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JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Juventus v Trabzonspor: Probable line-ups Feb 20, 2014 Juventus are playing against Trabzonspor in the Europa League and coach Antonio Conte faces problems in the backline as Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are both injured. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri host the Turkish side in Juventus Stadium and the tactician is likely to use Martin Caceres and Angelo Ogbonna while the return of Paul Pogba in the starting line up is almost certain. It is reported that Conte will rest the Spanish forward Fernando Llorente and give a start to Pablo Osvaldo, alongside Carlos Tevez. http://markting10.nl/ JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Buffon, Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Isla, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Peluso, Tevez, Osvaldo. TRABZONSPOR (4-2-3-1): Kivrak; Bosingwa Yumlu, Demir, Keles, Zokora, Colman; Erdogan, Mierzejewski, Adin; Henrique.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Juventus - Trabzonspor Betting Preview: Back Conte's men to lay down a marker in the Europa League Antonio Conte's men were underwhelming in the Champions League, but expect them to bounce back with a prolific performance in Turin. Feb 20, 2014 Having crashed out of the Champions League in the first round, Juventus begin life in the ignominy of the Europa League with a home tie against Trabzonspor on Thursday. http://markting10.nl/ Defeat to Galatasaray put paid to La Vecchia Signora’s Champions League dreams, but they are 1/5 (1.20) favourites with Paddy Power to gain retribution with a victory against more Turkish opposition. Unbeaten in 12 in this season’s competition, the visitors are available at 14/1 (15.00) to secure a shock away win at the Juventus Stadium. Antonio Conte’s men drew all six group games during their last Europa League campaign back in 2010 and you can get odds of 5/1 (6.00) on them making it a remarkable seven stalemates in a row tonight. http://markting10.nl/ While the hosts’ reaction to Champions League elimination was to embark on a nine-match unbeaten run in the league that stretched their lead at the top of Serie A, their opponents have suffered something of a collapse since clinching first place in their Europa League group back in December. A run of just one win in nine saw coach Mustafa Resit Akcay hand in his resignation, with assistant Hami Mandirali overseeing a 2-2 draw at Karabukspor in his first game as caretaker manager on Saturday. http://markting10.nl/ That was the seventh time in 10 away league games the Black Sea Storm have conceded two goals or more so far this campaign, a worrying statistic considering their opponents have struck 20 times in their last six fixtures on home soil. In fact, with 46 goals to their name in 16 home games in all competitions this season, Juventus are averaging almost exactly three a match in front of their own fans, meaning odds of 10/11 (1.91) seem like excellent value on them striking at least three times against a Trabzonspor team in disarray this evening.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Antonio Conte expecting tricky Trabzonspor game Feb 20, 2014 Juventus head coach Antonio Conte has urged his players to maintain their focus against Turkish side Trabzonspor in their first leg of the last 32 tie in the Europa League. http://markting10.nl/ Conte said that the fact that Trabzonspor topped a group containing Lazio means that they would cause his side problems, especially as they have strong players in all areas of the pitch. "We will be facing a team that was in the group stage with Lazio and they closed that stage as leaders of their group," Four Four Two quotes Conte as saying. "We know they have excellent players in attack, they have expert players, and I'm referring to players such as Didier Zokora and Jose Bosingwa. http://markting10.nl/ "They definitely have a lot of talented players, they have ingenious players such as Olcan Adin. We will need to be very careful and think at a game at a time and make sure we take things seriously." Juventus come into the Europa League having been knocked out of the Champions League.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Juventus vs. Trabzonspor Preview Feb 20, 2014 Juventus will enter their last-32 Europa League match with Trabzonspor looking to keep their stellar year rolling. http://markting10.nl/ They will host the Turkish club on Feb. 20 for the first leg of this matchup. The second leg comes on Feb. 27. Juventus have ample reasons to be confident heading into this matchup...or any other for that matter. The Spanish club sits in first in the Serie A table with 63 points. They have lost just one league match all season and are nine points ahead of second-place Roma. http://markting10.nl/ Meanwhile, Trabzonspor have been solid. They are in ninth place in the Super Lig table, but they've struggled mightily on the road. They have just one win in 10 matches as the away team this league year. They now must hope to turn around those road woes, or Juventus will put this one away before it gets to the second leg. http://markting10.nl/ Key Storyline: Will Juventus overlook Trabzonspor? I don't mean to bash on Trabzonspor. They are a solid side. Still, if mighty Juventus play up to their capabilities, they will advance. There is no guarantee that will happen, though. It wouldn't be a shock to see Juventus come out with a lackadaisical attitude against an inferior out-of-league opponent. That won't be the case, however, if Juventus coach Antonio Conte has his way. PA Sport, via ESPN, passed along this quote from Conte: http://markting10.nl/ “We cannot forget that Trabzonspor finished ahead of Lazio in the group stages of the competition. They have very good players and they have experience. We will have to be focused from start to finish.” I'm sure Conte won't be shy about pointing out to his team that the last time they faced a Turkish opponent, they were eliminated from the Champions League with a 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray. http://markting10.nl/ Juventus have a hectic schedule in the coming weeks, and this team will have their gaze fixed on winning Serie A. Might those efforts come at the expense of the Europa League? http://markting10.nl/ Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Trabzonspor Needless to say, I don't see the preceding factors I laid out keeping Juventus from victory. This team has solid depth and a world of confidence. They will not be turned away at home.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Juventus News – Juve vs Europa League Feb 20, 2014 It’s not quite the Turkish revenge we’re looking for, but it will have to do for now. http://markting10.nl/ On Thursday (weird, right?), Juventus will inaugurate their Europa League campaign by hosting Trabzonspor, the EL opponent geographically closest to our Champions League killers (and terrible snow-removers), Galatasaray. Juve are in good shape for this new endeavor, having mostly corrected the lapses in concentration that plagued the Hellas Verona draw with Sunday’s commanding 3-1 win over Chievo. And when faced with the lone setback (a bizarre Martin Caceres own goal, scored with his back off a poor clearance from Stephan Lichtsteiner), Juve never capitulated, keeping their poise and killing off the match with a Fernando Llorente header. Consider the course duly corrected. To be honest, it’s very difficult to get excited for the Europa League. In theory and in practice, it’s a second-tier competition, forever in the shadow of the uber-illustrious Champions League. At best, it seems like a big hassle for small glory, and at worst, it’s another chance for key players to get injured and jeopardize the Serie A campaign. Juve themselves have traditionally treated the tournament as a secondary priority, and they’re doing so again this year, judging from Antonio Conte’s probable lineup (see below). http://markting10.nl/ That being said, there are a few benefits to playing in the Europa League this season, for this Juve squad, under this coach: 1.It will provide valuable experience playing in different European countries and in different formations and/or styles. 2.It will provide valuable experience playing in knockout situations. Conte’s Juve have hitherto been a marathon squad, achieving the ultimate success only over long Serie A campaigns, so playing in site-specific, higher-pressure, win-now situations should come in handy in the Champions League next season. In a way, Juve’s lack of experience in this area is why they’re in the Europa League in the first place. http://markting10.nl/ 3.It has been a very contentious year for Juve’s “relationship” with Fiorentina, and if everything works out the Bianconeri can exact sweet revenge in the next round. Adding in the return Serie A fixture, Juve could have three more chances at Viola payback in only a month’s time. 4.The final is being held at Juventus Stadium—might as well win the whole thing in front of a partisan crowd. http://markting10.nl/ And above all, these are still matches on a schedule — which means they should be won. This may be an unexpected detour on the road to European prominence, but Juventus can still get there from here. http://markting10.nl/ Europa Updates: Major Turnover, Chievo Defense Returns Taking into account the two-matches-in-four-days gauntlet this week, Antonio ConteAntonio Conte is planning on significant squad rotation for Thursday’s match, the first official Europa League fixture at the new stadium (let’s not make a tradition of this, guys). However, the Juve manager is still likely to deploy the Serie A-approved 3-5-2 formation. UEFA_leaguelogoThe same makeshift defense used against Chievo should feature again, having acquitted itself well on Sunday (and now with 90 minutes more experience). Giorgio Chiellini has assured us of his imminent recovery, and Andrea Barzagli should be back in the fold for the Torino Derby on Sunday, but Conte will not risk either of them against Trabzonspor. Thus, Martin Caceres, Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna will shield Gigi Buffon for a second consecutive match. http://markting10.nl/ On the wings, Mauricio Isla and Federico Peluso will occupy the right and left flanks, respectively, spelling Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah. In the central midfield, Claudio Marchisio will start, fresh from an impressive performance versus Chievo, while Paul Pogba will return to the lineup, having rested that match. The last spot will be a toss-up between Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, depending on who needs rest and on Conte’s tactical considerations for Sunday’s derby. The attack will be entirely Argentine, as Carlos Tevez, rested from a strictly cameo appearance against Chievo, will line up alongside Dani Osvaldo. Fabio Quagliarella has been left off the Europa squad, as we know, so Fernando Llorente, Mirko Vucinic and the embattled Sebastian Giovinco (see below) are options off the bench. Juve’s overall attitude and concentration will be interesting to observe on Thursday. For all the reasons mentioned in the intro, this edition of the Europa League can provide some priceless experience for starters and role players alike. Conte himself understands this, judging from his comments on Wednesday’s press conference (he apparently does speak before Europa League matches, just not Serie A): http://markting10.nl/ The Europa League is a prestigious tournament and winning it in our second year back in Europe would represent an extraordinary achievement. We started our journey three years ago and nobody would have imagined that this team, with these players, would have come as far as it has. We got back in the Champions League last season and went out at the quarter-final stage, eliminated by eventual winners Bayern Munich. This year we’ve all got to accept the blame for how we fared in the group stage, but now we’ve got an opportunity each one of us needs to seize in the Europa League.” It’s not the tournament they wanted to be playing in this month, but we can expect them to compete all the same. In case you didn’t know, Antonio Conte really, really prefers to win whenever possible. ANDIAMO, RAGAZZI!!! http://markting10.nl/ Know the Enemy: Trabzonspor The official site has been tracking our latest European opponents ever since the drawing for the Round of 32, and it’s now time to highlight a few pertinent facts — and flash a few warnings Juve’s way. We could go the usual historical route, mentioning that Trabzonspor were founded in 1967 and operate out of Trabzon, a port city on the Black Sea. We could count their domestic titles (6), which is second only to the nefarious Galatasaray in the Turkish Super-Lig. TrabzonsporWe could even try to gauge where there attack is coming from, without really having seen the play. At the pre-match press conference, Conte hinted at strong movement forward, with a dangerous dose of creativity:  http://markting10.nl/ We’re up against an opponent who finished above Lazio in their group. They have excellent players in forward areas, along with experienced performers such as Zokora, Bosingwa and Malouda. There’s also Olcan, a very strong individual who offers them flair. We’ll need to remain alert.” But for our intents and purposes, there are two important things to keep in mind. The first is Trab’s relatively barnstorming Europa run thus far, aided and abetted by their stellar defense:  The highlight of Mustafa Akcay’s short reign in the Trabzonspor dugout will undoubtedly be his team’s sensational run to the competition’s Round of 32, during which they went 12 games unbeaten and conceded just one goal away from home.” http://markting10.nl/ That’s a formidable defensive record for any club. But what’s actually more disconcerting than Trabzonspor’s European prowess is the second thing to keep in mind: their recent lack of domestic success. That should call up two very bad, very Turkish memories:  In stark contrast to Trabzonspor’s strong European momentum is their form in Turkey, where they have failed to record a single win since the turn of the year. Currently in ninth position and 17 points off league leaders Fenerbahce after 21 games, the club’s patchy domestic record led to Akcay tendering his resignation in the wake of a home reverse at the hands of Akhisar Belediyespor on Sunday 10 February.” http://markting10.nl/ A team hits rock bottom and changes their coach right before playing Juventus. Sound familiar? Roberto Mancini took over a reeling Galatasaray club early into this season, just in time to ruin some Bianconeri dreams by first drawing in Turin then winning on that horrible, mud-filled, waterlogged Istanbul pitch. History is trying very hard to repeat itself. We must not let it!

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Mancini: Juventus can win the Europa League Feb 20, 2014 Galatasaray boss Roberto Mancini believes that Juventus have a shot a winning the Europa League. http://markting10.nl/ The 49-year-old led his club to victory over the Bianconeri in the Champions League, which saw the Serie A side eliminated from the competition and demoted to the Europa League, but remains confident that Juve can now succeed against Turkish club Trabzonspor if they earn a big victory in Turin on Thursday. Mancini spoke to La Stampa about the Old Lady’s ability to do well in Europe and Gala’s upcoming Champions League tie with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea on February 26. http://markting10.nl/ “I’ve beaten Juventus in the Champions League, but with the snow it wasn’t really football,” said the tactician. “Juventus can win the Europa League, but they must eliminate Trabzonspor in Turin, otherwise another trip to Turkey could be difficult, as Turkish teams play better at home.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Europa League Preview: Juventus vs. Trabzonspor, Leg 1 — Showtime at Juventus Stadium Feb 19, 2014 Three months from now, there will be a Europa League game at Juventus Stadium no matter what. We've known this for awhile, so that part isn't all that much of a surprise. Come 24 hours from when this article is being published, Juventus will be playing a European game on the Juventus Stadium turf. http://markting10.nl/ But not in the European tournament we were all hoping for when the season began. Yep, it's Europa League time, ladies and gents. The tournament that we didn't expect Juventus to be in is in fact the tournament that Juventus is currently in starting tomorrow night in Turin. Their opponent? Well, that's somebody, Trabzonspor, from the same country of the team who knocked Juve out of the Champions League — Turkey. Not exactly how we drew it up, but that's the reality Juventus find themselves in. http://markting10.nl/ JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen #Conte: The @EuropaLeague is a goal we want to achieve with all the players we have here, I've got great belief in my squad #JuveTrabzonspor That means we have one question: What's next? When comparing it to the Champions League, Juve clearly don't want to be here. Even in Juve's first season of hell in 2009-10, they didn't want to be in the Europa League. But because of starting the group stages as sluggish as can be and a loss in the mud against Galatasaray, Juve are in the Europa League once again. http://markting10.nl/ So, how are they going to play it? Go for it. Win it all. Have the Europa League final in May be a home game, dammit. And that quest begins tomorrow in the same stadium where it could very well end in a couple of months. http://markting10.nl/ GOOD NEWS Usually this would be where I'd update you on Juve's unbeaten run in Serie A. But since this isn't a domestic game, we're going to have to go in a different direction. Let me get back to you on this one. http://markting10.nl/ BAD NEWS Just in case you haven't noticed or have been living under a rock the past couple of months, the European competition Juventus is playing in tomorrow isn't the Champions League. I know, breaking news. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. Just how seriously Juventus take this thing. The players and management can say all they want in the lead up to the match. That's their right and let them proceed at their own free will. But until Juventus actually take the field and don't do stupid things that see them bow out of a second European competition this season, then just how much they care about the Europa League will be an important talking point. There's no denying that this isn't the European tournament that the Juventus players and management want to be a part of. Those games took place over the past 48 hours. No reason to dwell on what could have been now, right? The past is the past and this is where Antonio Conte finds his squad right now. http://markting10.nl/ 2. Just how serious the Juventus tifosi take this thing. One of the greatest things about Juve playing in European competition is that the Juve faithful bring the noise. We've seen the stadium packed and heard the noise in just about every single one of Juve's game since the doors opened three years ago. But this obviously isn't a Champions League tie against Real Madrid or Chelsea with a ton at stake. This is the Europa League Round of 32, something that isn't exactly glamorous or was high on fans' must-watch list entering the season back in August. But I guess we can hang our heads on this: If they show up for a Coppa Italia game against a Serie B side that was basically a win from the opening whistle, they'll probably show up for Juventus vs. Trabzonspor. Right, guys? http://markting10.nl/ 3. What Juventus' starting lineup looks like. You would think that if Juve are as serious about the Europa League as they say they are, the starting lineup would obviously reflect that. I don't think Conte will drastically change things up like he does for Coppa Italia games, but I've been wrong about what goes through his head before. It's one thing to do it against Avellino, it's another to do it on the European stage — regardless of it being Champions League or the other European competition. We know that Angelo Ogbonna will be in because Giorgio Chiellini is still recovering from his calf injury. And you'd like to assume that Carlos Tevez was rested over the weekend so that he could play major minutes on Thursday. JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen #Conte: I need a full squad at my disposal for the upcoming run of fixtures. We want to honour the @EuropaLeague as best we can. Does "full squad" mean "squad rotation"? Conte mentioned those kinds of words a number of times during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. I guess there's only one way to find out — watch the game. http://markting10.nl/ 4. What Trabzonspor is all about. I don't say I am an expert on Trabzonspor, nor do I say I play one on television. The amount of knowledge I had about Trabzonspor before doing a bit of research could probably be held in a hand and that's about it. I'm going to assume that Mister Conte knows a wee bit more about his opposition than I do. If he doesn't, then maybe we're due for some more hair-pulling-out moments. But this is what we do know about Juventus' opposition: They're sitting mid-table in the Turkish Super Lig. They currently don't have a head coach — no, really — after Mustafa Akcay resigned on Feb. 10. Not exactly how you would like to go into a European contest, would you? Yeah, that's not very good. JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen #Conte: We're up against a team who won their group ahead of Lazio. They've got some strong players in forward areas. #JuveTrabzonspor http://markting10.nl/ 5. No messing around with any aggregate shenanigans. The last time Juve were involved in a home-and-home series in Europe, they were getting blown out of the stadium by the machine otherwise known as Bayern Munich. The round before that, things were essentially over between Juventus and Celtic after the two teams played 90 minutes in Glasgow. Now, there's no denying that Juventus are a better team than Trabzonspor. And there's no doubting that Juventus should be able to score goals against Trabzonspor. They do that, then they should make sure that when we head over to Turkey for the second leg, there's no reason to mess around. End it in Turin, fellas. That's just a helpful suggestion. My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Llorente, Tevez OFFICIAL KICKOFF TIME: 7 P.M. IN ITALY; 1 P.M. ON THE EAST COAST; 10 A.M. ON THE WEST COAST

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Trabzonspor 'ready for Juve' Feb 19, 2014 Juventus are the favourites against Trabzonspor in the Europa League, but Coach Hami Mandirali assures “we are ready for this game.” http://markting10.nl/ The first leg of the Round of 32 tie kicks off on Thursday at 19.00 CET. “We’re happy to be here. It’s a very, very important game. We’re playing against a considerably strong side, but we’re well prepared. Both the players and myself are ready for this game,” he said in his Press conference. “Juventus could be considered favourites, but we’re not just here to make up the numbers. Europe inspires something extra in players compared to how they perform in the domestic league, and I hope my men will respond.” http://markting10.nl/ Mandirali was promoted from assistant manager to the main job after Mustafa Ackay resigned earlier this month, but was already well-known as a former Trabzonspor player. “I have different feelings now, but I’m sure the players will put any sentimental emotions aside and do their very best on the pitch. A good result would be a success not only for us but also for Turkey as a nation.”

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Preview: Juventus vs. Trabzonspor Feb 19, 2014 Juventus may be running away with the Serie A title, but they are no longer in the Champions League and begin their Europa League knockout campaign against Turkish side Trabzonspor on Thursday evening. http://markting10.nl/ The Old Lady could only finish third behind Real Madrid and Galatasaray in their Champions League group, losing late on at a snowy Galatasaray in their final group game. Now they are the favourites to win the Champions League's sister competition, the final for which takes place at Juve's home stadium in Turin. Juve boss Antonio Conte will be without Giorgio Chiellini and Mirko Vucinic but should recall both Paul Pogba and Carlos Tevez to the starting lineup. http://markting10.nl/ Trabzonspor are without manager Mustafa Akcay after he resigned with the club down in ninth in the Turkish Super Lig. Despite their so-so league form, they finished ahead of Lazio in the group stage and are unbeaten in 12 European games, winning nine and drawing three and particularly impressing on the road where they won five out of six and conceded just once. http://markting10.nl/ Former Chelsea duo Florent Malouda and Jose Bosingwa both play for Trabzonspor but only the former will be fit for Thursday's tie. The winners of this tie will go on to face either Esbjerg or Fiorentina in the last 16. http://markting10.nl/ Recent form Juventus: WDWDLW Trabzonspor: DLDDLW Possible starting lineups JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichsteiner, Vidal, Pogba, Pirlo, Asamoah; Llorente, Tevez TRABZONSPOR: Kivrak, Bosingwa, Yumlu, Demir, Keles, Colman, Adin, Hurmaci, Zokora, Alanzinho, Paulo Henrique http://markting10.nl/ Sports Mole says: 2-1

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Five reasons why Juventus should care about the Europa League Feb 19, 2014 It's been a while since Juventus played in Europe, but the defeat to Galatasaray and subsequent elimination from the Champions League are still a sore spot for this Juventino. Everything that needed to be said about how Juventus lost the qualification round during the first two group matches has been said. The one question that remains is whether Juve should treat the Europa League with the same seriousness as the Champions League or not. Is it worth tiring our best players for a second-rate competition? Bear in mind that this may mean dropping points in one of the most competitive Serie A seasons in recent memory. http://markting10.nl/ My answer to this is a resounding YES! And here are five reasons why: 1) Money, money, money! In terms of money, it is undeniable that this is a second-rate competition. By making it to the round of 32 in the Europa League, Juventus will receive a whooping €200,000, teams in the round of 16 receive €350,000, in the quarters €450,000, in the semis €1 million, and in the finals €5 million or €2.5 million for the winner and loser, respectively. Compare that to the Champions League which awards €3.5 million for the round of 16 alone. This does not take into account lost revenue from TV rights. http://markting10.nl/ With that being said, match day revenue plays a crucial role. In the 2011-2012 season, Juventus stadium averaged over €1 million per match day revenue. The likes of Trabzonspor may not fill the stadium, but if Juve were to meet Napoli or Valencia in later rounds, I can imagine the stadium will be sold out. It is not a lot of money, but this winning Juve side has been built on an "every penny counts" mentality. Don't believe me, just ask good ol' Beppe Marotta. http://markting10.nl/ 2) Our Standing in Europe The second reason why we should care is because our club coefficient can be largely affected by what we accomplish in the Europa League. The lower our standing, the more likely we are to end up drawing teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Bayern Munich. UEFA uses the last five seasons to calculate the coefficient. You can find the full coefficients here. I have selected a few teams for example sake: Barcelona (1) 30.585 36.642 34.171 27.542 20.742 149.685 Chelsea (4) 22.585 26.671 33.050 30.285 19.871 132.464 Atlético Madrid (8) 24.585 9.642 34.171 13.542 22.742 104.685 Juventus (27) 18.085 8.314 2.271 25.883 11.066 65.621 http://markting10.nl/ Every year, the oldest points disappear and are replaced by the newest points. If you look at Barcelona, last year they only made it to the semis of the Champions League obtaining 27.542 points. That is almost 3 points less than Chelsea who were eliminated from the Champions League in the first round but won the Europa League. For Juventus to have an easier time in the Champions League they need to overtake 8th place. As you can see from those scores, that is unlikely to happen before the 2017-18 season (when the 2011-12 season will not be counted). However, if Juventus were to win the Europa League and score approximately 30 points, our total for next year would start to become more inline with the other top-seeded teams. I don't know about you but that is where we belong. http://markting10.nl/ 3) The psychological aspect Winning begets winning. There are two ways of looking at the Europa League: by dedicating effort to it, our best players will get tired; or, by winning in Europe our best players will be more energized. If you have been a fan of Juve for the last few years, you will now that Juventus players and the coach subscribe to the latter philosophy. Otherwise, why would Conte keep playing his starting 11 week-in and week-out? Because the players tanks are fueled by winning. Succeeding at challenges is what this club does, if you don't like it then you can move your cheers to any other team in the world. Playing in Europe and playing in Italy will undoubtedly be a challenge, but one that can only make us stronger for it. I am convinced that for the long term success of this team, it is better to walk away with the players' heads held high, than by vowing out because this competition was not good enough. http://markting10.nl/ 4) Because of History Almost 30 years ago Juventus fans were probably asking a similar question about where to place the team's resources. In 1984, Juventus played and won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup. It wasn't the most prestigious tournament in Europe at the time (or ever), but it was an opportunity to win in Europe. Defeating Porto in the final was the beginning of an exciting time for the Old Lady outside of Italy The morale boost and international experience gained by winning that championship were fundamental for Juve's win the year after in the European Champions Cup (the equivalent to the Champions League of that time). Almost a year after defeating Porto, Platini scored a historic goal against Liverpool in a day that will negatively mark Juventus history because of the Heysel tragedy. Despite that dark chapter, there is a lesson to be learned from those two historical years for Juve. http://markting10.nl/ 5) Because winning is not important, it is the only thing that matters The cup may not be important, but at Juve, vincere non é importante, é l'unica cosa che conta.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Taking a closer look at Trabzonspor Feb 19, 2014 While we have enjoyed watching Juventus success on the domestic front, it's time for them to prove their worth in Europe and their first Europa League match pits the Italians against the Black Sea giants of Trabzonspor. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri directors were really hoping to avoid a Turkish team simply because they did not want to make another unlucky journey to the country. It's difficult to forget that fateful night in Istanbul when Galatasaray knocked Juventus out of the Champions League. However, Trabzonspor are delighted with the prospect of facing the Italian side, who seem to struggle to play they way they know how against Turkish opposition. Yet Trabzonspor, it must be noted, should not be feeling too confident considering the current problems they are suffering. Yet to manage a win in 2014, they have struggled to collect points and sit ninth in the league, 17 points behind first-place Fenerbahce. Their coach Mustafa Akçay -- a man renowned for his work with developing young players -- stepped down after the 4-2 loss to Akhisar Belediyespor, leaving the club in the hands of Hami Mandirali, a former club legend. Usually deployed in their 4-2-3-1 formation, their defence is the reason behind their initial success this season and their powerful displays in the Europa League, although on average they still concede 1.3 goals a game. Attack-wise, they have managed only 30 goals this season; efficient and fluid they are not reliant on any particular striker but, like Juventus, their goals are shared and very much based on team effort. That said, a lack of quality in the final third has proved problematic. http://markting10.nl/ In the Europa League this season Trabzonspor boasts an astonishingly great record on the road, securing five wins out of six away from home and going undefeated in all 12 matches. Possessing strength of character and ability to do the basics well, they like to absorb the pressure before using their predatory nature to hurt the opponent on the counter-attack. They are efficient and pragmatic, but it seems they have lost the ability to intimidate the opponents in their usual way. Great at exposing gaps on the field and making the most of mistakes committed by the opponent, they boast an excellent player in Olcan Adin. Versatile and technical, the right-sided player is the team's top goalscorer both in Europe and in the Super Lig, and was the side's only bright spark in Akçay's last game in charge against Akhisar Belediyespor. Of course one cannot forget Florent Malouda; the Frenchman has put in some impressive displays for the side but, thankfully for the Old Lady, will be sidelined for Thursday night's match in Turin. http://markting10.nl/ With the Coach gone and Mandirali at the helm, it remains to be seen how much the tactics and style of play will change. In his first match in charge, Mandirali did not change much but it makes preparing for that match that bit harder for Antonio Conte, who is uncertain as to how the Turks will play. Sadly for the Italian Champions, neither Giorgio Chiellini nor Andrea Barzagli will be fit to take part in the match and there's a worry that Conte will opt against playing his usual starting line-up, preserving them instead for the upcoming Turin derby. As a result, it seems that Martin Caceres and Angelo Ogbonna will join Leonardo Bonucci at the back whilst Mauricio Isla and Federico Peluso will take charge in the wide areas. Claudio Marchisio will line up from the outset alongside Paul Pogba but Fernando Llorente will be rested, giving Pablo Osvaldo the opportunity to play alongside Carlos Tevez. http://markting10.nl/ Whilst Juventus are tough to beat even when the squad players are playing, there is a worry they may underestimate the ambition of a Turkish side desperate to achieve something and climb out of their current dark moment. For the sake of Italy, Juventus cannot treat this competition with disdain especially, as they can afford to perform well in all the competitions in which they partake. A victory on Thursday will help dispel rumours that the Bianconeri are only fit to win domestic challenges.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Juventus-Trabzonspor Preview: Bianconeri seek European redemption Antonio Conte's side were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage prior to Christmas but have a second chance at success on the continent in the Europa League. Feb 19, 2014 Juventus host Trabzonspor in the Europa League on Thursday eyeing redemption after a surprise exit from the Champions League prior to the winter break. http://markting10.nl/ Antonio Conte's men were knocked out of the competition in the group stages by another Turkish outfit - Super Lig champions Galatasaray - and face tomorrow's visitors for the first time in their history. The defending Italian champions have won the tournament on three occasions, although all of those triumphs came in the Europa League's former Uefa Cup format. They are, though, sure to face a stern test on Thursday against a side that has yet to lose in this season's competition and who have already fared well against Italian opposition, having drawn twice with Lazio on their way to topping Group J. http://markting10.nl/ However, their domestic campaign has been less fruitful and they head into the clash without a permanent coach after Mustafa Resit Akcay's resignation earlier this month. A 4-2 defeat to Akhisar Belediyespor prompted Akcay's decision to step down, with assistant Hami Mandirali taking temporary charge of a side who are ninth and without a Super Lig win in four games. Forward Emre Gural scored a double on his return to the starting line up in the 2-2 draw at Karabukspor on Saturday, staking his claim for another start. http://markting10.nl/ Juventus are set to be without defender Giorgio Chiellini due to a thigh injury, while striker Mirko Vucinic is unavailable with a knee problem. Defender Andrea Barzagli is on the mend after a tendon problem, with Conte set to make a late decision on his fitness. http://markting10.nl/ Last Five Matches JUVENTUS Feb 16, 2014 - Juventus 3 - 1 Chievo - Serie A Feb 9, 2014 - Hellas Verona 2 - 2 Juventus - Serie A Feb 2, 2014 - Juventus 3 - 1 FC Internazionale - Serie A Jan 25, 2014 - Lazio 1 - 1 Juventus - Serie A Jan 21, 2014 - Roma 1 - 0 Juventus - Coppa Italia TRABZONSPOR AŞ Feb 15, 2014 - Kardemir Karabük 2 - 2 Trabzonspor AŞ - Super Lig Feb 9, 2014 - Trabzonspor AŞ 2 - 4 Akhisar Bld. - Super Lig Feb 3, 2014 - Çaykur Rizespor 0 - 0 Trabzonspor AŞ - Super Lig Jan 25, 2014 - Trabzonspor AŞ 1 - 1 Besiktas - Super Lig Dec 29, 2013 - Trabzonspor AŞ 2 - 1 Antalyaspor A.S. - Super Lig

Argentina pick Messi as Tevez is left out again The Juventus striker's chances of being selected for the World Cup appear to be all but over after he missed out on selection for the clash against Romania. Jan 19, 2014 Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero were amongst the players selected in Argentina’s squad to face Romania in March, but there was still no call-up for Carlos Tevez and Esteban Cambiasso. AMAZONIAN Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero and Tottenham’s Erik Lamela were other hopefuls who missed out on Alejandro Sabella’s selection in what will be the country’s only game before their World Cup warm-up matches in June. Sabella named a 22-man squad to face Romania on March 5, although he can still add to that pool with players playing in Argentina in the weeks leading up to the game. The latest squad selection was seen as the final opportunity for many fringe players to stake their claim for the short trip to Brazil for the World Cup this summer. AMAZONIAN Tevez, who has scored 14 goals this season after joining Juventus last year, was last called up for the Copa America when Sergio Batista was still in charge in 2011 and recently admitted he has all but given up on playing in the world’s biggest tournament. Getafe’s 24-year-old defender Lisandro Lopez was picked, while Gino Peruzzi and Atletico Madrid star Jose Sosa earned recalls to the set-up. After facing Romania in Bucharest, Argentina face Trinidad & Tobago and Slovenia in June. They will then go on to face Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria in World Cup Group F. AMAZONIAN Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Monaco) and Mariano Andujar (Catania) Defenders: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Federico Fernandez (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica), Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon), Hugo Campagnaro (Inter), Jose Basanta (Monterrey), Lisandro Lopez (Getafe), Nicolas Otamendi (Atletico Mineiro) and Gino Peruzzi (Catania) Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Ricardo Alvarez (Inter), Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo) and Jose Sosa (Atletico Madrid) Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Rodrigo Palacio (Inter).

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Conte: Juventus to honour Europa League The Bianconeri boss believes it would be an "extraordinary" achievement if they could win the competition and has hinted at widespread changes in the coming weeks. Feb 19, 2014 Antonio Conte says it would be an extraordinary achievement for Juventus if they secured the Europa League this season. http://markting10.nl/ The Serie A champions are set to play Trabzonspor in the last 32 of the competition on Thursday at Juventus Stadium having dropped out of the Champions League in December. Conte has named a strong squad with only Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Mirko Vucinc absent. With Juve on course for a third straight Serie A title, the Bianconeri coach is keen to ensure all of his squad remain available for a tough fixture run-in but insisted he would look to "honour" Europe's second-tier club competition. "In the next 52 days, including the international fixtures, the players will feature in 16 games. We all need to be ready for this," he told reporters. http://markting10.nl/ "I need a full squad at my disposal for the upcoming run of fixtures. We want to honour the Europa League as best we can. "Winning the Europa League would be extraordinary. It's an opportunity we all need to take and I expect everyone to contribute. "We're up against a team who won their group ahead of Lazio. They've got some strong players in forward areas." http://markting10.nl/ Juve finished third in Group B of the Champions League following a last-gasp defeat to Galatasaray in a game that had to be rearranged due to snow in Istanbul. Conte's men join the likes of Napoli, Porto and Ajax in dropping down to the Europa League and the Italian is wary of the challenge his side face in trying to win the competition. "Thanks to whoever thinks Juve are favourites, but there's a long road ahead and we'll need to be at the top of our game to progress," he continued. http://markting10.nl/ "We're focused and need to be determined if we want to make progress and achieve important things. "The Europa League is a goal we want to achieve. With all the players we have here, I've got great belief in my squad."

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Europa League final is Juventus' destiny - Chiellini With the final to be held on home turf in Turin, the Italy international is determined to deliver European success to the Bianconeri faithful this season. Feb 19, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini believes that Juventus are destined to lift the Europa League on home soil this season. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri suffered a disappointing group-stage exit from the Champions League this term after a shock loss to Galatasaray on matchday 6. However, they were handed a place in Europe's secondary competition and the Italy international is determined to progress all the way to the final, which will be held in Turin. "We hope to fulfill our dream of playing in the cup at home. It would be a sign of destiny for all of Juventus," he told Tuttosport. http://markting10.nl/ "So, make no mistake, we will be approaching this journey with our usual enthusiasm." Meanwhile, Chiellini has spoken of his enthusiasm for the club which he joined from Fiorentina back in 2005. "I love everything about this club. Their story, for example, has more charm thany anyone else's. You realise what Juve really is. http://markting10.nl/ "You shudder whenever you hear your name sung by 40,000 people. It makes all the difference because it scares the opponent." Juventus' Europa League round-of-32 tie is against Trabzonspor, with the first game taking place in Italy on Thursday at 19:00CET.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Juventus squad for Trabzonspor Feb 19, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Mirko Vucinic are out of Juventus-Trabzonspor tomorrow night. http://markting10.nl/ The first leg of the Europa League Round of 32 fixture kicks off at 19.00 CET on Thursday. Chiellini, Barzagli and Vucinic are still suffering from injuries and have not recovered in time for this tie, though the only one of the trio who had any chance of making it was Barzagli. Daniel Pablo Osvaldo is included, while Fabio Quagliarella was removed from Juve’s UEFA squad list. http://markting10.nl/ Juventus squad for Trabzonspor: Buffon, Caceres, Ogbonna, Pogba, Marchisio, Tevez, Giovinco, Peluso, Llorente, Osvaldo, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Vidal, Lichtsteiner, Storari, Isla, Rubinho, Romagna

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Wenger: 'Juve and Napoli favourites' Feb 19, 2014 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped “Juventus or Napoli” to win the Europa League. http://markting10.nl/ The two Italian teams entered the tournament after going out of the Champions League, in Napoli’s case only on goal difference when finishing level with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund on 12 points. “Every year in Geneva we discuss this double possibility that the teams who fail in the Champions League automatically become favourites for the Europa League,” Wenger told Eurosport. “I think that is the case for Juventus, who seem the best constructed side and I don’t think they’ll have problems tomorrow against Trabzonspor. http://markting10.nl/ “The same is true for Napoli, who begin as favourites against Swansea and for the competition in general.” The Bianconeri have an extra reason to be favourites, as the Final will be played at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Ogbonna: Defence improving Feb 19, 2014 Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna says his side have improved defensively from earlier in the season following a change of formation. http://markting10.nl/ The Old Lady have regularly been operating with a three man defence this season and the 25-year-old believes his team have now successfully made the transition. “I think that with the passing of time we have got used to that way of playing,” Ogbonna said at the pre-match Press conference ahead of his side’s Europa League tie with Trabzonspor. “This is thanks to the continuity of playing this way and thanks to the coaching. I think things are more fluid now.” http://markting10.nl/ The Azzurri defender also stated his team’s intention to take the Europa League seriously, with the final set to take place at Juventus Stadium. “We are very concentrated, but not just for this competition. “We went out of the Champions League but even then we were concentrated for every match. http://markting10.nl/ “We will not disrespect the Europa League, we will play to the best of our abilities and look to do everything until the end. “Our intention is to progress, we know there are a lot of games but we know the most important thing is to get a positive result.”

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Conte ‘to concentrate on football’ Feb 19, 2014 Juventus Coach Antonio Conte has refused to discuss his long term future in Italy after his public row with Fabio Capello. http://markting10.nl/ The tactician was asked whether his recent exchanges with compatriot Capello and the subsequent criticism he has received had made him want to seek a future outside the peninsula. “Seriously, I think it’s better to concentrate on the football being played on the pitch as we are approaching a very tough period in the season,” Conte said to the journalists gathered at his pre-match Press conference ahead of the Old Lady’s Europa League tie with Trabzonspor. “There are less and less games to play in the league and we are in the knockout rounds of the Europa League, so if we want to move forward we must only concentrate on the football.” http://markting10.nl/ The 44-year-old added that he was taking the Europa League very seriously and explained that he would need a contribution from his entire squad over the coming months. “I’ve noticed that in the next 52 days, including the national team’s match, the players will have to play 16 games. “This shows that we all need to be ready, the entire squad needs to be available because I really will need all of them. http://markting10.nl/ “There is the league and also the Europa League, which we want to honour to the best of our ability. “We will therefore be looking to approach every match in the best way possible and rotate the squad where we feel necessary. “The target is always to do well game by game. http://markting10.nl/ “The Europa League is a very prestigious tournament but we now need to be strong, not just physically but also mentally. “I have great faith in all the squad. “Winning the Europa League in our second season back in Europe would be an extraordinary achievement. http://markting10.nl/ “We know that we underachieved in the Champions League this season and it was our fault. “But now we have the Europa League and we want to progress. “I really don’t know if Juventus are favourites to win it or not, if a lot of people think that then I thank them! http://markting10.nl/ “But we know that even for the favourites, the journey from here to winning the final is a very, very long one.” Finally, Conte commented on his opponents. “We are playing a team who finished top of a group including Lazio, we know they are very good going forward,” he said. http://markting10.nl/ “It’s also a very experienced squad, with players like Zokora, Bosingwa and Malouda. “We are only thinking about Thursday’s game and doing well in it.”

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) Chiellini hails Juventus Stadium Feb 18, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini believes “the Juventus Stadium makes the difference” as they host Trabzonspor in the Europa League. http://markting10.nl/ The first leg of the Round of 32 tie kicks off on Thursday at 19.00 CET. “The Juventus Stadium makes the difference, because it frightens those who have to face it,” Chiellini told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. The Europa League Final will be played here in May and naturally the Bianconeri hope to be there, having entered this competition via the Champions League. http://markting10.nl/ Chiellini won’t be able to play on Thursday, as he is out of action with a calf injury and teammate Andrea Barzagli is also in doubt. “The calf is feeling better. Fortunately it wasn’t a serious injury. I’ll try to recover as soon as possible, because we have many important games over the next few weeks.”

Pogba: Ferguson, Conte and Beckham! Feb 18, 2014 Paul Pogba revealed why Sir Alex Ferguson provided a key moment, what Antonio Conte told him and why he’d like to be in David Beckham’s brain. AMAZONIAN The 20-year-old Juventus midfielder spoke to Bwin and was asked a series of quickfire questions. See the video below. “Who did I support as a kid? Zizou... Zidane,” he grinned. “Who is the most entertaining player now? Balotelli. How do I feel being the youngest in the Juventus squad? I feel like a little brother, like the baby of the team. I like it.” AMAZONIAN Pogba was asked what moments in his career made him able to improve his qualities. “The first time was when I got my first injury. The second was when (Sir Alex) Ferguson chose not to put me in the Manchester United squad.” He left United on a free transfer and has formed a strong bond with Juventus Coach Conte. What did he say the first time they met? AMAZONIAN “He told me to be tough. Always tough. Tough, tough, tough!” Pogba also revealed a fondness for the number 6, which he now wears at Juve. AMAZONIAN “I always played with 6, or 42 or 24, as the numbers add up to make 6. If I could be in someone’s head for a moment, who would it be? David Beckham! “The French players who made history with Juventus? Zidane, Platini, Vieira, Thuram. Whose feet would I like to have? Maradona.”

JUVENTUS - TRABZONSPOR February 20, 2014 - 7:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (Belarus) UEFA Europa League: Juventus v Trabzonspor Juventus host Trabzonspor in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday eyeing redemption after a surprise exit from the UEFA Champions League. Feb 18, 2014 The two teams have never met in competitive action, but go head to head in the first leg of the last 32 with Juve looking to avenge their recent disappointment at the hands of another Turkish side. http://markting10.nl/ Antonio Conte's men were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stages as Super Lig champions Galatasaray progressed instead after a 1-0 winner-takes-all victory against Juve in the final Group B game. Gala held Juve to a 2-2 draw in Turin earlier in a group stage campaign that saw Conte's side earn just one victory, which came against minnows Copenhagen. Juve's exit from the Champions League came as a surprise, however the Serie A leaders will now be focused on extending their pedigree in the second-tier competition. http://markting10.nl/ The defending Italian champions have won the tournament on three occasions, although all of those triumphs came when the Europa League was known as the UEFA Cup. They are, though, sure to face a stern test on Thursday against a side that has yet to lose in the Europa League this season. Trabzonspor should be accustomed to facing Serie A opposition after twice drawing with Lazio on the way to topping Group J. http://markting10.nl/ However, their domestic campaign has been less fruitful and they head into the clash without a permanent manager after Mustafa Resit Akcay's resignation earlier this month. A 4-2 defeat to Akhisar Belediyespor prompted Akcay's decision to step down, with assistant Hami Mandirali taking temporary charge of a side who are ninth and without a Super Lig win in four games. Forward Emre Gural scored a double on his return to the starting line up in the 2-2 draw at Karabukspor on Saturday, staking his claim for another start. http://markting10.nl/ Juventus are set to be without defender Giorgio Chiellini due to a thigh injury, while striker Mirko Vucinic is unavailable with a knee problem. Defender Andrea Barzagli is on the mend after a tendon problem, with Conte set to make a late decision on his fitness.

Chiellini aims for quick return Feb 18, 2014 Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed that his calf injury is ‘nothing serious’, as he outlines a quick return, and reflects on the importance of Juventus’ support. AMAZONIAN The defender limped off during Juve’s 2-2 draw at Verona in Week 23 with it feared that he had torn his calf muscle. However, on from tests on the injury which revealed that it was only inflammation of the muscle, Chiellini has revealed his intention to be back to first team duties soon. “The calf is better. Luckily it was not a serious injury and I will try to recover as soon as possible because we have a lot of games in the coming weeks,” the 29-year-old told fans this morning through a Google Hangout conducted with his club. AMAZONIAN Chiellini recently reached 300 appearances for the Bianconeri. “The history of Juventus has a special charm and to play over 300 games with this shirt is something unique, indescribable. AMAZONIAN “The stadium? It is certainly a thrill. We can hear the fans particularly during the warm-up, because during the game you are completely focused and you cannot enjoy the spectacle of the fans then. “You cannot take it as scientific fact, but we saw in the first year - our stadium does make a difference, because it scares whoever we have to deal with.

Buffon undecided over Juventus future The Italy goalkeeper has less than 18 months remaining on his current deal and is yet to make a decision on his next move. Feb 17, 2014 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is still undecided over his future, with his contract set to expire in 2015. AMAZONIAN The Bianconeri captain's agent, Silvano Martina, has revealed that his client could choose to continue playing in Turin, move elsewhere or even retire from the game. "Gigi is the captain of the national team, plays for a great club and is always decisive in matches," he told CalcioMercato. "He has a contract with Juve and it's easy to associate his name with the Bianconeri. AMAZONIAN "But at the moment, I can't say for certain what's going to happen. Maybe he'll retire, maybe he'll leave, maybe he'll stay. "I just don't know what's going to happen at the moment." Buffon has featured in all but two of Juve's Serie A games this season, playing his part in what is statistically the second best defence in the Italian top flight.