Socrates

Juventus have been waiting for Coppa Italia glory for too long - Marotta The club director is eager to end their long wait for success in the tournament in 2015, as well as see a fourth successive Scudetto and a quarter-final spot in Europe. Dec 27, 2014 Juventus plan to end a 20-year wait to lift the Coppa Italia with victory in the competition this season, says director Beppe Marotta. The Serie A leaders will return from the mid-season break in January top of the table and on course for a fourth successive league title. Massimiliano Allegri's side are also in the last 16 of the Champions League, but Marotta has stressed the importance of winning the domestic cup competition. Juve have not lifted the cup since 1995 – when they beat Parma 3-0 over two legs – but they are determined to end that drought in 2015. "Our quest this year is the Italian Cup, the trophy we have been missing for far too long," he told La Gazzeta dello Sport. "Juve have an obligation to claim a fourth consecutive league title, as we had a duty to join in the second round of the Champions League. "And I think we have what it takes to reach at least the quarter-finals [in Europe]." Juve will make their bow in this season's Coppa Italia on January 15 when they face Verona in the round of 16.

Marotta: 'Allegri silenced doubters' Dec 27, 2014 Beppe Marotta said Max Allegri “proved the doubters wrong” at Juventus, but admits the Scudetto is “obligatory.” The director general spoke to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport about a tumultuous six months in Turin, as Conte resigned unexpectedly just one day into pre-season training. “Allegri proved the doubters wrong. We had to find ourselves a new Coach within 24 hours and Allegri also had to inherit a team formed by someone else,” said Marotta. “The group was fresh from success, but he also brought the best out of the Juventus solidity and professionalism. I’d give Allegri and Juventus eight out of 10 for the season so far. “Of course, a fourth consecutive Scudetto is obligatory for Juventus, but we also have what it takes to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. “We will sign a defender, though I don’t know yet whether it’s a centre-back or full-back.” When Marotta arrived at Juve from Sampdoria, the team was struggling in seventh place. “When we began this adventure, we never imagined reaching such results in a short space of time. The credit above all goes to Andrea Agnelli, who moulded Juve into a reference point for Italian football. “Agnelli also defended my work after a difficult first season. He was convinced of his choices and I was able to act autonomously. “I’d like to end my career at Juventus and do not see any alternatives right now.”

Allegri requests Shaqiri Dec 27, 2014 Max Allegri dropped hints that Juventus will try to sign Xherdan Shaqiri from Bayern Munich. “A trequartista wouldn’t go amiss.” The club has been repeatedly linked with a swoop for the Swiss international, who complained bitterly at the lack of playing time in Germany. “Who would I sign for January? Well, a trequartista wouldn’t go amiss in this squad...” Allegri told Tuttosport. Since moving to the 4-3-1-2 system, Arturo Vidal and Roberto Pereyra have taken the role behind the strikers, but they are not entirely suited to the position. Shaqiri’s contract with Bayern expires in June 2016 and he appears to have no intention of renewing. Tuttosport claims Juve have already met with Shaqiri’s agent – who is also his brother – but the Bianconeri want him on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. The Swiss starlet is valued at €15m-€20m and is also of interest to Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Inter.

Juventus will sign a defender - Marotta The club's director general has confirmed they are set to reinforce defensively and could also move for a midfielder as they bid to reshape the side Dec 27, 2014 Juventus will be active in the January transfer window according to the club's director general Beppe Marotta, who revealed they are in the market for a defender. The Bianconeri are again in pole position in Serie A as they bid for a fourth consecutive Serie A title, but there will be no complacency in Turin with Roma hot on their heels. Coach Massimiliano Allegri replaced Antonio Conte in July but Alvaro Morata was the only signing he made over the summer and a new defender is now the former Milan boss's priority as he begins to reshape the side in his vision. Marotta told giornalaccio rosa dello Sport: "We will definitely sign a defender, but we're still considering whether to sign a full-back or a centre-back. "Max (Allegri) is a different coach to [Antonio] Conte but has had to adapt to the squad that he found when he got here. To fully develop his work it is logical he needs to find his missing pieces. "I won't mention any names at this stage but for sure we will hunt for the right opportunity. It is not easy because we can't deviate from certain economic parameters. Let's see and observe, we're scouting 24 hours a day." Marotta was also asked whether Juve could look to add a further attacker to their ranks in a bid to ease the creative burden on Carlos Tevez. "A lot will depend on what we decide to do with [sebastian] Giovinco," he replied. Juve have won 12 of their opening 16 Serie A games, losing once, while scoring 34 goals and conceding just seven times - the best defensive record in the division.

Manchester United Transfer News: Dissecting Stephan Lichtsteiner January Rumours Dec 26, 2014 Manchester United have reportedly lined up a summer move to bring in Juventus' Stephan Lichtsteiner as a free agent, spurning a January transfer and moving ahead of a host of other interested teams. The Daily Express' Ben Jefferson claims "reports in Spain" indicate the Swiss international has seen contract negotiations with Juventus come to nothing, and the Bianconeri will choose to hold on to the defender for another six months rather than cash in now: The Juventus defender is entering the last six months of his current deal and talks over an extension have broken down. Arsenal and Chelsea have both been monitoring Lichtsteiner's situation having weighed up moves for the Swiss defender in the past. And while both clubs could look to hijack United's interest by making a bid for the player next month, Juventus are keen to keep hold of one of their stars for as long as possible. That means that Lichtsteiner will be available for nothing in the summer and reports in Spain suggest that United are the frontrunners for the player's signature. Jefferson offers no explanation why Spanish sources would have knowledge of this development instead of sources from Italy or England, and he goes on to claim Louis van Gaal's primary target, Juan Cuadrado, will be passed over because he signed a new contract with Fiorentina. The Dutch manager has switched between a 3-5-2 and more traditional formations throughout the 2014-15 campaign, and with the number of wide men capable of playing in a 3-5-2 rather limited, his interest in Lichtsteiner certainly makes sense. The 30-year-old developed into one of the world's better full-backs under former coach Antonio Conte and was instrumental in his implementing of the 3-5-2, thanks to an impressive pair of lungs and a willingness to run, defend and attack for 90 minutes. Defending the Swiss Express is a nightmare due to his sheer athleticism. Lichtsteiner simply won't stop running, is opportunistic cutting inside and is not afraid to be very physical with his opponent if the situation calls for it. Bleacher Report's Adam Digby did a feature on Lichtsteiner recently, hailing him as Juventus' biggest unsung hero of the campaign. His conclusion tells a whole different story than Jefferson's, however: It is those small yet significant improvements that will help La Madamaprogress in Europe, and Lichtsteiner is set to be rewarded for his stellar play. With his current deal set to expire in June, respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported the agreement of a new three year contract that will see the player earn around €3 million per season. Now not only an unsung hero for Juventus but arguably one of the best right-backs in the world, Stephan Lichtsteiner has earned every penny of it. Italian media have been following contract negotiations between Lichtsteiner and Juventus for months, and all stories coming out of Turin seem to indicate the two parties have agreed to a new deal, with an announcement expected before the January window opens. Tuttomercatoweb reported the agreement on Boxing Day, via Khaled Al Nouss: Khaled Al Nouss @KhaledAlNouss Lichtsteiner has accepted the renewal offer made for him by Juventus until 2017 with an option for another yr worth €3m/season. Tuttosport said the same thing two days earlier, via Football Italia: Today, Tuttosport indicates that the agreement has been finalised and that an official announcement is imminent. The new contract will see Lichtsteiner earning €3m a year until 2017. This dashes reported hopes from United, who were reported last week to have offered a check for €25m to have the player in January. While the operation is not necessarily ruled out, in the best of cases Tuttosport say that it has been deferred until the summer. English media have been adamant contract negotiations have hit a roadblock for months now, but every single Italian source with knowledge of the situation refutes such reports. As one of Juventus' most consistent contributors, the idea Lichtsteiner would become a free agent without the Bianconeri putting up a real fight was absurd to begin with. The Swiss international has given no indication of wanting to leave, and according to Sky Italia's Manuele Baiocchini, all that is needed to finalise a deal is an official announcement: Manuele Baiocchini ✔ @ManuBaio #Juventus, #Lichtsteiner: renewed contract until 2017 (with option 2018). All defined. Official in January. As it stands, the chances of Lichtsteiner joining the Red Devils as a free agent in the summer look slim. A January move also seems unlikely, with the next possible window for a move being the summer of 2015. The full-back will be 31 by that time, having played in Italy since 2008. Tuttosport's claim of a €25 million bid seems reasonable value for such an important contributor, but it's very steep for a veteran with maybe two or three more good years left before the inevitable decline. Even more than most full-backs, Lichtsteiner relies on his athleticism and speed to beat his opponent. Those attributes are usually the first to feel the effects of old age, and his performances could start dropping fast in the next couple of seasons. His fit in the 3-5-2 makes him an interesting target, but one has to wonder whether Van Gaal would be willing to spend big money on an aging player who won't sell many shirts or inspire fans, given his relative anonymity outside of Italy. Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell and Ryan Bailey recently broke down United's transfer needs, and the players they suggested had far more ring to their names than Lichtsteiner: Diego Godin, Miranda, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger are world-class players fans talk about every day; Lichtsteiner simply doesn't fit into that list. The Swiss star is happy in Turin, set to sign a new deal and doesn't present enough long-term upside to warrant a big-money move. While you can't rule anything out in football, it appears unlikely he'll be moving to Old Trafford anytime soon.

Chelsea 'eyeing £24m Kwadwo Asamoah' Dec 26, 2014 Chelsea are reportedly ready to make a £24m bid for Juventus utility player Kwadwo Asamoah in January. Earlier this month, Blues boss Jose Mourinho had suggested that the club were unlikely to be active in the forthcoming transfer window. However, the Daily Star cites sources in Ghana as saying that Chelsea are willing to move for the 26-year-old star. Asamoah has been a regular in the Juve side since his move from Udinese in 2012, but has been out of the lineup since November with a knee injury. The player's potential move to Stamford Bridge may be delayed after he underwent surgery and he is expected to be out of action for around three months.

Why Stephan Lichtsteiner Is the Unsung Hero for Juventus so Far This Season Dec 26, 2014 Upon arriving in Turin, Massimiliano Allegri was given little chance to improve upon the results delivered by his predecessor. Three consecutive league titles, an undefeated season and a record Serie A points haul last term made following in Antonio Conte’s footsteps an unenviable task. While debate over whether the tweak in formation and progress in the Champions League will continue, any perceived success for the new coach will only be determined at the end of the campaign. Yet Allegri is not the only man in Turin walking in the shadow of greatness, many of the current Bianconeri squad are compared to the legends whose positions they now fill. Carlos Tevez has seemingly never struggled with the pressure of wearing the number 10 shirt, despite the inevitable mentions of Alessandro Del Piero. It is the same for Stephan Lichtsteiner, a player who has not only been deployed in a right-back role once occupied by the likes of Lillian Thuram and Sergio Brio but has also filled a long-standing void there. Following the retirement of Ciro Ferrara and Thuram’s subsequent move into the centre of defence, a string of sub-standard players failed to impress there for Juventus. Cristian Zenoni, Jonathan Zebina and Zdenek Grygera were collectively poor, while Marco Motta was a complete disaster following his €5 million move in 2010. It was in an attempt to end this malaise that Beppe Marotta signed Lichtsteiner, paying €10 million to Lazio to secure the “Swiss Express.” It has proven to be one of the director general’s best signings, such have been the consistently excellent standards set by the now-30-year-old defender over the last three seasons. He may not have the star power of Tevez, Paul Pogba or Arturo Vidal, but he has been every bit as important in the success enjoyed by the Bianconeri. Able to play as either a wing-back in the 3-5-2 or an orthodox full-back in a four-man defence, Lichtsteiner has been one of the most reliable members of the team during the club’s recent dominant run. He admitted in a recent interview with Juventus TV (h/t Football Italia) that he finds it “a bit easier” in a back four, noting he feels less isolated and “better protected” in the new shape. The performances of both Lichtsteiner and the team have benefitted from that change as he has once again dominated the right flank. Averaging 1.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game according in Serie A, according to statistics from WhoScored.com, the former Lille man has also weighed in with two goals and four assists. Injuries to Martin Caceres and new signing Romulo have left Allegri with few chances to rest him, yet his quality has continued to shine. Never a prolific creator of goals—his previous best single-season tally for assists was two—he laid on eight goals last term, his crossing becoming a major weapon for the Bianconeri. The presence of Fernando Llorente gave him a target to aim for, and he repeatedly picked out the 6’5” Spaniard in the opposition penalty area. OptaPaolo @OptaPaolo 7 - Stephan Lichtsteiner has delivered 7 assists in Serie A this season; 6 of these were for Fernando Llorente’s goals. Duo. In the current campaign, he has learned to provide for others, laying on goals for Tevez and Alvaro Morata as well as Llorente thanks to his increasingly accurate passing. Stats from the official Juventus website show he has completed 25 percent of all his crosses this term, creating 14 clear goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates. Massimo Pinca/Associated Press In addition, last season he connected on just 78.3 per cent of his pass attempts and WhoScored shows that not only has that improved to 80.3 percent this term, but he also raises his game when the competition is at its most difficult. In the Champions League his completion rate rises to 84.9 percent, while he also makes more tackles (1.7) and passes (54.2) per game than in domestic action. It is those small yet significant improvements that will help La Madama progress in Europe, and Lichtsteiner is set to be rewarded for his stellar play. With his current deal set to expire in June, respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported the agreement of a new three year contract that will see the player earn around €3 million per season. Now not only an unsung hero for Juventus but arguably one of the best right-backs in the world, Stephan Lichtsteiner has earned every penny of it.

Juventus want to sign a playmaker, says Allegri The Bianconeri boss says he is looking at bringing in defensive reinforcement and a new trequartista - but insists he is still counting on Andrea Pirlo. Dec 26, 2014 Juventus are exploring the possibility of signing some defensive cover and a new playmaker, head coach Massimiliano Allegri has revealed. The Serie A leaders have long been rumoured to be laying the groundwork for some January transfers, with Barcelona full-back Martin Montoya widely expected to be considering a switch to Turin next month. Allegri, however, has indicated that he has several other targets in mind when it comes to bolstering his defence and also admits he is looking to sign a new creative attacking player. He told Sky Sport Italia: "We know what we need to improve. Montoya is a good full-back but he still plays for Barcelona, and there are other players. We'll discuss whether to sign a full-back or a central defender. A playmaker wouldn't hurt." However, the former AC Milan boss was quick to stress that any pursuit of another ball playing midfielder will not see Andrea Pirlo phased out of his plans. "Problems with Pirlo? Absolutely not. I just have to handle him carefully because he's 35 and I want him at his best for certain occasions," he said. Allegri admits the team are angry at having failed to win the Supercoppa Italiana against Napoli and has called on his players to make "a major leap" in the Champions League in the new year. "We are very angry and disappointed that we did not bring the trophy home," he continued. "Juventus should make a major leap. This is especially key in Europe: we have to win the championship but I think the most important step we have to take is in Europe. "Juve may be one of the strongest, as are Real Madrid, Bayern [Munich], Barcelona and Chelsea. "It's too simplistic to think Juve are happy to get to the knockout phase of the Champions League. The boys must become aware of their quality." Allegri, who replaced Antonio Conte at the end of last season, is confident the Serie A title race is between Juventus and Roma in 2015 as he looks to forge his own reputation following their domestic dominance of recent years. "In 2015 it will definitely be a duel between us and Roma. The others are too far behind," he added. "I want to stay as long as possible and write important pages in the history of this club."

How Max Allegri continues to prove me wrong Dec 25, 2014 I was hesitant, like a lot of other folks, when Juventus wasted nearly no time bringing in Max Allegri to replace the recently-resigned Antonio Conte. Let's be honest, it's not like I was the only one in that boat. Heck, there was probably some fears of overcrowding going on because of just what went down on the second day of preseason training. That mid-July morning brought big-time rumors of Conte's departure from the Italian press. Shortly thereafter, a tear-filled YouTube video was the way we found out Conte was indeed leaving the club he had guided to a third straight league title and a single-season record point total just a few months earlier. That's not exactly a good thing, right? Nope. Not even close to being a good kind of opinion regarding what would be the incredibly fast-paced hiring of Allegri as Juventus' new manager. I wasn't alone, either. It's not like the decision to bring Allegri aboard really blew anybody out of the water in terms of impressing all of us Juventini. It wasn't some glamorous hire that would instantly make us forget about what Conte had done over the last three record-setting seasons in Turin. When you think about it, it was the exact opposite. What were opposing club's fans doing when Juventus decided to go with Allegri? Well, basically thanking Andrea Agnelli and the rest of the Juventus management for hiring a new manager who had been kicked to the curb by Milan earlier in the calendar year. So in a way, it was a managerial appointment that was looked at as one that would help Juventus' opposition more than the club itself. Seriously, if you don't believe me, go check what people were saying when it became a mere formality Mad Max would become Conte's replacement. But I sit here just a few measly hours before ripping open wrapping paper and presents on Christmas with a confession. I was wrong about Max Allegri as Juventus manager. And, to be completely honest, I am quite happy about it. When the SB Nation folks asked me to write a Juventus season preview for the main site, this is what I had to say about where Juventus might — and probably should — finish first in Serie A and capture another Scudetto when it's all said and done: Champions. Why? Because even though their new manager isn't as close to as good as the man he replaced, Juve are still the best team in the country and are talented enough to overcome the managerial shortcomings of Allegri. At that time, Juventus were basically buying low on Allegri. He was the best of an extremely average group of replacements for Conte. There wasn't that managerial candidate that would wow you unless Juventus suddenly decided to throw all the money in the world at Didier Deschamps to try and get him away from the French national team. (Which, for the record, would still be totally okay with me.) And it's not like Allegri came in and radically changed things tactically when he got to Turin. Juventus, while picking up points domestically, kept things just the way Conte left them with a 3-5-2. Many of us sat there thinking to ourselves, "So, uh, what's the deal?" as Juventus didn't blow anybody away. He made the transition on everybody by keeping things just the way they were. Juve weren't putting in grandiose performances, but they were winning, therefore masking the problems that a lot of us noticed. But what set Allegri apart from his predecessor? He was willing to change. And because of it, he's now been able to put his own stamp on the club. The switch to the four-man defense — either 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2 — was probably a couple months later than it should have happened, Juventus have looked, minus a couple of games here and there, like a much different team compared to slog of September and October domestically and in Europe. It's enabled the squad to turn around what was a sluggish start to the Champions League and advance to the knockout round. They're now on stable ground in Serie A despite Roma breathing down their neck and just three points behind in the league table. Allegri deserves the credit he is getting thus far because he's done work. Yes, this squad was still the best in Italy when he took over, but they needed a fresh coat of paint. Guess who's given it to them? Mister Allegri, who has truly started to put his stamp on the team in recent weeks. That's what Juventus needed to move on from the Conte era — one that was highly successful but obviously had more going on behind the scenes than we will probably ever know about. There's no doubting this is Allegri's team now. It may not have seemed like it three or four months ago, but it does as we get set to enter 2015. He's done it the right way, too, proving his detractors wrong — like yours truly — wrong along the way. He's earned the respect of many, and that's how it should be. It's only the final days of December with over half of the Serie A schedule and the Round of 16 Champions League fixtures to be played. And there's no denying that Max Allegri still has plenty of work to do with his squad and room to grow as Juventus manager. But let's face it, when he took control, expectations weren't exactly glowing with optimism. Allegri has turned those expectations around. At least for the guy writing this thing, that is.

Lichtsteiner: Juventus Moving On After Suppercoppa Italiana Defeat Dec 24, 2014 Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has revealed that the Old Lady are looking to move on from their Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Napoli by preparing to do well in the new year. The Bianconeri battled with the Partenopei in a 2-2 draw that eventually went to penalties, where the reigning Serie A champions eventually fell to their Neapolitan opponents, but the 30-year-old admits that there’s no point in remaining upset by the loss and believes it’s time for the Turin giants to look ahead. Lichtsteiner spoke through his official Facebook page about the disappointing defeat to Napoli and expressed his enthusiasm to begin working hard ahead of Juve’s next match against Inter on January 6. “There is a great amount of disappointment after the defeat in the Supercoppa Italiana,” said the Swiss international. “But it’s useless to continue feeling sad over this. “Now we must roll up our sleeves and look ahead! Thanks for your support! Forza Juventus!”

Allegri’s stamp on the Bianconeri Massimiliano Allegri arrived in Turin knowing he had to win over the fans and as Luca Cetta states, his changes are doing just that. Dec 24, 2014 Massimiliano Allegri says it came “out of the blue”. In his inaugural Juventus Press conference he acknowledged having to work hard to win over the sceptical fans still reeling from the shock departure of Antonio Conte. “My aim is to conquer them with results, with hard work, respect and professionalism.” Sacked by Milan in January, Allegri had expected to start the new season as a bystander. Yet on just the second day of pre-season training Conte ended a successful three year stint with the Bianconeri. President Andrea Agnelli and director general Giuseppe Marotta acted quickly – “As it often happens, with one winning chapter ending, another must begin,” the latter said at the Press conference. Last month Marotta recalled when he, Agnelli and Allegri first drove into the Vinovo training ground, their car was kicked and spat at. Taking over from a beloved figure would be no easy task. Battling on four fronts – Serie A, Champions League, Coppa Italia and the Super Cup – Allegri’s team approach Christmas as 5/11 favourites with www.freebets.co.uk to win their fourth consecutive Scudetto. Juve will end 2014 in first place, although Roma are proving capable championship contenders. Aside from a shaky October which consisted of three defeats in six matches, they have been as commanding as at Conte’s best. But there have been changes to the style. Allegri did not want to arrive and rip up Conte’s successful manuscript. Rather, there would be tweaks. “It is not my intention to revolutionise Juventus’ formation and playing system – which works.” Having dabbled with a four-man defence during pre-season, he retained Conte’s 3-5-2, partly out of necessity due to injury. And with Andrea Pirlo sidelined the emphasis turned to short passing and maintaining possession, as Leonardo Bonucci alluded to after the win over Milan: “The ideas of the Coach took us to the top of the league, which is why I limit myself to passing to [Claudio] Marchisio instead of looking for the long ball.” Off the ball work would not be as taxing, the pressing not as intense. “This Juve is less ferocious than previous years,” Marcello Lippi believes. “They’re playing a somewhat different style of football, with more possession of the ball and a slower approach to directing movement and passes forward.” What hasn’t changed is their determination and hunger to succeed. “Allegri is a smart Coach,” former teammate and Brazil boss Dunga stated before the season started, “I am convinced that he will blend his winning mentality with the excellent base built by Conte.” At Milan Allegri not only won a Scudetto, but was not afraid to alter and given the constant upheaval at Milanello he was forced on multiple occasions to find new solutions. When Juve began to perform sluggishly he switched to the back four. “This change in tactical approach represents an intelligent evolution and it is true that Juventus is becoming stronger thanks to this new style of game that he has adopted,” Pavel Nedved believes. It was a gradual change that allowed the players to work under a known framework and then adjust when needed. Results against Parma and Olympiacos indicated a reinvigorated team. “What has changed with Allegri?” Tevez was asked, “Everything: tactics, management… really everything.” The Argentine has benefitted from Allegri’s alterations, given free rein behind the main striker. He has netted 10 times in Serie A. And where Conte failed in guiding Juve out of their Champions League group last term, Allegri – who qualified for the knockout phase four times out of four with the Rossoneri – has led the team to February’s meeting with Borussia Dortmund. Juve still showed some of the weaknesses which plagued recent European campaigns, but have also matured into a side which can obtain results. “Tactically, now they are chameleonic because they are versatile and they have showed this – that’s why I can fairly state that they are more European than before and that’s a decisive quality,” Giovanni Trapattoni argues. Gianluca Vialli says this Juventus is more unpredictable than in the past and believes Allegri has acted with ‘great intelligence’. “He has not missed a beat both tactically and psychologically.” The Livorno native has not been afraid to introduce younger players, which Paul Pogba and Luca Marrone aside, was not a feature of Conte’s reign. Kingsley Coman and Federico Mattiello have been afforded opportunities, while Roberto Pereyra has challenged the well-established midfield quartet for a regular starting spot. Allegri can be content with his first six months in charge of Juventus. He arrived in difficult circumstances but has smartly worked to continue with some of Conte’s fundamentals, while rubber stamping his own personality on this team. The Old Lady will hope the foundations of 2014 will lead to an even better 2015.

Pogba: ‘I always want to win’ Dec 24, 2014 Paul Pogba sees Juventus’ limits as ‘all a matter of mindset’ and says if they can exploit Borussia Dortmund’s weaknesses, ‘something special can happen’. The French midfielder has looked ahead at the coming year, which includes a Champions League Last 16 meeting with the Bundesliga outfit. “I always want to win, even when I play ping pong,” said Pogba to the Corriere della Sera. “We can think big, it's all a matter of mindset. “If we have a touch of luck, if we can exploit the weaknesses of others, something special can really happen. “[Champions League Last 16 opponents] Borussia [Dortmund] emerge from three extraordinary seasons and we haven't won the match before playing it. But we can progress to the next stage.” Pogba was linked with the likes of former club Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, but has committed to a new contract in Turin. “Hearing the tifosi chant ‘Pogba cannot be sold’ makes me proud. “I didn't renew [at Manchester United] and I said no to [Coach Alex] Ferguson. No young player had ever done that, I passed for a revolutionary. “[Max] Allegri and [Antonio] Conte have two different philosophies, I couldn't say if one shouts more than the other.” The French midfielder also had the opportunity to speak about the pressing issue of racism in football. “Racism is everywhere unfortunately, but it doesn't touch me. Those who shout abuse at me are just ignorant. Anyway this is the colour of my skin and I can't change it.” Finally, the Bianconero closed with a comment on the World Cup. “I dreamt about playing in it. It was an extraordinary experience. You don't go to a World Cup just to take part, but to go all the way.”

Dear Santa: A Christmas Wishlist From Juventus Dec 24, 2014 Dear Santa, Massimiliano Allegri here, current coach of reigning Italian champions Juventus and long time admirer of your work. Some may say that my team and I have had enough good fortune over recent years, however, given our luck during the Supercoppa Italiana shootout defeat there are clearly still things that could benefit from your own piece of festive magic should you be so obliging. While another Scudetto would be a nice personal achievement the Bianconeri fans want a little more after three successive titles and I’m afraid they’re setting their sights higher than the Coppa Italia so some help as we return to Champions League action would be a great help — be it in the form of a lucky horseshoe or rabbit’s foot, we’re not fussy. Obviously I’m not going to bemoan the fact that we have drawn an out-of-sorts Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 but if you can keep the dice continuing to roll in our favour for the rest of the competition they’ll be a medal waiting for you in Berlin on June 6. For a successful tilt at European glory we’ll still need to have all hands to the pump so some assistance with the injuries that have seen us lose key defenders such as Patrice Evra, Kwadwo Asamoah and Martin Caceres for significant periods this term would be nice. While getting Andrea Barzagli out of the treatment room would be a victory in itself, some magical ointment to keep the rest of the squad free from injury would be equally useful. Failing that, I’ll take the much-in-demand Andrej Kramaric to plug the gap. However, our troubles highlight the fact that some important members of my team are closer to my age than I would like and some adult sized bubble wrap to surround Gianliugi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo in would be handy. Rather than anything under the tree come Christmas morning I would like you to arrange for the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to visit the bedroom of Paul Pogba on the 24th and present a picture of career suicide should he follow the financial incentives on offer from Paris or the English Premier League. Finally, you may have had this request before, but while a second European Cup would be the icing on the cake for this group of players a few years ago a couple of Serie A titles went missing from the honours board at the FIGC due to some ‘unfortunate’ circumstances. The re-acknowledgment of those achievements would be the best present of all, but I understand that even this could be beyond your powers of festive ‘magic’. Merry Christmas Max

Lichtsteiner renewal imminent Dec 24, 2014 Stephan Lichtsteiner is on the verge of renewing with Juventus, with courtship from Manchester United turned down at least until the summer. Rumours that a deal had been reached between the Swiss and the Old Lady circulated during last week, following months of speculation to the contrary. Today, Tuttosport indicates that the agreement has been finalised and that an official announcement is imminent. The new contract will see Lichtsteiner earning €3m a year until 2017. This dashes reported hopes from United, who were reported last week to have offered a check for €25m to have the player in January. While the operation is not necessarily ruled out, in the best of cases Tuttosport say that it has been deferred until the summer. Much will apparently depend on whether and when Juventus will be able to acquire the services of Barcelona's Martin Montoya. At the moment the Blaugrana are asking for €20m, which Juventus are reluctant to offer, preferring a solution involving an initial loan.

Supercoppa defeat will spur Juventus on, insists Buffon The veteran goalkeeper says his side can still be proud of their efforts in 2014 and believes their shootout defeat on Monday will see them strive to do better. Dec 23, 2014 Gianluigi Buffon believes Juventus' Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Napoli will spur the team on to greater heights in 2015. Rafa Benitez's side triumphed 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw with the Serie A champions, with Simone Padoin seeing his decisive spot kick saved despite Buffon having kept out three of the Partenopei's efforts beforehand. The veteran goalkeeper says Massimiliano Allegri's men can remain happy with their efforts over the past 12 months despite the disappointing end to the year, and is confident the defeat in Doha will serve them well in the hunt for more success. "Congratulations to Napoli, but for Juventus, second place in a competition like this is a defeat," the 36-year-old was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport. "The year has been very positive, with a lot of satisfaction. But we've ended it like this. "Although we haven't lifted the trophy we wanted to win, the match in Doha will give us a lot more anger and determination if the same opportunity presents itself in future." Juventus resume domestic action against Inter on January 6 following the winter break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84838260&v=PJAP_IQJYgs&x-yt-ts=1422327029 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpZad-CTRLg http://www.tuttosport.com/foto/calcio/serie_a/2014/12/22-86808_0/FOTO+Supercoppa%2C+delusione+Juve%3A+il+Napoli+alza+la+coppa http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/-Sk3RkaH3Cj/Juventus+FC+v+SSC+Napoli

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri Under-par Juventus punished as Napoli claim the Supercoppa The champions of Italy were at last undone domestically, and they need to take their Supercoppa loss as a valuable lesson going forward. Dec 22, 2014 By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent They took the extremely long route, but Napoli eventually claimed a much-deserved Supercoppa Italiana win on a night when Juventus' recent travails finally caught up with them. There have been times this season when the Bianconeri have looked far less assured than in seasons past, yet still they lead Serie A by three points at the end of 2014. But on Monday in Doha, they were beaten on penalties after a below-par performance during which they twice failed to hold onto a lead. Rafa Benitez's side would have been left kicking themselves had they lost the shootout having had most of the better possession and a large majority of the bigger goal-scoring opportunities during the 120 minutes. But their dramatic 6-5 win from the spot ensured that the best team won, even if it took them forever to clinch their first Supercoppa triumph in 24 years. It has been the Juve way this term to do things the hard way, but to see the job through all the same. When they were rocked by Roma at Juventus Stadium, they found a way to come back and win. When they were abysmal against Palermo, they still got through it with three points. When Torino dominated the derby, it was the Bianconeri who claimed the spoils right at the end. But finally they got their comeuppance in Doha. Despite an early Carlos Tevez strike after errors by David Lopez, Kalidou Koulibaly and Raul Albiol had gifted the Argentine a free sight of goal, it was the Partenopei who made all the running. Chances came and went thereafter for Benitez's troops, most notably when Jose Callejon drove across goal from a gilt-edged opening and then Gonzalo Higuain's attempted lob which came back off the post with Gianluigi Buffon stranded. In response, the Old Lady had absolutely nothing. The centre-backs played like strangers, the full-backs were extremely tentative defensively, nobody in the midfield got going and Fernando Llorente was again quiet for long spells. Juve were eventually beaten when Jonathan de Guzman was given all the time in the world to hit the byline and cross for Higuain to ghost between the centre-backs and head beyond Buffon. The league champions somehow wrestled their way back into the contest, taking the lead once more early in extra time with a fantastic Tevez goal after both he and Paul Pogba had dazzled Napoli defenders on the edge of the box to make space out of nothing. Yet Juve became kamikaze once more. Higuain was allowed a sight of goal only to be denied by a superb Buffon save, then Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci combined to give Callejon a half-chance before the keeper eventually scrambled clear. And just when it appeared they had got away with it, Higuain pounced once more in the 118th minute as Allegri's side failed to clear a rudimentary ball into the box. Juventus' night was summed up best from the penalty spot. Three times Buffon produced magnificent saves, only for team-mates to immediately hand back the initiative. Then when Koulibaly eventually put Napoli 6-5 up, Simone Padoin was denied by a superb stop by Rafael Cabral. Perhaps the biggest guilty party, though, was Patrice Evra. The experienced Frenchman sat and watched while the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Roberto Pereyra sent in abysmal efforts from 12 yards to scupper Juve's hopes of finishing off the job. All in all, it was a very bad night at the office. Allegri claimed in the build-up to the game that his side could not put a foot wrong against Napoli if they hoped to become the fifth straight league champions to add the Supercoppa to their cabinet. He was spot on. Cracks have begun to appear in Juve's performances of late, but the results have just about held up. When they finally came unstuck, it cost them a trophy. And it's not like Napoli hadn't let them back in more than once. The message needs to be absorbed, and quick. Juventus will not keep getting away with under-par performances forever.

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri Ratings: Juventus 2-2 Napoli (5-6 pens) Two goals from Gonzalo Higuain helped to drag the tie to penalties, cancelling out the finishes from his compatriot Carlos Tevez, before Simone Padoin missed the crucial effort. Dec 22, 2014 Juventus 1 GIANLUIGI BUFFON -Made a few routine saves before the break and was in top form in extra time keep Higuain at bay. Excellent in the penalty shootout, too. 26 S. Lichtsteiner - Tireless down the right-hand side and broke into the penalty area with frequency. His deliveries weren't bad, either. 19 L. Bonucci - Confident on the ball, but almost made an extra-time error which allowed Callejon a chance to put the contest to bed. 3 G. Chiellini - His defensive lapses in concentration could be attributed to both of Higuain's goals. 33 P. Evra - Solid defensively, with Maggio having no change out of the Frenchman, and was brilliant when linking up with Pogba offensively. 8 C. Marchisio - Composed and tidy in possession as ever, and tracked back well to help out his defence. 21 A. Pirlo - Wasn't afraid to shoot from range or hang up good balls for Llorente to attack, but struggled to cut Napoli's lines apart. 6 P. Pogba - Did his defensive duties well in the first half and kicked on offensively as the game progressed. Linked up brilliantly with both Tevez and Evra and was heavily involved in the second goal. 23 A. Vidal - Tried his luck from around the edge of the penalty area, but was unable to test Rafael. Worked back defensively in midfield. 10 C. Tévez - Took advantage of a defensive error to give Juventus the lead and was denied on several occasions by good saves from the goalkeeper. A piece of individual inspiration gave him the space to convert his second. 14 Llorente - Held the ball up brilliantly and had a couple of half-chances himself. Unselfish in his play with Tevez. Substitutes 37 R. Pereyra - Neat on the ball and clipped some interesting passes into the box, but skied his penalty when the cup was within Juve's grasp. 20 S. Padoin - Offered work rate and fresh legs, but little in the way of technical craft. Missed the decisive penalty. 9 Álvaro Morata - Displayed a good touch and held the ball up fairly well and converted his penalty calmly. Napoli 1 Rafael - Made a couple of good first-half saves to keep Tevez at bay and ensured that the game didn't get beyond Napoli. Made some fantastic stops in the shootout. 11 C. Maggio - Competed well with Evra and Pogba throughout the second half and forayed forward in support of attacks when possible. 33 Albiol - Part of a poor defensive mix-up to gift Tevez the opener and didn't look entirely comfortable against the Argentine throughout. 26 K. Koulibaly - Made a terrible defensive error for the opening goal, but made up for his mistake with a good goal-line clearance to deny Vidal late on. 31 F. Ghoulam - A constant outlet down the left-hand side, willing to deliver crosses from the byline. Solid defensively and converted his penalty with aplomb. 77 W. Gargano - Was disciplined in his approach and battled until the very end, as well as holding his nerve in the penalty shootout. 19 David López - Sat in front of the defence and looked to set counter-attacks on their way, but wasn't impressive in terms of long-range efforts. 6 J. de Guzmán - Full of tireless running and helped to bring his side upfield throughout. Heavily involved in the build-up to Higuain's first. 17 M. Hamšík - Went close with several good efforts and struck the post in the first half, but couldn't quite carve out the final ball required. 7 José Callejón - Showed good movement and was denied a chance due to an incorrect offside flag late in the first half, but spurned two key second-half opportunities. Fired wide on the break and then put his side at risk by striking the post in the penalty shootout. 9 G. Higuaín - Fairly quiet before the break, despite holding the ball up well, but netted two opportunistic goals to restore parity on two occasions - before holding his nerve from the spot, too. Substitutes 8 Jorginho - Didn't manage to pick out any telling defence-splitting passes and saw his penalty saved. 88 G. İnler - Sat in front of the defence and helped to shore things up as Juve looked threatening in the later periods. 14 D. Mertens - Struggled to impose himself on the game, which wasn't helped by picking up a needless yellow card.

Michael Owen: 'Paul Pogba is ideal replacement for Steven Gerrard' Dec 23, 2014 Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes that Paul Pogba would be an "ideal replacement" for Steven Gerrard. Gerrard's future at Anfield has been called into question, with the 34-year-old yet to sign a new deal. Juventus midfielder Pogba has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, but Owen says that the Reds should look to capture the 21-year-old's signature when Gerrard eventually moves on. "Steven Gerrard's not going to go on forever so the ideal replacement there would probably be someone like Paul Pogba at Juventus," Owen told BT Sport. "He's an exceptional talent, a young talent that can play in that drive an central midfield role." France international Pogba joined Juve from Manchester United in 2012.

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri Juventus boss defends Andrea Pirlo substitution after shootout defeat Dec 22, 2014 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has defended his decision to substitute Andrea Pirlo in Monday's Italian Supercoppa clash, which the Italian champions eventually lost to Napoli on penalties. Juve lost to the Coppa Italia holders 6-5 in the shootout after the match in Doha finished 2-2 after extra time, with Napoli twice coming from behind to level. The Bianconeri had two spot-kicks to win the game, but Giorgio Chiellini and Roberto Pereyra both failed from 12 yards with veteran set-piece taker Pirlo unable to take part in the shootout which saw each side take nine shots each. Pirlo, 35, was replaced midway through the second half and he visibly took out his frustration on a water bottle. Just a minute later, Napoli equalised for the first time in the match. "At that point of the game, we needed somebody to provide us with a little more cover," Allegri explained to RAI television. "The first 20 minutes of the second half were our worst of the game, but just when it seemed we had put it behind us, we conceded from a ball we should not have lost. "It happens. We just suffered a bit from tiredness, but then that's normal at this stage of the season. We've lost the Supercoppa just moments from the end, we're top of Serie A and we're through to the last 16 of the Champions League -- I think we can say it's a positive season in spite of this defeat." Goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon was also able to see the glass half-full, despite being disappointed to miss out on another trophy. "It's been an amazing year for us with so much satisfaction, but it has ended with us finishing second in a competition we had our hearts set on," he told RAI. "Coming second for Juve is like a defeat. We've been denied a trophy we would have liked to have won, but this gives us even more anger and motivation in case we are to find ourselves in the same situation again." For Napoli, it was sweet revenge for the Supercoppa defeat to Juve from three years ago, when their president Aurelio De Laurentiis ordered his side not to take part in the prize-giving ceremony out of protest at the refereeing decisions he felt influenced the game. In hindsight -- and after Monday's victory -- he says that was a mistake. "This wasn't about gaining revenge for what happened in Beijing," De Laurentiis said. "I got it wrong back then. I made an anti-sporting mistake and I should have sent the team to pick up their medals. It was just a provocation from me because there was a lack of transparency in that game. I'm not accusing anybody, but that night we had a bad feeling." The feeling was quite the opposite in Doha on Monday, however. "I'd say this was a win for Italian football tonight," he continued. "We've had a rivalry with Juve since our recent days together in Serie B. We got lucky on penalties, but it would be nice to see this kind of effort and continuity in the league now. It was a fantastic effort, honoured by everybody." Honoured and won by Napoli coach Rafael Benitez, who praised his side's attitude, even if it could be said it is his winning touch in cup finals which made the difference. Monday's was the 12th title of his career, but discounting the two Spanish league wins with Valencia, it was his 10th trophy won in a single game. "In one-off matches, he doesn't let you down so that shows I was right to appoint him," De Laurentiis said. "He's a gentleman who can teach people about football. We just need patience for him to apply his methods."

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri Juventus were outworked and outsmarted in Super Cup loss to Napoli Dec 22, 2014 If a team cannot manage the win when presented with three match points then the trophy is simply not deserved. Against Napoli in the Supercoppa, Juventus choked in the important moments and threw away the opportunity to win a trophy losing 6-5 on penalty kicks after the game ended in a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. Talent, character or luck, are just a few of the reasons why a certain team is allowed to lift a trophy. However, in Doha for the Supercoppa final, maturity was the reason the Partenopei are celebrating their victory as it was Rafa Benitez's men who never stopped believing. Immaturity on the other hand, is why Juve will wallow, realising that had they held on to their lead for a few more minutes, they would have avoided the penalty shootout. Juventus did not play to their potential. They were guilty of too many individual errors, inaccurate with their passing and surrendered possession too cheaply. By contrast Napoli were the more determined side, moving around relentlessly to exhaust the Bianconeri. The diagonal balls combined with their ambitious attacks down the wings should have resulted in more, but their final ball was always disappointing. They simply couldn't demonstrate the efficiency required to truly trouble Juventus. Yet despite the below-par performance, the Bianconeri were always in control of the game. At the back, they looked comfortable fending off the attacks while they quickly realised the frailties within Napoli's back line, one that backed off and allowed them to shoot. Rather than expend the necessary energy to seal a quick win, they opted to take a back seat and watch as the Partenopei toiled in their attempts to equalise, allowing disinterest to wash over them for large stretches of the game. Perhaps, like Massimiliano Allegri said, the squad are exhausted at this point in the season, or perhaps this is a side that, in the big moments, fails to exploit its superiority. The Turin beast was only reawakened when Gonzalo Higuain scored the equaliser. Interestingly, only moments before, Allegri took off Andrea Pirlo and introduced Roberto Pereyra, a move that puzzled the likes of La Repubblica who wondered if it was the reason why Napoli were able to get back into the game. Pirlo may not have been at his energetic best but he was the reason why the team were in control. Pulling the strings from midfield, he was effective when delivering set-pieces and consistently looked to pick out perfect passes for the runners from midfield. Pereyra's introduction not only led to the equaliser but he deprived the squad of an excellent penalty taker, failing to convert the one he was tasked with dispatching. Allegri was immediately criticised for the substitution in his post-match conference but to be fair to the coach, one could understand his reasoning behind it. For one thing, Pirlo looked tired and a little slower than usual. While he may not have wanted to come off, he is the type of player who surrenders possession far too easily when not at his best. He had already given the ball away on three spirit occasions, allowing the Partenopei to construct good chances going forward and Allegri wanted more from his team going forward, thinking Pereyra would speed up Juve's play. He wanted quicker movements and thought the substitution would overwhelm the fragile Napoli back line, creating space for the likes of Carlos Tevez. Sadly the result was quite different but it seems rather unfair to criticise his decision. Pereyra may possess talent and quick feet but his finishing is very poor and he can be a frustrating figure to watch. Essentially, confidence is the reason behind his failure to score and the fact he couldn't convert the penalty demonstrated that perfectly and potentially worsened the problem. Yet he cannot be made the scapegoat, many Juve players failed to play a good game on the night including Arturo Vidal who still can't provide the consistency required. However, the Old Lady had one particular champion who deserved to be part of the winning team - Gianluigi Buffon. Manuel Neuer can use his feet all day but the Italian is still the greatest goalkeeper we have seen since Lev Yashin, consistently providing us with performances worthy of a symphony of compliments over the years. A phenomenon when he was younger, he still makes the difference at 36, boasting outstanding reflexes that put so many others to shame. Against Napoli, he made up for the individual errors in defence and earned his team the right to play. When it came to penalties, it was he who made the saves that gifted Juve so many opportunities to win but sadly his teammates couldn't score the penalty they needed to lift the trophy. Allegri has sought to calm his troops and fans by reminding them that Juve are still in the Champions League and at the top of Serie A so they should not look to complain. The Supercoppa belongs to Rafa Benitez's Napoli and they deserve congratulations.

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri 'We had it in our hands' - Allegri laments Juventus' Supercoppa lapse The former Milan boss was left frustrated with his side's "naive" defending for Napoli's second equaliser before they spurned three chances to win the shootout. Dec 22, 2014 Massimiliano Allegri was left frustrated by Juventus' failure to see out victory in the Supercoppa Italiana, claiming the trophy "was in our hands". Carlos Tevez twice gave Juve the lead in Doha but Gonzalo Higuain equalised on each occasion, forcing a penalty shootout with his extra-time leveller that came just minutes after his compatriot's second goal in the 2-2 draw. Tevez also missed from the spot after Gianluigi Buffon had saved Jorginho's opening penalty, while both Giorgio Chiellini and Roberto Pereyra fluffed their lines when they had the chance to seal victory in the shootout before Simone Padoin's crucial miss. "It was a game between two teams who played expansively. Unfortunately, we had three match-points from the penalty spot, and we had the game in our hands until a few minutes from the end," Allegri told Rai Sport after the match. "I'm sorry because we had the game in our hands and we lost the goal in such a naive way. "After 1-1 we raised the tempo. Napoli have good technique and are a very good team. By the end we can blame fatigue but perhaps we need to be more ruthless in extra-time." Despite the disappointing result, Allegri insists his side can be happy with their season to date as they enter the winter break. "I'm sorry for the lads who played a good game," the head coach added. "We lost a trophy we had in our grasp but we're first in the league and have progressed in the Champions League, so it's okay." Juve return to Serie A action against Inter on January 6.

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri Juventus vs. Napoli: Even Superman Can't Save Bianconeri from Super Cup Defeat Dec 22, 2014 Sometimes, even the best isn’t quite good enough. In a season where Juventus have coped wonderfully despite the loss of Antonio Conte, his successor was denied silverware as Napoli won the first trophy of the campaign. The Italian Super Cup was delayed from August due to fixture congestion, and Rafael Benitez’s side will feel the wait was more than worth it. Indeed, this penalty shootout victory for the Partenopei should prove a huge boost to their previously fragile confidence. Having failed to qualify for the Champions League—suffering a heartbreaking loss in the playoff round—Napoli have struggled in recent weeks but now go into the winter break on a high, as they also sit third in the Serie A table. For Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus, however, losing the trophy they have won in each of the last two seasons should hardly matter. The coach has steered the team to not only enjoy a three-point lead over nearest rivals Roma, but has also guided them into the latter stages of the Champions League. Improving on last season’s dismal showing in that competition, he has also implemented a change in formation that bodes well for the future. Discussed in detail here, Allegri’s switch to a 4-3-2-1 framework should allow for further growth away from the previous limitations of the back three. It was undoubtedly a disappointing night for Allegri, the coach telling RAI Sport that he thought the Bianconeri “could’ve done better,” (h/t Football Italia). Yet there may have been one man left to rue the loss even more: Juventus captain Gigi Buffon. The goalkeeper turned in a magnificent performance against Napoli, one that brought to mind the very best in a career punctuated with no shortage of incredible displays. Time and again the 36-year-old was called into service, and on each occasion he would prove he was more than equal to the task. Marek Hamsik’s early shot struck the post and appeared to awaken the World Cup winner, Buffon on top form from that moment on. A superb save from Gonzalo Higuain as the second half began maintained Juve’s lead, before he closed down the Argentinian and saw a lobbed effort again strike the frame of his goal. Warren Little/Getty Images He would brilliantly deny the former Real Madrid striker in extra time before saving the Bianconeri yet again after a blunder from Leonardo Bonucci. With the score locked at 2-2 after 120 minutes, the tie would head to penalties, and Buffon would do all he could to lead his side to glory. Having already saved a penalty this season against Atalanta, the Azzurri captain would raise his game even higher during the shootout. He tipped Napoli’s first penalty from Jorginho onto the post, but a Carlos Tevez miss would subsequently send the tie into sudden death. Buffon would hand his side the initiative twice more, denying both Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon only to see his team-mates once again fail to deliver. Misses from Roberto Pereyra, Giorgio Chiellini—the latter capping a dire overall display—and Simone Padoin eventually lead to a defeat that the captain will find difficult to palate. The defence in front of him was poor all night, but the man affectionately dubbed “Superman” by supporters did all he could in pursuit of victory. Having also suffered a tough defeat to Genoa on his 500th Serie A appearance in late October, it has been a difficult campaign for the veteran star. Eighteen months on from Bayern Munich’s honorary president Franz Beckenbauer labeling him “a pensioner,” per Sky Sports, retirement appears the last thing on his mind. With Manuel Neuer championed as a potential Ballon d’Or winner as the likes of Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea garner major attention, Buffon once again served notice he is far from finished. Thankfully, the usually excellent Juventus defence ensures he doesn’t need to reach those heights too often, but when there is a job for “Superman,” he always seems to be there.

JUVENTUS - NAPOLI 2 - 2 Napoli won 6 - 5 on penalties Carlos Tévez (5') Gonzalo Higuaín (68') Carlos Tévez (106') Gonzalo Higuaín (118') Monday, December 22nd, 2014 - 18:30 PM Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Al-Sadd Stadium), ad-Dōha (Doha) Referee: Paolo Valeri Buffon: 'Second is failure for Juve' Dec 22, 2014 Gigi Buffon was disappointed after losing the Super Cup to Napoli on penalties. “At Juventus second place is a failure.” The captain saved three penalties during the shoot-out, but still ended up on the losing team in Doha. “These things can happen. Unfortunately it happened to me, to us,” the goalkeeper told Rai Sport. “Above all we are disappointed because we had three match points to win it clearly – one in extra time and two in the shoot-out – and didn’t do it. “Compliments to Napoli who achieved this remarkable comeback from a very difficult position. “When we took the lead 12 minutes from the end, you think more about not running risks, especially as energy and sharpness are not optimal. Despite that, we weren’t focused enough to the end, as the goal for 2-2 is one a team that has to win cannot concede.” This is the final match of 2014 in Italian football, so how does Buffon rate it? “The solar year was very positive with many satisfying moments, but we concluded it with second place in a competition we cared about a great deal. Obviously, at Juventus second place is a failure. “We would’ve been happy to win the trophy, but it can give us more determination and rage to put into the performance if we are in this situation again.”