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MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: ‬Nicola Rizzoli AC Milan V Juventus: Return Of The Max Sep 19, 2014 AC Milan host current Italian champions Juventus at the San Siro on Saturday, in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round three in Serie A. The Bianconeri’s Massimiliano Allegri returns to his former club, having left the Rossoneri last season after a disappointing campaign. It will be hugely interesting to see the reception Allegri receives from the San Siro faithful, having guided them to a Scudetto win in in 2011 as well as second and third place finishes in subsequent seasons. However, after having seen most of the club’s top players leave, Allegri was unable to make a success of the 2013/14 campaign and was eventually replaced by Clarence Seedorf. Current standings show Milan at the top of Serie A, albeit it after only two matches, leading the Bianconeri on the strength of having scored more goals. The Rossoneri beat Parma last time out in a nine goal thriller, with Jeremy Menez scoring what might already be considered the goal of the season with the cheekiest of back heels. However, defensive frailties were evident as the Crociati failed to crumble and were a little unfortunate not to snatch a draw as Filippo Inzaghi’s side looked anything but assured at the back. Inzaghi, himself a former Juventus player, will be missing number one keeper Diego Lopez but new striker Fernando Torres may make an appearance, arriving on loan from Chelsea, as Milan hope to carry on their rampant goal scoring. Eight goals in two games is no bad achievement, though the Juventus rear guard will be considerbly tougher than any they have faced previously. Stephan El Shaarawy is also expected to be available, having missed the game with Parma due to injury, and could provide his coach another option in the final third. Juventus, like their opponents, are also unbeaten and Allegri is seemingly continuing the fine work left behind by former tactician Antonio Conte. Confidence will be sky high after beating Malmo in midweek. Carlos Tevez scored a brace, as they opened their Champions League account with maximum points. Talisman midfielder Arturo Vidal is still very doubtful but may make the bench, whilst Andrea Pirlo is unlikely to feature in any way as his rehabilitation from injury continues. Last season, Juventus won both fixtures against Milan but current form would suggest that this time things might be a little closer for the team with three straight Italian league titles to their name. The added spice of both coaches having featured in some way for the two clubs, is an extra ingredient to what could be an explosive cocktail of football, come Sunday evening. Expected Starting XIs Milan (4-3-3): Abbiati; Abate, Rami, Zapata, De Sciglio; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Honda, Menez, Bonaventura. Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Marchisio, Pereyra, Asamoah; Llorente, Tevez. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: ‬Nicola Rizzoli Preview: AC Milan vs. Juventus Sep 19, 2014 The two top sides in Serie A go head to head on Saturday night as AC Milan prepare to host Juventus at the San Siro. Just two league games have been played by each side so far this season, but the excitement of two giants facing off is greater than ever ahead of one of the biggest matches in European football. As defending champions, Juventus will start the game as firm favourites to collect all three points, but there has already been signs in the current campaign that it will not be an easy route to the title for Massimiliano Allegri's side. The 47-year-old returns to Milan on Saturday for the first time since being sacked in January, and he'll be eager to pick up a win against a side he led to the Serie A title in 2011. Milan's promising start to the season may have been expected, but how Filippo Inzaghi's side perform against the champions will give their doubters a clear sign of how far they've come under the Italian. The Rossoneri have been given a boost in the build up to the match with the news that Fernando Torres could be fit enough to make his debut for the club. He is expected to begin the game on the bench, though, with Inzaghi likely to keep faith with the attack which scored five goals in the win over Parma on Sunday. Daniele Bonera will miss out due to suspension, and that could see Adil Rami return to the side in the centre of defence alongside Alex. Allegri is unlikely to make changes to the Juventus side, and could select the same 11 who beat Malmo in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Recent form AC Milan: WW Juventus: WW Possible starting lineups AC Milan: Lopez, De Sciglio, Rami, Alex, Abate, Muntari, Poli, De Jong, Honda, Menez, Bonaventura Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Marchisio, Asamoah;Tevez, Llorente Sports Mole says: 1-2 http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Serie A - 3^ Giornata Andata - 20-9-2014 (ore 20:45) MILAN - JUVENTUS - Sabato, 20 settembre 2014 - ore 20:45 Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) - Milano Arbitro: ‬Nicola Rizzoli Confronti ufficiali 214 - 158 (Serie A) - 22 (Coppa Italia) - 32 (Campionato a gironi) - 1 (Champions League) - 1 (Supercoppa italiana) Vittorie Juventus 77 - 56 (Serie A) - 8 (Coppa Italia) - 13 (Campionato a gironi) Pareggi 72 - 54 (Serie A) - 7 (Coppa Italia) - 9 (Campionato a gironi) - 1 (Champions League) - 1 (Supercoppa italiana) Vittorie Milan 65 - 48 (Serie A) - 7 (Coppa Italia) - 10 (Campionato a gironi) Goals Juventus 301 - 218 (Serie A) - 26 (Coppa Italia) - 56 (Campionato a gironi) - 1 (Supercoppa italiana) Goals Milan 286 - 209 (Serie A) - 26 (Coppa Italia) - 50 (Campionato a gironi) - 1 (Supercoppa italiana) Milan - Juventus Serie A a Milano Confronti ufficiali 79 Vittorie Juventus 19 (L'ultima il 02.03.2014, 0-2) Pareggi 33 (L'ultimo il 25.02.2012, 1-1) Vittorie Milan 27 (L'ultima il 25.11.2012, 1-0) Goals Juventus 94 Goals Milan 112 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro il Milan a Milano 13 presenze Boniperti Giampiero 12 Del Piero Alessandro 12 Furino Giuseppe 11 Bettega Roberto 11 Salvadore Sandro 11 Scirea Gaetano 10 Leoncini Gianfranco 10 Varglien I Mario 9 Buffon Gianluigi 9 Causio Franco 9 Foni Alfredo 5 goals Bettega Roberto 4 Boniperti Giampiero 4 Borel II Felice Placido 3 Anastasi Pietro 3 Del Piero Alessandro 3 Gabetto Guglielmo 3 Sivori Omar Enrique 3 Trezeguet David Sergio 2 Baggio Roberto 2 Bellini Savino 2 Jugovic Vladimir Ultimi confronti diretti 05.03.2011 Serie A Juventus-Milan 0-1 02.10.2011 Serie A Juventus-Milan 2-0 08.02.2012 Coppa Italia Milan-Juventus 1-2 25.02.2012 Serie A Milan-Juventus 1-1 20.03.2012 Coppa Italia Juventus-Milan 2-2 25.11.2012 Serie A Milan-Juventus 1-0 09.01.2013 Coppa Italia Juventus-Milan 2-1 21.04.2013 Serie A Juventus-Milan 1-0 06.10.2013 Serie A Juventus-Milan 3-2 02.03.2014 Serie A Milan-Juventus 0-2 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 6 - Pareggi 2 - Vittorie Milan 2 - Goals Juventus 15 - Goals Milan 9 http://www.goal.com/it/results-standings/69/serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_101

Buffon: Juventus Needed Allegri After So Much Time With Conte Sep 18, 2014 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he’s happy having Massimiliano Allegri leading the Old Lady and admitted that the team needed someone like him after spending so much time with Antonio Conte. Allegri signed on with the Bianconeri in July after Conte’s departure from the Turin side and has been able to help Italy’s reigning champions begin the 2014-15 season on the right foot with two victories in the Serie A and a Champions League group stage win over Malmo on Wednesday. Buffon spoke to Sky Sport Italia about Allegri’s qualities as a tactician and compared him to former Juventus boss Conte, while praising both coaches for their ability to guide teams to success. “Allegri is a coach who knows the tactical aspect of football really well, but also knows how to psychologically handle a team and an individual player, ” said the veteran goalkeeper. “He’s very careful and picky when it comes to the smallest of details. I think that he’s less manic than Conte, who had a different way of leading this team, but that doesn’t take away from what he was able to do for us. “Indeed, after so many years of being beaten down in a way, his arrival is something that can be useful to us.”

Buffon: 'Juve top eight in Europe' Sep 18, 2014 Gigi Buffon said Max Allegri is “less maniacal” than Antonio Conte, but Juventus “can be in Europe’s top eight clubs.” The goalkeeper spoke to Sky Sport Italia after a 2-0 victory over Malmo, the first time they’ve won their Champions League opener since 2008. “This Juve can be in Europe’s top eight clubs. In us there is the awareness we can play a good Champions League campaign, even if we then have to translate that confidence on to the field.” So far new Coach Allegri has done remarkably well at the helm, winning all three competitive matches between Serie A and Europe. “When we have situations like this, everyone is aware that we’re starting from scratch. We all must prove that we deserve the responsibility of being Champions of Italy and that we can do it again. “This is our hope, but we know it will be even more difficult than in other years, when we managed to make our success look easy. “Allegri knows his tactics, but also the psychology of the group. He is less maniacal about details than Conte, but still very attentive and pernickety. After so many years of being under pressure, his methods are useful for giving us more responsibility. “On the pitch he wants us to control the tempo at some stages to get our breath back, whereas in the past we were always bombing forward.” Allegri will face his former club on Saturday at San Siro when Juventus take on joint Serie A leaders Milan and Buffon’s ex-teammate Pippo Inzaghi. “This Milan side is bubbly. Inzaghi is a great Coach and is transmitting the same characteristics to his team that he had as a player. “They engage in attacking football and have many experienced players with great quality who want to make up for last year. “Fernando Torres is a great signing for them. He wants to get back on track and can only do well in Italy.”

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: ‬Nicola Rizzoli Evra: 'Milan-Juve why I'm here' Sep 18, 2014 Patrice Evra said Saturday’s Milan-Juventus at San Siro “is the kind of game I wanted to play when I arrived.” The former Manchester United full-back is finding a new lease of life in Serie A and the Champions League. “We don’t peddle dreams, so we are not here saying we can win the Champions League this year,” Evra told JTV after beating Malmo 2-0. “However, we are taking one game at a time with great confidence. Juve have an important history and we need to respect it by winning in Europe too.” Their first major test is this Saturday night at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza against joint Serie A leaders Milan. “This is the kind of game I wanted to play when I arrived. They will be on home turf, so it is up to us to prove we are champions.” The Frenchman also had kind words for his teammate Carlos Tevez, reunited from their time together at Manchester United. “He is a lion. He has matured even more now and has become a real team player. Despite that, he’s still the same fun guy I knew in England.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: ‬Nicola Rizzoli Rizzoli for Milan-Juventus Sep 18, 2014 Nicola Rizzoli will officiaite Milan’s top-of-the-table clash with Juventus at San Siro on Saturday night. The World Cup Final referee has been named today at the designated official for Week 3’s headline match, and it will be the fifth time in his career that he will have refereed this particular clash. Both sides have two wins apiece with Rizzoli as the man in charge, but not without controversy. The 42-year-old was in charge in 2012 when a controversially awarded penalty saw the Rossoneri defeat the Bianonceri 1-0. Week 3 referees Sebastiano Peruzzo - Roma-Cagliari Paolo Valeri - Palermo-Inter Claudio Gavillucci - Cesena-Empoli Antonio Damato -Chievo-Parma Marco Guida - Genoa-Lazio Marco Di Bello - Sassuolo-Sampdoria Carmine Russo - Atalanta-Fiorentina Paolo Tagliavento - Udinese-Napoli Luca Banti - Torino-Verona http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Allegri Making His Mark on Conte's Juventus Sep 18, 2014 If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. Massimiliano Allegri has been quite sensible since he replaced Antonio Conte as coach of Juventus this summer. On the surface, it would appear he hasn’t changed much and why would he? The Old Lady has won the Scudetto three years in a row, each one better than the last, breaking several all-time records last season, going beyond the 100-point barrier and winning every game at home. Still the temptation to put your own stamp on things can be hard to resist. Just compare the subtle succession in Turin to the radical reformation at Napoli a year ago when Rafael Benitez did away with Walter Mazzarri’s tried and trusted 3-5-1-1 system and the cautious style with which it was practiced to impose his own more propositive 4-2-3-1 on the team. The circumstances were different, granted. Napoli were then looking to go to the next level - they still are - whereas Juventus at least in Italy wish to stay where they are, which is at the top. At the end of last season, a transition to 4-3-3 or a variation of it was on the cards even before Conte’s resignation, the thinking being it would be more suited to Europe and facilitate a breakthrough in the Champions League. The club sought to equip the team with the players required to make the shift but, despite experiments with it in pre-season, Allegri has persisted with the 3-5-2. That’s in part because the players able to play a back four haven’t been available to him. Andrea Barzagli had surgery after the World Cup and is only now returning while Giorgio Chiellini has been suspended and also tweaked a muscle during the international break. Still, Juventus have picked up where they left off last season. The Scudetto shows no signs of coming unstitched from their shirts just yet. They have been frighteningly dominant even though with the exception of 86 minutes against Chievo, they have been without Arturo Vidal, not to mention Andrea Pirlo. Juventus’ added depth has been evident. Carried over from the last campaign their defence - even in makeshift form with Martin Cáceres, Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna combining - has protected Gigi Buffon’s goal to the effect that Juve now haven’t conceded in 7 games. Certain novelties that have been feathers in Allegri’s cap weren’t available to Conte but he has already made a number of praiseworthy calls in his time in the dug-out. Suffering from the flu before their season opener in Verona, Fernando Llorente was replaced by summer recruit - another free transfer steal - Kingsley Coman. Thrown in early by Allegri as was the case with Pogba under Conte, he impressed in his role as the player operating furthest forward. Patrice Evra and Roberto Pereyra were then integrated well against Udinese. And the use of Kwadwo Asamoah in the team’s central midfield three rather than out-wide also gave encouraging results against Malmö when he stood out for his back-heeled assist for Tévez and (wayward shooting aside - 6 shots, only 1 of which hit the target) his overall play which saw him register a 7.6 WhoScored rating. Of course, his deployment in that position was forced by the absences of Pirlo and Vidal, and the option presented itself because Juventus now have cover, if not an upgrade in Evra at left wing-back [something Conte wasn’t blessed with]. Credit where it’s due though, Allegri again found the right solution to what threatened to be a problem. It’s early days but he has already silenced some of the sceptics. Renowned for making slow (and sometimes false) starts, Allegri has led Juventus to three wins from three in all competitions. Apart from a Maxi López chance, which Buffon did ever so well to snuff out with the score still at 1-0 against Chievo, they have given the impression of being in near total control. Admittedly in the first half of the Malmö game it seemed as though we were watching a re-run of the huffing and puffing Juventus that dropped points against Nordsjaelland and FC Copenhagen in recent years. However, after the interval they were much better and won comfortably. Tévez scored his first goal in the Champions League in five and a half years and got a brace. “For strikers, goals are like ketchup bottles,” Gianluca Vialli said on Sky Italia, “you tap, tap, tap and nothing comes out then they splurge.” If Conte’s results are, by his own reckoning, almost impossible to improve upon in Italy, in Europe margins for Allegri to do better do exist. True there’s pressure on him to reach the quarter-finals but it’s fair to say when Juventus play on the continent the shadow of Conte looms less large than it does in Italy. As such, a debate has already begun as to whether Allegri’s style of play is more adapted to Europe than his predecessor’s. It’s a question for which there is no answer. There are lots of different ways to win and the bottom line is Conte’s Juventus underachieved in the Champions League. Last season’s group stage exit didn’t reflect the team’s true value. But if there is a conversation about this it’s because, even though they play the same system, a difference has been discerned in the way Juventus play under Allegri. They are nuanced slightly differently. Claudio Marchisio touched upon this after the victory over Udinese. “Before we had a very clearly defined game plan,” he said. “Practically every movement was planned and we persisted with it even in periods when we were perhaps experiencing great physical difficulty. With Allegri we keep the ball more and instead seek to identify, in particular against tight defences, the moment in which it’s preferable to manage our energy through keeping the ball [resting on it]. You can’t always go at a thousand miles per hour also because [tired out] you then find it hard to get the ball back quickly. It’s better to pass it between ourselves in some circumstances.” When asked if that meant playing a little Tiki-Taka, he replied: “Yes.” Is the Old Lady becoming a Spanish señorita? Marchisio’s remarks are borne out in the statistics. It’s a small sample size of three games to compare with three years of Conte, but under Allegri Juventus have more of the ball. Possession is up from 56 to 66% on last season. They’re also playing more passes: 611.7 per game as opposed to 513.7 in Europe and Serie A during Conte's reign, and more accurate ones too - 538.7 compared with 438.3. They’re trying to force it less and because they have the ball at their feet for longer, they’re not chasing and attempting to take it off their opponent as much. These are small details but they give credence to Allegri’s claim that while the formation is a copy of Conte’s, its interpretation is not. It’s one of several reasons to tune in and watch his return to San Siro on Saturday when will Juventus face his old team AC Milan. Outed as a fan of the Bianconeri by the club’s former president and board member John Elkann - “he told me he had Michel Platini’s poster on his bedroom wall” - another victory will represent another step towards winning over the supporters in Turin.

Carlos Tevez Goals Mark Beginning of Juventus' European Resurgence? Sep 18, 2014 Last season, despite their utter dominance of the domestic scene, Juventus disappointingly crashed out of the Champions League at the first hurdle. Despite two excellent showings against Real Madrid, a string of poor displays against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray prevented the Turin giants from qualifying for the knockout phase. That failure left the club’s supporters cold, unable to understand how a side that had swept all before it in Serie A could not overcome such European minnows. The early exit tainted its record-breaking campaign in 2013-14, and one player became the man chosen to shoulder much of the blame. Like the Bianconeri, Carlos Tevez was superb in the league, netting 19 times in his debut season on the peninsula and narrowly missing out to Ciro Immobile as the division’s leading scorer. Yet he remained goalless in the Champions League, extending a scoring drought which stretched back to his time as a Manchester United player. Having not found the back of the net since April 2009, his run of 1,003 minutes of action was held up as a knock on a player who had otherwise excelled since moving to Italy. Determined to silence those doubters, both Tevez and Juventus headed into this year’s competition eager to showcase their abilities. As Tuesday’s meeting with Malmo began, it seemed the changes made this summer had failed to provide either with the required spark. Half-time came and went, the Swedish side repeating the kind of frustrating performance its Norwegian neighbours inflicted on the Old Lady in recent seasons. Then, just like that, it was over. With almost an hour on the clock, Tevez picked the ball up outside the visitor’s box and picked out an excellent run from Kwadwo Asamoah. The Ghanaian played an excellent backheeled flick back to the Argentinean, who had burst forward into the heart of the defence. He drilled the ball low into the corner, beating goalkeeper Robin Olsen comfortably and running off to celebrate. A robot dance inspired by his young daughter followed, matched by scenes of delight in the stands of Juventus Stadium as supporters celebrated joyously. He had finally scored the goal his performances for the club deserved, but the 30-year-old striker was not finished yet. Shortly before full-time, the Bianconeri were awarded a free kick just outside the box after a foul on Alvaro Morata, who had come off the bench just minutes earlier. With Andrea Pirlo missing through injury, Tevez stepped up and curled an excellent effort round the wall and beat Olsen for a second time. Sealing the points, he was taken off for Sebastian Giovinco, earning a standing ovation from his appreciative audience. Despite waiting almost five-and-a-half years to celebrate in Europe’s elite competition, Tevez himself said the team’s success is far more important. Speaking to Sky Italia at the final whistle, the striker said (h/t GianlucaDiMarzio.com): Honestly, I wasn’t missing the fact I didn’t score in Champions League for so long. I only care about Juventus winning, other things are less relevant. I want to thank all the fans who support me: it’s always nice to wear this jersey. While he downplayed the significance of his well-taken brace, his team-mates were keen to highlight his contribution. “I’m happy with myself," Asamoah told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Forza Italian Football), "but especially for Carlitos, he needed to get back to scoring in the Champions League.” More than simply ending his barren run, the Bianconeri will hope the goals signify a collective return to prominence on the continent. The importance of the competition to the reigning Italian champions cannot be understated (a matter discussed in greater detail here), the club desperate to carry its recent success onto the grandest stage. Without a victory in the competition since 1996, Juventus know all too well what it is like to wait for European success. Now that Tevez has ended his wait for a goal, La Madama will hope her leading man can also bring her close to winning the Champions League.

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli De Jong: Juve the first test Sep 18, 2014 Nigel de Jong admits Juventus represent Milan’s first real test of the season, whilst he confirms contract renewal talks. The midfielder has begun the season well for the Rossoneri, as they head into Week 3 to host Juventus rejuvenated and on maximum points. For the Netherlands international, facing the three-time consecutive champions should not be overwhelming. “No. But only if we continue to hold the great confidence that has come to the group after the first two games, and the extraordinary faith in our means,” De Jong has considered to Il Giornale. “Juve have won the League title in each of the last three years - we do not have to discover them. In the Champions League they won and with conviction. “To have the chance of success we must begin fighting from the first minute. “Will it be the first real test for the new Milan? Certainly, but it will also be for them. “Who would I take out of the Juve team if I could? It would be Tevez. I have known Carlitos well in Manchester and he is a true warrior, he is a crucial piece of the current Juventus. “How will Max Allegri be received by supporters? I do not know and do not care much - this is a topic just for you journalists. “What matters is the end result and the three points to win against Juve, if we are to succeed.” Reports have focused in recent weeks on potentially difficult contract renewal talks between the player and his club, but he is calm. “I want to stay at Milan and I repeat that I want to end my career here. Milan is a club with a history and an extraordinary tradition - if they cannot finish first then they must always fight to be in the top three. “I know it is tough, I know that there are many teams as strong and organised as we are, but we have to try. “At what point is the new contract? I know that the club has contacted my agent and there is an appointment for next week.” De Jong has notably started the season strongly where others who represented their nations at the summer World Cup have struggled for form in Serie A. “If the World Cup gave me anything, it gave me a charge. And when I got to pre-season training I was already pretty ready to start again.” The 29-year-old was asked for a word on Pippo Inzaghi’s impact as Coach. “He is different, very different from the other Coaches I have had in my career. In some ways he can be likened to a young Van Gaal. “He expresses a lot of energy, continues to speak, to pound, to think again as a player.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Tevez: Ballet Celebration For My Daughter Sep 17, 2014 Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has revealed that the ballet dance performed in celebration for his goal was dedicated to his daughter, as he had earlier promised to her. The Argentine was in jubilant mood after helping his side to a 2-0 victory over Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday night. “The ballet to celebrate the goal was for my daughter as I had promised her that,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “Differences between the league and the Champions League? There are many. It’s not the same thing. In Serie A, it is more difficult to score, but the matches in Europe are more open. “Juve’s objective in the Champions League? First we have to qualify for the knockout stages. We didn’t succeed last year and it was a disaster. “Now we think of qualification, then we will evaluate where to go from there. “The suspensions? It’s Pirlo’s task to fill in when he returns to the field. He is a phenomenon.” The 30-year-old former Manchester United and Manchester City player then spoke to Mediaset regarding his first goal in the Champions League for five years. “I’m always quiet, even if I don’t score in the Champions League. My only thought was to get the win for Juventus because what happened last year is still on our minds, and it was important to play well in this first match. “We must never give up, and we must qualify for the next round.” The Bianconeri will leave European commitments aside as they prepare for a trip to the San Siro on Saturday night, with coach Massimiliano Allegri set to face his former player in the opposite dugout as Milan take on Juventus in a mouth-watering contest.

Chiellini: This Is Just The Start For Juventus Sep 17, 2014 Centre back Giorgio Chiellini was a relieved man after helping his side to a hard fought 2-0 home victory over Malmo in the Champions Legaue last night. The Bianconeri struggled to break down their opponent for much of the game, but a Carlos Tevez brace eventually gave Juve the important three points. “It was not easy to start so well in the Champions League, it was a tough match,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “We are delighted that we won, for the goals from Tevez and not having conceded. “But this is just the start. We have to do well in Europe without easing up in Serie A.” The tough tackling defender missed the weekend league victory over Udinese, but proved his fitness to play an integral part in his side’s opening Champions League fixture against the Swedes, at the Juventus Stadium.

Lichtsteiner: Important For Juventus To Start Well Sep 17, 2014 Juventus wide-man Stephan Lichtsteiner has admitted that the 2-0 victory against Malmo in the Champions League on Tuesday night was crucial for the Old Lady. A brace from Carlos Tevez helped seal the deal in coach Massimiliano Allegri’s first European win as the Bianconeri boss. “It was very important to start well,” he said in a brief interview with Mediaset. “In the two previous years we were not able to start with a victory in the Champions League. “Milan? It’s going to be a great game because they are very fit and it will be a real challenge.” The Switzerland international then shared his thoughts regarding last season’s runners-up Atletico Madrid’s defeat to Olympiacos. “Olympiacos’ victory changes nothing. We continue match by match even though we know that it’s going to be tough. It’s still early days, but we have to prepare well before the next game.” Juventus will travel to the San Siro to take on the Serie A leaders on September 20.

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Vidal And Barzagli To Be Back In Juventus Squad For AC Milan Match Sep 17, 2014 Arturo Vidal and Andrea Barzagli have reportedly recovered from their respective injuries and are expected to be in Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus squad for the club’s upcoming match with AC Milan. The 27-year-old midfielder has been out of the Bianconeri line up since picking up an issue with his thigh while training with Chile during the recent international break, while the Italian defender has been out of action since the start of the 2014-15 Serie A season due to a calf problem. According to Sky Sport Italia, Barzagli will definitely be making his return to the Juventus back line for their away meeting with the Rossoneri on September 20, with Vidal’s comeback looking likely as well after a series of successful physical tests. The Old Lady will still be missing one key player, however, as Andrea Pirlo is continuing his recovery from a hip injury, though he is expected to be back in the team within the next week. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Poli: Milan still improving Sep 17, 2014 Andrea Poli has enthused at Milan’s start and lists their determination to continue to improve, and to take a result against Juventus in Week 3. The Rossoneri host the Bianconeri this coming Saturday evening with the teams sharing top spot in Serie A after taking maximum points from the opening two rounds. In preparing to welcome former Milan Coach Max Allegri back to San Siro too, Poli has reflected that the challenge against the Old Lady remains as big as it was in previous seasons. “Allegri has not changed a lot the ways in which Juventus played under Conte,” the 24-year-old has told reporters at an event this week. “I never like to make predictions. Every game is a game by itself. They are a great team and the match could be decided by a single episode. “The concentration will be at its highest and we will have our fans behind us, who will provide us with a great charge. “We must draw strength from the fans’ enthusiasm, knowing that we have done some good thing but that we have to improve, already ahead of the game with Juventus, where we hope to do well. “It will be a meeting at the summit between two teams that have played two great games so far. “They are very strong, whilst for three years they have won the League title and are the team to beat. We are preparing in the best way to try to beat them.” Milan head into the Week 3 fixture with maximum points after wins over Lazio and Parma. “We had hoped to secure six points. We have played two good games, but we continue to be a work in progress with the new Coach, new players and new playing scheme. “We have ample room for improvement and I hope that we can continue to grow game to game.” The midfielder was asked about similarities or not between Inzaghi and former Juventus and current Italy boss Antonio Conte. “In 10 days with the national team, I understood why Juve won three League titles with Conte on the bench. “There is great attention to detail on both the part of Conte and Inzaghi, and they have a great desire to transmit their style of play on to their teams. “I hope that Inzaghi can follow in the footsteps of Conte. We are trying to put on to the field his ideas. Inzaghi looks a lot at the detail. “We have been working together for two-and-a-half months and I think that we can still grow and play games better and better. We can only do so by improving the errors.” Such errors were prevalent in defence on Sunday, when despite scoring five at Parma, the side conceded four. “It is said that when a team concedes a goal that it is the fault of the defence, but the whole team makes that error. We need to improve our consistency to avoid conceding goals.” Even so, every goal that went in the right end was met with very enthusiastic celebrations. “It is testament to the team spirit that exists between us. This was seen in the celebrations but also in the difficult moments in Parma when we were under pressure. “The 45 points in deficit to Juventus last season were many, but now there is a different spirit. “Unfortunately last year was very bad, but now there is a desire for revenge because we are wearing an important jersey.” Jeremy Menez is speculated as set to keep Fernando Torres on the bench this coming weekend. “He is doing very well, he has great technical qualities. He has assimilated into the group in the best way and we hope that he continues like this and makes a difference as he did on Sunday.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Honda, Menez, SES for Juve Sep 17, 2014 A trident of Keisuke Honda, Jeremy Menez and Stephan El Shaarawy is speculated to start for Milan at the weekend against Juventus. The Rossoneri will host the three-time-consecutive League champions on Saturday evening and are expected to be able to welcome El Shaarawy back to the starting line-up, following his return this week to training after an ankle injury. Fernando Torres also worked with the rest of the group for part of yesterday’s session, but is only expected to take a place on the bench in Week 3, with El Shaarway set to be matched in attack with Honda on the opposite flank and Menez in the same ‘false nine’ position adopted with success against Parma last weekend. Christian Abbiati is set to deputise for the injured Diego Lopez in goal, whilst Adil Rami and Cristian Zapata will start in the heart of a defence that is without the injured Alex and suspended Daniele Bonera. In coming up against former Diavolo Coach Max Allegri, Pippo Inzaghi is expected by both Sky Sport Italia and Tuttosport to keep faith in the same full-back and midfield selection used in Week 2 at the Ennio Tardini. Milan probable XI to face Juventus: Abbiati; Abate, Rami, Zapata, De Sciglio; Poli, De Jong, Muntari; Honda, Menez, El Shaarawy http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Torres and El Shaarawy train Sep 17, 2014 Fernando Torres and Stephan El Shaarawy were back in training today, so could be fit for Milan’s showdown with Juventus. Both forwards missed Sunday night’s epic 5-4 victory in Parma due to ankle injuries. Torres and El Shaarawy were both in this afternoon’s training session, suggesting they should be ready to face Juve on Saturday at San Siro. It will be a top of the table clash, as Milan, Juve and Roma are the only teams still on a 100 per cent record after three rounds. Diego Lopez is out of action for at least two weeks with a hamstring strain, while Alex remains in doubt with a bruised right thigh muscle. Riccardo Saponara went under the knife today on his left knee and posted photographs of the wrapped-up limb on Twitter. Daniele Bonera will miss Juventus, as he is suspended following a red card. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli ‘Added stimulus against Juve’ Sep 17, 2014 Cristian Zapata is encouraged by Milan’s start to the season and says it provides extra motivation in facing Juventus next weekend. The Rossoneri will head into Week 3’s clash with the Bianconeri level on maximum points after the first two rounds of action, thanks to a nine-goal thriller in Parma on Sunday night. “It was a tough match in every sense,” defender Zapata has considered to Milan Channel today, in quotes then run on the club’s official website. “There were injuries, sending offs but those who came on were important in helping the team in a difficult moment. “We’re happy because we’ve collected another big victory. I think that you can see the desire and unity that this group has out on the pitch. “There’s a team, regardless of the mistakes, with a desire to win and to stay together and to fight for every ball.” The Colombia international turned his attention to next weekend’s meeting with the Old Lady. “I believe that important games such as this prepare for itself because we face an opponent like Juventus.” “Against Juventus there’s a desire to take to the pitch and do everything well and win this match because we’re first in the table with them and this is an extra source of motivation. “Let’s hope all our fans come to the stadium so that we can beat Juventus. The season begins now and we must stay on this path. Juve will definitely be a tough match and we’ll try and give our all to win it.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli ‘Milan can be ready for Juve’ Sep 17, 2014 Demetrio Albertini backs Milan to be ready for Juventus, but asserts any outcome from Week 3 won’t be decisive in the Scudetto race. The Rossoneri will play host to the Old Lady next Saturday in what will be, after two rounds of action, a top-of-the-table clash. For one former Milan man to have played in this fixture, whilst there is a different context heading into next weekend’s version, the Diavolo won’t be overwhelmed. “Saturday’s match against Juventus is important because it can provide an awareness of the team’s ability and credibility in the players’ abilities,” Albertini has considered to Milan Channel. “Milan is still a work in progress, but they have a club and a Coach who knows how to prepare for important games such as this one against Juventus. “It will be an important match, but not decisive, since we are only at the third week of the championship.” Playing in Albertini’s position at Milan today is Nigel de Jong, who has started the season in notable form. “De Jong is a cornerstone of this team. He plays very simple, whilst he needs to play in the middle with technical players alongside him to bring out his best. “Sunday he scored a great goal, I am pleased that Milan can count on an experienced player like him.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli Vidal back for Milan, Pirlo… Sep 17, 2014 Juventus are reportedly optimistic at having Arturo Vidal ready to face Milan this weekend, but Andrea Pirlo is more of a doubt. The midfielders have been recovering from respective injuries in recent days - Pirlo since pre-season with a hip complaint and Vidal since the international break with a thigh issue. Max Allegri used yesterday’s Press conference to confirm tests on both were carried out on Monday, with optimism more so on the Chilean’s chances of recovery in time for Week 3’s clash with Milan. Tuttosport today reiterate that this is the mindset of doctors at the Bianconeri, with Pirlo likely to require another seven days to recover, with his comeback more likely next midweek for Week 4. Tuttosport also explain that Andrea Barzagli’s absence from Juve’s squad tonight is so as to have him ready to face the Rossoneri on Saturday. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

MILAN - JUVENTUS - Saturday, September 20th, 2014 8:45 PM Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee:‬ Nicola Rizzoli From Malmo to Milan After dispatching with Malmo and facing Milan on the horizon, Luca Persico believes Max Allegri is ready for his first real test at Juventus. Sep 17, 2014 Following the disappointment of last season’s Champions League campaign, starting with a win against Allsvenskan holders Malmo was a necessity for Juventus yesterday evening. Having laboured against Danish sides Copenhagen and Nordsjælland in recent years, the Bianconeri could be forgiven for being overly anxious when faced with another Scandinavian opponent. In the first half, that uncertainty was all too evident. Juventus played with too much caution and were rushed in possession. Eager to strike early, they were trying to force openings, rather than work them, and were limited to crossing and misguided long range shooting. Indeed, had it not been for an excellent Gianluigi Buffon save, they may have even trailed at the interval. With the potential for another frustrating Champions League night brewing, Juventus emerged after the break with renewed vigour. Massimiliano Allegri, as he noted in his post-match interview, pushed the back-line higher and forced Malmo back. By playing with greater patience and freedom, his side grasped control of the contest and gave the kind of performance that is expected of Juventus in Europe. With Malmo pressed deep into their own half, a goal seemed inevitable and duly arrived on 59 minutes through a wonderful link-up between Kwadwo Asamoah and Carlos Tevez. The latter, who is thriving in the free role afforded to him by Allegri, emerged for arguably the first time in Europe as the protagonist the Old Lady signed last June. His first season in Italy was impressive, scoring 19 goals in Serie A, but his run of five years without a Champions League goal that stretched back to his time in Manchester meant he wasn't quite the complete package for Juventus last term. Tevez, however, thoroughly dismissed that notion last night, with his second goal - a wonderful free-kick - capping off a 2-0 victory that could have been more emphatic and included a first clean sheet in the Champions League in eight matches. Olympiacos’ surprise win over Atletico Madrid perhaps complicates the group, but for Juventus three points and the growing influence of Tevez offers assurance for the games to come. Allegri may not have been the most popular choice, but his decision to retain the 3-5-2 shape has made the transition from Antonio Conte’s reign almost seamless, while his desire to give Tevez the opportunity to dictate has made Juventus less structured. That tweak showed it’s value most prominently last night, but was also evident in the wins over Chievo and Udinese and will likely be key when he faces his former employees Milan on Saturday. The Rossoneri, like Juventus, have started the season impressively, though while the latter have been ruthlessly professional - they are yet to concede a goal - Filippo Inzaghi’s side are seemingly embracing a Zemanlandia approach. With eight goals scored and five conceded in two matches, Super Pippo’s mandate is clear. His desire to attack and use elements of world champions Germany’s approach has created an exciting and unpredictable side. For both he and Allegri, their respective differing styles will receive a first true examination. A solid and well drilled Juventus would be expected to overcome Milan’s exuberant approach, but whether it plays out like that will define Allegri’s start. The 47-year-old will be eager to prove his worth at San Siro after a disappointing end to his four year reign with the Diavolo, and with Tevez at his influential best, plus the likely return of Arturo Vidal, he will be confident of halting Inzaghi’s early season momentum. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Tevez Needed To Start Scoring Again States Asamoah Sep 17, 2014 Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah says he is happy for his teammate Carlos Tevez, after the striker netted a match-winning brace against Malmo in their Champions League clash. The Ghanaian international was accommodated in central midfield against the Swedish champions, and set up Tevez’s first goal was a beautiful flick. “The assist for Tevez? I can also be useful in an attacking sense, in the second half we did well,” Asamoah told Sky Sport Italia. “I’m happy with myself, but especially for Carlitos, he needed to get back to scoring in the Champions League.” The two goals were the Argentinian international’s first in five years in the European competition.

Argentina open Tevez door Sep 17, 2014 Argentina Coach Gerardo Martino has opened the door for Juventus striker Carlos Tevez. “I see him as a Number 9.” Tevez was frozen out of international duty by previous boss Alejandro Sabella, who did not even call him up for friendlies. “I have already said that the door is open for everyone,” new tactician Martino told La Nacion. “If I had to say where he’d fit into my tactics, I see Tevez only as a Number 9, so he is an alternative to Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero. “I would not take four Number 9s to a World Cup, so I don’t think Sabella’s decision to leave Tevez out was illogical.” Apache has been scoring regularly at Juventus and ended his Champions League drought with a brace against Malmo last night. Those were his first goals in the tournament since April 2009. However, Tevez has been playing in a deeper role at Juve, leaving the centre-forward position to Fernando Llorente.

JUVENTUS 2 - 0 MALMÖ FF - Carlos Tévez 59' Carlos Tévez 90' Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Olsen: 'Malmo still pleased' Sep 17, 2014 Malmo goalkeeper Robin Olsen still felt “pleased with the match as a whole” despite a 2-0 defeat to Juventus. This was the Swedish club’s first foray into the Champions League group phase. “It was a lot of fun,” the shot-stopper told UEFA.com. “A fine experience, but we could have held the score down to just 1–0. I still think we can be pleased with the match as a whole. “It will feel better the next days.” Malmo are bottom of the group, as Atletico Madrid lost 3-2 to Olympiacos.

JUVENTUS 2 - 0 MALMÖ FF - Carlos Tévez 59' Carlos Tévez 90' Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 - 8:45 PM Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee:‬ Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Atletico loss doesn't change anything for Juventus, insists Lichtsteiner The Switzerland defender insists the Bianconeri still have some tough games coming up and cannot be considered clear favourites to win the group. Sep 17, 2014 Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has insisted that Atletico Madrid's Champions League defeat at the hands of Olympiakos on Tuesday does not change anything for the Serie A champions. The Turin side got their European campaign off to a solid start by beating Malmo 2-0 at Juventus stadium, but Group A rivals and last season's finalists Atletico Madrid stumbled to a surprising 3-2 defeat at Olympiakos. Nevertheless, Switzerland international Lichtsteiner has dismissed any notion that Atletico's defeat put Juve in pole position for top spot, highlighting their upcoming visits to Piraeus as well as the Vicente Calderon. "Olympiakos' victory doesn't change anything on paper for us," the right-back told reporters. "There are tough games ahead for the team, especially the ones in Spain and Greece where the atmosphere will be red-hot. "Let's play the matches and then we'll see." Carlos Tevez's double secured the win for Juve, with the Argentine now having found the net three times in as many appearances this season.