Socrates

Llorente: Juve, then Spain Sep 3, 2014 Fernando Llorente is prioritising work with Juventus, believing that any return to the Spain squad would only come as the result of that. The striker is again out of Vicente del Bosque’s selection for La Roja’s games this international break with France and Macedonia, but does not believe a change in scenery would address his absence. “At the moment I am very happy in Turin,” Llorente has told Marca this week. “In the future I do not know what will happen, but for now I have no intention of leaving Juve. I have had a week with flu, without being able to train. “I am working so as to do well with Juve, whilst the national team would be a reward that would follow on from that. “We are facing an exciting season - the League this year will be very difficult. Roma are reinforced, whilst other teams like Napoli, Milan, inter and Fiorentina are teams that will fight for the top positions, and they are not easy to deal with. “The goal for us is always the Scudetto - it is important to win. And there is the Champions League - the group is difficult, and [Atletico Madrid’s] Vicente Calderon and that at Olympiacos are difficult stadiums, whilst Malmo are the lesser-known opponent. “With Simeone, Atletico in recent years have played as a complete team. They are the most dangerous.”

Buffon: Conte a perfectionist Sep 3, 2014 Gigi Buffon considers Antonio Conte the right man at the right time for Italy, and says work is similar to how it was at Juventus. The 45-year-old is overseeing a first week of work with the Azzurri squad since taking over on the bench in place of Cesare Prandelli. For Italy’s captain, who up until the start of pre-season was working with Conte at Juventus, the transition is going well. “The Coach is a perfectionist, a Coach and a man who believes in discipline and rules,” Buffon has told reporters in Florence, in picking up the 2014 Nereo Rocco Award. “In a time in history like this I think he was the only one who in a short time could have the strength to drag us back up. “I see him as we saw him at Juve - very clear ideas, transmitting concepts without any possibility of being misunderstood. “I believe that our players need this type of guidance. I see him as really well, calm, energetic, at the right place.”

Injured Chiellini to miss Netherlands clash The Italy defender will not be fit for the high-profile friendly after suffering a calf problem during a training session on Tuesday. Sep 2, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini will miss Italy's clash with Netherlands on Thursday due to a calf problem. The Juventus star limped out of a training session on Tuesday with a swollen calf and Italy's team doctor Enrico Castellacci subsequently confirmed he will not be risked for the friendly match in Bari. Antonio Conte's side are still hopeful the 30-year-old can feature in Italy's opening Euro 2016 qualifying clash against Norway next Tuesday. "Chiellini has some pain in his left calf," Castellacci said. "This morning we performed an ultrasound that showed some swelling. "There's no damage to the muscle fibres, but just fatigue. He will miss the match on Thursday. We will try and help him recover for Tuesday." Italy had earlier confirmed that Inter forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo (hamstring) and Parma defender Gabriel Paletta (back) will also miss out through injury. Elsewhere, Stephan El Shaarawy is delighted to be back playing after missing almost all of the 2013-14 campaign through injury. The AC Milan forward has thanked club boss Filippo Inzaghi and new Italy coach Conte for retaining confidence in his ability. "I'm glad to be back playing," he said. "I'm feeling really good, physically. "Inzaghi and Conte have given me so much. I hope to repay their confidence. They have both made me understand that I have ability to do well. "Both are motivators and can express what they want to the group." Conte is set to take charge of Italy for the first time since being named as Cesare Prandelli's successor last month.

É vero. @@ 25 anni fa se ne andava un campione la cui statura morale sarebbe servita al calcio: Gaetano #Scirea, uomo con la #Juve e l'Azzurro nel cuore https://twitter.com/OfficialAllegri

Juventus submit 26-man squad list for Champions League group stage Sep 2, 2014 If you wanted to be shocked by who Juventus put on their Champions League squad list for the group stages, maybe you should go back to previous years and see who they were signing checks to. This year, though, won't shock you. It probably won't even make you think somebody got snubbed. The complete list, courtesy of juventus.com: Juventus have today submitted a 26-man squad for this season's Champions League group stages to UEFA. Here is the list in full: 1 Buffon 2 Romulo 3 Chiellini 4 Caceres 5 Ogbonna 6 Pogba 7 Pepe 8 Marchisio 9 Morata 10 Tevez 11 Coman 12 Giovinco 14 Llorente 15 Barzagli 19 Bonucci 20 Padoin 21 Pirlo 22 Asamoah 23 Vidal 26 Lichtsteiner 30 Storari 33 Evra 34 Rubinho 37 Pereyra 38 Mattiello 39 Marrone Unless you were expecting everybody's favorite outcast, Marco Motta, to be there, it's not like there are any kind of major surprises on the list above. Out of the 26 players named to the squad, there's just one primavera player included in the list, Federico Mattiello. Of course, the 19-year-old's inclusion in actual match day squads will be dependent on who is or isn't healthy in the midfield. So if you see Mattiello in for say, Andrea Pirlo, on the squad call-ups list (no, not the starting lineup) when Juventus open their Champions League campaign on Sept. 16 against Malmö at Juventus Stadium, then that's what he's there for. Other than that, though, it's just atatus quo. Max Allegri pretty much named who everybody expected him to. How boring.

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BRADY: il fascino discreto della regia Irlandese, carattere di ferro, William Brady è stato il primo straniero della Juventus dopo la riapertura delle frontiere. Regista di grande efficacia, non faticò a prendere in mano le redini del gioco bianconero, portando la squadra di Trapattoni all'exploit di due scudetti consecutivi. Giocatore pratico ed efficace, nemico dei fronzoli eppure dotato di classe superiore, dopo due anni fu sacrificato al "gran colpo" di Gianni Agnelli, l'ingaggio di Michel Platini. Già consapevole di essere al passo d'addio, confermò la propria professionalità trasformando con freddezza lo storico rigore contro il Catanzaro all'ultima giornata che diede lo scudetto ai bianconeri sulla Fiorentina. Mentre la Juve apriva un nuovo ciclo (senza peraltro più vincere due titoli di seguito), William Brady trovava gloria a Genova, sponda blucerchiata, determinando il salto di qualità voluto dal presidente Paolo Mantovani. Insieme a Trevor Francis formò la coppia britannica della Sampdoria neopromossa, guidata da Ulivieri allo stabile ritorno nella massima serie. L'ottimo rendimento gli valse la chiamata di Ernesto Pellegrini, neo presidente dell'Inter, deciso ad avviare col botto la propria avventura nerazzurra e alla ricerca di una mente capace di armare il formidabile "braccio" ingaggiato in Germania: Karl Heinz Rummenigge. L'accoppiata funzionò a corrente alternata, specie per i guai fisici del biondo fuoriclasse teutonico, e dopo due anni, in mancanza di successi, Brady venne considerato al capolinea. Si accasò all'Ascoli, ma non fini la stagione: se ne andò l'11 marzo 1987. dopo aver chiesto la risoluzione del contratto (a salvezza ormai conseguita), per divergenze con i dirigenti. Si accasò al West Ham e ancora per un paio di stagioni rappresentò la bandiera dell'Eire, il pilastro imprescindibile dei verdi di Jack Charlton, dove disputerà ben 79 incontri in 15 anni. Terminata la carriera agonistica, ha tentato senza successo quella di allenatore prima di essere recentemente richiamato come vice di Trapattoni nella sua verde Irlanda. Dal 2 luglio 1996 ricopre la carica di direttore del settore giovanile dell'Arsenal. da Storie di calcio

ALTAFINI: il coniglio con il fiuto del gol Una carriera straordinaria, per qualità e longevità. Altafini ha poco meno di vent'anni quando partecipa al Mondiale 1958, che rivela al mondo Pelé. In patria lo chiamano "Mazzola", anzi, "Mazola", per la somiglianza fisica con Valentino Mazzola, eroe del Grande Torino. Centravanti, gioca le prime partite, poi Feola gli preferisce il più stagionato Vavà e vince il titolo. In compenso, per "Mazola" arriva l'ingaggio del Milan. Recupera il proprio cognome ed esplode in campo come una bomba: 28 reti in 32 partite, il Milan di Schiaffino e del "baby" Rivera vince lo scudetto. Fa il bis nel 1962 e l'anno dopo a Wembley è la prima squadra italiana a conquistare la Coppa dei Campioni. José è il capocannoniere (14 reti, un primato) e segna entrambi i gol con cui il Milan rimonta la rete iniziale di Eusebio. Tecnicamente eccezionale, vigoroso quanto basta, ha un senso del gol micidiale, anche se il direttore tecnico rossonero Viani lo chiama "coniglio" per via della cautela con cui nelle aree infuocate si cura di preservare integre le proprie preziose estremità. Il rapporto si guasta nel 1964-65, quando dopo un lungo braccio di ferro torna dal Brasile in inverno, in tempo per... far perdere ai suoi uno scudetto virtualmente già conquistato al termine dell'andata (a sorpresa vince l'Inter). La Juventus farebbe carte false per averlo, ma il Milan non vuole cederlo alla diretta concorrenza. Con il trasferimento dell'anno (110 milioni) va allora al Napoli, dove vive splendide stagioni assieme a Sivori, vincendo tuttavia solo una Coppa delle Alpi. Il colpo di scena nel 1972: a 34 anni lo ingaggia la Juventus, trasformandolo in un mortifero centravanti part time, che gioca da punta arretrata. Conquista due scudetti e due secondi posti e solo a 38 anni si arrende all'età, per emigrare in Svizzera dove chiude la carriera, per poi diventare commentatore televisivo. È stato uno dei più grandi attaccanti della storia del calcio italiano. da Storie di calcio

Chiellini to miss friendly Sep 2, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini will miss Italy’s friendly match against Netherlands on Thursday, it has been revealed this afternoon. Reports this morning suggested that the Juventus defender would be assessed by the Azzurri medical team after limping out of training. And national team doctor Enrico Castellacci has claimed that the centre-back has suffered a swollen calf and will sit out the game in Bari this week. “Chiellini has some pain in his left calf,” he told reporters. “This morning we performed an ultrasound that showed some swelling. “There’s no damage to the muscle fibres, but just fatigue. He will miss the match on Thursday.” Chiellini however, should be fit enough to take his place in the XI for the Euro 2016 qualifier versus Norway next week.

Trezeguet: Juve's objective is to win Sep 2, 2014 Juventus legend David Trezeguet has insisted that despite their change of Coach, the Bianconeri have to target the title. Massimiliano Allegri replaced Antonio Conte in the Turinese side’s dugout this summer, but the striker has claimed that the Old Lady are still good enough to win the Scudetto. “Whoever is in charge, the objective for Juventus is still the same – win,” he told Tuttosport. “Allegri has a great team at his disposal, and I think they could also do well in the Champions League this time.” The former France international then commented on Conte’s new role as Italy boss. “I think Prandelli did an extraordinary job, but Antonio will bring other things to the team. In any case, we’re talking about two Coaches who are at the very top.”

Chiellini causes Italy concern Sep 2, 2014 After Gabriel Paletta and Dani Osvaldo leaving the Italy camp, Giorgio Chiellini has caused slight concern in ending training in discomfort. The Juventus defender is reported as having left the training pitch at Coverciano during the morning session. Initial indications are that it is only due to muscular fatigue, and that it does not represent a significant concern for medical staff ahead of the friendly against the Netherlands on Thursday in Bari. This afternoon Italy’s team doctor Enrico Castellacci will address the media in a Press conference, talking in detail about Chiellini’s condition.

La Juventus di Umberto Agnelli L'avventura bianconera di Umberto Agnelli comincia nel '55, come commissario straordinario (poi diverrà presidente): con lui arrivano Sivori e Charles. Nel '59 fu eletto presidente della Federazione (si dimise nel '61). Nel '62 lasciò anche la Juve, per riprenderne il controllo a metà degli anni Novanta attaverso l'Ifi. C'era mancato poco che Umberto Agnelli non diventasse tifoso del Toro. «La prima partita che andai a vedere fu un trionfo granata per sette a zero a Roma, e mi appassionai. Ma dopo essere tornato a casa, sentii di nuovo più naturali i legami con la Juventus, e mi venne spiegato meglio da che parte dovessi stare». Primavera 1946. è il primo ricordo calcistico di colui che sarebbe diventato lo juventino delle ricostruzioni, un dirigente assai meno "glamour" del fratello Gianni ma non meno competente dal punto di vista tecnico, e più operativo in senso moderno, non solo mecenatesco. Chiamato alla presidenza bianconera ad appena ventun anni (resta il più giovane della storia), il primo incarico importante della sua vita, Umberto Agnelli s'inventò Charles e Sivori. Dopo essersi chiesto a lungo se l'ingaggio dei due costosissimi campioni (105 milioni di lire il gallese, 180 l'argentino) fosse compatibile con i nuovi criteri di gestione del bilancio (si compra solo se poi si incassa), e dopo avere consumato le pietre di piazza San Carlo in un'agitata notte insieme al suo consigliere Walter Mandelli, tenuto conto che l'acquisto di Omar Sivori avrebbe potuto scandalizzare tutto lo sport italiano, il più giovane degli Agnelli concluse: «E io lo compro lo stesso». Fu un meraviglioso azzardo, a cominciare dal viaggio in auto dal casello di Novara al centro di Torino, con Umberto che schiaccia l'acceleratore a tavoletta e il campione che si rannicchia sul sedile e tace. «Non avrei mai pensato che si potesse patire più la macchina dell' aereo» dirà Sivori all'arrivo, incredulo di essere ancora sano e salvo, mentre il dottor Agnelli gli ripete: «Erano due anni che ti aspettavamo». Venne subito lo scudetto '58, e un anno dopo per Umberto venne anche la presidenza della Federcalcio. C'era da ricostruire pure lì. Lui prese l'incarico sul serio, come aveva fatto alla Juventus: molte ore in ufficio, molto lavoro da sbrigare e nulla da concedere alle copertine e alla mondanità. Tuttavia il doppio ruolo trascinò inevitabili polemiche sul conflitto d'interessi. Una delle prime decisioni della nuova federazione umbertiana fu infatti la creazione di un segno distintivo per la squadra che avesse vinto dieci scudetti: guarda caso, la Juventus. Nacque così la stella del decimo campionato, e sembrò quasi che Umberto Agnelli l'avesse cucita da solo sulle amate maglie. Di triangoli tricolori ne sarebbero arrivati altri due, nel '60 e nel '61, con risse verbali e di campanile, compresa la lite con il principe degli arbitri, Concetto Lo Bello, che un giorno cacciò dagli spogliatoi il giovane Agnelli. L'ultimo campionato di Umberto vinto da presidente federale e della Juve coincise con la ripetizione di Juventus-Inter, vinta 0-2 dai nerazzurri per la presenza del pubblico a bordo campo, e che venne fatta ripetere dalla Corte d'appello federale, come alcuni accusarono, su pressioni del presidente. Per protesta, i nerazzurri mandarono a Torino una squadra di ragazzini che perse 9-1: l'Inter segnò su rigore con un debuttante di nome Sandro Mazzola, figlio di Valentino, mentre nella Juve giocò per l'ultima volta Giampiero Boniperti. Umberto Agnelli lasciò la presidenza bianconera dopo il deludentissimo campionato '61-'62, nel quale la Juve rischiò addirittura di retrocedere, e se ne andò con l'amarezza provocata da altre polemiche: quelle sulla norma federale che consentiva i trasferimenti dei giocatori nelle liste suppletive d' autunno, anche se fossero già stati utilizzati. Sfruttando le nuove regole i bianconeri avevano ingaggiato Mora, e anche quella volta si disse che Umberto Agnelli l'avesse fatto apposta. Il dottore tornò operativo nel calcio nel '94, quando la ricapitalizzazione guidata da Cuccia gli tagliò la strada della presidenza Fiat. Umberto venne in qualche modo risarcito con la Juventus, e lui creò la "triade" (Giraudo, che fu suo segretario personale, Moggi e Bettega. Triade). Molte vittorie in Italia con Lippi in panchina (altri 5 scudetti), un po' meno in Europa, e l'imposizione del calcio come "show-business" con la discesa in Borsa, le cessioni illustri, le priorità di bilancio e il progetto immobiliare del nuovo stadio. Tutto il contrario di suo fratello. Per finire allora ecco una provocazione: l'Avvocato, con la Juve ci giocò. Umberto ci ha lavorato.......? da Storie di calcio

The new serie A gk=goalkeeper; d=defender; m=midfield; s=striker Sep 1, 2014 Atalanta Bought: Molina (m, Modena), Zappacosta (d, Avellino), Gagliardini (m, Cesena), Biava (d, Lazio), Dramé (d, Chievo), D’Alessandro (s, Cesena via Roma - 2), Cherubin (d, Bologna), Boakye (s, Elche via Juventus-Genoa), Bianchi (s, Bologna), Spinazzola (s, Siena via Juventus), Rosseti (s, Siena via Juventus), Avramov (gk, Cagliari via Torino), A. Gomez (s, Metalist - 6), Benalouane (d, Parma - 1,0) Sold: Del Grosso (d) Livaja (s, Rubin Kazan - 6,5), Yepes (d), Nica (d, Cesena), Cazzola (m, Cesena), Giorgi (m, Cesena), Caldara (d, Trapani), Kone (m, Avellino), Bentancourt (s, Bologna), Brienza (s, Cesena), Brivio (d, Verona), Consigli (gk, Sassuolo - 3), Bonaventura (m, Milan - 7), Colombi (gk, Cagliari - 1,5) Cagliari Bought: Capello (s, Inter via Bologna - 1), Colombi (gk, Carpi via Atalanta - 1,50), Benedetti (d, Padova via Inter - 4), Longo (s, Rayo Vallecano via Inter), Balzano (d, Pescara), Crisetig (m, Crotone via Inter), Cragno (gk, Brescia - 1,6), Caio Rangel (s, Flamengo - 2,65), Donsah (m, Verona - 2,5), Capuano (d, Pescara), Farias (s, Sassuolo via Chievo), Ceppitelli (d, Bari via Parma - 2,5), Joao Pedro (m, Estoril) Sold: Silvestri (gk, Leeds via Chievo), Avramov (gk, Atalanta via Torino), Nenè (s, Verona), Oikonomou (d, Bologna), Ibraimi (m, Maribor), Vecino (m, Empoli via Fiorentina), Bastrini (d, Novara), Tabanelli (m, Cesena), Perico (d, Cesena), Astori (d, Roma - 2 + 5), Del Fabro (d, Leeds), Pinilla (s, Genoa -2), Cabrera (m, Estoril) Cesena Bought: Leali (gk, Spezia via Juventus), Nica (d, Atalanta), Saporetti (d, Milan), Cazzola (m, Atalanta), Giorgi (m, Atalanta), Tabanelli (m, Cagliari), Mi. Djuric (s, Cittadella), Perico (d, Cagliari), Magnusson (d, Spezia via Juventus), Zè Eduardo (m, Ofi Creta via Parma), Lucchini (d, Atalanta - 0,5), Bressan (gk, Varese 0,2), Brienza (s, Atalanta), Pulzetti (m, Bologna), Carbonero (m, River Plate via Roma - 0,3), Mazzotta (d, Crotone - 0,5) Sold: Campagnolo (gk), Coser (gk, Livorno via Vicenza), Rossini (gk, Lupa Roma via Parma), Bangoura (d, San Marino), Camporese (d, Bari via Fiorentina), Consolini (d), Alhassan (m, Genoa), Belingheri (m, Livorno), Gagliardini (m, Atalanta), D’Alessandro (s, Atalanta via Roma), Ingegneri (d, Bassano) Empoli Bought: Sepe (gk, Lanciano via Napoli), Aguirre (s, Liverpool Montevideo via Udinese), Rovini (s, Udinese), Guarente (m, Chievo), Bianchetti (d, Spezia via Verona), Laxalt (m, Bologna via Inter), Vecino (m, Cagliari via Fiorentina), Zielinski (m, Udinese) Sold: Pratali (d), Eramo (m, Ternana via Sampdoria), Gargiulo (m, Tuttocuoio), Bachini (d, Lucchese), Castiglia (m, Pro Vercelli), Pelagotti (gk, Pisa) Fiorentina Bought: Badelj (m, Amburgo - 5), Richards (d, Manchester City - 1), Marin (s, Chelsea), Kurtic (m, Sassuolo 0,5 + 5) Basanta (d, Monterrey - 2,6), Brillante (d, Newcastle United Jets - 1), Tatarusanu (gk, Steaua Bucarest), Octavio (s, Botafogo), Bernardeschi (s, Crotone), Babacar (s, Modena) Sold: Ambrosini (m), Diakitè (d, Sunderland); De Silvestri (d, Sampdoria - 1,35), Romulo (m, Verona then Juventus- 3,50), Rosati (gk, Napoli), Matri (s, Milan then Genoa); Anderson (s, Manchester United), Compper (d, Leipzig - 0,55); Rebic (s, Leipzig - 0,6), Vecino (m, Empoli); Piccini (d, Betis Siviglia); Wolski (m, Bari) Genoa Bought: Alhassan (m, Cesena), Ribas (s, Strasbourg), Santana (m, Olhanense), Sampirisi (d, Olhanense), Rosi (d, Parma via Sassuolo), Matri (s, Fiorentina via Milan), Greco (m, Livorno), Perotti (m, Siviglia - 0,3), Ragusa (m, Pescara), Improta (s, Padova), Izzo (d, Avellino - 0,2), Lamanna (gk, Siena), Rincon (m, Amburgo), Iago (m, Rayo Vallecano via Tottenham - 2,0), Pinilla (s, Cagliari - 2,0), Edenilson (m, Corinthians via Udinese), Mussis (m, Copenaghen), Roncaglia (d, Fiorentina), Lestienne s, Bruges) Sold: Motta (d, Juventus), Centurion (m, Racing Avellaneda), Gamberini (d, Chievo - 0,3), Sculli (s, Lazio), Konate (s, Krosnodar), De Ceglie (d, Parma via Juventus), Matuzalem (m, Bologna), Donnarumma (gk, Bari), Gilardino (s, Guangzhou - 5,0), Bizzarri (gk, Chievo), Cofie (m, Chievo), Portanova (d); Vrsaljko (d, Sassuolo - 3,5) Inter Bought: Berni (gk, Torino), Di Gennaro (gk, Cittadella), Bardi (gk, Livorno), Belec (gk, Olhanense), Dodo’ (d, Roma - prestito 1,2 + 7,8); Biraghi (d, Cittadella - 700,000), Vidic (d, Manchester United), Pasa (d, Padova), Mbaye (d, Livorno), Benedetti (d, Padova); Silvestre (d, Milan), Medel (m, Cardiff - 8 mln), Krhin (m, Bologna - 1,2 mln), M’Vila (m, Rubin Kazan - 1 mln), Laxalt (m, Bologna), Obi (m, Parma), Schelotto (m, Chievo via Parma), Duncan (m, Livorno), Crisetig (m, Crotone), Benassi (m, Livorno), Osvaldo (s, Southampton), Longo (s, Rayo Vallecano) Sold: Belec (gk, Konyaspor), Bardi (gk, Chievo), Di Gennaro (gk, Latina), Castellazzi (gk), Benedetti (d, Cagliari - 4 mln), Biraghi (d, Chievo - 250,000), Samuel (d, Basilea), Silvestre (d, Sampdoria), Pasa (d, Prato); Zanetti (d), Rolando (d, Porto), Wallace (d, Chelsea), Benassi (m, Torino - 1,5 mln), Duncan (m, Sampdoria - 400,000), Cambiasso (m, Leicester), Taider (m, Southampton), Laxalt (m, Empoli), Schelotto (m, Chievo), Crisetig (m, Cagliari), Mudingayi (m), Mariga (m), Botta (s, Chievo - 1 mln), Milito (s, Racing Club); Longo (s, Cagliari) JUVENTUS Bought: Motta (d, Genoa), Coman (s, Paris Saint Germain), Marrone (m, Sassuolo - 5,0), Morata (s, Real Madrid - 20,0), Evra (d, Manchester United - 1,2 + 0,3 bonus), Pereyra (m, Udinese 1,5 prestito + 14 + 3 bonus), Romulo (m, Verona - 1,5 + 6,5), Djalo (d, Granada) Sold: Osvaldo (s, Inter via Southampton), Peluso (d, Sassuolo - 4,5), Vucinic (s, Al-Jazira - 6,3), Quagliarella (s, Torino - 3,5), Isla (m, QPR - 1,25); De Ceglie (d, Parma) Lazio Bought: Cataldi (m, Crotone), Sculli (s, Genoa), Djordjevic (s, Nantes), Basta (d, Udinese - 0,7 + 4,8), Parolo (m, Parma - 5,5 + 1,5 bonus), De Vrij (d, Feyenoord - 8,5), Braafheid (d, Hoffenheim), Gentiletti (d, San Lorenzo - 1,9) Sold: Helder Postiga (s, Valencia), Kakuta (s, Rayo via Chelsea), Biava (d, Atalanta), Dias (d), Lombardi (s, Trapani), Crecco (m, Ternana), Ilari (d, Grosseto), Filippini (d, Bari), Minala (m, Bari), Perea (s, Perugia), Alfaro (s, Liverpool Montevideo), Elez (m, Grosseto) Milan Bought: Niang (s, Montpellier), Albertazzi (d, Verona, 0,5), Agazzi (gk, Chievo), Alex (d, Psg), Menez (s, Psg), Armero (d, West Ham via Udinese), Diego Lopez (gk, Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (s, Chelsea), Van Ginkel (m, Chelsea), Bonaventura (m, Atalanta - 7,0) Sold: Taarabt (s, QPR), Silvestre (d, Sampdoria via Inter), Petagna (s, Latina), Emanuelson (m, Roma), Amelia (gk), Kakà (m, San Paolo via Orlando), Birsa (m, Chievo), Coppola (gk, Bologna), Benedicic (m, Leeds), Constant (d, Trabzonspor - 2,5), Robinho (s, Santos), Balotelli (s, Liverpool - 20,0), Gabriel (gk, Carpi), Cristante (m, Benfica - 6,0) Napoli Bought: Koulibaly (d, Genk - 7,0), De Guzman (m, Villarreal - 6,0), David Lòpez (m, Espanyol - 5,3), Michu (s, Swansea - 1,25 + 7,75), Andujar (gk, Catania - 2,0), Donadel (m, Verona), Rosati (gk, Fiorentina), Gargano (m, Parma), Uvini (d, Santos) Sold: Fernandez (d, Swansea - 10), Behrami (m, Amburgo - 3,5), Pandev (s, Galatasaray - 1), Dzemaili (m, Galatasaray - 3), Gamberini (d, Chievo - 0,3), Vargas (s, Qpr), Fideleff (d, Ergotelis), Reina (gk, Liverpool then Bayern Monaco), El Kaddouri (m, Torino - 0,4), Calaiò (s, Catania - 0,00), Reveillere (d) Palermo Bought: Chochev (m, Cska Sofia - 2,0), Mantovani (d, Bologna), Della Rocca (m, Bologna), Lores Varela (m, Bari), Rigoni (m, Chievo - 1,4), Quaison (m, Aik Solna - 2,0), Feddal (d, Siena via Parma), Emerson (d, Santos), Bamba (d, Trabzonspor), Gonzalez (d, Columbus Crew - 3,8), Makienok (s, Brondby - 2,3), Lazaar (d, Varese - 0,7) Sold: Verre (m, Perugia via Udinese), Lafferty (s, Norwich - 4,5), Troianiello (m, Bologna), Stevanovic (m, Bari via Torino), Bacinovic (m, Lanciano), Malele (s, Entella), Embalo (s, Carpi), Petermann (m, Alto Adige), Hernandez (s, Hull - 12) Parma Bought: Bidaoui (s, Crotone), Tozser (m, Watford via Genoa), Justino (s, San Filipe), Belfodil (s, Livorno via Inter), Cordaz (gk, Nova Gorica), Jorquera (m, Eskisehirspor), Santacroce (d, Padova), Ristovski (d, Latina), Rispoli (d, Ternana), Pedro Mendes (d, Sassuolo), Iacobucci (gk, Latina), Russo (gk, Ascoli), Lodi (m, Catania), Souza (m, Olhanense), Costa (d, Sampdoria), De Ceglie (d, Genoa via Juventus), Juan Antonio (m, Brescia via Sampdoria) Sold: Obi (m, Inter), Vergara (d, Avellino via Milan), Gargano (m, Napoli), Rossini (d, Bari), Schelotto (m, Chievo via Inter), Parolo (m, Lazio - 5,5 + 1,50), Munari (m, Watford), Marchionni (m, Sampdoria), Cerri (s, Lanciano), Amauri (s, Torino), Benalouane (d, Atalanta - 1,0), Ceppitelli (d, Cagliari via Bari - 2,50) Roma Bought: Iturbe (s, Verona - 22,0 + 2,5), Manolas (d, Olympiacos - 13 + 2), Astori (d, Cagliari - 2 + 5), Holebas (d, Olympiacos - 1 + 0,5), Yanga-M’Biwa (d, Newcastle - 1,3 + 6,9), Cole (d, Chelsea), Keita (m, Valencia); Emanuelson (d, Milan), Uçan (m, Fenerbahce - 4,75 + 11), Paredes (m, Boca Juniors via Chievo - 0,25 + 4), Sanabria (s, Barcellona via Sassuolo - 4,5 + 7,5), Borriello (s, West Ham) Sold: Benatia (d, Bayern Monaco 26 + 4), Dodò (d, Inter - 1,2, + 7,8), Marquinho (m, Al-Itthad - 1), Jedvaj (d, Bayer Leverkusen - 1,0), Verre (m, Udinese - 0,9), D’Alessandro (m, Atalanta - 2), Taddei (m, Perugia), Bastos (m, Al Ain), Toloi (d, San Paolo), Josè Angel (d, Porto), Romagnoli (d, Sampdoria - 0,5) Sampdoria Bought: Romero (gk, Monaco), De Vitis (m, Carpi), Rizzo (m, Modena), Fedato (s, Catania), Cacciatore (d, Verona 0,4), Duncan (m, Livorno via Inter - 0,4), Campaña (m, Nurnberg via Crystal Palace - 1,8), Bergessio (s, Catania - 3,0), Viviano (gk, Arsenal via Palermo), Barry (d, Torcy), Marchionni (m, Parma), Silvestre (d, Milan via Inter), Babic (d, Vojvodina), Romagnoli (d, Roma - 0,5), Josè Angel Blanco (d, Real Madrid), Mesbah (d, Livorno via Parma), Djordjevic (s, Twente via Zenit); De Silvestri (d, Fiorentina - 1,3) Sold: Fiorillo (gk, Pescara via Juventus), Sestu (m, Chievo), Rodriguez (d, Gremio), Maxi Lopez (s, Chievo, via Catania - 1,5), Bjarnason (m, Pescara, 0,02), G. Berardi (d, Leeds), Mustafi (d, Valencia - 8,0), Falcone (gk, Como), Costa (d, Parma), Salamon (d, Pescara), Campaña (m, Porto), Renan (m, Al-Nasr - 1,2) Sassuolo Bought: Peluso (d, Juventus - 4,5), Pavoletti (s, Varese), Vrsaljko (d, Genoa - 3,5), Taider (m, Southampton via Inter - 1,0), Consigli (gk, Atalanta - 3) Sold: Sanabria (s, Roma), Zapata (s, Udinese), Ziegler (d), Alexe (s, Dinamo Bucarest), Farias (s, Cagliari via Chievo), Pedro Mendes (d, Parma), Pucino (d, Pescara via Chievo), Masucci (m, Frosinone), Rosi (d, Genoa via Parma), Marrone (m, Juventus - 5), Perilli (gk, Pro Patria), Kurtic (m, Fiorentina - 0,5 + 5) Torino Bought: Sanchez Mino (m, Boca Juniors - 3,2), Quagliarella (s, Juventus - 3,5), Cinaglia (d, Feralpi Saló), Jansson (d, Malmö), Molinaro (d, Parma), Martinez (s, Young Boys - 3,0), Ruben Perez (m, Elche via Atletico Madrid), Benassi (m, Livorno via Inter - 1,5), Nocerino (m, West Ham via Milan), Gaston Silva (d, Defensor Sporting - 2,5), Bruno Peres (d, Santos - 2), Castellazzi (gk, Inter), Amauri (s, Parma), El Kaddouri (m, Napoli - 0,4) Sold: Immobile (s, Borussia Dortmund - 10,09), Barreca (d, Cittadella), Berni (gk, Inter), L.Gomis (gk, Trapani), Aramu (s, Trapani), Meggiorini (s, Chievo), Pasquale (d, Udinese), Tachtsidis (m, Genoa), Gyasi (s, Pisa), G. Rodriguez (d, Verona - 0,36), Kurtic (m, Sassuolo), Avramov (gk, Atalanta), Cerci (s, Atletico Madrid - 16+3), Vesovic (d, Rijeka), Bellomo (s, Chievo - 0,80) Udinese Bought: A. Zapata (s, Sassuolo), Coda (d, Livorno), Pasquale (d, Torino), Thereau (s, Chievo - 2,0), Bochniewicz (d, Reggina), Belmonte (d, Siena), Molla Wague (d, Caen), Jaadi (s, Anderlecht), Riera (m, Watford), Camigliano (d, Brescia - 1,3), Faraoni (d, Watford), Karnezis (gk, Granada), Guilherme (m, Corinthians - 4,5), Piris (d, Sporting Lisbona via Deportivo Maldonado), Hallberg (m, Kalmar), Kone (m, Bologna 4,5), Evangelista (m, San Paolo - 4,0),Aguirre (m, Liverpool Montevideo - 4,0), Verre (m, Palermo via Roma - 0,9) Sold: Lazzari (m, Fiorentina), Rovini (s, Empoli), Basta (m, Lazio 0,7 + 4,8), Maicosuel (m, Atletico Mineiro - 3), Beleck (s, Fiorentina), Neuton (d, Chapecoense), Pereyra (m, Juventus 1,5 + 14 + 3 bonus), Mlinar (m, Aarau), Nico Lopez (s, Verona 0,6), Benussi (gk, Verona), Zielinski (m, Empoli), Kelava (gk, Carpi), Naldo (d, Getafe) Verona Bought: Martic (d, San Gallo), Chanturia (s, Cluj - 1,0), Obbadi (m, Monaco), Ionita (m, Aarau), Gollini (gk, Manchester United), Christodoulopoulos (s, Bologna - 1,3), Ferrari (gk, Milan), Valoti (m, AlbinoLeffe), Cappelluzzo (s, Siena), Nené (s, Cagliari), Tachtsidis (m, Torino via Genoa), Gu. Rodriguez (d, Torino - 0,36), Luna (d, Aston Villa), R. Marquez (d, Leon), Nico Lopez (s, Udinese 0,6), Campanharo (m, Bragantino), Sorensen (d, Bologna via Juventus), Benussi (gk, Udinese), Brivio (d, Atalanta), Saviola (s, Olympiacos) Sold: Marquinho (Al-Ittihad via Roma), Albertazzi (d, Milan, 0,5), Cacciatore (d, Sampdoria, 0,4), Martinho (m, Catania - 1,10), Cirigliano (m, River Plate), Pillud (d, Racing Avellaneda), Donadel (m, Napoli), Cacia (s, Bologna), Iturbe (s, Roma 22,0 + 2,5), Maietta (d, Bologna), Donsah (m, Cagliari - 2,50), Romulo (m, Juventus - 1,50 + 6,50), Rabusic (s, Perugia), Nicolas (gk, Lanciano), Donati (m, Bari)

Fernando Llorente Pleased With Chievo Win Sep 1, 2014 Juventus striker Fernando Llorente has hailed his side’s start to the 2014/2015 campaign after their match against Chievo. The Bianconeri began their title defense with a 1-0 win against the Flying Donkey’s, a result that left the Spanish striker ecstatic. The 29 year old took to Twitter where he proclaimed, “It was not an easy day, but I’m happy to have play and especially for the win.” The Juve big man came on in the second half for newcomer Kingsley Coman who proved to be a revelation on his debut. Despite losing coach Antonio Conte, the Bianconeri started off their 2014/2015 campaign in a positive way, showing onlookers that they would not role over and enter a transition phase.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/DkmxJRgm-uv/AC+Chievo+Verona+v+Juventus+FC+Serie

Allegri Thanks Players On Twitter Aug 31, 2014 Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri thanked his players for the win in his competitive debut against Chievo. The Bianconeri won their opening game of the 2014/2015 Serie A season against The Flying Donkeys at the Stadio Bentegodi courtesy of a Cristiano Biraghi own goal. The former AC Milan coach took to his Twitter account to thank the players for the win, whilst also saying that he is “happy” with the his first win. “We played really well, and created a lot of chances,” he wrote. “I’m happy with the win; thank you, guys.” It is also worth mentioning that Juve will continue their defence of the Serie A title at home to Udinese on the 14th of September.

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS - Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal) Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona Referee: Carmine Russo Kingsley Coman's sensational Juventus debut against Chievo in five minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrvAjnZ5YME Aug 31, 2014 If there was one player in a Juventus jersey who deserved a goal in Saturday night's season opener, it was Kingsley Coman, the new apple of everybody's eye. His debut went better than anybody could have imagined it would go, with many a Italian media outlets giving the 18-year-old Frenchman the Man of the Match nod. And let me just repeat two very important things for the record: Coman is 18 years old. This was his first game in Serie A, a league that has a history of not being very kind to youngsters. Now that Coman has officially burst onto the scene in Italy, the microscope on him will just become that much bigger. Coman's skill, speed, and overall awesomeness was on full display as he got a somewhat surprising start against those pesky Flying Donkeys in Juve's season opener. If this was his first true test, consider it passed — by a country mile. JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen Coman: "I'm happy with how my debut went and I'm really enjoying life here at Juventus." JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen Coman: “I can improve every day by training alongside world class players and working with Allegri." There's also this, though: Kingsley Coman isn't the new Paul Pogba. There is only one Paul Pogba, just like there is only one Kingsley Coman. They're both French, they both have mohawks, they both joined Juventus on free transfers and made their debuts with the club as teenagers. But they are two different kinds of players with different kinds of skill sets playing different positions in what is a very good Juventus side. That's just how it works. The best thing out of it all is that both of these wonderfully talented France natives are wearing Juventus jerseys. So go ahead and stick your tongue out when your friends ask you about them. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS - Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal) Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona Referee: Carmine Russo Chievo vs. Juventus: Winners and Losers from Serie A Clash Aug 31, 2014 Following a difficult summer, Juventus finally kicked off the 2014-14 campaign with a trip to Veronese side Chievo. Antonio Conte’s sweeping dominance meant Massimiliano Allegri had a tough act to follow, but the new coach was under no illusion as to how difficult a task he faced. From his appointment in mid-July, the 47-year-old made it clear he knew just what was expected of him and the low opinion in which his arrival was viewed by the club’s fanbase. Speaking to reporters at his inaugural press conference, Allegri laid out his thoughts, per UEFA.com: I understand that the supporters could be a little sceptical right now as they've changed their coach in less than 24 hours. I will try to convince them with good results, hard work, respect and professionalism. I won't radically change the team, I will work on the players and try to make this strong team even stronger. He has done just that, bringing a tactical flexibility that was absent in the past two years under Conte and teaching the squad to once again work in a 4-3-3 formation. Allegri touched on that subject when speaking with La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport last weekend (h/t Football Italia): I think it is very fortunate to be able to switch between two formations, even in the same game. There are moments in the season where you can play with three [defenders] and others when it is better to do so with four. The team showed good signs in the two phases when they played with a four in Jakarta and Sydney, and also for the whole game in Singapore. We need to work hard to acquire the knowledge to make it possible to use a different formation with the same reliability. Against Chievo on Saturday, Allegri opted for the reliable 3-5-2 favoured by Conte and was rewarded for that decision with a 1-0 win. Here is a look at the winners and losers from Juve’s narrow opening-day victory. Winner: Kingsley Coman (Juventus) Kingsley Coman opted to join Juventus on a free transfer this summer, as the 18-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain to move to Turin. The player also told the Corriere dello Sport (h/t ESPNFC) that he had rejected offers from interested Premier League sides Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham. He was rewarded with his competitive debut on Saturday, starting up front alongside Carlos Tevez as Fernando Llorente missed out with injury. Winner: Martin Caceres (Juventus) With Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini both missing the match against Chievo, Martin Caceres once again stepped in. Just as he had last season, the Uruguayan defender proved a more than capable deputy, ensuring the Bianconeri back line did not miss a beat. Making three tackles, one interception and three clearances, according to WhoScored.com, Caceres also forced the Francesco Bardi error that led to the game's opening goal. Winner: Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus) With Serie A taking a two-week break after this weekend, it was essential the Massimiliano Allegri era got off to a good start in Turin. With three points to their name, the Bianconeri ensured their new coach earned just that, launching their 2014-15 campaign in the best possible fashion. Loser: Francesco Bardi (Chievo) Francesco Bardi endured a difficult match, making just two saves as he ended on the losing side. The 22-year-old lacked confidence as he faced the champions, failing to lead his defence in the manner so desperately needed in such a high-profile encounter. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Pogba Set For Contract Extension Aug 31, 2014 Juventus are set to enter contract negotiations with midfielder Paul Pogba after the close of the transfer window to extend their relationship with the France international. Pogba, who is one of Europe’s most highly rated midfielders, has been linked with a move away from Turin after two successful seasons in Serie A, in which the Bianconeri won two league titles. After being linked with a return to former club Manchester United for several months, Tuttosport reports that Pogba is ready to commit his future to Juventus in a five-year agreement which would see the Frenchman earn €5 million per season plus performance related bonuses. Once the transfer window has closed, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is set to meet Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta to negotiate the final details of the extension. The 21-year-old moved to The Old Lady in 2012 and has gone on to score 12 goals in 62 appearances and featured for France during World Cup this summer.

Buffon: Juventus Can Still Improve Aug 31, 2014 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon was pleased with his side’s opening day victory over Chievo, but still feels that there is room for improvement. The veteran goalkeeper, who had little to do for large spells of the game nonetheless pulled off some smart saves to ensure that Massimiliano Allegri’s side returned to Turin with all three points thanks to a 1-0 win. “Despite the numerous absences, we still managed to be well prepared,” he stated to Sky Sports following the match. “But, as it was our first game, it’s only natural to take a while to get into things. We still want to win and continue to impress [like we did last season]. “The difficult thing will be to keep up this level of intensity in every game.” The long-serving Bianconeri shot-stopper also offered some thoughts on the team’s rivals for the Scudetto this season. “Roma last season was our number one rival, and it will be the same this season. However, other teams, like Napoli, Inter, and [AC] Milan can also pose a challenge.” Buffon will now turn his attention to international duty as the Azzurri prepare to take on the Netherlands in a friendly before their EURO 2016 qualifying campaign.

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS - Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal) Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona Referee: Carmine Russo Chievo 0-1 Juventus: Player Ratings Aug 30, 2014 The opening match of the 2014/2015 Serie A season started with a lackluster 1-0 win for Juventus over Chievo. The only goal was scored as an own goal by the Flying Donkeys, when Cristiano Biraghi accidentally netted one into his own net in the early moments of the game. Neither side would score again and Juventus walked away with three points from the away match at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi. The starting match of the season did not look good for either Eugenio Corini or Massimiliano Allegri, who watched as both their sides played in an under performed and uninspiring season opener. Chievo Francesco Bardi – 7 It was an unlucky start for the goalkeeper on loan from Inter, who let in an own goal from Biraghi in the opening minutes of the match. However, despite a bad start for his new team, Bardi did manage to keep the ball out of the back net for the rest of the match. Dario Dainelli – 6 The Italian centre back became visually more frustrated as the match went on, finally earning himself a card near the start of the second half. While the match was understandably frustrating for all involved, Dainelli was unable to keep his emotions from over taking his style of play. Bostjan Cesar – 6.5 The Slovenian who is becoming a veteran for Chievo, helped slowed down Juventus from advancing or scoring more goals. However, not much was else was added to the match by the defender. Nicolas Frey – 6.5 Frey was another player who both contributed to the slowing down of Juventus, but not much else. Playing his role in a mediocre fashion, he did mange to get the job done without much cause for concern. Cristiano Biraghi – 5 The match was a terrible start for the defender, after an own goal at the beginning of the match turned out to be the only goal of the match. Though he actively worked at correcting his mistake, it was too little too late; the game ended as it begin: in disappointment. Mariano Izco – 7 Recently acquired by the Flying Donkey, Izco was one of the biggest contributors to an otherwise dull match. Helping to push Chievo forwarded, Izco tried to step up several chances that unfortunately did not follow through. He does have the potential to improve Chievo if he continues in the same form as the season continues. Perparim Hetemaj – 6 Hetemaj was another player who showed potential throughout the match but did not quite make the push past actually making a mark. The Finnish midfielder did manage to slow down Juventus from increasing the 1 – 0 scoreline but did not contribute to make any individual moments of brilliance. Thomas Mangani – 6.5 The French midfielder is clearly finding his form with his new team. While his performance was not the best of the match, the 27 year old looks as though he can eventually ease himself into a strong leader for Chievo. Maxi Lopez – 7 Maxi Lopes almost became the hero of the match when he had the best chance all game to change the score line. With a chance in front of the net, the would-be equalizer was saved by Buffon. The foiled chance did not stop Maxi from pressuring the rest of the match, but unfortunately he was not able to find another chance. Valter Birsa – 6 The Slovenian winger assisted in the push forward that Chievo needed to regain confidence after an unfortunate own goal; however, it was not enough to help the Flying Donkeys equalize. Ezequiel Schelotto – 5 Taken off in the first half, Schelotto did not exactly contribute to the match in a meaningful manner. However, the Argentine who is currently on loan to Chievo, showed potential had he been more match fit for the game. Juventus Gianluigi Buffon – 7 The Juventus captain was fairly subdued most of the match, with his most active effort coming in the second half when he saved a would-be sure goal from Chievo’s Maxi Lopez. Martin Caceres - 6 The 27 year old Uruguayan did not play to his potential this match, seemingly slow and out of place against Chievo. While his individual performance did not affect the overall team performance for Juventus, Caceres will have to continue to pick up game to keep Juventus as a title contender. Angelo Ogbonna – 6 Ogbonna was another player that seemed missing all match, barely making his mark all game. Without any real test from Chievo, he was able to get away with being absent, however he will have to tighten up his performance to keep a starting position on the team. Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5 Another player who had higher expectations going into the match and did not perform as well as expected. While he was able to get away with a slow under performance against Chievo, more should be expected by the Italian veteran. Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5 The usually vocal Swissman seemed non-existence for the most of the match, like most of the rest of his team, which is surprising as Lichtsteiner is usually the one calling for his team to play better when they start to hit a slump. Like his team mates around him, the Swiss seemed happy to end the match at 1 – 0 and the effort surrounding the decision showed. Paul Pogba – 6.5 The Frenchman looked a little sloppy and lethargic in the first half and contributed to the dull and sluggish mood to the match. Considering his contributions to the team in the previous season, this match should not be regarded as one of the highlights of his career. Claudio Marchisio – 6 Once again, another of the Juventus talisman seemed to not be prepared for the match. Usually a leader for the Turin club, Marchisio was noticiably active from leadership as his club continued to make mistakes and let an equally slow Chievo side match them. Marchisio will have to step up, especially with the absence of Andrea Pirlo, if he expects to be a key role this season. Arturo Vidal – 6.5 Vidal was yet another case of a player who should be playing better. After much speculation about leaving Juventus, Vidal did not show the type of performance expected from a player who would have been considered one of their biggest losses, had he left for Manchester United as rumoured. He played clumsily and seemingly unfocused at the beginning of the match, and while there was a bit of improvement in the second half, it was not enough to highlight the supposed star player. Kwadwo Asamoah -6.5 Asamoah looked frustrated and lost, especially at the beginning of the start of the second half. Possibly due to the lack of structure around him, the 25 year old Ghanaian did not give one of his best performances, making careless mistakes that are not usual to his playing style. Carlos Tevez – 7.5 The Argentine was overshadowed by the unexpected debut of fellow forward, Kingsley Coman. However, Tevez managed to get the ball moving in an otherwise slow and sluggish match via some brilliantly time assists and a few shots on goal. KINGSLEY COMAN – 8 Coman quickly silenced his critics that questioned “who?!” at the beginning of the match. Previously from Paris Saint-Germain, the 18 year old Frenchman working well aside Tevez and took a few creative chances, which quickly dominated an otherwise dull game. Any would-be nerves did not seem to overshadow his Serie A debut and all things considering, he was the man to watch on the pitch. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Allegri: Important Win For Juventus To Start The Season Aug 30, 2014 New Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said it was important that his side got off to a winning start in the new Serie A season. The Old Lady defeated Chievo 1-0 at the Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday evening thanks to a sixth minute own goal by the Flying Donkeys defender Cristiano Biraghi and gave Allegri a perfect start on the Bianconeri bench. “It was important we got off to a winning start, the boys earned the points”, Allegri told Mediaset. “We played well today because it not easy at the start of the season”, he added. “We are satisfied now and will be working hard during the international break to be ready for the Champions League”. The Old Lady will face Udinese when their League campaign resumes.

CHIEVO VERONA 0 - 1 JUVENTUS - Cristiano Biraghi 7' (own goal) Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:00 PM Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi — Verona Referee: Carmine Russo Initial reaction and random observations There's a possibility a player who sports a mohawk will be discussed below. Luckily for Juventus, there's a good amount of players on their team with mohawks. Aug 30, 2014 The more things change, the more things have stayed the same. Juventus dominated the possession, holding the ball for 74 percent of the time. (YES, SEVENTY-FOUR PERCENT.) Juventus had 21 total shots. They scored one goal. That goal was an own goal, by the way, just in case you forgot how Juve found the back of the net. Stephan Lichtsteiner was screaming at the referees just minutes into the game. Welcome back, Serie A. The 3-5-2 formation made an appearance despite a different man writing the starting lineup. The thing that was different from one season to another? Well, the manager, with Saturday's season-opening 1-0 over Chievo win being Max Allegri's official debut as Juventus coach. But also the absolutely brilliant debut from 18-year-old Frenchman and summer signing Kingsley Coman, who got the start in part because Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco were still getting over being sick during the lead up to Saturday's game. And what a debut it was. Coman was everywhere in his first career start in black and white. Against the best competition — even though that team nearly got relegated last season — he has faced since coming to Turin this summer, he answered the call. And then some, quite frankly. His touch on the ball was fantastic, he added some much-needed creativity, and just everything he brought to the table was pretty much. James Horncastle @JamesHorncastle Coman's first touch, his ability to pull the ball out of the air, is really something else. Great personality on his debut Kingsley Coman, man. I can get used to that kind of game. Random thoughts and observations As Juventus continued to clang the ball off the crossbar in the second half, I had a thought: Llorente is all but certain to be healthy when the international break is over, so where does Coman fit into the equation in Juventus' second game of the season? I mean, after the way he played against Chievo, he has to play from the start when Juve host Udinese in two weeks. Does that mean Allegri goes with a 4-3-1-2 with Coman playing behind Llorente and Carlos Tévez? I wouldn't be opposed to that kind of thing, to be honest... Gigi Buffon wasn't busy at all. But considering Juventus couldn't finish in front of goal to save their respective lives against Chievo, how important was that point-blank range save on Maxi Lopez? That's why having the GOAT as your starting goalkeeper is such a beautiful thing. Juventus just hit another two shots off the crossbar while I wrote the last two bullet points. Lichtsteiner could have had three or four assists if Juve actually finished their chances. Then again, it's not like Juve not finishing their chances is all that surprising at this point. I thought out loud in the match preview about how long Arturo Vidal would play. When it was all said and done, Vidal played all but about 10 minutes of Saturday's game. And you have to say, regardless of how truly fit he really is compared to before the knee injury, he looked pretty good. Own goal or not, that header Martin Cáceres delivered from that angle was just ridiculous. I like Claudio Marchisio as a regista more and more every time I see him play there. I know I sound like a broken record about it at this point, but it's true. He's just adapted to it so well. Black letters and numbers on the back of Juventus' jerseys >>>>>>>> Yellow letters and numbers on the back of Juventus' jerseys. Well done by the club realizing such a terrible design flaw and fixing it ASAP. Seriously, though, that should have been a 4-0 or 5-0 win. So many chances, so much bad finishing in front of goal. I think I know what the coaching staff will emphasize at training next week... Kingsley Coman, man. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111