be attention on Pogba because of who he is and what kind of magic he can deliver, but that's even more of the case now that he's Juve's No. 10. Wouldn't it be lovely if Pogba had one of those classic Pogba games on Saturday just as a sort of christening this new chapter in his Juventus career? I think it would be fitting of a player who has become so crucial to Juve's success the last couple of years. (And that's even before Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal decided to go elsewhere this summer.) 3. The Paulo Dybala-Mario Mandzukic partnership. With Morata missing out on game time action for the next four weeks, it's pretty much a lock that it's going to be Dybala and Mandzukic leading the line for Allegri. So any hopes that people had of seeing Morata-Mandzukic-Dybala unleashed against Lazio will just have to cool their jets until the middle of September in all likelihood. And while I'm looking forward to seeing Mandzukic grow into the Juventus system, Dybala and all of his talent top that easily. Maybe it's the fact that he's 21 years old and has plenty of room to grow as a player compared to Mandzukic, who is obviously the much more proven and certain commodity. So while we may have to wait to see what Dybala and Morata can do on the field together, at least we've got the other two pieces of Juve's big three available. And there's plenty of firepower there to do some things, too. 4. Juventus' fullbacks/wingbacks vs. Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson. No matter where or how they are deployed, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra will be busy for the simple fact of who they are going to be matched up against on Saturday. So much of Lazio's success comes when Candreva and Felipe Anderson are firing on all cylinders and causing complete havoc up and down the wings that it's impossible to ignore. It was pretty much the same kind of thing as when the two teams met in the Coppa Italia final back in late May. Pretty surprising that if you shut down two of a certain team's best players it will be easier to get the win, right? That's some gosh-darn impressive insight right there. My starting XI (4-3-1-2): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Bonucci, Evra; Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba; Pereyra; Mandzukic, Dybala

Rossi: Pogba Has A Lot To Do Before Being Compared To Platini http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/rossi-pogba-has-a-lot-to-do-before-being-compared-to-platini/? Aug 7, 2015 Paolo Rossi has commented on comparisons between Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Michel Platini, saying that there is a long way to go before such a comparison could truly be made. The two Frenchman have been heralded as being alike by some, including Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, but Italy legend Rossi has urged for a cautious approach before making strong statements. “It is a comparison that is too risky,” Rossi told Premium Sport. “I played with Platini and he really was a phenomenon, he had class and reasoned before others. “Pogba may get to do important things, he has proved that he is a great player, but before being matched with Platini he has to do a lot.” The 22-year-old recently claimed Juventus’ vacant number 10 shirt, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Bianconeri icons such as Alessandro Del Piero, after previous tenant Carlos Tevez moved to Boca Juniors.

Marotta: 'Inter are Juve's rivals' http://www.football-italia.net/70710/marotta-inter-are-juves-rivals? Aug 7, 2015 Director General Giuseppe Marotta reveals that Juventus are 'looking for a midfielder' and recognises Inter as 'absolutely a competitor for the Scudetto'. There is a frenzy of attention around Juventus as the kick-off for the Supercup final against Lazio is now less than 24 hours away. Captain Gianluigi Buffon said patience would be required to win the game, but Marotta sees the question of drive as more crucial. “Juventus have patience, sure, but the drive to win always expresses itself in the immediate future,” he said. “This is an official appointment and a trophy we care about. “So we necessarily have to win it, regardless of the fact that we may have changed some of our points of reference.” Marotta was then asked whether Juventus had already pretty much closed their mercato, or whether another step was being prepared. “We're looking for a midfielder. He doesn't necessarily have to be unique, but his profile must be of the right calibre to play with Juventus. “Gotze and Draxler? We probed for them, but we never got to the real negotiations. “Our rivals? I'm impressed with Inter. Considering their investments, they should absolutely be considered an authoritative competitor for the Scudetto.”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Typhoon threatens Lazio-Juve http://www.football-italia.net/70709/typhoon-threatens-lazio-juve? Aug 7, 2015 A typhoon could cause the Italian Supercup final between Lazio and Juventus to be deferred, but experts are optimistic. The Biancocelesti and the Bianconeri are due to face off tomorrow at 13:00, UK time, which will be in the evening hours in Shanghai, where the match is being played. But a typhoon named Soudelor could compromise the final, as reported initially by Lazionews.eu and later bounced on other Italian media sites. As the weather is expected to turn to heavy rain tomorrow, there are odds that Soudelor could hit Shanghai directly. Should that be the case the match would have to be deferred until December, though probably to take place in Doha, Qatar, rather than in China. Fortunately experts believe that won't be necessary. According to Diggita.it, the typhoon is believed to have already exhausted the better part of its strength, and may turn towards the south-east of China only on Sunday morning. By then Soudelor is expected to have lost most of its dangerous power.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Barzagli to start Supercoppa? http://www.football-italia.net/70704/barzagli-start-supercoppa? Aug 7, 2015 Andrea Barzagli looks set to start for Juventus in tomorrow’s Supercoppa Italiana, as Coach Max Allegri deploys a 3-5-2 shape. The Bianconeri will take on Coppa Italia runners-up Lazio in China tomorrow, in the first competitive match of the Italian season. The central defender had been an injury doubt in the build-up to the match, but has assured fans that he is fully recovered. Following today’s final training session in Shaghai, it appears Allegri will revert to a 3-5-2 system, with Barzagli playing alongside Leonardo Bonucci and Martin Caceres. At the other end of the field, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala are likely to play in attack, with Alvaro Morata ruled out with injury. Probable Juventus team to face Lazio: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Barzagli; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Marchisio, Sturaro; Mandzukic, Dybala

Juventus face toughest challenge Despite last year being one of their best seasons by far, there have been some high profile transfers leading up the season’s kick off later this month. http://www.football-italia.net/70703/juventus-face-toughest-challenge? Aug 7, 2015 Will Juventus be able to keep hold of the accolade of Serie A Champion, or will that honour go to Roma for the first time since 2001? Juventus have lost three particularly high profile players since they lifted the cup at the end of the last season. First and foremost, the Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal recently left Juventus for Bayern Munich. Vidal scored an impressive 35 goals for Juventus over his 124 appearances, helping him earn recognition as one of the best players in the world. Then we have Andrea Pirlo, another midfielder who has moved overseas. Unlike Vidal, Pirlo has moved to New York City FC to carry on his career in the States. While Pirlo only scored 16 goals for Juventus over his 4 years there, there is no denying his incredible qualities – especially considering he’s already 36. Finally we have Carlos Tevez, who has returned to his home country of Argentina to play for the Boca Juniors. Having scored 39 goals for Juventus over his 66 appearances, Tevez is a player whom fans of Juventus will surely miss. So who has stepped up to replace the superstars of Juventus when they kick off the season on August 23rd? Mario Mandžukić, formerly of Atlético Madrid has stepped forward, and while he has an impressive career so far, he isn’t quite of the same calibre as Carlos Tevez. Paulo Dybala, another striker, has left Palermo to join Juventus, and takes the number 21 shirt, which was previously worn by Pirlo – whether or not he can fill the attacking threat lost remains to be seen though. Dybala has an impressive track record so far, and this could be a season in which he truly shines. Finally we have Sami Khedira, the German midfielder. Khedira was part of the German team which won the FIFA World Cup in 2014 – just one of seven trophies he has held. While Sami Khedira looked like a truly promising member of the Juventus team, he has already been carried off the pitch with a tear in his right thigh, 25 minutes into a pre-season friendly against Marseille. That injury will leave Khedira stuck in the stands, watching the games instead of playing them until October at the very least. While there were many more transfers in and out of Juventus leading up to this Serie A season, these have been some the highest profile transfers the team has seen in a while. Nobody knows how Juventus will fare when they kick off against Udinese on August 23rd – just that they will have to fight for every point they earn this year.

Juventus unable to reach agreement with Sevilla for Llorente EXCLUSIVE: The Bianconeri want at least €12 million for the Spaniard, who has two years left on his lucrative contract, but the Rojiblancos are only offering half that figure. http://www.goal.com/en/news/596/exclusive/2015/08/07/14247272/-? Aug 7, 2015 By Romeo Agresti & Paco Rico Juventus have been frustrated in their attempts to agree a deal with Sevilla for the departure of striker Fernando Llorente. The Spain international joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao in 2013 and still has two years to run on his contract with the Old Lady. However, although Llorente formed a formidable partnership with Carlos Tevez during his first season in Turin, he lost his place in the starting line-up to Alvaro Morata last term. Although Tevez has departed for Boca Junions, Llorente has fallen further down the pecking order this summer, following the arrivals of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Simone Zaza. Consequently, Juve want to cash in on the 30-year-old attacker before the close of the transfer window on August 31. The Bianconeri have set the asking price at €15 million but would be willing to accept €12m for a player that they are keen to remove from their wage bill, given he is currently earning €4.5m after tax. Sevilla are interested in bringing Llorente back to Spain but the problem is the fee, with the Rojiblancos reluctant to pay more than €7m for the forward. The Liga outfit would also require the target man to reduce his wage demands to around €3m per annum in order to make the deal happen. As a result, the proposed transfer has reached an impasse, with Juve now hoping that other interested parties step forward for Llorente, who has already rejected advances from German and Turkish clubs.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Juventus vs. Lazio, Italian Super Cup: Team News & Preview http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2540423-juventus-vs-lazio-italian-super-cup-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info? Aug 7, 2015 The Supercoppa Italiana is the traditional Serie A curtain raiser, pitting the league champions against the Coppa Italia winners every season since 1988. That is slightly different this season, as Juventus lifted both trophies in 2014/15, meaning they will face Cup runners-up Lazio once again. As it has been on a number of occasions, this year’s edition will be held abroad, with Shanghai Stadium in China hosting the competition for the first time. The Bianconeri will be seeking a record seventh triumph, while their opponents have notched three wins, and the two have met in this competition twice before. Juventus won two years ago to avenge their defeat in 1998, and on each of the five occasions that a team has completed a domestic double, they have also gone on to lift the Supercoppa. Stefano Pioli’s men will hope to break that tradition, and they will do so having held on to all the players who impressed in the previous campaign. Chief among them are Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson, the duo having registered a combined 20 goals and 16 assists in 2014/15. Standing in their way is a new-look Juventus side—the Old Lady have lost Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, replacing them with the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala. They have suffered a raft of injuries during pre-season, however, with Giorgio Chiellini, Sami Khedira and Alvaro Morata all ruled out of this clash with a variety of knocks. Coach Massimiliano Allegri will still have a formidable group of players to choose from and will hope to start the new campaign on a positive note. Predicted Lineups Juventus (3-5-2): Gigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Martin Caceres; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Stefano Sturaro, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba, Patrice Evra; Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala Lazio (4-3-3): Federico Marchetti; Dusan Basta, Stefan de Vrij, Santiago Gentiletti, Stefan Radu; Danilo Cataldi, Lucas Biglia, Eddy Onazi; Antonio Candreva, Miroslav Klose, Felipe Anderson Player to Watch After the official Juventus website announced that Alvaro Morata would miss the next month with a torn calf muscle, the importance of Mario Mandzukic cannot be understated. The Croatian has proved that he can be relied upon to score regularly, netting a total of 68 goals across the last three seasons. He also lifted nine trophies across that same timeframe, enjoying incredible success with Bayern Munich before moving on to Atletico Madrid 12 months ago. Having fallen out of favour with Diego Simeone, the 29-year-old made a €19 million switch to Juventus and will hope to maintain his rich vein of form. “I hope to continue to score goals from inside the box,” Mandzukic told reporters at his inaugural press conference in Turin. “But I am aware that there’s more to football than just hitting the target, so I hope to offer an all-round contribution to the side.” Key Battle Having watched Felipe Anderson blossom into one of Serie A’s most devastating attacking forces last term, stopping him on Saturday evening will be central to Juve’s chances of victory. The Brazilian was sensational for the Stadio Olimpico side, weighing in with 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions as he terrorised defences across the peninsula. He was a major factor in the Biancocelesti securing their third-place finish and their Coppa Italia final berth, and the man tasked with marking him here will almost certainly be Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. He moved from Lazio four years ago, winning a league title every year in Turin and earning a reputation as one of the club’s most dependable performers. The defender was sent off in the club’s final friendly against Marseille last week, and he will need to be at his best if he is to slow down the Roman club’s flyer. Odds (via Odds Checker) Juventus win: 11-10 Lazio win: 3-1 Draw: 12-5

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Juventus-Lazio Betting: New-look Bianconeri to ensure a typically open Supercoppa Italiana With Massimiliano Allegri struggling to integrate a number of new faces in a short space of time, Al Hain-Cole expects his side to prove vulnerable against the Biancocelesti. http://www.goal.com/en/news/2994/betting/2015/08/07/14229642/betting-preview-juventus-lazio?ICID=TP_HN_3 Aug 7, 2015 Juventus and Lazio will raise the curtain on the new Italian season on Saturday, as they come face-to-face in Shanghai for the Supercoppa Italiana. Having finished 18 points clear of their opponents in last season’s Serie A as well as seeing them off in the Coppa Italia final, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are favourites with bet365 to come out on top in China. The Biancocelesti have only won one of the last 17 meetings between the sides, so are understandable outsiders to emerge victorious this time out. The sides needed penalties to separate them in May’s cup final after a deadlocked 90 minutes, and you can get odds of on them remaining all square following normal time yet again. While opponents will have grown sick of the sight of the Bianconeri last season after they swept aside all comers domestically and went painfully close to conquering Europe, a summer of upheaval means they will start the new season looking almost unrecognisable. High-profile departures such as Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal have made way for the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira, although injury means the latter will remain on the sidelines alongside fellow absentees Giorgio Chiellini and Alvaro Morata. What’s more, Allegri’s decision to start pre-season a full two weeks later than Saturday’s opposition means it should be no surprise should they struggle to find their previous rhythm straight away, particularly given their friendly results so far. While a late goal was required to see off Polish side Lechia Gdansk, last season’s double-winners have been beaten by both Borussia Dortmund and Marseille within the last fortnight. Fortunately for the champions, Stefano Pioli’s side have hardly been in intimidating form in recent friendly matches, losing to Serie B outfit Vicenza before conceding three in defeats to Anderlecht and Mainz respectively. With neither team looking too competitive, odds of look good on a typically open Supercoppa bearing over 2.5 goals for the eighth year in a row.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Barzagli: ‘Lazio very difficult’ http://www.football-italia.net/70692/barzagli-%E2%80%98lazio-very-difficult%E2%80%99? Aug 7, 2015 Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli warns Lazio will be ‘very difficult’ in the Supercoppa Italiana tomorrow. The showpiece event will take place in Shanghai tomorrow, with double winners Juve facing the Coppa Italia runners-up. “We have to try and make sure we’re ready,” Barzagli explained, speaking to the Bianconeri’s official YouTube channel. “We’ve been working together for two or three weeks now, I think it’s fair to say we’re ready. “Of course, there are bound to be difficulties along the way. I’m expecting it to be a very balanced encounter, because Lazio showed what they’re capable of last year. “It’s a one-off game, but it’s also the first real match of the season, so it’s hard to know what sort of form the two sides are in. “There’s no better way to start the season than with a win, but we’ll need to put every ounce of effort into it, and be at our very best. “It won’t be easy, in fact I’m sure it will be very difficult, and we’ll see who comes out on top.” Barzagli also discussed his injury scare, and assures he’s fully recovered in time for the match. “I’ve recovered now, luckily it was nothing serious, so I hope to be available for selection.”

Non sei Aldair ma ti sei iscritto ieri con il nick GersonCapitano2016/17 e oggi di nuovo con il tuo nick attuale. Se continui a reiscriverti farai la fine del suddetto Aldair. Bannato per la seconda volta.

Allegri: Juventus Won’t Have Easy Ride In Serie A http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/allegri-juventus-wont-have-easy-ride-in-serie-a/? Aug 7, 2015 Juventus coach Massimilliano Allegri has admitted that his side will have a tougher time in Serie A this season and is also expecting a close game against Lazio in Saturday’s Supercoppa Italiana clash. The Bianconeri are currently in Shanghai preparing for the traditional curtain raiser for the upcoming season and although Allegri is happy with the transfer business that has been undertaken this summer, he feels that it will be a tough year. “It [serie A] will not be easy because the league will be balanced, we will need patience and to remain calm,” Allegri told reporters at his pre-match press conference in Shanghai. “It will be a much more difficult year, we will have to deal with both the good and the bad. “The club have done a good job in bringing in young players. [Paulo] Dybala has excellent qualities as does [simone] Zaza and [Daniele] Rugani.” Turning his attentions to the upcoming Lazio tie, Allegri feels that the game will be decided by fine margins. “When you play in a final the margins are always tight, it was finely balanced in Rome for the Coppa Italia final and it will be still be finely balanced on Saturday. “I feel sorry that [Giorgio] Chiellini, [sami] Khedira and [Alvaro] Morata cannot play in the final, we remain calm [about their injuries] and await their recoveries. “We are well prepared and hope to achieve our first goal of the season.” He also discussed the decision to give Paul Pogba the famous number ten shirt. “Paul asked for the 10 and will have added responsibility because it is not easy to wear that number. “It is difficult because the greatest Juventus players have worn the 10.”

FINALE SUPERCOPPA ITALIANA - 8-8-2015 (ore 14:00) JUVENTUS - LAZIO - Sabato, 8 agosto 2015 - ore 14:00 Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Arbitro: Luca Banti Confronti ufficiali 168 - 2 (Supercoppa Italiana) Vittorie Juventus 83 - 1 (Supercoppa Italiana) Pareggi 43 - 0 (Supercoppa Italiana) Vittorie Lazio 42 - 1 (Supercoppa Italiana) Goals Juventus 290 - 5 (Supercoppa Italiana) Goals Lazio 191 - 2 (Supercoppa Italiana) Juventus - Lazio - Supercoppa Italiana - Campo neutro Confronti ufficiali 1 Vittorie Juventus 1 (Il 18.08.2013, 0-4) Pareggi 0 Vittorie Lazio 0 Goals Juventus 4 Goals Lazio 0 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro la Lazio in Supercoppa Italiana - Campo neutro 1 Asamoah Kwadwo 1 Barzagli Andrea 1 Bonucci Leonardo 1 Buffon Gianluigi 1 Caceres Josè Martin 1 Chiellini Giorgio 1 Lichtsteiner Stephan 1 Marchisio Claudio 1 Ogbonna Angelo Obinze 1 Pirlo Andrea 1 Chiellini Giorgio 1 Lichtsteiner Stephan 1 Pogba Paul Labile 1 Tevez Carlos Ultimi confronti diretti 17.11.2012 - Serie A - Juventus-Lazio 0-0 22.01.2013 - Coppa Italia - Juventus-Lazio 1-1 29.01.2013 - Coppa Italia - Lazio-Juventus 2-1 15.04.2013 - Serie A - Lazio-Juventus 0-2 18.08.2013 - Supercoppa Italiana - Lazio-Juventus 0-4 31.08.2013 - Serie A - Juventus-Lazio 4-1 25.01.2014 - Serie A - Lazio-Juventus 1-1 22.11.2014 - Serie A - Lazio-Juventus 0-3 18.04.2015 - Serie A - Juventus-Lazio 2-0 20.05.2015 - Coppa Italia - Juventus-Lazio 2-1 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 6 - Pareggi 3 - Vittorie Lazio 1 - Goals Juventus 20 - Goals Lazio 6

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Pirlo, Vidal & Tevez losses may cause Juventus problems - Buffon The goalkeeper fears the departures of three of the club's biggest names could see the Serie A champions struggle in the early months of the season. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/07/14232372/-? Aug 7, 2015 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon admits his team may have "some problems" after the departures of several big names in the close-season. Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal all left the Serie A and Coppa Italia champions this summer, while Sami Khedira has arrived from Real Madrid and Mario Mandzukic from Atletico as two of several additions. Speaking ahead of Saturday's Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio, goalkeeper and veteran Buffon said the season could be tricky for Juve. "We have changed at least half of our team's core structure through a process of renovation and rejuvenation," he said. "It is not an excuse for us but we cannot deny that we can have some problems because of this." Buffon believes Juve can still perform at a level similar to last season, when they claimed the league title by 17 points, though it may take time for new signings to adapt to the team. "Players who left were part of the football elite, they were considered giants in this sport for what they have achieved in the past 10 years," Buffon said. "They have shown it and also managed their career in the best way. "I do not think our process of technical renovation will create a big gap compared to last year. "We brought in very strong players within a long-term perspective. However, these players will have to get to know each other and this will take some time."

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Juventus - Lazio Preview: Marchetti hopes to exploit depleted champions in Supercoppa With Sami Khedira, Giorgio Chiellini and Alvaro Morata on the sidelines, the Old Lady face a tough test in the showpiece clash in China. http://www.goal.com/en/match/juventus-vs-lazio/2036710/preview Aug 6, 2015 Federico Marchetti is confident Lazio can take full advantage of Juventus' injuries and close-season departures to lift the Supercoppa Italiana in Shanghai on Saturday. Although Paulo Dybala, Simone Zaza and Mario Mandzukic are among a number of eye-catching signings, the Italian champions have seen several key men leave since the end of last season, while injuries are also wreaking havoc. Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez - all integral to last season's double and run to the Champions League final - have moved on, with Giorgio Chiellini, new signing Sami Khedira and Alvaro Morata missing through injury. With a month of pre-season training under his belt, compared to Juve's two weeks, Marchetti told Lazio Style Radio: "We're ready for this – it is not impossible to beat Juventus and we saw that in the Coppa Italia final. "We are playing against the best team in Italy, but we're strong and we have shown that. "In recent years they [Juve] have won four successive league titles, but this year they have lost important players, even if the rest [of the squad] has stayed the same. For us this can be an advantage." When the two sides were pitted against each other in May's Coppa Italia final, early goals from Stefan Radu and Chiellini saw the match taken to extra time, before Alessandro Matri proved decisive. Juve claimed their first Coppa title since the 1994-95 season and Lazio, who were hoping to lift the trophy for a seventh time, are now hoping for redemption as the Italian curtain-raiser returns to China for a fourth time. Juve's pre-season form is unlikely to send shivers down the spines of Lazio players either, having lost to Marseille and Borussia Dortmund either side of a slender 2-1 defeat of Lechia Gdansk, who finished eighth in Poland's Ekstraklasa last term. Massimiliano Allegri has received criticism for Juve's preparations for the new season, with training not beginning until July 20 and their first friendly coming just five days later, but the former Milan tactician is upbeat. "I'm sorry about the injuries too, but we are calm about the situation and we hope to have them available again soon," he said. "It was necessary to start work on July 20. We had guys that had only stopped playing in June. "The important thing is to play a good game, which could last 120 minutes. We're in good physical condition, though." While Juve have several absentees due to injury, Lazio should be virtually full strength, with Ravel Morrison, Stefan de Vrij and Radu all training despite recent knocks, though Filip Djordjevic (ankle) is a doubt. LAST FIVE MATCHES Juventus L W L L D 8/1/15 - Olympique de Marseille 2 - 0 Juventus 7/29/15 - KS Lechia Gdańsk 1 - 2 Juventus 7/25/15 - Borussia Dortmund 2 - 0 Juventus 6/6/15 - Juventus 1 - 3 Barcelona 5/30/15 - Hellas Verona 2 - 2 Juventus Lazio L L L W W 7/29/15 - Mainz 3 - 0 Lazio 7/19/15 - Anderlecht 3 - 1 Lazio 7/18/15 - Lazio 0 - 1 Vicenza Calcio 7/15/15 - Lazio 9 - 1 Top 11 CadoreT11 5/31/15 - Napoli 2 - 4 Lazio HEAD TO HEAD 5/20/15 - Juventus 2 - 1 Lazio 4/18/15 - Juventus 2 - 0 Lazio 11/22/14 - Lazio 0 - 3 Juventus 1/25/14 - Lazio 1 - 1 Juventus 8/31/13 - Juventus 4 - 1 Lazio

Juventus announce 2015-16 squad numbers http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/6/9113019/juventus-announce-2015-16-squad-numbers Aug 6, 2015 Not only does Juventus have a new No. 10 in midfielder and good guy Paul Pogba, but Thursday brought us the official announcement of everybody's number for the upcoming 2015-16 season. Many of these won't surprise. But there are a few changes from a few weeks ago when Juve did their run of introductory press conferences for their new summer signings. So, without further adieu, I present you with exactly what the headline says — Juventus' squad numbers: 1 - Gianluigi Buffon - GK 2 - Mauricio Isla - DEF 3 - Giorgio Chiellini - DEF 4 - Martin Cáceres - DEF 6 - Sami Khedira - MF 7 - Simone Zaza - FW 8 - Claudio Marchisio - MF 9 - Álvaro Morata - FW 10 - Paul Pogba - MF 11 - Kingsley Coman - FW 14 - Fernando Llorente - FW 15 - Andrea Barzagli - DEF 17 - Mario Mandzukic - FW 19 - Leonardo Bonucci - DEF 20 - Simone Padoin - MF 21 - Paulo Dybala - FW 22 - Kwadwo Asamoah - MF 24 - Daniele Rugani - DEF 25 - Neto - GK 26 - Stephan Lichtsteiner - DEF 27 - Stefano Sturaro - MF 33 - Patrice Evra - DEF 34 - Rubinho - GK 37 - Roberto Pereyra - MF 38 - Emil Audero - GK 40 - Mattia Vitale - MF 42 - Giulio Parodi - DEF 43 - Andres Tello - DEF/MF 45 - Guido Vadala - MF Without question, Pogba being issued the No. 10 jersey is the monster news of the day. You can read our original post about the news here, which was certainly quite unexpected considering there was no talk of Pogba being Juve's No. 10 whatsoever. Max Allegri said at a press conference on Thursday that Pogba asked to be the No. 10 "in order to have greater responsibility." You can't help but love Pogba's desire to embrace the pressure and the importance within the squad that comes with the number he's just been given. If anything, he's shown he can handle just about everything thrown his way mainly because he's such a badass. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen .@paulpogba: "It's an honour to wear the number 10 shirt after so many great Juventus players of the past." But the other number news of the day involves Sami Khedira switching his new number which just so happened to be his old number for a new number that just so happens to be another one of his old numbers. Everybody got that? When Khedira was originally presented as a Juventus player a few weeks back, he chose to wear No. 28, the number he wore at Stuttgart back in the day. That lasted all of about three weeks. Khedira will now wear the No. 6 jersey whenever he does return from his hamstring injury. That's the same number he wore with Real Madrid, the same number he's worn as a member of the German national team. With Pogba switching from 6 to 10, it was only natural for Khedira to go snatch up his old number when it became vacant. Other than that, it's not like there's a lot to see here. I did like the fact that the Juventus website included the youngsters in the announcement. Everybody needs a little Guido Vadalá in their life, right? Hell yeah.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti MATCH PREVIEW: JUVENTUS V LAZIO SUMMERSLAM MAIN EVENT http://www.juvefc.com/match-preview-juventus-v-lazio-summerslam-main-event/? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus Juventus officially opens the 2015/2016 squaring off against Lazio in Shanghai with the Supercoppa on the line. It’s a rematch from the Coppa Italia final, where Allegri’s side triumphed thanks to an extra-time goal by Alessandro Matri. Juventus have owned Lazio last season with three victories in three matches, but it’s clear that the roster is much different now after the departures of Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo and the subsequent arrivals of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira and Simone Zaza (and a couple more in the making). Obviously, Juventus will struggle a little bit at the beginning of the season: Tevez, Vidal and Pirlo were not only formidable players, but also the main reference points on the pitch. Juventus will have to look for new leaders, but ultimately things will be fine if the newcomers emerge as expected, because the talent is there. The Supercoppa is a first important test to understand where the squad is at in this transition from the old regime to the new one. The recent injuries leave Allegri with little choice: Juventus will be without Giorgio Chiellini, Sami Khedira and Alvaro Morata, while Andrea Barzagli have quickly recovered from a thigh strain and his availability is going to be a game-time decision. It is probably wise not to rush his comeback as Juventus have the men to make up for his absence and Supercoppa is not that important in the big scheme of things. Surely, it’s always nice to lift a trophy, but nobody will remember it in two months. Paulo Dybala suddenly becomes a lock to start upfront, alongside Mario Mandzukic, and Daniele Rugani has a solid chance to be in the XI too. On paper, Dybala-Mandzukic is a couple that should work wonders as it combines the unpredictability, the pace and the playmaking ability of the former Palermo ace with the strong presence in the box and the work rate of the Croatian centre-forward. As always, Allegri can go in two directions: 4-3-1-2 or 3-5-2. In the first one, Roberto Pereyra would play in the hole, Stefano Sturaro in the midfield. The downside is that there would be only one more midfielder available on the bench, Simone Padoin. With the second option, the doubt would be between Pereyra and Sturaro in the midfield and Allegri would be left with no other CB than a hobbled Barzagli. It’s worth nothing that Pereyra has only a game in his legs after the delayed return because of the Copa America, so he might not be at the same condition level of the others, and Caceres hasn’t fully taken part to the training sessions from the get-go because of last season’s injury. The battle between Barzagli, Caceres and Rugani is fascinating as it will show what the coach thinks of the young defender and if he trusts him already. Probable lineup 4-3-1-2: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Caceres, Bonucci, Evra; Sturaro, Marchisio, Pogba; Pereyra; Dybala, Mandzukic. Injuries Chiellini (thigh), Morata (calf), Khedira (thigh). Lazio Lazio have had a difficult pre-season as they have lost Vicenza, Anderlecht, Sigma Olomuc and Mainz, but in the end, friendlies mean little. They have let go two veterans: Stefano Mauri, who was a big contributor last season with nine Serie A goals, and Cristian Ledesma, a locker room leader even though he was not a regular anymore. However, and more importantly, they have retained the whole young(ish) core: Stefan De Vrij, Lucas Biglia, Balde Keita, Antonio Candreva and Felipe Anderson. Often continuity is better than nailing a bunch of expensive signings and I’m curious to see what kind of season they’ll have. In a smaller proportion, they are replicating Juventus’ strategy by parting ways with important but older players and replacing them with prospects like Riccardo Kishna, Ravel Morrison, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Wesley Hoedt and Patric. Interesting purchases that maybe don’t warm the hearts of their fans, who were demanding big acquisitions to try to retain last year’s surprising third place, but the plan should pay off on the long run. Even though 4-2-3-1 with a dreamy Candreva-Anderson-Keita line behind the striker will probably be Stefano Pioli’s favorite lineup throughout the season, he should opt for a more defensive solution in this one. Last year, when facing Juventus, the coach has chosen 4-3-3 twice and 3-4-3 in Coppa Italia, where they fared surprisingly well. Pioli would probably prefer 3-4-3 if he had the whole roster at his disposal, however he’s facing some lineup issues on his own. The two key pieces Marco Parolo and Senad Lulic are suspended and the two defensive cornerstones De Vrij and Stefan Radu have barely played this summer because of injuries, even if both should be available. The absence of Lulic is particularly heavy as he’s the only one who can efficiently play as LWB, considering that Radu is barely a left-back. Despite the paucity of midfielders, Pioli’s pick should be 4-3-3 with the standout youngster Danilo Cataldi and the unlikely hero of the Napoli game Ogenyi Onazi flaking the newly appointed captain Lucas Biglia. The only alternative would be Ravel Morrison, but he’s been slowed down by an ankle injury and he isn’t very familiar with the box-to-box role. Santiago Gentiletti and De Vrij should be the centre-back pair. Filip Djordjevic has been dealing with a bruised foot recently so the everlasting Miroslav Klose is the frontrunner to start. Lazio was the second best attack in Serie A last season, with 71 goals, trailing only to Juventus (72). Their combination of speed, dribbling skills on the wings and cuts by midfielders is hard to contain. It surely helps Juve that Parolo and Lulic, who add another dimension to their tactics, are out, but Lazio has made great strides and it is a legit top-tier team. Probable lineup 4-3-3: Marchetti; Basta, Gentiletti, De Vrij, Radu; Onazi, Biglia, Cataldi; Candreva, Klose, Felipe Anderson. Suspended Parolo, Lulic. Formation

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Djordjevic eyes Juve revenge http://www.football-italia.net/70672/djordjevic-eyes-juve-revenge? Aug 6, 2015 Filip Djordjevic is still haunted by the double post against Juventus and trusts Lazio can make up for it in the Super Cup. The Bianconeri won the Coppa Italia in extra time, but Djordjevic could not have come closer to a winning goal when his shot hit one upright, rolled along the line and bounced off the opposite stick. “We are confident, as we know what we are supposed to do,” Djordjevic told Rai Sport. “We haven’t changed much, whereas Juve lost their three most important players. We lost our last three games against them, but this will be the perfect opportunity to make up for it. “You never know what can happen in a Final.” Lazio haven’t had a reassuring build-up, suffering four consecutive friendly defeats going into Saturday’s clash in Shanghai. “It is not easy to lose three or four games before such an important appointment, but we have faith.”

Rampulla: Pogba’s Value To Juventus Is Indisputable http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/rampulla-pogbas-value-to-juventus-is-indisputable/? Aug 6, 2015 Former Juventus goalkeeper Michelangelo Rampulla has heaped praise on Paul Pogba following the announcement that the French ace will wear the famous number 10 shirt this season. The shirt has previously been worn by legends such as Michel Platini, Alessandro Del Piero and Roberto Baggio. “Pogba is a certain type of player, he is different from the last number tens at Juventus. But his value as a player is indisputable,” Rampulla told TuttoMercatoWeb. “I do not know if he will remain in Turin. If a large offer comes in, for a club it means you can go on for many years and invest. Let’s not forget that Juve sold Zidane to 150 billion lire.” Earlier this summer, Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta said he believes €90 million is the right amount should the Catalan club buy Pogba, with Rampulla quick to point out the midfielder is not the only star at Juve. “There is also Buffon, Chiellini, Marchisio, Barzagli. It can still be a great Juve team.”

JUVENTUS - LAZIO - FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Preview: Juventus vs. Lazio http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/preview/preview-juventus-vs-lazio_237642.html? Aug 6, 2015 Italian champions Juventus will be hoping to win their third Super Cup in four seasons when they take on Lazio in Shanghai on Saturday. The Bianconeri completed a domestic double last term, while Lazio also impressed and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in seven seasons. There can be no denying the fact that Juventus have been the dominant force in Italian football in recent seasons and they will come into the new campaign hoping to land a fifth Serie A title in a row. Their success last term perhaps even surpassed most of their fans expectations, as they completed a league and cup double and enjoyed a sensational run to the Champions League final. Despite coming up short in the final against Barcelona two months ago, they were praised for their efforts and tipped by many to come back stronger. However, in recent weeks the club have gone through a number of changes, with key players such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez all leaving, and the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira and Paulo Dybala arriving to take their places. It remains to be seen whether the new signings can match the achievements of those who have come before them, but they have managed to hold onto Paul Pogba, who has been linked with most of Europe's biggest clubs this summer. As they head into this weekend's match, their pre-season results may be a worry to Massimiliano Allegri, as his side have suffered defeats to Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, with their only victory coming against Polish outfit Lechia Gdansk. Recent form: WDLLWL Lazio will be taking part in their second Super Cup in the past three years, after losing last season's Coppa Italia final in extra time to Juventus. Despite that result in the cup, it ended up being a successful campaign for the Rome club, as they secured a third-place finish in Serie A to return to the Champions League. It took them until the last day of the season to finally book their place among Europe's elite, as a dramatic 4-2 win over Napoli saw them edge out the Partenopei. However, they will have a tough job of making it through to the group stage of the tournament, as they will face one of Manchester United, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar Donetsk or Sporting Lisbon in the playoff round. Their preparations for the new campaign haven't exactly been ideal and they have lost their previous four friendlies, with their only wins against two amateur sides last month. The squad also remains largely the same as the previous term, with Ravel Morrison, Patric, Wesley Hoedt and Ricardo Kishna the most notable arrivals of the summer. It is worth noting that veteran striker Miroslav Klose has agreed to spend another year at the club, while they have held onto last season's star performer Felipe Anderson, although speculation has been rife that Antonio Candreva could be sold, after Lucas Biglia was given the club captaincy ahead of him. Recent form: WWLLLL Team News Juventus have been dealt a number of injury blows ahead of the new season, with recent signing Khedira facing two months out with a thigh problem and Alvaro Morata ruled out for a month due to a calf tear. Giorgio Chiellini is also facing 20 days on the sidelines with a thigh injury, while Andrea Barzagli is expected to miss out. The absences of the two defenders mean that Leonardo Bonucci and highly-rated youngster Daniele Rugani should play in the middle of of a back four. There could also be debuts for Simone Zaza, Dybala and Mandzukic in a front three, while Pogba is expected to start in the midfield. Meanwhile, Lazio have no fresh injury problems to worry about and are expected to name a familiar line up, with Candreva and Anderson supporting lone striker Klose in the attack. Juventus possible starting lineup: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Rugani, Evra, Pogba, Marchisio, Sturaro, Zaza, Dybala, Mandzukic Lazio possible starting lineup: Marchetti, Basta, De Vrij, Gentiletti, Radu, Biglia, Cataldi, Onazi, Candreva, Anderson, Klose Head To Head Lazio have failed to beat Juventus in the last seven games between the clubs and they suffered two losses in Serie A last season, as well as their extra-time defeat in the cup final. That run of games includes the Super Cup final at the start of the 2013-14 season, in which Juventus romped to a 4-0 victory over the Biancocelesti in Rome. Juventus have been involved in the last three Super Cup finals, but they were beaten on penalties in last year's edition by Napoli following a 2-2 draw in Doha. We say: Juventus 3-1 Lazio Juventus have been in such good form over the past twelve months and they will be hoping to hit the ground running ahead of the new Serie A campaign. They have outplayed Lazio in the most recent meetings between the teams, and although they will be missing some key players, it is hard to see that changing at the weekend, which is why we are tipping the Old Lady to claim another trophy.

Pogba Honoured To Wear Famous Number 10 Shirt For Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/pogba-honoured-to-wear-famous-number-10-shirt-for-juventus/? Aug 6, 2015 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has said he is honoured to have been given the number 10 shirt. The Bianconeri announced that the Frenchman will wear the famous shirt, previously worn for the Italian champions by footballing legends Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero, and Pogba is honoured to be following in their footsteps. “It’s an honour for me to wear the number 10 shirt of Juventus after great players,” the 22-year-old said via the club’s Twitter account. He will first wear it in the Supercoppa Italiana against Lazio on August 8, moving away from his previous number six shirt. He replaces Argentine striker Carlos Tevez as the wearer of number 10, after he completed a transfer to Boca Juniors. JuventusFC ✔@juventusfc .@paulpogba: "E' un onore per me indossare la maglia numero 10 della Juventus dopo grandissimi giocatori"