Socrates

WILL THE RIGHT MOVES BE ENOUGH ? http://www.juvefc.com/will-the-right-moves-be-enough/? Aug 18, 2015 Coming off a domestic double and losing to Barcelona in the champions’ league final, Juventus looked like a team ready to dance with the big names of European football. Boasting one of the deepest teams in the world, their continued dominance of the Italian football landscape looked like a foregone conclusion. Yet this off-season has proved that Juventus is a team that’s going into this campaign with some nagging questions. Surprising considering all their accomplishments up till this point. Interestingly enough, Juventus started the off-season on a fantastic note. Quickly addressing pressing issues by snapping up highly touted Argentine prospect Paulo Dybala. Concluding deals for Simone Zaza and Domenico Berardi, bringing promising defender Daniele Rugani to Turin, picking up Sami Khedira on a free transfer and capping it all by signing Mario Mandkuzic from Atletico. On paper, Juventus had conducted smart business. Amongst all the players listed above, Dybala was the most expensive. Considering the competition they were facing, it’s understandable that they would have to spend a bit to get him. Whilst there’s a lot of criticism leveled at Italian football and the problem it faces keeping its stars, Juventus by picking up Dybala and also ensuring that Zaza, Berardi and Rugani all have a future with the old lady, have secured and will develop some promising stars for the future of the Italian game. With the likes of Kwadwo Asamoah and Martin Caceres returning from injury plagued seasons, the depth of the team looks even more impressive. It is clear that Juventus is making a concerted effort to get younger. There are currently 7 first team members born after 1990. It’s a smart move for a team not only thinking of winning now, but also in the future. Yet with all the great things the team has done this off-season especially in lowering the average age of the squad, there is a lot of pressure to not only win a 5th straight but also prove that by losing some key players, the team can still find ways to win. Without a doubt losing Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo in the same off season is a major blow. Tevez was the team’s top scorer, providing many moments of pure magic last season. Whether the team can replicate his scoring prowess remains to be seen. Andrea Pirlo has been instrumental to the team’s success in the last four years. In fact one could go as far as saying that his signing ushered in a new era of success for the Turin giants. Whilst age wise it was probably a prudent move to let him leave, his leadership and exceptional calm on the field of play will be sorely missed. As for Arturo Vidal, it seems he needed a change of scenery. An incredible player in his own right, his heroics and exploits with the club will surely not be forgotten. His unique style of play, is a quality that only a few players possess in the world. And so Juventus goes into the season without 3 of its key players. Whilst it’s arguable that Claudio Marchisio, Roberto Pereyra and Paul Pogba can hold their own in the midfield, Tevez’ knack for timely goals might be more difficult to replicate. In a season where Juventus’ rivals have all strengthened most notably Inter and Roma, one wonders if this is the year they finally lose their stranglehold at the top of the league. Whether this will be the case is a storyline to watch going into the new season. The old lady made the right moves by going younger, and it’s already paying off with Dybala scoring a beautiful goal to seal the super cup win for his new team. More of that will be required from him and his teammates this season. This might turn out to be one of their most challenging seasons in recent memory.

Projecting Mario Mandzukic's 2015-16 season http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/13/9128387/mario-mandzukic-juventus-2015-16-projections-serie-a Aug 13, 2015 For the second straight summer, Mario Mandzukic has found himself in a new league, getting to know a new city, a new country and brand new teammates. Twelve months ago, it was Atlético Madrid and Spain, now it's Juventus and Italy. Change is inevitable, but not necessarily three teams in three seasons kind of change for a striker of Mandzukic's quality. Mandzukic arrives at Juventus after many consider his 12-month stay in Spain not exactly the most extraordinary of times. But don't tell Max Allegri about that slow season in Madrid, with Juventus' second-year manager heaping praise upon Mandzukic after the Old Lady's 2-0 win over Lazio in the Italian Super Cup last weekend. "I think Mandzukic is a great player, otherwise I wouldn't have given my approval to bring him in. Apart from his character, I think that his movement going forward is excellent. Apart from his goal, I think he also showed some good individual skill for our second goal. It's normal that he still needs to get to know his teammates, but I would say that I'm very happy about his performance — especially because he missed a great chance and then recovered immediately to score the opener." That quote from Mister Allegri is a legit one. I know that because I personally transcribed it straight from a video on the internet. You can all thank me for doing such a task later if you want to. What that quote tells us is pretty simple: Allegri isn't letting Mandzukic's "down" season really skew his view of the 29-year-old Croatian striker. Instead, Allegri — and Juventus' management as a whole for that matter — are banking on Mandzukic's goal-scoring numbers getting back to what he did in the Bundesliga, not La Liga. So, that's an average of in just over 13 goals in about 28 league games over the last five seasons. Are they the kind of numbers like Carlos Tévez put up over the last two years that will smack you in the face because they're so impressive? No. However, even in a down season, Mandzukic pretty much kept his goal-every-other-game ways going. And if he stays relatively healthy this season while maintaining those numbers, But, you see, he's already ahead of that pace. One official Juventus game played, one goal. No pressure, Mario! Okay, so I'll get back to the point. Unlike another summer signing named Paulo Dybala, we know what Mandzukic's role will be. He is the prima punta, and he is there to score goals just like he did in the Supercoppa. At 6-foot-2, he will look to be on the end of crosses the same way Fernando Llorente was during his first season with Juve. Just look at his goal in the Supercoppa as Exhibit A — rising between two defenders to put away a quality cross into the box. As for Exhibit B, this is what Mandzukic did during his time in Germany with Bayern. It's natural to think that Allegri and Juventus' front office are banking on Mandzukic looking more like the player that was with Bayern rather than the one from a year ago with Atlético Madrid. And it's natural to compare Mandzukic to another fantastic Juventus prima punta because of the jersey number he will be wearing this season. But while he may not be the world-class poacher that David Trezeguet was during his own fantastic playing career, it's not all that far fetched to think that Mandzukic can lead the line while being productive on a regular basis. Mandzukic was probably one of the best realistic options Juventus could have gotten this summer. And while he may not be a direct replacement for Carlos Tevez in terms of the kind of striker he is, we shouldn't expect him to be that, either. They're alike in some ways, but in totality, they're different strikers. And while they will only be naturally compared to one another because that's how life is, Mandzukic is part of this Juventus team, not that Juventus team. So if Max has plenty of faith in Mandzukic, who am I to disagree with the guy who helped Juventus win the domestic double last season? MARIO MANDZUKIC 2015-16 PROJECTION (SERIE A ONLY) Games: 33 Starts: 28 Goals: 17 Assists: 4

Khedira Thanks Fans For Support After Injury http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/new-juventus-midfielder-thanks-fans-for-support-after-injury/? Aug 12, 2015 New Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira has thanked Juventus fans for their support after a thigh injury. Picking up the knock in his first Bianconeri appearance against Marseille in a friendly, the former Real Madrid man will be out of action until early October, creating further problems for the Scudetto holders who have sold Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo during the off-season. “On the road to recovery,” Khedira told reporters “Thanks to Juventus fans for the great support and to Paul Pogba for making the number six shirt available for me.” The defensive midfielder wore the number six shirt for Real Madrid during his five years in Spain, where he won La Liga and a Champions League winners medal.

Llorente agrees Sevilla deal http://www.football-italia.net/70945/report-llorente-agrees-sevilla-deal? Aug 12, 2015 Reports in Spain suggest Fernando Llorente has agreed a deal with Sevilla, but Juventus must lower their asking price. The striker is believed to be on the unwanted list in Turin, with the arrival of Simone Zaza, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala likely to limit his playing time. Cadena Cope reports that the 30-year-old has agreed a deal in principle with Sevilla, who are seeking to strengthen their squad for the forthcoming Champions League campaign. However, it’s thought Los Rojiblancos will need Juventus to lower their €12m asking price, as they are only in a position to offer €8m. Both would represent a profit for the Bianconeri, who signed Llorente on a free transfer from Athletic Club in 2013.

Prandelli: 'Serie A now balanced' http://www.football-italia.net/70926/prandelli-serie-now-balanced? Aug 12, 2015 Cesare Prandelli believes Serie A is now 'balanced' and praises Roma and Juventus for how they have changed over the summer. The former Fiorentina and Italy Coach was interviewed by Il Corriere dello Sport and asked whether this year the Bianconeri's stranglehold on the Scudetto would be challenged. “The first term that comes to mind when I look at the next championship is balance,” he said. “Juventus will have to be a lot more careful because Napoli reinforced themselves, while Roma and the teams from Milan have a clear vision and want to play a central role again, at least in the Champions League zone. “Then there are Fiorentina and Lazio, who absolutely cannot be underestimated.” The 57-year-old then discussed the changes at Juventus. “I'm not in favour of teams that are the photocopy of what came before. “Carlos Tevez left and Mario Mandzukic came in, and that's for the good. “There is no such thing as another Apache and it would have been a mistake to go and look for one. “It's better to change the structure of the team and the way it plays, that's more stimulating. “That aside, they replaced their three departing world-class players with others of the same level. “Roma changed in the same way that Juve did, picking up an authentic poacher like Edin Dzeko. “Not since Gabriel Batistuta did they have an authentic number 9 spearheading their offence. “He will contribute a lot to Coach Rudi Garcia's team.”

Bilbao return for Juve's Llorente? http://www.football-italia.net/70909/bilbao-return-juves-llorente Aug 12, 2015 Home club Athletic Bilbao is rumoured to have joined the race for Juventus' Fernando Llorente, competing with Sevilla. The striker was linked with a variety of major clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal. But it seems his destination could be substantially more modest, as Tuttomercatoweb reports of an interest by his home club Athletic Bilbao. Llorente was purchased from Bilbao two years ago, and could return there if the club can beat Sevilla's competition.

Sevilla will wait for Llorente - Castro The club president insists they have plenty of time to sign the striker from Juventus and is looking forward to the Uefa Super Cup match with Barcelona. http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/08/11/14337612/sevilla-will-wait-for-llorente-castro?ICID=TP_HN_1 Aug 11, 2015 Sevilla president Jose Castro says the club must be patient as they try to lure Fernando Llorente away from Juventus. The Spanish striker has been linked with a move away from Turin after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign. The arrivals of Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala mean he is expected to find playing time hard to come by this term and Sevilla have already shown an interest. However, the club chief insists there is still plenty of time left before the transfer window closes and they are willing to wait to get their man. "As long as the market is open and there are opportunities to exploit, we will be there," he told Marca. "If Unai Emery asks for some players, we will intervene to try to please him. With Llorente, we must still have patience. "Just now we prefer to think about the big Uefa Super Cup game against Barcelona." Sevilla are looking to build on last year's Europa League win by beating Champions League holders Barca in Tbilisi on Tuesday.

Pirlo: Juventus Remain The Benchmark In Serie A http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/pirlo-juventus-remain-the-benchmark-in-serie-a/? Aug 12, 2015 Former Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes that the reigning Serie A champions remain the benchmark in league despite their recent departures. The Bianconeri are undergoing a new cycle of sorts following a summer which has seen the departure of stars the likes of Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal while successfully acquiring Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic to name a few. Nevertheless, the midfield maestro is hopeful their Supercoppa success will lead to mroe silverware this season. “I think and hope Juve will continue to dominate in Italy. They are stronger and more rejuvenated, so I hope succedss for another year awaits them. They are beginning a new cycle,” he told La Stampa. “Juventus have started great. I’m happy that they have won the Super Cup, they clearly deserved it. Now I hope this will leave them in good stead heading into the championship.” Pirlo also fielded questions about his time in the MLS, and has reiterated his desire to pull on the national jersey once again. “The new experience is nice, but now we need to find the best position to get into shape,” Pirlo continued. “I arrived and after three days I started playing. It’s not easy, you have to train a bit, because it takes a little preparation. “I am available and I will try to be ready for Italy. Then it will be for the coach [Conte] to decide.”

http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/calcio/serie-a/juventus/2015/08/08-3074397/la_supercoppa_bianconera_con_mandzukic_e_dybala/#1 http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/calcio/serie-a/juventus/2015/08/08-3076324/juve_che_festa_per_la_supercoppa_/ http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/pSqfqb4WKdN/Juventus+v+Lazio+2015+Italian+Super+Cup

Juventus Stadium to host Serie A opener against Udinese http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2558186/juventus-stadium-to-host-serie-a-opener-against-udinese? Aug 11, 2015 The Juventus Stadium will be open in its entirety for Juventus' opening home game of the new Serie A season against Udinese on Aug. 23 after the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) suspended a partial closure ordered by the Italian Football Association (FIGC). The FIGC originally ordered Juve to stage the final two matches of last season with the Curva Sud closed due to incidents which overshadowed the Turin derby last season. Several Torino fans were injured after a cherry bomb was thrown at them by a spectator identified as a Juventus fan who had already been banned from attending matches and should not have been permitted to enter the Stadio Olimpico. That punishment was lifted temporarily as an investigation continued, enabling Juve to celebrate winning a fourth straight Scudetto in front of a full house in Turin. However, the FIGC last month ordered the sanction to be imposed for one match -- Juve's opening fixture against Udinese. The Bianconeri appealed and the CONI have partially accepted their petition by lifting the suspension once again, albeit delaying a final verdict until Sept. 3. In the meantime, all the evidence will be consulted again, giving the CONI time to make a considered decision. After hosting Udinese, Juve's next home fixture comes against Chievo on Sept. 13, by which time the CONI should have delivered its verdict. If CONI agrees to uphold the FIGC's decision, the Turin club still has the opportunity to make a final appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which could then lead to a further delay in the sanction -- if confirmed -- being executed.

Projecting Paulo Dybala's 2015-16 season http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/11/9018999/paulo-dybala-juventus-2015-16-projections-serie-a Aug 11, 2015 Even before Paulo Dybala steps onto the field for his first Serie A game in a Juventus jersey, the expectations are going to be high. Those expectations will be as high as the money Juve paid to Palermo this summer to secure the Argentine forward's services, which also happens to be a transfer fee for the Andrea Agnelli/Beppe Marotta era. That's the territory that comes with a transfer that could push the €40 million plateau. Dybala is not just being looked as a contributor this season, but for the future Juventus teams. As much as that chunk of change sent over the Palermo has to do with being paid immediately, it also has to do with Dybala being viewed as a building block at Juventus for a long, long time. And at the tender age of 21 with his career essentially right in front of him, there's plenty of potential to grow into for this talented Argentine. For now, though, we'll just concentrate on the immediate future. Dybala is coming off a breakout 2014-15 season — where he reached double digits in both goals and assists. Not bad for a 20-year-old, right? Only a handful of players in Serie A could say they did the same a season ago, and one of the biggest reasons as to why Dybala got so much attention from big clubs across Europe before Juventus agreed to sign him back in late May. The double-digit double showed the Dybala is not just a legitimate goal-scoring threat in one of Europe's best defensive leagues, but also one that sets them up and makes his teammates better in the process. That sounds like another Argentina who wore the Juventus colors for a couple of seasons recently, doesn't it? So, here's something to re-familiarize yourself with Dybala's skill set just in case you've forgotten about what Juventus' big-money signing is capable of doing on the field. And, just like always, the questionable music choice is there as well. Now that he's traded in his pink Palermo jersey for the bianconero of Juventus, Dybala is on the big stage with the biggest team Italy has to offer. He wanted to be a Juventus player from the onset of all the transfer talk, and that's exactly what he got. Dybala cost the highest transfer fee of the Agnelli era, and he's got the talent to be worth even more than that. The main question is how Max Allegri will deploy Dybala this season. Will Dybala play wide in a 4-3-3? Will he play behind Mario Manduzkic and next to Álvaro Morata in a 4-3-2-1? Alongside either one of them — and don't forget Simone Zaza, too — in a 4-3-1-2 or 3-5-2? To honest, it's probably a combination of all three of them — and maybe even more possible outcomes along the way seeing as how tactically flexible Allegri is. As we've come to know about Juventus in recent years, they like their players to be versatile, which means Dybala's exactly position on the field probably won'e be set in stone. For right now, at least. Dybala's long-term future is as some kind of variation of a seconda punta, no doubt, which will obviously cater to his ability to score goals and set them up. And, logically, that would be alongside Morata in the year, oh, 2018 or 2020 and beyond. We know all about the potential each one of the them has, and the hope is that they can not only grow as players, but also a combination to lead Juventus forward. (Pun intended? Maybe.) I feel safe in saying this, though: If Dybala goes onto score goals that even come close to resembling what he did in the Italian Super Cup against Lazio over the weekend, then Allegri will be forced to play him more often than not. And, at the same time, that record transfer fee will become even less of a worry as the days go by. PAULO DYBALA 2015-16 PROJECTION (SERIE A ONLY) Games: 35 Starts: 24 Goals: 12 Assists: 8

Juventus Forward Dybala Pays Tribute To Supporters After Scoring Debut Goal http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/juventus-forward-dybala-pays-tribute-to-supporters-after-scoring-debut-goal/? Aug 10, 2015 Argentine forward Paulo Dybala has celebrated his first official goal for Juventus, taking to social media to announce his delight while thanking fans of the club. The 21-year-old sensation made his competitive debut for the Bianconeri in their Supercoppa Italiana clash against Lazio, an appearance that he made count as he put the match beyond doubt with a goal just ten minutes after entering the field. His debut goal led Juventus to their seventh Supercoppa Italiana, a victory which the forward described as remarkable. “Today felt remarkable, to score in my first game in a Juve shirt and in a Final was incredible,” He told Rai Sport. Dybala has since decided to extend his joy to fans on social media, tweeting: “I’m very happy for the debut and my new team’s success. Thank you all for the support,” His tweet read. Paulo Dybala @PauDybala_JR Muy contento con el debut y con el nuevo logro del equipo. Gracias a todos por el apoyo!

Juventus punishment suspended http://www.football-italia.net/70844/juventus-punishment-suspended? Aug 10, 2015 The closure of Juventus’ Curva Sud has again been suspended, so it will be open for the season opener with Udinese. Following violence in last season’s derby with Torino, in which a paper bomb was launched at Toro fans, the Bianconeri were handed a closure of the stand, but appealed the decision. The ban was then reduced from two games to one, but the Old Lady again appealed, with the case going to CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee. The organisation has today decided to allow the Curva Sud to be open for the visit of Udinese, accepting that more time is needed for “an in-depth investigation of the elements relevant to the decision’. A hearing will now be held on September 3, where it will be determined whether or not Juventus should face punishment for the incident. Juve maintain that because the incident took place at Torino’s Stadio Olimpico, they cannot be held responsible for what occurred.

Moggi: Juventus Are A Weaker Team Than Last Season http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/moggi-juventus-are-a-weaker-team-than-last-season/? Aug 10, 2015 Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi still feels that his former club are weaker than they were during the 2014-15 season, despite their Supercoppa Italiana win over Lazio. The Bianconeri have undergone some noticeable changes this summer with key players such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez all departing Turin, while Paolo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Mario Mandzukic are among the list of Juve’s new recruits. “Juventus deserved their victory,” Moggi told Libero. “There were goals from Dybala and Mandzukic, but we were not given the feeling that the group is as strong as last season. “Opponents were shaking at the idea of coming up against Tevez, but it may not be the same with Mandzukic. “Pirlo gave the team creativity, and Pogba cannot replace that as he has to lead the team. “The departure of Vidal weighs heavily.”

Juventus have silenced critics, says Marchisio The Italy international has taken a dig at those who questioned the Serie A champions could cope with the loss of several key figures. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/10/14321142/-? Aug 10, 2015 Claudio Marchisio has voiced his delight with Juventus' 2-0 Supercoppa Italiana victory over Lazio, claiming the Scudetto holders have silenced their critics. The Turin side lost the likes of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez this summer and a number of pundits suggested that the Bianconeri's cycle of success might be coming to an end. Hoewever, new signings Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala both netted in the comfortable win over Lazio and Marchisio feels that Massimiliano Allegri's men proved that they remain the team to beat in Serie A. "There were people out there who thought everything would be much more complicated for us after we lost some important players," Marchisio told Tuttosport. "Those players who were not at Juventus last season gave the perfect response by scoring both goals. "The win over Lazio was an important signal to those who claimed our cycle is over. Of course, we are still only at the start of the season, but it has been a positive start. "We still have room for improvement, but that's only normal. The match against Lazio was a final and finals are all about winning. That was what mattered most."

Why Stefano Sturaro Will Be the Juventus Player to Benefit from Khedira Injury http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2543447-why-stefano-sturaro-will-be-the-juventus-player-to-benefit-from-sami-khedira? Aug 10, 2015 With the start of the 2015/16 campaign fast approaching, Juventus have been hit with a raft of injuries that have threatened to hamper their preparations. While the reigning champions have the depth in defence and attack to cope with the absence of both Alvaro Morata and Giorgio Chiellini, there are fewer options available in midfield. That area of the side was already somewhat weakened by the summer exits of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but the Bianconeri hoped Sami Khedira would help fill the void their departures created. Yet during his debut in a pre-season friendly against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome, the German international suffered a torn thigh muscle that will see him miss the start of the season. The club subsequently issued a statement on their official website, ruling out the 28-year-old for “approximately two months.” With Kwadwo Asamoah still to recover from a knock of his own, the stage is perhaps set perfectly for Stefano Sturaro to cement a place in the side and continue his impressive start to life in Turin. Born in Sanremo and entering the Genoa youth system back in 2008, the Italian under-21 international was signed by the Bianconeri last summer for €5.5 million. As part of the agreement, however, he was loaned back to the Rossoblu before being recalled by Juventus at the end of the January transfer window. Few knew what to expect from a young player with just 31 first-team appearances under his belt but, by the time 2014/15 drew to a close, the 22-year-old had shown that he could thrive on the big stage when given the opportunity. He displayed impressive defensive diligence, with statistics from WhoScored.com showing he averaged 2.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game last term. That ensured comparisons to Gennaro Gattuso continued, something Sturaro takes huge pride in but is also keen to show he is much more than simply a disruptive force. “I hear that from many people and it pleases me, because he was a truly great player for Milan and for Italy, it would be wonderful to do even half of what he did.” the midfielder told Sky Sports (per the TuttoJuve website, h/t Football Italia). “But he's not my only point of reference,” Sturaro continued. “I'm a guy who looks at every player and tries to learn from everyone, so I adapt to different situations.” Indeed, his coach is fully aware of the versatility offered by his young charge, as he expressed at a press conference back in March when Juventus suffered a similar spate of injuries. “Sturaro can fill Marchisio’s role in front of the defence, or can play where Pogba does,” Massimiliano Allegri told reporters (h/t Football Italia). “He definitely has different characteristics, but he’s a lad who has integrated well.” As the campaign progressed, Sturaro was given more and more opportunities, culminating in a surprise starting berth against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final. He would capture attention across the continent with a mature display, making a vital intervention to deflect a point-blank header from James Rodriguez away from goal. That essentially preserved the Old Lady’s lead and helped them secure their place in the final. He would go on to score his first goal for Juventus in a home win over Napoli, the match which saw the Bianconeri celebrate their fourth consecutive Serie A title. Named to the starting XI once again on Saturday as Allegri’s side lifted the Italian Super Cup—a match reviewed in detail here—Stefano Sturaro is almost certainly the player poised to take advantage of Khedira’s prolonged absence.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 0 Mario Mandžukić (69') Paulo Dybala (73') FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Buffon: Juventus right to rejuvenate squad The 37-year-old believes that Saturday's Supercoppa Italiana success proves that the time was right to overhaul the squad after four years of success. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/08/10/14315642/-? Aug 10, 2015 Gianluigi Buffon feels that Juventus had little other option but to rejuvenate their squad this summer and is confident they have now laid the foundations for more silverware. The Bianconeri claimed their fourth consecutive Serie A title last term, as well as lifting the Coppa Italia and reaching the final of the Champions League, but saw accomplished stars such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez depart during the off-season. However, with the likes of Sami Khedira, Simone Zaza, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala having subsequently arrived in Turin, Buffon believes that the overhaul is a good thing for the Old Lady. "If there was a time for the squad to be freshened up and for us to be a little more daring, this was definitely it," Buffon told reporters. "We’ve laid the foundations to enjoy plenty of success over the coming years." Juventus kickstarted their 2015-16 campaign with a 2-0 Supercoppa Italiana win over Lazio at the weekend, with both Mandzukic and Dybala on target for the Bianconeri, and Buffon was pleased with his side's display. "It was a tough game against an excellent and well-organised side who had 10 days on us in terms of their preparations," the goalkeeper added. "We did well to not force the tempo and our play in certain moments, allowing us to ration our energy well across the 90 minutes."

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 0 Mario Mandžukić (69') Paulo Dybala (73') FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Juventus signal intent for 2015-16 with Supercoppa triumph http://www.espnfc.co.uk/club/juventus/111/blog/post/2555750/juventus-signal-intent-with-italian-superecoppa-title? Aug 10, 2015 Claiming their seventh Supercoppa, Juventus defeated Lazio 2-0 in Shanghai on Saturday to win their first trophy of the season. Banishing a certain amount of pressure, Juventus demonstrated that while how many may doubt the team's capability for ongoing success, they are still a heavily motivated giant vying for more honours. Stefano Pioli's team had started preseason training some 10 days before the Bianconeri, as they not only had to contend with Juventus for this trophy but will have to fight Bayer Leverkusen to qualify for the Champions League in a little over a week. Yet despite the extra days they had to raise their fitness levels and improve their understanding of tactical patterns, the Aquile were shockingly lacklustre, looking almost unfit when they were thought to have been boasting superior physical fitness levels at this stage of the season. Deployed in a 4-3-3 formation, the usually brilliant Biancocelesti coach is seemingly struggling to convey his strategies to a side that looked bereft of tactical understanding and discipline, focusing instead on simply impeding the opponent. In the Coppa Italia final, this was a squad that truly challenged the Old Lady, providing stiff competition and wonderful ambition. They could have well won and lifted the trophy that fateful night in May ,but in Shanghai, they were clearly the lesser team. Yet while Italy hopes Lazio do them proud in Europe, watching how they operate against the best, pundits were more interested in how well the Old Lady would fare with so many new faces in the squad. Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri successfully navigated his first real test of the season, and despite the terrible state of the pitch and the unpredictable trajectory of the ball when kicked, his men looked in control and executed the strategy he required. With Andrea Barzagli able to start, the Bianconeri opted for a 3-5-2 formation in order to allow for greater control. A dull affair for the most part, the blowing wind and physical condition of the two sides hardly allowed for a great match. Yet one thing Juve did prove was that despite the changes within the squad and the heavy loss of three world class players, they are still a winning team and one that understands how to manage energy levels and obtain the win; raising the tempo in the second half to devastate the opponent. There were many admirable performances on the day. Stephan Lichtsteiner showed how much he enjoys playing as a wingback rather than a full-back while Stefano Sturaro played like a warrior to ensure onlookers did not miss Arturo Vidal too much. However, Paul Pogba is the man who deserves all the plaudits. Many, including Patrice Evra, have called on Pogba to step up and express his full potential. Last season this blog regularly criticised the player for playing within himself, hesitating and questioning his instinctive ability. Deciding to stay with the Old Lady after having watched so many others leave, Pogba insisted in pre-match interviews that he will raise his game and be the leader Juve may well need this season. So far he hasn't disappointed. His first act was to go and ask management for the much coveted number 10 shirt. For a player who at times plays as though he doubts his ability, this particular demand for extra pressure was a welcome gesture and it convinced the top men to allow him the honour of taking the jersey previously worn by legendary players. With the number 10 emblazoned on his back, Pogba played a game worthy of the honour, injecting beauty and world class talent into proceedings to get the Old Lady off to the right foot. His sheer determination and quality skill on the ball allowed him to be involved in so many important movements, thrilling those who had come to see him. Allegri can only hope that the departure of so many leaders will allow Pogba to develop into the capable star worthy of his price tag. While Pogba impressed in midfield, contributing all over the pitch, it was Paulo Dybala who thrilled going forward. Chosen to start from the bench, Allegri instead wanted to prove to Kingsley Coman that Juventus really do believe in his ability and started him, but the player is one who requires consistency before he can truly demonstrate his worth. The same cannot be said of Dybala, who replaced Coman. The new arrival continued to prove to his doubters, including this blog, that he is worthy of his price tag and capable of thrilling with a big team. Mesmerising on the ball, his reading and understanding of the game are what one would expect with more experienced players, yet Dybala simply understands the flow of the game and what is required of him. If he can lose the footballing moments that reveal his young age and incur Allegri's wrath, then he can be a true black and white hero. Mario Mandzukic also had a good game, working for his team. While he managed to open the scoring, he still failed to convert one of the better chances the team had. A wonderful work-horse and a man who always tries, the Croatian is blending in nicely with the squad, even if he is a step below world-class. So many great performances, the Bianconeri are still not where they need to be in terms of fitness and finesse, but they are still the cynical unit of players who are desperate for the wins, highly motivated and well engaged with the tactical requirements of the coach. With a trophy under their belts, Juventus have already signalled their intent going forward.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 0 Mario Mandžukić (69') Paulo Dybala (73') FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti The seven fun facts about the Supercoppa Italiana http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/9/9122625/the-seven-fun-facts-of-the-supercoppa-italiana Aug 9, 2015 Since 1988, the Supercoppa Italiana, or the Italian Super Cup, serves as the curtain raiser of every Serie A season. Here, the Serie A champions from the previous season meet the Coppa Italia holders and the winners go home with a trophy. It's less prestigious than a Scudetto or Coppa, but an official trophy nonetheless. In the 28th edition on Saturday, the Serie A champs Juventus won their seventh Suppercoppa Italiana, now the most in Italy, by beating Lazio 2-0 at the Shanghai Stadium. Juve were the actual Coppa Italia winners, but since they are also the Serie A winners, they played the Coppa runners-up Lazio. The two new strikers, Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala, were on the scoresheet, with assists provided by Stefano Sturaro and Paul Pogba, respectively. It makes it the 21st title for the Serie A winners, compared to the seven titles that belong to the Coppa champs/representatives. Winning seven titles in the competition deserves seven fun facts. So what are the seven fun facts of the Supercoppa Italiana? 1. Juventus have won the most titles and made the most appearances Juve's seven titles are the most in Italy. The complete list: Juventus: 7 (1995, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015) Milan: 6 (1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2004, 2011) Inter: 5 (1989, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010) Lazio: 3 (1998, 2000, 2009) Roma: 2 (2001, 2007) Napoli: 2 (1990, 2014) Sampdoria: 1 (1991) Parma: 1 (1999) Fiorentina: 1 (1996) Along with Inter Milan and Roma, Juve is also the team who has lost it the most (four times). Torino (1993) and Vicenza (1997) are the only teams who have made an appearance but never won it, losing to Milan and Juventus, respectively. Juve has also made the most appearances at 11. Ten were as the Serie A champs, one as the Coppa winner (1990). Here are as follows (with the goalscorers in brackets): 1990: Napoli 5-1 Juventus (Roberto Baggio) 1995: Juve 1-0 Parma (Gianluca Vialli) 1997: Juve 3-1 Vicenza (Pippo Inzaghi (2), Antonio Conte) 1998: Juve 1-2 Lazio (Alessandro Del Piero) 2002: Juve 2-1 Parma (Del Piero (2)) 2003: Juve 1(5)-1(3) Milan (David Trezeguet) 2005: Juve 0-1 Inter 2012: Juve 4-2 Napoli (Kwadwo Asamoah, Arturo Vidal, Christian Maggio (og), Mirko Vucinic) 2013: Juve 4-0 Lazio (Pogba, Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Carlos Tevez) 2014: Juve 2(5)-2(6) Napoli (Tevez (2)) 2015: Juve 2-0 Lazio (Mandzukic, Dybala) Milan and Inter are second with nine appearances. However, each of them do hold a record: Longest appearance streak: Inter, 7 (2005-2011) Longest winning streak: Milan, 3 (1992-1994) Oh, there is one oddity. Napoli has always met with the same opponent. They went to the Supercoppa Italiana three times and all were against Juventus, winning two (1990, 2014) and losing one (2012). 2. The Coppa Italia runners-up have never won it In five separate occasions, the Coppa runners-up made appearances but they have never won it. They are: 1995: Parma (lost 0-1 to Juventus) 2000: Inter (lost 3-4 to Lazio) 2006: Roma (lost 3-4 to Inter) 2010: Roma (lost 1-3 to Inter) 2015: Lazio (lost 0-2 to Juventus) 3. Alessandro Del Piero and Carlos Tevez are among the top goalscorers With three goals each, Juventus strikers Del Piero and Tevez are among the top goalscorers. The complete list: Del Piero, Juventus (1998, 2002) Andriy Shevchenko, Milan (2004) Samuel Eto'o, Inter (2009, 2010) Tevez, Juventus (2013, 2014) In the history of the Super Cup, Shevchenko is the only one who has ever scored a hat trick. 4. Mario Mandzukic, the only three-time winner and scorer in three top leagues Interestingly for Juve's new forward Mandzukic, this is his third Super Cup from THREE different top leagues and he scored in each of those contests: 2012: Germany, scored one goal for Bayern 2014: Spain, scored one goal for Atletico Madrid in the second leg 2015: Italy, scored one goal for Juventus I haven't done a complete round of research about it, but I'm pretty sure he's the only one who has played, scored and won it in three different top leagues. The closest ones to Mandzukic are: Eto'o: He won it three times, two with Barcelona (2005, 2006) and once with Inter (2010)m but only in two top leagues and didn't score in the 2006 edition. He has a great tally, though, scoring four times in five games (Supercopa de Espana plays home and away) in those wins. Shevchenko: He has also won three Super Cups for three different leagues: Supercoppa Italiana (2004), the English Super Cup (2009, or known as the Community Shield) and the Ukrainian Super Cup (2011) but he's only scored in the Supercoppa Italiana. Tevez: He won the Super Cups three times with three different teams (2008 with Manchester United, 2012 with Manchester City and 2013 with Juventus), but only in two top leagues and scored in two games. He was the man of the match in the other game he didn't score, though. 5. Antonio Conte is the ultimate Supercoppa Italiana winner Conte is the only Juve player who has won the Supercoppa Italiana as a player and a manager. He won it four times (1995, 1997, 2002, 2003) as a player and twice (2012, 2013) as a manager. All when he was a Juve player or manager. He also scored one goal when Juve beat Vicenza 3-1 in 1997. Two other individuals make this player-manager list: Roberto Mancini: He won it as a player in 1991, where he scored the only goal of the game, with Sampdoria and in 1998 with Lazio. As a manager, he won it in 2005 and 2006 with Inter Milan. Outside of Italy, he has also won a Community Shield, the English Super Cup, in 2012 with Manchester City. Carlo Ancelotti: As a player, Ancelotti won it once in 1988 with Milan. He also won it once as a Milan manager in 2004. Like Mancini, Ancelotti has also won Super Cups outside of the peninsula. He won won the 2009 Community Shield with Chelsea and the 2014 UEFA Super Cup with Real Madrid. Gianluca Vialli is another ex-Juventus player who has won a Super Cup both as player and manager but he won them for different teams and in different leagues. As a player, he won the 1991 Supercoppa Italiana with Sampdoria and 1995 edition with Juve. As a manager, he won the 1998 UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea. 6. Fabio Capello and Marcelo Lippi are the kings of Supercoppa Italiana As managers, Fabio Capello and Marcelo Lippi each won the Supercoppa Italiana four times. Lippi won them all with Juve (1995, 1997, 2002, 2003) while Capello won them three times in a row with Milan (1992, 1993, 1994) and one with Roma (2001). In total, Lippi leads with six appearances, winning four. Interestingly, both of his losses (one when he was at Juve and one at Inter) came from Sven-Goran Eriksson (Lazio). Capello is in the second place with five appearances, with the only loss came when he managed Juve (2005). Roberto Mancini is in the third place with four appearances, winning two (2005 and 2006 with Inter) and losing two (2001 with Fiorentina, 2007 with Inter). Only three managers have won it with multiple clubs: Capello: Milan (1992-1994), Roma (2001) Rafael Benitez: Inter (2010), Napoli (2014) Massimiliano Allegri: Milan (2011), Juve (2015) The longest streak of appearances, stands at three, belongs to Capello (Milan, 1992-1994) and Luciano Spaletti (Roma, 2006-2008). Capello won them all while Spaletti won one and lost twice. 7. Seeing is believing The venue is probably the most interesting fact today. Until 2008, the Scudetto winners have almost always acted as the hosts. The only exceptions were in 1993 (Washington D.C.), 2002 (Tripoli, Libya) and 2003 (New Jersey). It is understandable that teams prefer to play within Italy as the Supercoppa Italiana is usually played two weeks before the new Serie A season starts. Long-distance travel to outside of Europe means less time for preparation and fatigue. However, football is a business today. You either grow or die. You have to sacrifice something to gain something else and an experiment in 2009 was proven useful. It was held in Beijing, China, the most populated country in the world. Their strong economy had also made it possible. As the result, the attendance and sponsorships received a huge boost and in the last seven years, the Supercoppa Italiana had been held in Asia five times: Four times in China and once in Qatar. For us non-European fans, especially in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, it's not impossible anymore to see our beloved team play a competitive match directly in front of us. It's not impossible anymore to see our legends mesmerize us in a competitive match directly in front of us. Supercoppa Italiana has served as a spring board for us to get closer to our team and who knows, maybe someday Juventus will play a Supercoppa Italiana match in your country. Seeing is believing.

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 0 Mario Mandžukić (69') Paulo Dybala (73') FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Juventus' Italian Super Cup Win over Lazio Hints That Gulf Remains in Serie A http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2543061-juventus-italian-super-cup-win-over-lazio-hints-that-gulf-remains-in-serie-a? Aug 9, 2015 Two months after losing the Champions League final to Barcelona, Juventus returned to competitive action in the Italian Super Cup on Saturday. The showpiece event usually pits the Serie A winner against the team that triumphs in the Coppa Italia, but the domestic double achieved by the Bianconeri meant this year’s edition would be a little different. Taking place at Shanghai Stadium in China, the 2015 game saw cup runners-up Lazio provide the opposition once again, hoping to give a better account of themselves than they had managed back in May. In the months since they tasted defeat in Berlin, much has changed for Juventus as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez decided to move on. That situation was addressed by Beppe Marotta earlier this week, with the director general giving a lengthy interview to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “We are optimistic for this season, but the truth is we changed three players and must cover that gap with renewed motivation,” the official said (h/t Football Italia). Marotta went on to say that Massimiliano Allegri “is a modern and versatile coach” who would “adapt his tactics” to suit new arrivals. As a result of those exits, it was a very different starting XI that took to the field for this encounter, although Allegri opted to start just one of his team’s new acquisitions as Mario Mandzukic started alongside Kingsley Coman in attack. All summer there has been the feeling that the gap between the champions and the trailing pack had been narrowed, with Italy under-21 coach Gigi Di Biagio telling La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) that “as things stand, Juve have become weaker.” Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti echoed those thoughts, telling Lazio Style Radio 89.3 (h/t Football Italia) that his side “have to exploit” the uncertain position of their opponents. When Saturday’s match got underway it seemed that those doubts about the champions may have had some substance as the Biancocelesti seized the initiative. On a poor playing surface, Lazio’s front three of Antonio Candreva, Felipe Anderson and Miroslav Klose caused Allegri’s men serious problems in the first half, with the absences of Giorgio Chiellini and Sami Khedira undoubtedly taking a toll. After the break, however, the team that has dominated Serie A for the past four seasons raised the tempo, with Mandzukic and Paul Pogba both coming close to breaking the deadlock. Moments later the Croatian would net his first competitive goal for the club, heading home following a great cross from Stefano Sturaro. Eddy Onazi and Anderson both had opportunities but could not beat Gigi Buffon in goal, and Mandzukic then played a part in the Bianconeri doubling their lead. His run down the right saw the ball cleared to Pogba, who in turn laid it off for Paulo Dybala to smash home from around 12 yards out. Lazio had chances to net themselves before the final whistle, but in the end Juve’s superiority was apparent once again, just as it had been in the Coppa Italia final and has been since they were transformed in the summer of 2011. Clearly not the same side they were then and likely to find the going much tougher when they return to Champions League action, it appears the Bianconeri are still much too strong for their domestic rivals. “We’re building a Juve side with a future for the next four to five years,” Allegri told the club’s official website at full-time, and on this evidence they have certainly made a strong start. That bodes well for 2015/16, though greater challenges undoubtedly lie ahead as the Old Lady heads into the new campaign.

Allegri: Pogba's best is yet to come The 22-year-old is already regarded as one of Europe's top midfielders and his coach expects him to mature even more this term. http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/08/09/14292452/allegri-pogbas-best-yet-to-come?ICID=TP_HN_1 Aug 9, 2015 Massimiliano Allegri believes Paul Pogba will grow in stature this season following the departure of several big names at Juventus. The 22-year-old is already regarded as one of Europe's top midfielders and has been the subject of bids from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona this summer. While Juve look set to hold on to Pogba for this season at least, several other key players have left the club, with Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal all departing. Their exits means the France international will have greater responsibility this term, but Allegri has backed him to flourish under the additional weight of expectancy. "I think that he has the capability to play as a top player, to understand the flow of the game," said the Juve boss. "Lest we forget that Pogba has played a lot of games for Juventus in the last few years since he arrived. "He has grown a lot. And this season we expect a leap from him in terms of presence on the pitch so that his team mates can lean on him." Allegri was speaking after his side secured the Supercoppa Italiana with a 2-0 win over Lazio in Shanghai, with the performance of goalscorer Mario Mandzukic - a close-season arrival from Atletico Madrid - particularly pleasing the head coach. He added: "I think that Mandzukic is a great player otherwise I would not give my approval to bring him in. "Apart from his character, I think that he moves very well in attack. Apart from the goal, I think he has also showed some good individual skills for our second goal. "Its normal that he still needs to know his team-mates but I would say that I am very happy about his performance especially because he missed a great chance but then recovered immediately after by scoring the opener."

JUVENTUS - LAZIO 2 - 0 Mario Mandžukić (69') Paulo Dybala (73') FINAL ITALIAN SUPERCUP Saturday, August 8th, 2015 - 01:00 P.M. Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai Referee:‬ Luca Banti Supercoppa Italiana: An Embarrassing Own Goal By Lega Serie A? The Supercoppa Italiana clash between Juventus and Lazio was an ideal opportunity to promote Serie A, David Lee Wheatley asks did the organisers blow it? http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/08/supercoppa-italiana-an-embarrassing-own-goal-by-lega-serie-a/? Aug 9, 2015 Optimism within Italian football hasn’t been this high since the extravagant 1990s when Serie A ruled the footballing world. Juventus dominated domestically once again last season, but crucially reached the Champions League final against all the odds to bring Calcio back into focus. Adding to the burgeoning enthusiasm are a plethora of top new signings who have joined up with clubs including Roma, AC Milan and Inter, as administrators of the peninsula’s favourite sport attempt to regain its previous level of global popularity. Therefore, it’s baffling that decisions were made by Lega Serie A to stage the showpiece curtain-raiser 4700 miles away from the Italian capital, in a nation that traditionally suffers its worst climactic conditions during the month of August. In fact, the fixture was even in doubt prior to the day of the contest, with a typhoon hitting Taiwan to the south of the country earlier in the week. Furthermore, they chose the Shanghai Stadium as the host venue, where several pre-season friendly matches had already taken place. Italian authorities were said to be absolutely furious at the playing surface and made a formal complaint, but their appeal was dismissed. According to various reports, they had been afforded a chance to inspect the pitch on August 5 and could have taken action, but elected not to. The wet and windy weather, coupled with the other games that had gone on before, left the pitch in a truly awful, sub-standard state. Bianconeri midfielder Claudio Marchisio pointed out the difficulties faced by both sides when speaking with the media at half-time. “It’s a balanced and difficult game because of the conditions, as it’s very windy and the pitch isn’t great,” Marchisio told Rai Sport. At that point, the match was still goalless. Probably in line with expectations, double winners Juve eventually ran out comfortable 2-0 victors in the end. However, the players’ best efforts on the field couldn’t mask the mistakes made off it. Scheduling the Super Cup clash ahead of time in such a potentially atrocious atmospheric situation smacks of pure greed in order to exploit the Chinese market, which the Lega already know to be a very strong avenue for them to pursue. The Far East is Calcio-crazy, but they – along with the many viewers around the world – should feel short-changed by the overall entertainment on offer. Possibly the silliest move of all was to earmark the very same day when the English Premier League opening weekend was set to take place. Surely the strategy should have been to completely avoid clashing with the most-watched domestic competition on the planet, whose finances still dwarf those of Serie A? Though China has a huge Italian football following, there are still many more fans of the English game in that area, which would’ve prompted the majority of television viewers to tune into Manchester United versus Tottenham Hotspur instead. Despite the increased interest in the Italian top flight, with a Phoenix-like rise from the flames led by the Old Lady’s European success, the league is simply not ready to take on the might of the Premier League just yet. Those in charge should have been proactive in choosing an alternative date – and they’ll undoubtedly realise that now. The TV production service within the host country also left a lot to be desired, thus causing further embarrassment to the Lega hierarchy, which all moulds together to create an overriding sense that a prime opportunity has passed them by. Rather then chasing big bucks from far-flung regions, they could aim to build their brand in a more considered fashion, focusing on giving home-based supporters a realistic chance to attend such big occasions instead. And, even if they continue to take the Supercoppa abroad, why go somewhere that is a near-impossible place meteorologically to stage top-class football when entrenched in the height of summer? There are a great amount of factors for Lega Serie A to ponder in relation to next year and beyond, but hopefully the fare served up in Serie A and by Italian clubs in Europe next term will make up for the glaring own goal scored by the governing body.