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TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento MATCH PREVIEW Apr 25, 2015 Buoyed by their midweek passage to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Juventus will shift their focus on claiming bragging rights against Torino this weekend. The Derby della Mole’s rivalry will resume once again where Giampiero Ventura will be hoping to cause an upset by putting an end to his side’s disappointing run against their cross-city rivals. Torino’s hopes will largely rest on the fact that Massimiliano Allegri’s men may be carrying a bit of fatigue after their midweek fixture away to Monaco, while their recent spate of results will bode well for his team’s confidence. Toro have managed to claim a decent run of results of late, suffering just one defeat in their last five encounters, and there are a number of names with the Granata who hope to upset Juventus. Former Zebrette man Fabio Quagliarella admits he hopes “to score the decisive goal” against the club he parted ways with last season. Amauri was also a part of La Vecchia Signora and is said to be considered as an option to start on Sunday. Juventus, meanwhile, have been running away with this season and once again find themselves in a one-horse race for the Scudetto. Allegri’s team have shown up on more than one occasion this season and the fact that they reached the semi-finals of Champions League for the first time since they finished as runners-up in 2003 is a huge feat. But focus will have to be switched onto the league once again this weekend, as they know the Bianconeri supporters in Turin are expecting Juventus to extend their 20-year city dominance. Carlos Tevez will be available for Allegri despite having rested after Wednesday’s clash due to a stomach bug, while Claudio Marchisio will miss out due to suspension. Stefano Sturaro is expected to start in place of the midfielder, while Simone Padoin could also be given a rare nod in place of Patrice Evra. With the fixture being a derby encounter and Torino still hoping to make Europe again next season, all while Juventus aim to wrap up the league title as soon as possible, there is plenty at stake. Keep An Eye On: Carlos Tevez (Juventus) -The Argentine is currently the leading goalscorer in Italy and a player who has carried Juventus throughout the season. With 18 league goals already this term, Tevez has been an instigator in the Bianconeri’s dominance. Form Guide: Torino (D D W W L) Juventus (W L W W W) Last Season: Torino 0-1 Juventus Stat Fact: Torino’s disappointing run against Juventus stretches as far back as two decades, when Torino last claimed a win over their cross-city rivals. That was a 2-1 victory over Juventus at the Stadio Delle Alpi in 1995. Torino (Probable): Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian; Quagliarella, Maxi Lopez Suspended: None Juventus (Probable): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin; Vidal, Pirlo, Sturaro; Pereyra; Tevez, Morata Suspended: Marchisio http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Allegri stands up for Juventus Apr 25, 2015 Max Allegri warned Juventus it “won’t be easy” against Torino and was “irritated” by criticism of their Monaco performance. The Derby della Mole kicks off on Sunday at 15.00 CET. “We still need another six points to be mathematically sure of the Scudetto,” said the Coach in a Press conference this morning. “We have the derby, which has always been a difficult game against a Torino side who are in line for European qualification. We have no rush to finish the job, but need results. “I think it would be really very unlikely we’d win the title tomorrow, as we’d need both Roma and Lazio to lose and it’ll be equally difficult for us to beat Torino.” The focus is on the Champions League semi-final, where the Bianconeri will take on Real Madrid. Confidence is high, but also dented by criticism of Juve’s 0-0 quarter-final draw in Monaco. “When you reach an important objective like the Champions League semi-finals, you get messages from everywhere and it’s pleasing. “I don’t like that the team was criticised, as that night the objective was to qualify. We are at a moment of the season where the side cannot give more than that and the complaints irritated me. “This is a side that is top of the Serie A table with a big advantage, in the Champions League semi-final and the Coppa Italia Final. What more can you ask? “I thought the criticism of the lads was excessive, as they are confirming and improving upon the past few years. The result in Montecarlo was much more important than the performance. “We must play the semi-final against the champions of Europe, a team of Galacticos. It’s a fascinating tie and we are aware of the difficulties, but also know we can reach the Final. “We have to play to the best of our abilities. If we don’t make it, then we will have been eliminated by an extremely strong opponent.” Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata and Arturo Vidal were all sick ahead of the game in Monaco, while Patrice Evra is out of the Turin Derby with a hip problem. “Everyone is at my disposal tomorrow except for Evra. After the training session we’ll evaluate the best line-up. On Wednesday we played some lads who were not in good shape. The system also depends on the conditions of the players. “I don’t think Toro are superior to us, but they are very organised and done some exceptional work this season. “Don’t forget how well they played against Zenit at home in the Europa League. They are a difficult team to play against, so we need to be very careful and remember how important the match is. “Do I have a motto for tomorrow? No, but I will concede the Derby della Mole is different to normal games.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Torino vs. Juventus: Team News, Predicted Lineups Apr 25, 2015 In a week where they have secured passage to the last four of the Champions League, Juventus face another difficult test as they take on cross-town rivals Torino. They may be once again part of the continental elite, but their neighbours will be hoping to earn local bragging rights when the latest edition of the Turin derby kicks off this Sunday. Currently sitting in seventh place in Serie A, Giampiero Ventura’s side have enjoyed another fruitful campaign, reaching the knockout stage of the Europa League where they eliminated Athletic Bilbao. The Granata have also recorded league victories over Sampdoria and Inter, managing to hold AS Roma to a 1-1 draw earlier this month. Wing-backs Bruno Peres and Matteo Darmian provide serious quality out wide, with the talent of the latter discussed in this previous column. Above all, the team is built upon impressive organisation and tactical discipline, and Massimiliano Allegri’s men will need to be at their best to overcome such a resolute opponent. The Bianconeri emerged with a slender 2-1 triumph at Juventus Stadium earlier this season, needing a stunning last-minute goal from Andrea Pirlo to separate the two sides. It was a moment of genius and a strike that underlined the absolute quality that runs through the reigning Italian champions and sees them enter this weekend’s fixtures some 15 points clear of the division's other teams. Adam Digby @Adz77 93rd minute & you need a derby winning goal? Everybody relax, Pirlo's got this Predicted Lineups Torino: (3-5-2): Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian; Quagliarella, Lopez Juventus: (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, Padoin; Vidal, Pirlo, Sturaro; Pereyra, Tevez; Morata Player to Watch Fabio Quagliarella will need little introduction to Juventus fans, the striker having worn the black-and-white stripes from 2010 until his departure last summer. His return to Torino—the club where his career began—has been a fruitful one, having already netted 12 goals this term. The 32-year-old was vital to the Bianconeri in his first campaign, remaining a solid contributor until the arrivals of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente saw him become understandably marginalised. He would nevertheless relish the opportunity to score against his former team-mates and show that he remains and effective player, no matter the opposition. With Torino’s midfield extremely defence-orientated, it will almost certainly be left to Quagliarella to make a difference, just as Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile were last year. Key Battle Torino will enter this clash as huge underdogs, and their hopes will arguably hinge on the ability of Kamil Glik to get the better of Carlos Tevez. The Granata captain has enjoyed a fine season at the heart of his side’s defence and is undoubtedly their emotional leader on the field. Dangerous at set pieces, every Torino corner is greeted with chants of "Glik, Glik, Glik!" from supporters hoping he can get his head to the ball first. But the Poland international will have much greater concerns at the other end of the pitch, with Juve’s No. 10 in stellar form. Tevez has weighed in with 26 goals and eight assists this term, the extra freedom afforded to him by Allegri clearly paying huge dividends. Having delivered on almost every occasion this season, the Argentinian will look to add to his derby-winning strike last February as the city rivals clash once again. Odds (via Odds Shark) Home win: 107/25 Away win: 100/149 Draw: 267/100 http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Torino - Juventus Preview: Hosts looking to delay rivals' title party Massimiliano Allegri's men have a slight chance of wrapping up the Serie A title this weekend but their city rivals will be looking to prevent that. Apr 25, 2015 Torino captain Kamil Glik believes beating Juventus in Sunday's Turin derby would prompt a "national celebration", as the champions close in on a fourth successive Serie A title. A win at Estadio Olimpico could see them claim the Scudetto for the 31st time, though such an outcome relies on Roma losing at Inter on Saturday and Chievo beating in-form Lazio a day later in Rome. With Juve boasting a superior head-to-head record against their nearest rivals, it would not be possible for either to usurp them. But Torino and Glik are looking to ensure that results elsewhere are rendered irrelevant by claiming a first derby win since April 1995. And Glik, who has been captain since July 2013, believes that a Torino triumph would be celebrated throughout the country, providing they can buck the trend which has seen them suffer seven consecutive defeats to their illustrious neighbours. "If we beat Juventus it will be a national celebration," Glik told Tuttosport. "We are looking to prepare for this match like any other and want to give as little thought as possible to the fact that it's a derby. "It's the most important match of the year for us, but we must let our adrenaline levels rise only a few minutes before the whistle blows for kick off." Juventus will be re-adjusting their focus back to Serie A duty after successfully edging past Monaco in the Champions League, securing a semi-final clash with Real Madrid thanks to a 1-0 aggregate win. Although Massimiliano Allegri's men look destined to seal the title eventually, Juve's supporters will be keen for their side to cement their dominance against their local rivals, who themselves are still hoping to secure Europa League football. Recent history will not provide much inspiration for Torino, though, having registered just a single goal in 11 meetings across all competitions since 2002. Juve defender Andrea Barzagli wants his side to show no mercy once again, though he cited ex-Juve forward Fabio Quagliarella as a potential threat. "What now matters are the next three league matches in which we'll hope to put the title race to bed," he said. "We know how important the derby is and we've already got our thoughts focused on the game. "It will be a difficult match, not just due to its nature, but also because they're an organised outfit who have a constant threat in Quagliarella up front." Torino will have to contend with the return of Carlos Tevez, who has scored 18 league goals this season, but missed the trip to Monaco with flu. Patrice Evra (hip) will definitely miss out. Giampiero Ventura has Gaston Silva (thigh) back into contention following a month out, while Migjen Basha is available after missing the Roma defeat due to suspension. OPTA FACTS This will be the 140th Turin Derby in Serie A: Juventus lead by 64 wins to 34 so far. No side has beaten Torino more times than Juventus (64) in the Italian top-flight. Torino are winless in their last 17 Serie A meetings against Juventus: their last success came in April 1995, since then they have drawn four times and lost 13 times. Moreover, the Old Lady have won each of their last seven league clashes against the Granata. Prior to Bruno Peres’ goal in the reverse fixture, Torino had failed to score in 10 consecutive league derbies against the Bianconeri. Torino are unbeaten in the last four Serie A match-days: two wins followed by two draws. Torino have never repeated the same result twice in a row over their last 11 home league games – their last match at the Olimpico ended in a draw (against Roma). Juventus have conceded just one goal over their last six league fixtures. LAST FIVE MATCHES Torino D D W W W 4/19/15 - Sassuolo 1 - 1 Torino 4/12/15 - Torino 1 - 1 Roma 4/4/15 - Atalanta 1 - 2 Torino 3/22/15 - Parma 0 - 2 Torino 3/19/15 - Torino 1 - 0 Zenit St. Petersburg Juventus D W W L W 4/22/15 - Monaco 0 - 0 Juventus 4/18/15 - Juventus 2 - 0 Lazio 4/14/15 - Juventus 1 - 0 Monaco 4/11/15 - Parma 1 - 0 Juventus 4/7/15 - Fiorentina 0 - 3 Juventus HEAD TO HEAD 11/30/14 - Juventus 2 - 1 Torino 2/23/14 - Juventus 1 - 0 Torino 9/29/13 - Torino 0 - 1 Juventus 4/28/13 - Torino 0 - 2 Juventus 12/1/12 - Juventus 3 - 0 Torino http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Torino v Juventus: Preview Apr 25, 2015 Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal believes he and his team-mates must concentrate on domestic matters before worrying about Europe again. The Turin giants go into Sunday's game at city rivals Torino having reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign. Juve held Monaco to a goalless draw in Monte Carlo on Wednesday to progress 1-0 on aggregate and set up a meeting with Real Madrid in the next round. The Italians will host European defending champions Real on May 5 before travelling to Spain for the return leg on May 13. ``We are happy to have taken an important step in our season by clinching a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League,'' Vidal said to the Italian press. ``We don't fear anyone as every game at this stage of a competition is very difficult. ``Now we turn our full attention to the domestic competition. ``Sunday's game will be important to get closer to the Scudetto.'' Juve need two more wins to clinch their fourth straight Italian title and their first under coach Massimiliano Allegri. The Turin giants, who are also through to the Coppa Italia final, are 15 points clear of Lazio at the top of the standings with seven games remaining. Torino go into the game at Turin's Stadio Olimpico as firm underdogs. The Granata have not beaten Juve in Serie A since April 1995 and have lost their last seven meetings against the Bianconeri. ``We don't care who scores as long as we win the derby,'' Torino captain Kamil Glik said. ``Juve have done great things this season in Serie A and in Europe. ``This game is always special and when it comes to the derby, the standings are not important.'' Toro have lost just three games at home this season and are in the midst of a four-match unbeaten run in Serie A. Last weekend's 1-1 draw at Sassuolo left the Granata in eighth place, six points adrift of the last Europa League qualifying spot. Toro coach Giampiero Ventura will have all of his players available. Juve are without midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who must serve a one-match ban while Paul Pogba is still out injured. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Cairo: ‘Torino prepared for Juve’ Apr 24, 2015 Torino President Urbano Cairo says the Granata are ‘prepared’ to break their 20-year winless run in the Derby della Mole. Toro haven’t beaten Juventus since March 1995, when they emerged with a 2-1 victory, though the Bianconeri went on to win the Scudetto. “I’ve seen a good effort [in training] with the desire to do well,” Cairo told Sky ahead of the match. “They’re focused, and the Coach [Giampiero Ventura] is preparing, day-by-day. We don’t need to make speeches, the players know how important the game is. “We’ll give our all to end this bad run, if you leave their goals to one side, we did well in the first game [a 2-1 defeat]. “We’ve grown in recent years, Juve are very strong, but we can manage. We have 13 international players so we’re hardly worthless.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento I'm not thinking about Ronaldo yet - Barzagli Both the experienced defender and team-mate Giorgio Chiellini say the focus must be on the derby clash with Torino and not the tie against Real Madrid. Apr 24, 2015 Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli says he will not allow himself to start thinking about the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo just yet. The Serie A leaders have been drawn against holders Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals in a repeat of the last-four clash from 2003. Ronaldo scored three times in the two group games against Juventus last season but Barzagli is confident the collective efforts of his team can nullify the Portugal star - though he says now is not the time to start planning for the tie. "I don't want to think about it too much. We must think of Torino first," he told Sky when asked about meeting Ronaldo. "It will be a great challenge. We knew we would have to play a strong opponent anyway. We don't start as favourites but we'll play without fear. "They have a squad of great players. Juve's strength is not the defence, but the collective. We help each other out on the pitch." Giorgio Chiellini, meanwhile, admits battling to win the treble is taking its toll this season but is confident they can cause problems for Madrid. "It will be difficult, of course - we face the reigning champions, a team full of phenomenal players. But we can put them in trouble," he told the club's official website. "We need two great performances. "Playing on three fronts is difficult because there are a lot of commitments and you spend a lot of energy. But we have not achieved anything yet and now we have to be good to win as much as possible. "We have to forget the excitement of the Champions League and focus on the derby." http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Evra to miss Turin derby Apr 24, 2015 Patrice Evra will miss Sunday’s Turin derby, as he’s struggling with a hip injury, Juventus have revealed. The Frenchman picked up a niggling injury during Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Monaco in the Champions League, did not train today, and will sit out tomorrow’s session too. “Patrice Evra was absent [from training] due to a sore left hip sustained during Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Monaco,” The Bianconeri announced on their official website. “The Frenchman’s medical tests returned negative results, meaning he will also rest tomorrow before returning to the fold on Sunday.” There is better news with regard to Carlos Tevez, however, as the Argentinian striker has returned to training after missing yesterday’s session with flu. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Barzagli: ‘No fear against Madrid’ Apr 24, 2015 Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli admits Real Madrid are favourites in their Champions League clash, but the Bianconeri have ‘no fear’. The Italian champions were drawn against the current holders of the competition in this morning’s draw, with the sides vying for the opportunity to make the final in Berlin. “It’s a great challenge, it’s a semi-final,” Barzagli told Sky. “We knew whoever we drew would definitely be difficult. We don’t start as favourites, but we’ll play without fear. “We definitely know the quality they possess, they have a squad full of great players. They have the Ballon D’Or winner [Cristiano Ronaldo], and great players who can make a difference. “It’s a squad full of phenomenal players. “It’s difficult to start thinking of Berlin now, although personally Germany has always brought me luck [barzagli was in the 2006 World Cup winning squad]. “We’ll see, but first we have a big task to undertake. Over two legs of a semi-final anything can happen.” The Old Lady have played with both a back three and a back four this season, and Barzagli assures they’ll be confident with either shape against Los Merengues. “We played [with three] for many years, so we know that system off by heart. This year we haven’t conceded many goals with 4. So anything the Coach chooses to do will be the right choice. “Regarding the defence, in my opinion, in recent years Juve have made a difference as a team, collectively in terms of defence, not just us defenders. “We can help each other and feel comfortable together, and that will certainly be important against a team like Real Madrid.”

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Preview: Torino vs. Juventus Apr 24, 2015 Juventus travel to city rivals Torino this weekend knowing that a victory will bring them one step closer to the Serie A title. The Bianconeri are just three wins away from retaining the Scudetto for the fourth straight season, but their opponents are in good form and need the points to mount their own challenge for a Europa League spot. Torino Torino have enjoyed another successful season in the top flight and once again they are defying expectations under the leadership of Giampiero Ventura. They have established their place in Serie A for a fourth consecutive campaign and a strong run over the next couple of months could see them book a return to Europe. As things stand, the club are eighth in the league table and are five points behind Fiorentina, who occupy the final Europa League qualifying spot. The Viola are in the semi-finals of this season's Europa League, so the club may take their eyes off their domestic duties, enabling the likes of Torino to sneak in and overhaul them before the end of May. Crucially, Torino are in good form to exploit any mistakes from the teams above them and they are unbeaten in four games. The last two of those have ended in draws, but each time against Roma and Sassuolo they came from behind to salvage a point. Following their game against Juventus, they will not play any other team in the top six, so a repeat of last season's seventh-place finish is well within their grasp. Recent form: L L W W D D Juventus It is only a matter of time until Juventus finally the lift the title and they could still end up claiming a sensational treble by the end of the season. They are already assured of a place in the Coppa Italia final against Lazio, while in midweek they booked their spot in the last four of the Champions League by playing out a goalless draw with Monaco to win their quarter-final tie 1-0 on aggregate. Massimiliano Allegri's side will find it tough to reach their first European final in 12 years, as they have been drawn against holders Real Madrid, but the Spaniards will also be cautious of playing against a club in such great form. The Bianconeri have lost just twice in the league all season, with the second of those defeats coming two weeks ago against against Parma, but they quickly bounced back in their next match to claim a 2-0 win over second-placed Lazio. Their defensive displays have also won admiration as they have conceded just one goal in their past 10 games and have leaked a measly 15 in the league all season. Recent form in Serie A: W W W W L W Recent form (all competitions): W W L W W D Team News Torino have Omar El Kaddouri back after his recent ban, while Maxi Lopez could be drafted into the starting lineup. However, they will have to make do without Migjen Basha, who will sit the game out through injury. Meanwhile, Juventus are without the suspended Claudio Marchisio and the injured Paul Pogba. Allegri could rotate following their victory over Monaco, with Roberto Pereyra, Simone Padoin and Stefano Sturaro all pushing for starts. Torino possible starting lineup: Padelli, Bovo, Glik, Moretti, Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian, Lopez, Quagliarella Juventus possible starting lineup: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin, Vidal, Pirlo, Sturaro, Pereyra, Tevez, Morata Head To Head Andrea Pirlo scored a stoppage-time winner to give Juventus a 2-1 victory when these teams met back in November. It was a familiar story for Torino, who have not beaten their city rivals in the Turin derby for over 20 years. Since a 2-1 win for Torino in 1995, Juventus have won 13 of their 17 meetings, so there is much more than just points to play for. We say: Torino 0-1 Juventus It is hard to see anything other than a win for Juventus, who have been in such brilliant form. They are almost impenetrable at the back and Torino may not have the firepower to seriously test them. That is why we are backing Allegri's side to claim the points to edge to within touching distance of securing the title. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Chiellini: 'Juve have unique opportunity' Apr 24, 2015 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini believes his side have a chance to make history when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. The two teams were drawn against each other in Friday morning’s draw to set up a repeat of the epic clash in 2003, which the Old Lady win 4-3 over two legs. “We have a unique opportunity and we must meet it with great enthusiasm – ourselves and our fans,” Chiellini said to Juventus TV. “Of course it will be difficult, we’re facing the defending champions and a team full of superstars, but we can pose them problems. “We will have to give two great performances. We’ve improved as a team, individually and in terms of our awareness. “There is a great level of trust and we will give our all in these matches. I think that the games we played last year in the Europa League and this year in the knockout stages have given us bags of important experience that we will use against Madrid.” Despite the excitement of the forthcoming Champions League clash, the Italian international remains focused on Sunday’s Derby della Mole. “We must block out the euphoria of the Champions League and only think about the derby, a passionate and difficult match which we will have to be mentally prepared for,” he said. “Physically, I’m sure that we’re ready but we must strengthen ourselves to give our best on Sunday afternoon, because we will need to play a great all-round game to win.”

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Why the Turin Derby Is Still One of the World's Top Matches Apr 24, 2015 It is a rivalry that spans over many years, with the histories of Turin’s two football clubs interwoven across the decades since both were formed. Juventus were the Piedmontese capital’s first team, formed by students back in 1897, while a break-away faction led by Alfred Dick gave birth to Torino FC just nine years later. Dick and his cohorts had grown tired of the decision to take Juventus in a more professional direction, forming their own club with help from future Italian national coach Vittorio Pozzo. The very first clash between them came the following year, with the newly formed club emerging victorious at the Velodrome Umberto I. From those humble beginnings, two huge clubs would come to prominence, each taking its turn to dominate football on the peninsula and together shaping the early landscape of Serie A. The rivalry between them intensified, taking on increasing significance, as the importance of the city’s two sides also grew more widely known. Eventually it came to be called the “Derby della Mole,” taking its name from the Mole Antonelliana, a distinctive former synagogue that dominates the Turin skyline. In Italian language, the word mole literally means “size” and is often used to denote a building of lavish proportions, and the match named after this one did indeed become Italy’s biggest game. Juventus won five consecutive titles in the 1930s, only to see Il Grande Torino repeat that feat in the following decade, and no other side has yet matched that incredible achievement. Sadly the Granata side that accomplished it would perish in the Superga tragedy, the entire team wiped out in the 1949 plane crash. The Bianconeri would be touched by similar grief much later, with 39 fans losing their lives at the Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985, although supporters sadly seem much more likely to mock the suffering of the other rather than be united by their shared experiences. Over the 1980s and 90s Turin would lose its place as the capital of Italy’s footballing culture, replaced first by Milan and then Rome. Juventus—who blossomed into one of Europe’s truly giant clubs—began to dominate the derby on a regular basis. This weekend sees the 231st match between the Turin rivals, with the Old Lady notching 92 wins and 62 draws, leaving Toro with 74 victories. The Granata’s best spell saw them go unbeaten against their crosstown rivals for over five years in the 1970s, while their most impressive result arguably came in the 1938 Italian Cup final, beating Juve by an aggregate score of 5-2. Yet since their last win in April 1995, Torino have repeatedly failed in the derby, registering nine losses and four draws. The Granata have only spent 12 seasons outside the top flight and 10 of those have been in the years since that last derby triumph, and one of the seasons they did make it back to Serie A came in 2006. That meant they missed out on facing the Bianconeri, relegated as part of their punishment for the Calciopoli scandal, the only time they have been in the second tier. With a stable Torino now enjoying their third consecutive top-flight campaign, they are emerging once again as a force to be reckoned with, catapulting Turin back to the forefront of Italian football. Giampiero Ventura’s side currently occupy eighth place, and having enjoyed a stellar showing in the Europa League this term, they will hope to qualify for the competition once again this time around. Their domestic results have been equally impressive, holding AS Roma to a draw two weeks ago while boasting wins over Inter, Napoli and Sampdoria. It might not sizzle with the electricity of the clashes in Rome, Milan or even Madrid, but—to anyone with an interest in the history of the sport—the Turin derby remains one of world football’s most significant. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Falcao's wages a problem for Juventus, says Marotta The Serie A champions are interested in signing the Colombia international, but fear his wage demands could frustrate a potential deal. Apr 24, 2015 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has acknowledged that Radamel Falcao's wages could prove to be too much of an obstacle for the Serie A champions. The Monaco man is currently on loan at Manchester United, but the Premier League side seem unlikely to make his move permanent come the end of his temporary spell. Juve are closely monitoring Falcao's situation and could make a move for the Colombia international if he were to become available this summer. However, Marotta has admitted that negotiations will not be easy due to the 29-year-old's hefty wages. "The situation with Falcao is complicated," Marotta told Sky Sports. "His wages cannot be overlooked. At the moment, signing him seems to be a utopia." The Juve director then went on to discuss a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and made it clear that they are unlikely to bring in the Uruguay international as PSG are not willing to sell. "We really like Cavani, but at the moment he is not available." Juve are in the market for a new attacker due to the ongoing uncertainty about the future of Carlos Tevez, who is being heavily linked with a return to Boca Juniors, even though the Argentine has insisted nothing has been decided as of yet. "Boca Juniors? There is nothing happening. People talk too much," the Serie A top scorer told reporters. "I would rather enjoy this moment and focus on achieving our goals."

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Torino V. Juventus – Preview: Granata Look To Poop Bianconeri Party Apr 24, 2015 Juventus may go into Sunday’s Derby della Mole with Torino knowing that a victory against their city rivals could clinch the Scudetto. In a fixture that is already alluring, Italy’s eyes will excite themselves switching between Rome and Turin. With Roma due to play at Inter on Saturday evening, the Vecchia Signori will know before kick-off if they can clinch the title at the Stadio Olimpico, as they will need to win and both Roman sides lose in order to do so. It will be the 140th Serie A meeting between the two and the Bianconeri hold a heavy advantage. They have 64 wins to their host’s 34 and even hold a 10 win swing in the away leg of the fixture. A great number of those victories have come in recent meetings, something made painfully apparent to Granata supporters when they note that the 20th anniversary of Torino’s last derby victory has recently passed; history heavily favours the visitors. The meeting at the Juventus Stadium was a tight affair; an Arturo Vidal penalty gave the Bianconeri the advantage, but Bruno Peres’ meisterwerk gave Torino their first derby goal since 2002 and looked to have clinched a point until a last second thunderbolt from Andrea Pirlo snatched victory. Yet both sides go into this derby in good form. As well as progressing against Monaco in the Champions League, Juventus have been imperious in Serie A. Since defeat at Genoa in October, they have lost just once (mystifyingly at Parma) in 22 games and have won 15 of those. Torino have hardly been slumping during that time, however, with only two defeats in the 18 games since the last derby, though those 16 matches have been split equally between wins and draws. Juventus striker Carlos Tevez goes into the game as Serie A’s leading scorer with 18 goals to his name, while Fabio Quagliarella leads Giampiero Ventura’s side on 11 – the second season in a row Torino’s leading scorer has joined from Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri goes into the game with local boy made good Claudio Marchisio suspended, while Paul Pogba and Kwadwo Asamoah are both likely to miss out through injury. Meanwhile, Ventura’s squad are virtually without blemish – with Gaston Silva unlikely to add to his two appearances to date. Form Guide: Torino (D-D-W-W-L-L), Juventus (W-L-W-W-W-W) Expected Starting XIs Torino: Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Bruno Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian; Maxi Lopez, Martinez. Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pereyra, Evra; Tevez, Morata. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

TORINO - JUVENTUS .- Sunday, April 26th, 2015 - 3:00 PM Olimpico Stadium, Turin Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Glik: Beating Juve a national celebration Apr 24, 2015 Torino captain Kamil Glik has fired shots ahead of Sunday’s Derby della Mole by saying that the nation would celebrate a Granata victory. The Polish defender will lead his side against the Old Lady this weekend hoping to avenge their last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Juventus Stadium in November. “If we beat Juventus it will be a national celebration,” Glik said to Tuttosport. “We are looking to prepare for this match like any other and want to give as little thought as possible to the fact that it’s a derby.” The 27-year-old centre back has led his club to eighth place in Serie A and they still stand a chance of European qualification, but he underlined how vital the derby is to the Granata’s season. “It’s the most important match of the year for us, but we must let our adrenaline levels rise only a few minutes before the whistle blows for kick off. “Juventus are a better team, but we are proud to wear this shirt - for me it’s an honour. “Three years ago when I arrived in Turin there wasn’t the same enthusiasm as there is today – the passion of the fans makes us happy. “Whether it’s Juve or a smaller team, it doesn’t make a difference – we have to play our own game and be sure not to misrepresent ourselves." http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Serie A - 13^ Giornata Ritorno - Domenica 26-04-2015 (ore 15:00) TORINO - JUVENTUS - Stadio Olimpico, Torino Arbitro: Paolo Tagliavento Confronti ufficiali 188 - 139 (Serie A) - 16 (Coppa Italia) - 8 (Campionato divisione nazionale) - 4 (Campionato di guerra) - 17 (Campionato 1^ categoria) - 3 (Campionato federale) - 1 (Spareggio UEFA) Vittorie Juventus 79 - 64 (Serie A) - 7 (Coppa Italia) - 4 (Campionato divisione nazionale) - 1 (Campionato di guerra) - 2 (Campionato 1a categoria) - 1 (Campionato federale) Pareggi 54 - 41 (Serie A) - 5 (Coppa Italia) - 2 (Campionato di guerra) - 5 (Campionato 1a categoria) - 1 (Spareggio UEFA) Vittorie Torino 55 - 34 (Serie A) - 4 (Coppa Italia) - 4 (Campionato divisione nazionale) - 1 (Campionato di guerra) - 10 (Campionato 1a categoria) - 2 (Campionato federale) Goals Juventus 271 - 209 (Serie A) - 20 (Coppa Italia) - 8 (Campionato divisione nazionale) - 6 (Campionato di guerra) - 25 (Campionato 1a categoria) - 3 (Campionato federale) Goals Torino 230 - 144 (Serie A) - 17 (Coppa Italia) - 10 (Campionato divisione nazionale) - 9 (Campionato di guerra) - 47 (Campionato 1a categoria) - 3 (Campionato federale) Torino - Juventus in casa del Torino, Serie A Confronti ufficiali 69 Vittorie Juventus 28 (L'ultima il 29.09.2013, 0-1) Pareggi 23 (L'ultimo il 24.02.2002, 2-2) Vittorie Torino 18 (L'ultima il 25.01.1995, 3-2) Goals Juventus 92 Goals Torino 72 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro il Torino in casa del Torino 12 presenze Scirea Gaetano 11 Bettega Roberto 11 Gentile Claudio 11 Salvadore Sandro 11 Varglien II Giovanni 11 Zoff Dino 10 Boniperti Giampiero 10 Cuccureddu Antonello 10 Furino Giuseppe 10 Varglien I Mario 5 goals Boniperti Giampiero 4 Anastasi Pietro 4 Vialli Gianluca 3 Borel II Felice Placido 3 Cabrini Antonio 3 Charles John William 3 Gabetto Guglielmo 3 Hansen John 3 Nicolè Bruno 3 Platini Michel Ultimi confronti diretti 05.04.2003 Serie A Juventus-Torino 2-0 30.09.2007 Serie A Torino-Juventus 0-1 26.02.2008 Serie A Juventus-Torino 0-0 25.10.2008 Serie A Juventus-Torino 1-0 07.03.2009 Serie A Torino-Juventus 0-1 01.12.2012 Serie A Juventus-Torino 3-0 28.04.2013 Serie A Torino-Juventus 0-2 29.09.2013 Serie A Torino-Juventus 0-1 23.02.2014 Serie A Juventus-Torino 1-0 30.11.2014 Serie A Juventus-Torino 2-1 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 9 - Pareggi 1 - Vittorie Torino 0 - Goals Juventus 14 - Goals Torino 1 http://www.goal.com/it/results-standings/69/serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_101

Anche io.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOrobKzF7AA http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/Calcio/Serie%20A/Juventus/2015/04/22-95014_0/FOTO+Monaco-Juventus+0-0%3A+un+pari+basta+per+la+semifinale http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/fK7EaDnroEH/Monaco+FC+v+Juventus+UEFA+Champions+League/1idxwaM8rCy

CL: Juventus draw Real Madrid Apr 24, 2015 Juventus will face defending champions Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals after the draw in Nyon on Friday morning. Barcelona will take on Bayern Munich in the other last four tie. The first legs will take place on May 5 and 6, with the return legs scheduled for May 12 and 13. Juventus will have the first leg at home on May 6 before facing a trip to Santiago Bernabeu the following week. Since finishing second behind Atletico Madrid in the group stages, the Old Lady have knocked out Borussia Dortmund and Monaco on their way to the semi-finals. Real Madrid narrowly squeezed past Schalke 04 and Atletico Madrid to reach the last four. Barcelona have had arguably the toughest route to the last four, but have impressed with comfortable aggregate wins against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Bayern have enjoyed high-scoring victories against Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto to get to this stage.

Tevez: I’m not scared of anyone Apr 24, 2015 Juventus striker Carlos Tevez is fearless ahead of the Champions League semi-final draw and believes his side can match any opponent. The Old Lady will discover the identity of their semi-final opponent when the draw takes place in Nyon at 12:00 CET. When asked if he feared the teams the Bianconeri must face, the Argentine gave an unexpected response. “Scared? The only thing I’m scared of is my neighbourhood,” the 31-year-old told Tuttosport. “Now comes the best part - I’m not scared of anyone. Any team we come up against will be strong, but we’re also a great team.” Tevez, top scorer in Serie A with 18 goals, also believes that the Bianconeri must improve on their performance in the last round if they are to succeed. “We can’t afford to make any more mistakes,” he said. “We must keep things simple and flawless, and improve our approach from the way we played Monaco in the quarter-final.”

MONACO - JUVENTUS 0 - 0 (Aggregate 0-1) Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Stade Louis II., Monaco Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland) Juve to learn Champions League fate Apr 24, 2015 Juventus will discover the identity of their Champions League semi-final opponents today, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid the possibilities. The draw will take place in Nyon at 12:00 CET, shortly before the Europa League draw featuring Napoli and Fiorentina. The Old Lady defeated Monaco 1-0 on aggregate to reach their first Champions League semi-final in 12 years but will face a European heavyweight in the last four. Defending champions Real Madrid have been touted as the most favourable draw for Juve, after squeezing past rivals Atletico Madrid 1-0 over two legs. Bayern demolished Porto 6-1 in the second leg after a shock 3-1 defeat in Portugal and Barcelona were impressive as they dispatched Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 on aggregate. All four teams have enormous European pedigree with Real Madrid winning 10 Champions League or European Cup titles, with Bayern collecting five, Barcelona four and Juventus two. The Old Lady’s last triumph in Europe’s premier competition was in 1996, but they have finished as runners up on three occasions since then.

Juventus hand Marotta new three-year deal The chief executive has joined six other key directors from the sports management department in agreeing fresh terms with the Italian champions. Apr 23, 2015 Juventus have handed new three-year contracts to the club's sports management department, including chief executive Giuseppe Marotta. The Italian champions are cruising to a fourth consecutive Serie A crown and have also reached the Coppa Italia final and the last four of the Champions League. However, their post-season is expected to be a busy one, with Paul Pogba again likely to be linked to a host of European rivals and Carlos Tevez remaining in Boca Juniors' sights. Marotta himself has already confirmed the club are negotiating with Palermo for striker Paulo Dybala as they look to secure an insurance policy should Tevez leave. "We are speaking with [Palermo president Maurizio] Zamparini but the negotiations are difficult," he said of the player valued at €50m. While the corridors of power at Juventus Stadium are sure to be hectic this summer, the men making the decisions can at least relax in the knowledge their own positions appear safe. Sporting director Fabio Paratici, general secretary Maurizio Lombardo, first team manager Matteo Fabris, vice sporting director Federico Cherubini and youth sector chiefs Stefano Braghin and Gianluca Pessotto have also agreed new deals.

MONACO - JUVENTUS 0 - 0 (Aggregate 0-1) Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Stade Louis II., Monaco Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland) Juventus will need to improve for heavyweight date in semifinals Apr 23, 2015 After 12 long years of suffering, 12 long years of hardship, struggling with demotion to Serie B, the disgust of mediocrity and the creation of a balanced squad, Juventus are back in the Champions League semifinals. The quarterfinal second leg performance in Monaco was not what was expected from a team that proved so delightfully technical and tactical in Europe. The squad lacked intensity, composure and attacking ambition. The midfield was incapable of asserting their quality, the forward line failed to make decisions, let alone the right ones, while the inability to release the ball quickly and accurately frustrated the travelling fans. This was not a typical Juve performance, as rarely have they offered a simple whimper when the occasion called for total domination. Yet perhaps there was no need to be anything more than average against a poor side that failed to exploit their opponent's mistakes. Feeble going forward, the home side had countless opportunities to take advantage of a broken opponent, yet they relinquished possession too swiftly in the final third. Monaco's lack of genuine quality on the ball was baffling. Organised, certainly, but Monaco did not boast the intelligence and technique required in the final third to either threaten or convert efficiently. In their defence, they should have been awarded a penalty. Geoffrey Kondogbia was clearly sandwiched in the box, but the referee opted not to award a spot kick, much to the delight of the Italians. Yet even the home side must admit that the lack of genuine quality up top is the real the reason behind their European exit. According to Juve's Massimiliano Allegri, a coach clearly disappointed with the performance judging by his antics on the sideline, his men had an excuse for the below-par performance. A virus has spread through the dressing room taking down Carlos Tevez, Alvaro Morata and Arturo Vidal. The Chilean has been struggling with tonsillitis, while the young Spaniard reportedly vomited on the bench. Yet while the coach attempted to explain certain performances, others cannot be excused. Giorgio Chiellini was simply abysmal for much of the game, especially in the first half, and is lucky he wasn't punished either by the referee or the opponent. Andrea Pirlo miscued many of his passes, squandering opportunities to create danger, while Vidal struggled to offer much after a good start, disappearing as the night darkened. In the second half, Juve's anxiety softened and they looked more in control, as Monaco began to tire and surrender to frustration. However, it's safe to say a better opponent would have destroyed a Juventus team that committed countless errors. Asked about the challenges the Bianconeri will face in the semifinals, Allegri looked to allay fears. "These are the three biggest clubs in Europe. I can certainly guarantee it will be a completely different game against these sides than with Monaco," he said. Juve fans will hope these guarantees are not like the ones Rudi Garcia made regarding Roma and the Scudetto. However, the night belongs to wild celebrations and little criticism. The club must expect that the struggle for excellence is not yet over and Juventus still have a lot to do to improve on their level, but a place in the semifinal is just reward for a club that has devoted itself to improvement and success, investing wisely and batting off unwarranted criticism to have the last laugh. Management have built a wonderfully balanced team despite limited funding, a league that offers no competition and a former coach, Antonio Conte, who left the club just before the preseason. Let's put things into context, German Bundesliga side Schalke makes approximately €20m more in commercial revenue than the Old Lady. Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid proved that excellent tactics, squad spirit and organised play can be enough to reach the final of Europe's premier competition. Conte didn't agree, and neither did many of the fans who called for better reinforcements. Yet the only difference between Allegri's Juve and Conte's is Roberto Pereyra and Alvaro Morata, and despite their excellent displays, neither player forced Juve to make the step up. Juventus have had the potential to excel in this competition for several years now and have only just managed to express it. Luck has certainly smiled down on the men in black and white, but then it often does in this competition, watching certain greats fall against lesser teams. It only takes one excellent year in Europe for a well-managed team to improve. More money will mean better investments, a more formidable brand and better hope for further glory. Conte revived the sleeping giant and Allegri is now perfecting it. Two perfect performances in the next stage and the story will read like a fairy tale. Juventus have truly risen from the ashes.

MONACO - JUVENTUS 0 - 0 (Aggregate 0-1) Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Stade Louis II., Monaco Referee:‬ William Collum (Scotland) Juventus in the Champions League semifinals is just like the old days Apr 23, 2015 Gianluigi Buffon punched the air and roared -- you could see what it meant to the Juventus captain. Of the current squad, he is the only one who has played in a Champions League semifinal for the Old Lady. "I thought I wouldn't have to wait as long to get back," Buffon said 12 years on from a famous win in Barcelona, after Juve won 1-0 on aggregate against Monaco on Wednesday night. "But given how hard the road has been to get here, it makes us savour it all the more." He had been a runner-up in the 2003 final at Old Trafford, succumbing to Milan after a penalty shootout. Buffon was 25 then and "Superman" could reasonably expect to return to the biggest stage soon. After all, Juventus had reached the Champions League's showpiece in four of the previous eight years. Alas, they underachieved in Europe under Marcello Lippi's successor Fabio Capello, bowing out at the quarterfinal stage to Liverpool and Arsenal in 2005 and 2006, despite possessing a monstrous team with the likes of Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Vieira, Pavel Nedved and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks, not to mention Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet. Then the Calciopoli scandal broke, relegation followed and although they immediately contended again in Serie A upon their promotion, they then regressed to record back-to-back seventh place finishes, which meant no Champions League football. The second of those disappointing seasons, 2010-11, was Andrea Agnelli's first year as president and the foundations for the current Juventus were being laid. General manager Beppe Marotta and chief scout Fabio Paratici were hired from Sampdoria with a remit to assemble a team capable of competing again. Wednesday must have been particularly poignant for them. "More than an emotion, it's a satisfaction for us," Marotta explained. After guiding Juventus back to the top of the game in Italy and keeping them there, re-establishing the club in Europe has become the priority. A seven-time finalist and two-time winner of the European Cup, the Bianconeri are only one of four clubs to have won every UEFA club competition. Nights like Wednesday were reminiscent of Agnelli's adolescence. He was at Monaco's Stade Louis II on Apr. 15, 1998 when Juventus lost 3-2 but still progressed 6-4 on aggregate, returning to the Champions League final for a third straight year. No longer quite the superpower they were then, there is realism to this restoration project. Juventus are in the final four of the Champions League, notwithstanding their status as Europe's ninth richest team in Deloitte's football money league. Their revenues are growing, but at €279.4m they are nearly half what Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich make on an annual basis. This casts them in the outsider role played by Atletico Madrid a year ago and Borussia Dortmund the season before last. One of the lamentations Antonio Conte aired before resigning as manager in the summer was the belief Juventus lacked the resources to compete at this level. "If you sit in a restaurant where the prices are €100 a head," he complained. "You can't think about eating there when you only have €10 in your pocket." Conte is now being made to eat humble pie. His successor Massimiliano Allegri has got more bang for his 10 bucks. "Maybe we can't eat the priciest dishes on the menu but Italian teams can sit comfortably in an expensive restaurant," he countered. How sweet life must be for Allegri at the moment. After the statement last 16 second leg win in Dortmund last month, Marotta spoke about the coach "taking revenge" on his sceptics. Both parties deserve ample praise because, when Conte walked away at the beginning of pre-season, he left Juventus in a real bind. They didn't have time to dawdle and had to act swiftly and decisively. At the time, many, including their own fans, believed they got the decision terribly wrong. The hiring of Allegri was deeply unpopular, so much so Marotta recalled on Thursday how, upon driving with Agnelli and Allegri on the day of the former Milan coach's unveiling, supporters kicked the car. Time has shown that they could hardly have been more right in their choice of replacement and that's the mark of great management. Allegri, as Buffon has reiterated, also showed great courage and considerable courage in taking on the near-impossible job of following Conte, a Juventino icon and all-time great. Given Juventus had shattered Serie A records en route to winning three straight titles, Allegri was told by the papers that delivering in Europe constituted the "only" measure of success for him at Juventus. "It wasn't easy," Gianluca Vialli said on Sky Italia. "His arrival after Conte could have been compared to post-Jose Mourinho Inter [when no one could break his cult of personality]. Max has instead shown himself capable of building a splendid relationship with the players. He has done what Capello did at Milan after Arrigo Sacchi." Allegri has fulfilled the brief and more. Besides taking Juventus further than Conte and Capello did in the Champions League, small talk at the top table with fellow semifinalists Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique might centre on how their own treble plans are going. Fifteen points clear in Serie A and with a place booked in the final of the Coppa Italia, this could be a historic season for Juventus. Allegri has changed the record, flipped the script and helped lift a complex the club had developed in Europe over the last 12 years. Outplayed by winners Bayern in the quarterfinals in 2013, dumped out of the group stages last season and denied the chance to play the final of the Europa League in their own stadium by Benfica, doing themselves justice and recovering face on the continent has driven the players, as well as proving they could win without Conte. "At times [since 2003] I really hoped we would go all the way," Buffon admitted, "but that hope transformed into too great a pressure. Not anymore. Now it's different. This year we started out with the belief we could have good season in Europe. The wounds of last year still burn. We didn't want to make the same mistakes and get our approach to these games wrong again." Fortune has had to favour Juventus too. It did so in the draw for the last eight and in the first leg vs. Monaco when they were awarded a penalty for an incident outside the box, from which Arturo Vidal scored the decisive goal of the tie. In the second leg, Giorgio Chiellini could have been sent off and Monaco midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia had a strong penalty claim turned down. Having been unable to catch a break in Europe over last couple of years, the Old Lady has changed into Lady Luck. Like Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea in 2012, though, Juve are going to need more good fortune if they are to win this competition for the first time since 1996. Impressive defensively -- Wednesday was Juventus' ninth clean sheet in 10 games, as Monaco were limited to only one shot on target -- it was still a 0-0 of high tension, not least because, as Max Nerozzi quipped in La Stampa, "Juventus defended lower than Monaco's taxes." So close to heights they haven't ascended to in so long, there was vertigo, a palpable fear of falling and failure. As was the case in the 15 minutes of the first leg, nerves threatened to get the better of Juve. Chiellini slipped like he did against Dortmund, but instead of allowing Joao Moutinho to run through and score as had Marco Reus, the defender grabbed the ball and was booked for handling it. Andrea Pirlo did something similar after mistiming a challenge soon afterwards. In the second half, Buffon had to surge off his line and dive at Dimitar Berbatov's feet after Leonardo Bonucci sold him short. The game was reminiscent of the group stage encounters at Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos when they lost 1-0 but the difference was that they held out, which is a positive sign of progress for Allegri. Allegri was criticised, not for the first time, by Sacchi on Mediaset -- "the only good thing was the result" -- but had warned after the first leg "if you want to be entertained, go to the circus", to which Gianni Mura replied in La Repubblica "we didn't expect to suffer like we were in a dentist's chair". The approach could not have been any different. Carlos Tevez had been sick for the two days before the game, Arturo Vidal had been laid up in a hospital bed with tonsillitis while Pirlo had played three games in a week after not playing at all six. Alvaro Morata also vomited after his substitution in the second half. They'll have to play better in the semifinals, that's for sure, as it is acknowledged and accepted that the other remaining teams are on different level to them. Everything is now a bonus, though, given that the objective at the start of the season was to reach the quarterfinals again. A great sense of joy is discernible at Juventus being back to where they feel they belong. "Bentornata" was La Stampa's headline on Thursday morning. "Welcome back."