Socrates

Marotta: 'No need to repair Juve' Dec 15, 2013 Juventus director Beppe Marotta insists they “do not need to repair” the squad after their Champions League exit. http://markting10.nl/ The 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray put a massive dent in their campaign and their projected finances, dropping down into the Europa League. “All teams take part in a competition to go as far as possible,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia ahead of today’s 17.30 GMT kick-off with Sassuolo. “We were very bitter at going out, but it is a tournament and each game can be decisive, whether good or bad. We’ll take this as a lesson for the future, as evidently some mistakes and unfavourable situations came together. http://markting10.nl/ “We have a good squad that suits the needs of the Coach. This summer we brought in two quality strikers and two youngsters who are making their mark. “Juve don’t need to ‘repair’ the team in January and in all honesty I don’t think there will be any advantageous moves for us.” Marotta also assured there were no problems regarding contract talks with Antonio Conte and Paul Pogba. http://markting10.nl/ “I think the written contract between Coach and club is complementary. The important thing is that both parties are satisfied and I believe that is the case. There’s no reason to think of a divorce. “As for Pogba, we have no problems. He has settled in well and is growing. There are no signs he wants to change shirt.”

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Line-ups: Juventus-Sassuolo Dec 15, 2013 Juventus try to get over their Champions League exit by hosting giant-killers Sassuolo in the 18.30 CET kick-off. http://markting10.nl/ This game was moved from Saturday evening after the Bianconeri’s stay in Istanbul was extended to Wednesday due to snow interrupting the Galatasaray clash. Click here for a match preview. Claudio Marchisio sits out a ban, joined by the injured Andrea Pirlo, Simone Pepe and Mirko Vucinic. There have to be changes to the midfield with Kwadwo Asamoah given a more central role, leaving the flanks to Mauricio Isla and Federico Peluso. http://markting10.nl/ The front two is yet again Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, but Stephan Lichtsteiner is rested. Sassuolo have recovered from a disastrous start to the season, including a 7-0 defeat to Inter, by holding Roma, Napoli and Lazio to draws. Their star player Domenico Berardi is suspended, but surprisingly Juventus-owned striker Simone Zaza is on the bench. http://markting10.nl/ Instead, Coach Eusebio Di Francesco switches to a 3-5-2 system with Antonio Floro Flores and Simone Missiroli in attack. Emanuele Terranova is injured, but all Sassuolo’s thoughts are with defender Francesco Acerbi. He is suspended after failing a doping test due to the presence of a hormone that suggests he may have a cancer relapse. The centre-back had a testicular tumour removed in July and the blood tests imply he could have another tumour. http://markting10.nl/ JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pogba, Asamoah, Peluso; Tevez, Llorente Juventus bench: Storari, Rubinho, Lichtsteiner, Motta, Caceres, Ogbonna, De Ceglie, Padoin, Giovinco, Quagliarella SASSUOLO: Pegolo; Marzorati, Bianco, Antei; Gazzola, Marrone, Magnanelli, Kurtic, Longhi; Missiroli, Floro Flores Sassuolo bench: Pomini, Pucino, Rossini, Ziegler, Valeri, Laribi, Chibsah, Schelotto, Alexe, Farias, Masucci, Zaza http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus vs. Sassuolo Preview: Round 16 — Checking in on the youngsters Dec 14, 2013 With no more Champions League to take part in this season, Serie A is now officially Juventus' No. 1 priority. Or, if you recall any Antonio Conte interview from the preseason buildup, retaining the Scudetto is still his team's No. 1 priority. That means, even though Juventus isn't in the European competition they want to take part in, getting back on the horse and righting the ship is what needs to be done. http://markting10.nl/ Not next weekend, not next month. Right now. First step: Sunday night against Sassuolo at Juventus Stadium. The Serie A champs against one of Serie A's newbies in the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs. Not exactly the headline-grabbing encounter Juventus had the last time they faced a critical point in their season following the 4-2 shocker against Fiorentina two months ago, but these are the cards Conte's squad has been dealt. http://markting10.nl/ JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen Conte: It's not the first time we've had a setback. We need to do well to bounce back and be prepared for Bouncing back is the biggest thing for Conte and his squad. There's no other way around it. We've seen a craptastic Juventus Champions League exit in recent memory. But that squad wasn't nearly as good — or have the same kind of credentials — as this current one. Expectations were high coming into this season, and one of the biggest targets is now completely out of reach. Does that mean we should be disappointed? Absolutely. Does that mean the season is over and we should all go back to sleeping in on the weekend? Definitely not. http://markting10.nl/ There's still Serie A and the historic potential of winning a third straight title, there's still Conte's No. 1 target. As upsetting as this European exit is, the season isn't over, as hard as that may be to believe right now. GOOD NEWS Short attention span reading and writing... -- Juventus' last seven games in Serie A: Seven wins, seven clean sheets. -- Sassuolo has allowed the highest amount of goals (31) in Serie A this season. -- No Domenico Berardi, who is out due to suspension tomorrow against Juve. We'll talk about that in a second or two. http://markting10.nl/ BAD NEWS No Domenico Berardi, who is out due to suspension. Even though I won't be rooting for the team Berardi currently plays for, watching one of Juve's best young prospects try and work his magic against a team he could very well be playing for in the near future was something I was looking forward to. I guess we'll just have to watch more Sassuolo games from now on. Or maybe you're already doing so. If that's the case, carry on as you were. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. Just how pissed off the Juventus players are. You would like to think that with the way Juve dropped out of the Champions League, there would be a whole lot of motivation to absolutely destroy their next opponent. That's not just because the field resembled something out of a horror movie, but because all Conte's squad needs to do to figure out why they're not in the Champions League anymore is to just look in a mirror. You know Conte will use the exit from Europe's premier club competition as a motivational tool to get his team amped up tomorrow night. All that's left is to see whether or not they come out of the tunnel ready to get down to business and take no prisoners. http://markting10.nl/ 2. If there will be any squad rotation following the Champions League exit. Conte said in his pre-match press conference on Saturday that he will field the strongest team he has available to him — which is pretty much a sign that he's looking to do some beating up of Sassulo come tomorrow night. Due to injuries and suspensions, it won't the fullest of strength squad that's possible for Conte to roll out there. But if Conte wants to take his anger out on Sassuolo, then it will be, in all likelihood, as full-strength of a lineup as Juventus can possibly field. That's not necessarily a bad thing — especially when you're looking to take out some anger on your opponent. 3. Luca Marrone's mark on the Sassuolo midfield. As a Luca Marrone fanboy, I'm glad he's finally getting some regular playing time. But with a few guys you may have heard of in front of him in Turin, he's had to go elsewhere to get said minutes on the field. And after shaking off an injury early in the season, the 23-year-old Italian has slotted right into the Sassuolo midfield and shown what he's capable of. He already leads the team in assists despite only starting seven games so far this season. Not bad for a kid who barely saw the field during his two-year stint back at the club he grew up at. http://markting10.nl/ 4. Sassuolo's offense minus Domenico Berardi. For a player in his first Serie A season, seven goals in 10 games is a pretty impressive return. Then you take into account that Berardi is still just 19 years old, and it's even that much more of an eye-catcher. But with his suspension due to yellow card accumulation, Sassuolo won't be with the player who has scored nearly half of their goals this season. The devils advocate would say that the majority of Berardi's goals have come from the penalty spot, and you'd be right. Seven goals are seven goals, though, no matter how you try to spin it. And there's no doubting Sassuolo will miss him come Sunday night in Turin. Simone Zaza time, anybody? 5. The role of Mr. #BOH, Kwadwo Asamoah. At the beginning of the week, most Italian outlets were thinking that Asabob wouldn't even play. Now, as we're less than 24 hours before kickoff, those same people are saying Asamoah could potentially return to where he played during his Udinese days — as a central midfielder. How bout them apples? http://markting10.nl/ JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen Conte: We're working on various solutions and could deploy Asamoah as one of the three central midfielders. "Could" in this sense means that it's a distinct possibility. That's because, as Conte noted during his press conference, both Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio will be out tomorrow due to injury and yellow card accumulation, respectively. Methinks Asamoah will go from left wingback to central midfielder, a place a lot of people around these parts have been wondering when — or if — the Ghanian would return to. And it'll be interesting to see not only who steps in for him on the left wing, but how Asamoah is able to bring his high-energy style into a midfield that might need a little boost considering how things went the last time Juve were on a football pitch. My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pogba, Asamoah, De Ceglie; Llorente, Tevez http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Sassuolo without Acerbi for Juve trip after failed drug test Dec 14, 2013 Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi has been left out of the squad to face Juventus on Sunday after a failed drugs test. http://markting10.nl/ The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) announced on Friday that the 25-year-old had tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin after Sassuolo's 2-2 draw at Cagliari on December 1. Chorionic Gonadotropin has been linked as a treatment for cancer, with Acerbi having undergone surgery for testicular cancer in July. However, with CONI - and Sassuolo themselves - having confirmed that no application for any therapeutic exemption was made, Acerbi was provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal. http://markting10.nl/ The 25-year-old, who has previously spent spells with Milan and Genoa, was not included among the 23-man squad announced on Saturday for Sassuolo's first competitive meeting with the Serie A champions. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco is also without on-loan striker Domenico Berardi, with the in-form teenager set to miss out against his parent club due to suspension. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus v Sassuolo – Team News, Possible Line-Ups,Tactics And Prediction Dec 14, 2013 It was a premature exit for Juventus in the Champions League as they walked out the exit doors in as early as the group stage. In perhaps the biggest shock of the Champions League, in a group where you’d put your money on them going through, it was a series of underwhelming results that contributed to their downfall. http://markting10.nl/ Draws against Copenhagen and Galatasaray will be viewed as results in which they should have picked up more points. On the bright side, they have the chance to focus their attention on Serie A and win their third title on the trot, something that hasn’t been done by the Bianconeri since the 1930s. Minnows Sassuolo are their opponents next and could face the wrath of an angry Juventus side. The away side obviously, will view this game as the chance to take full advantage of a potentially fatigued Juventus after their rough time in Turkey. http://markting10.nl/ Team News and Tactical Brief JUVENTUS The past has to be put in the past and that’s what Conte will be telling his players. Juve’s current Serie A form has been tremendous with seven wins in their past seven games and having conceded nada. The wounds might still be fresh but a win will go a long way in healing the situation right now. Three points is what separates them from their nearest rivals Roma but they have the chance to stretch that lead before Roma play a tough game against Milan on Monday. http://markting10.nl/ With Pirlo out till January, the side has lacked the creativity that il Maestro brings to the table. While Paul Pogba has been drafted in the regista role, he simply does not bring the same level of invention, it’s not his type of role. A few changes to the side are anticipated with Lichtsteiner, Asamoah and Llorente should be given a breather. Isla, Peluso and Quagliarella will deputise in their roles while Simone Padoin could feature in place of the suspended Claudio Marchisio. The emphasis, as always, will be on attack from the get-go. The Juventus defense will be pressurized by Sassulo’s three pronged attack and a lot will depend on Bonucci’s ability to bring out the ball and distribute from the back in the absence of Pirlo. Possession should be dominated by the home side and will look to Carlos Tevez to open up the Sassuolo defense in the final third. http://markting10.nl/ Possible Starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pogba, Asamoah, Peluso; Tevez, Quagliarella SASSUOLO For the first timers in the country’s top division, Sassuolo were given little hope of surviving. That very suggestion was justified in the early on-goings of Serie A as they were bullied by opposition into submission. Four losses in their first four games meant that their top flight status was in danger. Manager Eusebio Di Fracesco was on the verge of the sack but a quick tactical shift has made for a positive reading recently. From the 4-3-3 to alternating between a 3-5-2 and 3-4-3, the manager has brought out the best of his limited resources. http://markting10.nl/ Three Juventus co-owned players have been at the heart of their recovery. Domenico Berardi, Simone Zaza and Luca Marrone have been impressive as I Neroverdi have got their season back on the right path and are just hovering a point and a position above the drop zone. Berardi, in particular, has raised a few eyebrows with his haul of 7 goals and a mooted return to Juventus could be on the cards soon if he progresses the way he has been. Unfortunately for Sassuolo, he won’t be available as he serves his suspension. Di Francesco is a disciple of Zdenek Zeman’s style of play and like the Czech coach, he does like his side to employ ease-on-the-eye football. Sassuolo come into this game on the back of a slender 1-0 loss to Chievo that halted their 4 game unbeaten run. Di Francesco is expected to use a 3-4-3 formation but will see a lot less of the ball than they’d like. Counter-attacking football will be the order of the day and they’d target Juventus’ wide areas. http://markting10.nl/ Possible Starting XI (3-4-3): Pegolo(GK); Antei, Bianco, Acerbi; Gazzola, Magnanelli, Marrone, Longhi; Missiroli, Zaza, Floro Flores Players to Watch Out For Carlos Tevez (Juventus) El Apache has come under a lot of scrutiny for his off-colour performances in the Champions League. Having failed to score a goal in Europe’s premier competition since his time at Manchester United, critics have begun to question his European pedigree. However, it’s been a different story in Serie A. With 7 goals to his name this season, expect him to come up with goods against Sassuolo. http://markting10.nl/ Prediction Juventus 2-0 Sassuolo In the first official meeting between these two sides, Juventus are expected to emerge with the three points and get their season back on track. Sassuolo could face a backlash from an angry Old Lady as they visit the intimidating Juventus Stadium. The Bianconeri should record another victory and restore a few smiles across Turin. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus News – Sassuolo Sunday Dec 14, 2013 As heartbreak goes, this week was pretty impressive. http://markting10.nl/ On Wednesday, our Bianconeri were brought down by a perfect storm consisting of, in order of importance: the Ghosts of Group Stage Past, UEFA Bureaucracy, Mother Nature and a Turkish soccer club. Thus, Juve’s loss to Galatasaray and premature exit from the Champions League moved swiftly from a case of cosmic cruelty to something approaching Greek tragedy (close enough to Istanbul). It was cruel because there is no way in hell (at least one that isn’t alternately frozen, soggy or muddy) that Juve would have lost that match under normal conditions. We saw before the snow and hail started falling in Istanbul on Tuesday that Antonio Conte had drilled Juve for a tactically superior performance. Galatasaray might have put one in, but Juve would have managed at least one goal themselves. Taking nothing for granted, the Bianconeri were going to pass through to the knockout round. http://markting10.nl/ Even crueler was UEFA’s handling of the matter. It was one thing to suspend the match in order to play under better conditions, but why UEFA allowed Wednesday’s replay to proceed when the state of the pitch was actually worse than the condition which precipitated the postponement in the first place defies logic—and also the very purpose of UEFA’s rules and regulations. Crueler still is the fact that Juve cannot justly claim to have been at a disadvantage: Galatasaray played on the same horrible pitch (and for the record they also preferred not to), and they won. Either side could have conceded that goal, but Juve made the only mistake. But what is truly tragic is that a Juve approaching peak form ultimately paid dearly for previous underwhelming performances. The Juve that exited the Champions League on Wednesday were not the side which began the group stage in frustration in September. Wednesday’s side were capable of at least replicating last year’s run, if not bettering it. But the sad reality is that without those two earlier draws, all the weather, bureaucracy and Wesley Sneijder in the world would have been powerless to stop Juventus. http://markting10.nl/ And there’s the twist of the knife: Considering the early missteps and lapses in concentration of the opening fixtures, it’s difficult to say that Juve deserved to pass through the group stage this year—but after Wednesday, it’s very easy to feel that way. From a larger perspective, Juve’s setback seriously impedes what was supposed to be a steady ascent back to the top of European football, with all the financial and cultural clout that implies. Now, despite Juve’s presence in the Europa League (and the extra incentive of the final being held at Juventus Stadium), the quest for continental conquest must wait another year—with all the uncertainty that entails. The potentially dramatic effects of Wednesday’s loss on transfers, tactics and the long-term futures of key personnel will commence with the new year (check out Adam Digby’s and John Cascarano’s clear-eyed thoughts on these matters). But whatever happens in January or next season, whoever stays or leaves, will ultimately be of little consequence to us: We’ll all still be here. Back to business, amici! http://markting10.nl/ Sassuolo Updates: Match Moved to Sunday, Kids Return Thankfully, there is some mercy to be found this week: In the wake of Juve’s two-day debacle in Istanbul, Serie A has agreed to push back Juve’s match with Sassuolo from Saturday to Sunday. And, in case you needed some cheering up, those lovable, foul-mouthed children will once again be sitting behind the goals, yelling abuse at the visiting goalkeeper. Antonio Conte will probably deploy some squad turnover, thanks to Juve’s entry into the Coppa Italia next week, against Serie B side Avellino. Obviously, Sassuolo are more important, but a schedule is a schedule, and tired legs remain tired legs. http://markting10.nl/ At the moment, Conte has a mini-crisis in his midfield. Claudio Marchisio picked up his telltale yellow card last week in Bologna and will miss Sunday’s match. Combined with the longer absence of Andrea Pirlo, the central midfield is looking a bit thin. Perhaps Kwadwo Asamoah will move back to his natural position and slot in alongside Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba, but Simone Padoin is being considered as well, as Sky Sport has it (via Football Italia). That leaves the left wing for Federico Peluso, although to my mind Paolo De Ceglie has acquitted himself just as effectively there in his few appearances this season. The right wing is covered: Stephan Lichtsteiner should be a lock, with Mauricio Isla and Padoin as options in case he’s rested. In attack, it looks like rest is on the cards for either Carlos Tevez or Fernando Llorente. Conte was considering resting both, but Mirko Vucinic is apparently not 100% since coming off injured at Bologna, while Sebastian Giovinco has fallen victim to another knock, this time to his ankle. Fabio Quagliarella will almost certainly start; he seems ready to go, having scored in a friendly with Serie D side Chieri on Thursday. Expect one or two of the three regular center-backs to protect Gigi Buffon (who himself will likely be rested in the Coppa Italia, like last season). Angelo Ogbonna and/or Martin Caceres should spell either Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci or Giorgio Chiellini. http://markting10.nl/ And here’s a bit of Sassuolo news to make a Juventino smile: Domenico Berardi, who is co-owned by Juve and has impressed mightily this year (he’s the Neroverdi’s top scorer) will be suspended for the match, having reached his yellow-card limit last weekend. Maybe that’s just how things shook out, but let’s give credit to young Domenico anyway: Here’s someone who knows how to play his cards right (we’re looking at you, Mr. Immobile). He won’t be scoring against us (and celebrating, like Ciro did in Genoa last year), and he certainly won’t be trying to sever Carlos Tevez’s ankle. And so the black-and-white door opens a few inches wider for Berardi. Unfortunately, Domenico isn’t the only Sassuolo threat currently on Juve’s books: Simone Zaza is only slightly less prolific a striker, and while Berardi is the focus of most of the Juve recall rumors for next year, Zaza will definitely try to make his case on Sunday. And then there’s Luca Marrone, who was crowded out of our midfield this season and no doubt wants back in. Hope to see you all soon — on our side. Speaking of our side: Arturo Vidal is the only Bianconero sitting on three yellows. A suspension earned on Sunday would provide a welcome pre-break rest for Vidal if Conte weren’t so short of central midfielders, but a fourth booking is going to happen sometime soon; might as well get it over with and start strong in 2014. Better to have a midfield crisis vs. Atalanta than Roma. http://markting10.nl/ Aside from some familiar or well-scouted players, Sassuolo is a relatively unknown quantity for Conte and Juve — which, added with any leftover European funk, could make for a dangerous proposition. Now is not the time to lose heart, confidence or interest. Bitter and full of self-recrimination from their Champions League exit, Juve’s response to Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia are all crucial — not only to salvage this season, but more importantly to secure their long-term future. Despite this demoralizing setback, Juve need to continue to win to keep Conte and co. happy and hopeful for next season, to maintain and even add to their international prestige for a full-out assault on Europe next September. Juventus deserve a day or two to mourn, and we can only hope they carry some constructive anger from this demon memory right up until the start of next year’s Champions League. But they need to get there first, both in terms of qualification and plain old linear time. http://markting10.nl/ Starting on Sunday, Juve need to forget the end of one thing and anticipate three new beginnings—generally, just keep moving. FINO ALLA FINE, FORZA JUVE!!! http://markting10.nl/ Bergonzi Refs Sassuolo Match Mauro Bergonzi of Liguria will officiate at Juventus Stadium on Sunday for the 20th time. That’s a good sign: according to the Mothership, under Bergonzi’s whistle Juve have won 14, drawn three and lost two. The most recent victory was this very season, a 2-1 result vs. Hellas Verona. Bergonzi’s linesmen will be the enigmatically named Crispo and Tasso (sounds like a magic/comedy act). Iannello will be fourth official and hold a giant foam “Ssshhh!” finger to keep the kids in line. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Di Francesco on Juve and Acerbi Dec 14, 2013 Sassuolo play Juventus on Sunday, but Eusebio Di Francesco’s thoughts are with Francesco Acerbi after his positive doping test. http://markting10.nl/ The fixture was originally meant to start at 20.45 CET tonight, but was moved to 18.30 CET on Sunday due to the extended Champions League stay in Istanbul. “Juventus are the best team in Serie A and Antonio Conte is the best Coach,” said Di Francesco in his Press conference. “I told the lads they must have the utmost respect, but not fear of their opponents. We did well against other big teams, so need courage and determination. http://markting10.nl/ “It was a shame to move the match, as it is a source of pride for us to play at the Juventus Stadium and it would’ve been nice for more of our fans to accompany us there. “I am not interested in the fact Juventus had another day to rest, but rather that our supporters can’t be there with us.” Acerbi won’t be there either, as the defender is suspended after failing a doping test. The biggest concern is that the presence of a particular hormone could be a sign his cancer has returned. http://markting10.nl/ “I will only say we are all very close to Francesco Acerbi. The most important thing is his health.” The former Milan and Chievo defender had a testicular tumour removed in July after it was discovered during a routine medical. He is due to have more blood tests today to identify the source of the hormone that showed up in the doping test after a December 1 match against Cagliari. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus squad for Sassuolo Dec 14, 2013 Sebastian Giovinco is included, but Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Mirko Vucinic miss Juventus-Sassuolo. http://markting10.nl/ The Serie A tie has been moved to Sunday at 17.30 GMT, click here for a match preview. Pirlo is still out of action with a sprained knee, but is joined by Vucinic and the suspended Marchisio on the absentee list. http://markting10.nl/ Giovinco suffered a knock during the final minutes of the Champions League 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray, but he is in the squad. Juventus squad for Sassuolo: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Ogbonna, Pogba, Tevez, De Ceglie, Giovinco, Peluso, Llorente, Barzagli, Motta, Bonucci, Padoin, Asamoah, Vidal, Lichtsteiner, Quagliarella, Storari, Isla, Rubinho http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Luca Marrone excited to face parent club Juventus Dec 14, 2013 Sassuolo’s Luca Marrone has revealed his enthusiasm about facing Juventus on Sunday. http://markting10.nl/ The former Juventus midfielder though signed for the Neroverdi in the summer is under a co-ownership deal with both clubs holding onto 50 percent of his registration rights. The Turin-born player was asked whether he dreamed of playing for the Bianconeri again in the future on a much more permanent basis. “It is definitely not a subject that interests me as of now. I need continuity and I look to move forward at Sassuolo,” he told Tuttosport. http://markting10.nl/ Interestingly, Sassuolo’s youngsters Domenico Berardi and Simone Zaza are also co-owned by the Old Lady. “Domenico reminds me of Pogba, his play is out of the ordinary. Zaza is very quiet and more generous,” he concluded. Marrone has made seven appearances this season so far for newly promoted Sassuolo. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi MATCH PREVIEW Dec 14, 2013 Juventus have looked in devastating form in Serie A recently, while Sassuolo saw a good patch of results come to an end last week. http://markting10.nl/ Antonio Conte’s Bianconeri maintained their imperious domestic form by notching a seventh straight victory, against Bologna, last weekend. Arturo Vidal and Giorgio Chiellini were on target in either half to seal the result. Meanwhile, Gianluigi Buffon kept a seventh consecutive clean sheet to go over 600 minutes without conceding in Serie A. The League leaders were involved in a chaotic final Group B Champions League clash in midweek, eventually losing away at Galatasaray. The game was interrupted by snowfall and hail and was played on a heavy pitch, spread across Tuesday and Wednesday. Juve succumbed to a late Wesley Sneijder goal that meant elimination from the competition. Andrea Pirlo remains sidelined through injury, while Simone Pepe is on the comeback trail. Claudio Marchisio reached the yellow card limit at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara and sits out. http://markting10.nl/ Sassuolo last weekend suffered their first defeat since October, going down at home to Chievo. Given their run of two wins and two draws in the intervening period it was something of a shock result. In heavy fog, Cyril Thereau scored the only goal of the game shortly after the interval. It means the Neroverdi sit a place and point above the relegation zone. Eusebio Di Francesco has tried to remain upbeat, but admits throwing away a two-goal lead against Cagliari to draw and this subsequent defeat at home were both painful. Co-owned by both clubs, Domenico Berardi misses the trip through suspension, having picked up too many yellow cards. Emaunele Terranova and Aladje Gomes are both injured. http://markting10.nl/ This will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides and was shifted from its original Saturday night kick-off to Sunday due to the events in Istanbul. Keep an eye on: Simone Zaza (Sassuolo) – With Berardi suspended, Zaza will take much of the scoring burden for the visitors. He will be hoping to add to his five goals this season against one of his employers and end Buffon’s clean-sheet streak. http://markting10.nl/ Form guide: Juventus (W W W W W) Sassuolo (W D W D L) Last season: Not played Stat fact: Sassuolo and Juventus co-owned pair Domenico Berardi and Simone Zaza have combined for 12 of Sassuolo’s 17 goals this term. http://markting10.nl/ Juventus (probable): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pogba, Asamoah, Peluso; Tevez, Quagliarella Sassuolo (probable): Pegolo; Antei, Bianco, Acerbi; Gazzola, Magnanelli, Marrone, Longhi; Missiroli, Zaza, Floro Flores http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus-Sassuolo Preview: Bianconeri hoping to bounce back Antonio Conte's men can extend the gap at the top to six points with a victory on Sunday, which would be the perfect tonic for a Champions League hangover. Dec 14, 2013 Juventus will look to put their devastating defeat to Galatasaray behind them and extend their Serie A lead when they host Sassuolo on Sunday. http://markting10.nl/ Antonio Conte's side were knocked out of the Champions League after losing 1-0 in snowy Istanbul on Wednesday, much to the disappointment of the coach, and he hopes a return to league action will help ease the pain of their early elimination from Europe's premier club cup competition. The league leaders are unbeaten in seven domestic matches - keeping clean sheets in each - and with Roma not playing until Monday, they could open up a six-point lead with a win. Sassuolo, meanwhile, make their first trip to Juventus this weekend hoping to extend a four-game unbeaten run away from home. http://markting10.nl/ Eusebio Di Francesco's side started the season with four consecutive defeats and no wins in seven matches, but have since picked up three victories and held Roma and Napoli to draws. However, a wounded Juventus could pose a threat to their record and Conte wants his side get back to winning ways quickly. "We have to dive back into Serie A and this disappointment has to spur us on domestically," Conte said. http://markting10.nl/ "We have another two games before the Christmas break and will then start to think about the Europa League. "We will try to do our best, just as we wanted to do our best in the Champions League." Both sides have strikers in form - ironically Juventus own them both – but Sassuolo will be without their leading scorer. http://markting10.nl/ Domenico Berardi – on loan from from the Bianconceri – has scored five goals in his last five appearances but he will miss the trip due to suspension. Juventus will have their top scorer Carlos Tevez available, but the Argentina international has gone four games without scoring – a record that equals the longest period he has gone without finding the back of the net for the club. The visitors will also be without Gomes and Emanuele Terranova (both knee), while Conte continues to be without his playmaker Andrea Pirlo (knee) in the centre of midfield, and Claudio Marchisio is suspended. http://markting10.nl/ JUVENTUS Dec 11, 2013 - Galatasaray 1 - 0 Juventus - UCL Dec 6, 2013 - Bologna 0 - 2 Juventus - Serie A Dec 1, 2013 - Juventus 1 - 0 Udinese - Serie A Nov 27, 2013 - Juventus 3 - 1 FC Copenhagen - UCL Nov 24, 2013 - Livorno 0 - 2 Juventus - Serie A SASSUOLO Dec 8, 2013 - Sassuolo 0 - 1 Chievo - Serie A Dec 4, 2013 - Atalanta 2 - 0 Sassuolo - Serie A Dec 1, 2013 - Cagliari 2 - 2 Sassuolo - Serie A Nov 24, 2013 - Sassuolo 2 - 0 Atalanta - Serie A Nov 10, 2013 - Roma 1 - 1 Sassuolo - Serie A http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Conte: 'Juventus not a failure' Dec 14, 2013 Antonio Conte tried to restore Juventus confidence ahead of tomorrow’s game with Sassuolo. “We are not failures.” http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri host Sassuolo at 18.30 CET on Sunday, a change from the scheduled Saturday evening kick-off due to their extended trip to Galatasaray. The 1-0 defeat under the snow in Istanbul saw them crash out of the Champions League and into the Europa League. “It is not the first time we have fallen on the field of play. In fact, this season we fell twice in a row against Fiorentina and Real Madrid,” said Conte in his Press conference. http://markting10.nl/ “In two and a half years we fell few times, but we must do well to again get back on our feet.” The Coach was irritated when asked if going out in the group phase represented a ‘failure’ of the campaign. “Failure in what? That we didn’t win the Champions League? If our target for the season was to win the Champions League then it’s a failure, but the truth is we could’ve had a longer journey in the tournament. http://markting10.nl/ “I don’t recall us ever saying our objective was the Treble, putting the Champions League first, then the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. If you think that from one day to the next you can create dominant teams, then just remember we already performed a miracle in being protagonists again. “Last season we went out in the quarter-finals against eventual winners Bayern Munich. We didn’t start strong this year and that damaged our chances, but it takes time. This isn’t the same Champions League I used to play in, as you face teams that are economically difficult to match. “There’s no point burying your head in the sand. In my view, it’ll be tough to see another Italian side in the Champions League Final for a while, as the clubs have to be rebuilt to make investments. I said that two years ago and I was right. http://markting10.nl/ “I have already explained that we went out because we didn’t really play the last match, but shouldn’t have left ourselves in that position in the first place. What happened in Istanbul was incredible and perhaps destiny sent us a message. I told the lads to understand where we can improve, as the objective is to keep raising the bar and write history.” Now Juventus face Sassuolo and Conte is expecting another very tough test for his men in Turin. “It’s important to talk about the present, not the past, and Sassuolo have already earned draws away to two of our closest challengers, Roma and Napoli. We’ve got to be very careful they don’t make it a hat-trick. http://markting10.nl/ “I will field my best XI, knowing there is also a Coppa Italia match next week. We’re without Andrea Pirlo, Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio, while Sebastian Giovinco got another knock. Kwadwo Asamoah could be a solution in central midfield.” Conte was reminded that Carlos Tevez failed to score a single Champions League goal. “I was very happy with his performances and in Turkey he behaved like a real leader. He’s a great buy as a player and in terms of charisma. You can score goals, but if you don’t work well for the team then I’m not happy.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Children called to Juve-Sassuolo Dec 14, 2013 Juventus-Sassuolo will have 9,000 children from schools cramming the stands in Turin. http://markting10.nl/ After 12,000 kids were given the chance to take seats usually held by season ticket holders, who were banned for the game against Udinese, the experiment will be repeated tomorrow. Juve announced 9,000 tickets in the Curva Sud will be released to children from primary, secondary and soccer schools in Turin and also Sassuolo’s Emilia area. http://markting10.nl/ The season ticket holders will be able to return to the Curva Nord following their ban for “discriminatory” anti-Neapolitan chants. Juventus will be hoping for a better result than last time, as they were fined after the game with Udinese when the crowd of children repeatedly insulted goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Barzagli: All thoughts on Sassuolo Dec 13, 2013 Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli has claimed that his team are now focused on the match with Sassuolo at the weekend. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri were knocked out of the Champions League during the week, going down 1-0 to Galatasaray in Istanbul. But the centre-back has urged his men to concentrate on the challenge posed by the promoted club on Sunday. “We face a team who have some interesting young players,” he told Juve TV. “They’ve already got good results against Roma and Napoli. http://markting10.nl/ “In those matches they demonstrated that they can play football. “We don’t want any surprises, so we’re going to have to give 100 per cent if we want to win.” Barzagli then commented on the match against the Turkish side, and what winning the Europa League would mean to the Old Lady, with the final at their home ground. http://markting10.nl/ “It was a strange game played on a pitch that was virtually impossible to play on. “At times you just couldn’t run with the ball. http://markting10.nl/ “We’re not thinking about the Europa League final at the moment. It’s still too early to be turning our attention to that. “Of course, playing in Turin in the final is a goal of ours.” http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Preview: Juventus vs. Sassuolo Dec 13, 2013 Juventus will be looking to keep up their fine form in the league when they host struggling Sassuolo on Sunday. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri are currently three points clear of Roma in the Serie A table and will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of their Champions League defeat to Galatasaray in midweek. Despite their setback in Europe, Juventus have won their last seven games in the league, and will be highly fancied to extend that run in front of their home fans. http://markting10.nl/ Sassuolo are 17th in the table and are just one point above the relegation places. They have lost their last two league games and have won just once on the road all season. Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio and Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi, will both miss this weekend's match through suspension. http://markting10.nl/ Recent form Juventus: WWWWWL Sassuolo: LWDWDL Possible starting lineups JUVENTUS: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pogba, Asamoah, Peluso, Tevez, Llorente SASSUOLO: Pegolo, Antei, White, Acerbi, Gazzola, Magnanelli, Brown, Longhi, Masucci, Zaza, Floro Flores http://markting10.nl/ Sports Mole says: 3-0 http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juve's Bonucci eyes domestic success Dec 13, 2013 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci is keen to move on from his side's Champions League elimination. http://markting10.nl/ An 85th-minute goal by Wesley Sneijder took Galatasaray through to the draw for the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition at Juve's expense on Wednesday afternoon and while the Serie A side were critical of the conditions they were forced to play in, Bonucci says it is time to turn the page. The Bianconeri lead Serie A by three points from Roma and must now focus on winning the domestic league title for a third straight year, rather than the snow in Istanbul. "No excuses, no regrets – we take to the field to win…always!!!" he wrote on his Twitter account. http://markting10.nl/ Juve host Sassuolo on Sunday in a game which has been put back from its original Saturday evening slot to allow the Turin club more time to recover from the delayed conclusion of their match with Galatasaray. They will then turn their attentions to the draw for the Europa League on Monday, when they will learn their first opponents on the way to a potential final in their own Juventus Stadium home, while on Tuesday they face Avellino for a place in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

'Weak' Juventus should have refused to play Galatasaray – Moggi The former Bianconeri director has hit out at club chiefs for allowing Tuesday's postponed Champions League match in Turkey to be resumed on Wednesday afternoon. Dec 13, 2013 Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi has branded the clubs' chiefs as "weak", insisting they should have argued for the Champions League clash with Galatasaray to be postponed. http://markting10.nl/ A solitary strike from Wesley Sneijder saw the Bianconeri crash out of the competition at the expense of Roberto Mancini's men on Wednesday on a heavily waterlogged and muddy pitch after the game was initially abandoned on Tuesday due to a snowstorm. Moggi - who was director general for the Turin giants until 2006 - has now issued a damning indictment of Juve's refusal to have the match postponed until the pitch could be repaired. "A game as important as this should not have been played on a pitch like that," stated the 76-year-old whilst talking to Radio Kiss Kiss. http://markting10.nl/ "Juventus, however, made two mistakes. Firstly, they were unable to progress from a mediocre group. Secondly, their directors who should have refused to play on such a pitch but were too weak to impose themselves." Last year's quarter-finalists now find themselves in the Europa League alongside fellow Serie A outfit Napoli, who narrowly missed out on progressing in the Champions League despite a 2-0 win over Arsenal on matchday six. Moggi believes Rafa Benitez's side should focus their efforts more on trying to haul in Juventus at the top of the table due to the relatively small squad at the Partenopei's disposal. http://markting10.nl/ "If Napoli are smart they will ignore the Europa League and try and win Serie A. The Europa League is a competition with little money and only tires out the squad because you play on Thursdays," Moggi continued. "Juventus maybe can play it because they have a bigger roster."

Lichtsteiner: Pogba a phenomenon Dec 13, 2013 Stephan Lichtsteiner has applauded the ability of Juventus teammate Paul Pogba. http://markting10.nl/ “He is a world-class player,” the Switzerland international told RMC Sport on Friday. “He is a phenomenon. “Even if he is still young and lacks a touch of experience, he can go far in his career. http://markting10.nl/ “He’s doing even better this season than he did in the last one and he deserves to be a starting player at a club like Juventus.” Pogba, four goals in 21 appearances this season, is in his second Turin campaign following his move from Manchester United.

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Asamoah moved into the middle? Dec 13, 2013 Juventus boss Antonio Conte is reportedly considering the use of Kwadwo Asamoah in central midfield against Sassuolo. http://markting10.nl/ The Ghana international has been mainly used as a left-wing back since his arrival from Udinese two years ago. However, with Andrea Pirlo injured and Claudio Marchisio suspended, Conte could bring the 25-year-old into the middle. http://markting10.nl/ If Asamoah is kept on the flank, then Simone Padoin will be fielded instead. Sky Sport Italia are also suggesting that Fabio Quagliarella may start in attack alongside either Carlos Tevez or Fernando Llorente. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Zaza: 'Sassuolo can upset Juve' Dec 12, 2013 Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza is confident they can cause problems for Juventus in Sunday’s rescheduled game. http://markting10.nl/ The fixture was originally set to be played at 20.45 CET on Saturday, but was put back to 18.30 CET Sunday after Juve’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray had to be concluded on Wednesday due to snow. “A match like this is special for anyone and few of us have played at the Juventus Stadium,” said Zaza, who is co-owned by the Bianconeri. “Without doubt it will be very emotional to step in to this temple of Italian football. This season Sassuolo have already faced all the big clubs and our Coach will give us the right instructions to challenge Juventus. http://markting10.nl/ “In this game we need courage and moving it to Sunday means we’ll have one more day to prepare. At this moment the Bianconeri are the strongest side, but they are not invincible and Sassuolo have nothing to lose. “Therefore my teammates and I will give our all to achieve something extraordinary.” http://markting10.nl/ There is a heavy blow for Sassuolo, as star forward Domenico Berardi is suspended. “He is capable of making the difference at any moment, even though he is only 19 years old, but we’ll try to ensure he is not too badly missed,” added Zaza. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

JUVENTUS - SASSUOLO December 15, 2013 - 6:30 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee: Mauro Bergonzi Juventus-Sassuolo moved Dec 12, 2013 Juventus-Sassuolo has been moved to 18.30 CET on Sunday from its original 20.45 CET Saturday kick-off. http://markting10.nl/ However, the Champions League match with Galatasaray was suspended due to snow on Tuesday evening and the remaining hour played today. Juve put in a request to the Lega Serie A to postpone their domestic fixture as a result of this change of schedule. http://markting10.nl/ The request was accepted and Juventus-Sassuolo will now be played on Sunday at 18.30 CET. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/69/italy-serie-a/table?ICID=SP_TN_111

Lippi: Juventus will return Dec 12, 2013 Marcello Lippi is certain former club Juventus will return to being a powerhouse of the European game. http://markting10.nl/ Speaking to the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport after the Old Lady were knocked out of the Champions League this week, the Guangzhou Evergrande boss predicted a bright future for the Old Lady. “Very justly and with dignity, Coach Antonio Conte admitted in Istanbul that qualification has been lost in the initial two matches,” Lippi stated following the 1-0 defeat. “Juventus, however, are a team worthy of the quarter-finals and not the Europa League. All of this is disappointing. http://markting10.nl/ “They feel like they are in another dimension compared to Galatasaray and they are right. “The elimination of Juventus is a major hiccup, but I remain convinced that within a couple of years they will be back to being competitive in Europe. http://markting10.nl/ “Meanwhile, in Italy, I don’t know who could take the Scudetto away from them…” Lippi won Scudetti and the Champions League with Juventus over two stints with the club.

Who are the last 32 in the Europa League? The final round of first-phase action was completed on Thursday, and with the draw scheduled to take place on Monday, Goal take a look at who will be there in the pot. Dec 12, 2013 The final 32 teams in the 2013-14 Europa League have been confirmed, with the draw for the knockout round set to take place on Monday in Nyon. The 24 group winners and runners-up are joined by Champions League nearly men Napoli, Benfica, Shakhtar Donetsk, Basel, Ajax, Juventus, Porto and Viktoria Plzen - the eight third-placed teams from the group stages. http://markting10.nl/ THE LAST 32 Group Winners Valencia - Ludogorets Razgrad - Red Bull Salzburg - Rubin Kazan - Fiorentina - Eintracht Frankfurt - Genk - Sevilla - Lyon - Trabzonspor - Tottenham Hotspur - AZ Alkmaar Runners-Up Swansea - Chornomorets Odesa - Esbjerg - Maribor - Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk - Maccabi Tel Aviv - Dynamo Kiev - Slovan Liberec - Betis - Lazio - Anzhi Makhachkala - PAOK Champions League Third Place Napoli - Benfica - Shakhtar Donetsk - Basel - Ajax - JUVENTUS - Porto - Viktoria Plzen

GALATASARAY 1 - 0 JUVENTUS Wesley Sneijder (85′) December 10, 2013 - 8:45 PM Türk Telekom Arena Istanbul Referee: Pedro Proença (Portugal) Attendance:‬ 37375‎ Bonucci: 'Zero excuses' Dec 12, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci insisted Juventus have “zero excuses, zero remorse” after their Champions League exit. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri crashed out of the competition after a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray, a game played out over two days due to a snowstorm on a disastrous pitch. “Zero excuses, zero remorse, on the field to win... always! To the end forza Juventus,” wrote Bonucci on Twitter. http://markting10.nl/ Meanwhile, Juve Coach Antonio Conte has been presented with the Tapiro d’Oro, a trophy awarded by famous Italian TV show Striscia La Notizia to public figures who have suffered a public disappointment.

GALATASARAY 1 - 0 JUVENTUS Wesley Sneijder (85′) December 10, 2013 - 8:45 PM Türk Telekom Arena Istanbul Referee: Pedro Proença (Portugal) Attendance:‬ 37375‎ Albertini on Gala-Juventus Dec 12, 2013 Demetrio Albertini says the Galatasaray-Juventus tie should have been postponed. http://markting10.nl/ The Old Lady went out of the Champions League on Wednesday after their abandoned game from the night before was played on a pitch heavily affected by snowfall. “I don’t think it should have been played,” the Italian Football Federation Vice-President commented. “The pitch was unplayable. http://markting10.nl/ “There is a lot of talk about entertaining Champions League football, but you couldn’t produce a spectacle on that.”