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JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Marchisio back for Juve-Verona Sep 21, 2013 Claudio Marchisio returns to the Juventus squad to face Hellas Verona after a month out with a knee injury. http://markting10.nl/ The midfielder has been out of action since limping off during the Italian Super Cup 4-0 win over Lazio in August. Juve host Verona on Sunday afternoon at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for a match preview. Juventus squad for Verona: Buffon, Chiellini, Ogbonna, Pogba, Marchisio, Vucinic, Tevez, De Ceglie, Giovinco, Peluso, Llorente, Barzagli, Motta, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Vidal, Lichtsteiner, Quagliarella, Storari, Isla, Citti

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Juventus-Verona Preview: Visitors target second top side scalp The Bianconeri will be wary of an upset due to AC Milan's opening day defeat to Sunday's opponents, who they have not played in six years. Sep 21, 2013 Juventus entertain Verona in Serie A on Sunday in what will be the first match between the two clubs for over six years. The sides' last meeting came in Serie B in April 2007 following Juventus’ relegation for their involvement in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal - a fixture the Turin club won 1-0. http://markting10.nl/ Indeed, the reigning top-flight champions have won nine of their last 10 games against Verona and will be expected to rack up another victory over their newly promoted opponents this time around. Juve's bid to win a third consecutive Serie A title has got off to a strong start, with Antonio Conte's men collecting seven points from their opening three games against Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter. Their 1-1 draw at San Siro last weekend was earned thanks to Arturo Vidal’s third Serie A goal of the season, and the Chilean midfielder is sure to provide a major attacking threat to Andrea Mandorlini's side, along with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Mirko Vucinic. Conte will be without Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres (knee) and Simone Pepe (thigh) for the game, but midfielder Claudio Marchisio could make his first appearance of the season after a knee problem. The size of Verona's task is shown in the fact that Juve have lost just twice in 39 Serie A games since moving to the Juventus Stadium ahead of the 2011-12 campaign. However, they have started their first top-flight season since 2001-02 well, taking six points from their three games so far, beating fellow newly promoted outfit Sassuolo 2-0 last time out. Verona will also take heart from the fact they have already overcome one of the giants of Italian football this term as they came from behind to beat Milan 2-1 on the opening weekend, while they lost just four times away on their way to finishing second in Serie B last season. Head to Head Serie B ‎- Apr 27, 2007 - Hellas Verona 0 - 1 Juventus Serie B ‎- Dec 9, 2006 - Juventus 1 - 0 Hellas Verona Last Five Matches JUVENTUS Sep 17, 2013 - FC Copenhagen 1 - 1 Juventus - UCL Sep 14, 2013 - FC Internazionale 1 - 1 Juventus - Serie A Aug 31, 2013 - Juventus 4 - 1 Lazio - Serie A Aug 24, 2013 - Sampdoria 0 - 1 Juventus - Serie A Aug 18, 2013 - Juventus 4 - 0 Lazio - Italian Supercup HELLAS VERONA Sep 15, 2013 - Hellas Verona 2 - 0 Sassuolo - Serie A Sep 1, 2013 - Roma 3 - 0 Hellas Verona - Serie A Aug 24, 2013 - Hellas Verona 2 - 1 AC Milan - Serie A Aug 17, 2013 - Palermo 0 - 1 Hellas Verona - Coppa Italia Jul 24, 2013 - Hellas Verona 1 - 0 Feyenoord - Friendly

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Conte: Criticism will motivate Juventus The coach is keen to silence the critics by beating Hellas, hailed the competitiveness of Serie A and said Fernando Llorente will get his chance. Sep 21, 2013 Antonio Conte has stressed that the recent criticism will not affect Juventus and feels the negativity after their Champions League draw against Copenhagen will only motivate them. http://markting10.nl/ The Serie A champions were held to a disappointing draw by the Danish minnows in midweek, but Conte remains unperturbed by the setback and is keen to return to winning ways against Hellas Verona on Sunday. "Criticism? I remember hearing the same things last year. We know about the pressure we need to deal with and we'll use it to motivate us," Conte said at a press conference. The Juve coach then went on to praise the competitivity of Serie A following the good starts of Napoli, Roma and Inter. "I’m not surprised by the starts of Napoli, Inter & Roma. As I've said before, these are sides that can aim for the title. "This competition for the title confirms that we've got a stimulating league. We need to be competitive and look to win." Conte also had his say on the situation of Fernando Llorente and stressed that the former Athletic Bilbao player will get his opportunity to shine at some point. "Llorente has needed time to rediscover his intensity, something you lose when you don’t play for a year. He’ll have his chance."

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Juventus rest Buffon for Verona clash Marco Storari will start in place of the Bianconeri skipper, who has been given the weekend off in light of his club's hectic schedule. Sep 21, 2013 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has decided to rest Gianluigi Buffon for Sunday's Serie A meeting with Hellas Verona. http://markting10.nl/ With the Bianconeri having kicked off their Champions League campaign against Copenhagen on Wednesday, and three games to come in the next seven days, the 44-year-old believes that the time is right to give his skipper the weekend off. "Storari will be in goal tomorrow," Conte told reporters on Saturday. "Buffon has played so many games and many more are awaiting him. It's a decision that I fully shared with Gigi." Conte also revealed that Simone Pepe will not be involved in Verona either, with the winger still not fully recovered from his troublesome thigh injury. "He has a new muscle problem," the 44-year-old Lecce native lamented. "I'm sorry for the boy, but he was out for a year and it will take a little more time for him to be available again." Juve's meeting with Verona in Turin is scheduled to get under way at 15:00CET.

Moggi: Tevez is not a champion The ex-Bianconeri official is full of praise for the forward's industry and selflessness but he does not feel that the 29-year-old is a natural goalscorer. Sep 21, 2013 Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi says Carlos Tevez is a "good player", but feels the Argentine is not capable of deciding games on his own. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri signed the forward from Manchester City this summer and the No.10 has enjoyed a positive start to his career in Turin, having already racked up two goals in three Serie A appearances. However, Tevez failed to net in the midweek Champions League draw with Copenhagen, a game that Moggi feels proved that the ex-West Ham man is not the natural goalscorer that Juve have been craving for so many years. "This is a moment in which they are not running as they should," the Monticiano native wrote in Libero. "They do not sting, do not hurt the opponent. "But if the attack does not score or makes mistakes, the blame should not be put on Tevez, who is a support striker. "He wears himself out for his team-mates in attack, looking for space for himself and others. "And if he does not shoot on goal or makes a mistake in front of the opposition goalkeeper, it is down to the fact that he does not have those particular characteristics of a striker. "He is a good player, but is certainly not one of those champions who can win games on his own." Tevez, who has not been capped by Argentina since 2011, joined Juventus for an initial fee of €9 million.

Juventus’ fifth-choice forward - is Llorente going the same way as Anelka and Bendtner? With the Bianconeri clearly having doubts in the 28-year-old's ability, the Spaniard looks set to be another attacking outcast this season. Sep 21, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes When Juventus announced in January that they would add Fernando Llorente to their ranks in the summer, the move was expected to be a win-win scenario for both parties. Having been frozen out by Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, the player was in need of a fresh start - and quickly - while the champions of Italy were adding some strength to an under-performing forward line. http://markting10.nl/ Things have not exactly gone swimmingly since the striker arrived in Turin, though. Such have been coach Antonio Conte’s concerns so far, Llorente has played 20 times less football for Juve than he had for Athletic at this stage last year. The first serious doubts set in during pre-season, with Llorente looking short not just physically but also tactically. Devoid of any notable movement and lacking in understanding of how to marry his skills as a front man with Juve’s tried and tested formula, the Spain international appeared a long way from ready to step into the first team. JUVE WANT LLORENTE FIT IN A MONTH Coming from a complex situation at Athletic Bilbao was always going to be tough for Llorente. So far, he has been working for two months with Juventus, but Conte asks for a certain type of play and implementing this into his natural style will not be easy. But there is trust between the two parties. Juve wanted Llorente last summer and were even willing to pay €18m. They knew what they were doing. There is no real interest from other clubs and the intention is to get Llorente up to 100 per cent by mid-October. - Romeo Agresti | Juventus Correspondent Since then, the striker has been on the outside looking in. Of a possible 450 minutes of play in competitive fixtures this season, the 28-year-old has so far played one, as a late substitute for Sebastian Giovinco in the Serie A season opener at Sampdoria. This was not the original plan. The party line is that Llorente’s transition into the Bianconeri squad has just been delayed somewhat by his lack of first-team opportunities over the past 12 months and his subsequent need to adapt back into full-time football, but there has to be a fear now that Conte will be left with another unwanted striker on his hands. Nicklas Bendtner’s loan always looked like a ridiculous move, with director general Giuseppe Marotta admitting from the very start that the Dane was not the big name they wanted, while Nicolas Anelka was similarly underused after being brought in to cover Bendtner’s absence through injury. But the reality is that neither player would ever have donned a Juve shirt had the Old Lady signed the front man they really wanted in the summer of 2012. And that man was Llorente. Having been linked for long spells to Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski, it became obvious that Llorente was both their more realistic option and their preferred target. They were ready to offer €18 million for their man, but couldn’t push a deal through. As things have turned out they’ve saved themselves an eight-figure transfer fee by waiting until his Athletic contract had expired but ended up signing Llorente at his lowest ebb. Had they signed him last summer, they would have been presented with a hot prospect full of confidence and goals alike. His inability to mesh with incumbent team-mates would likely have been dealt with in a much more orderly manner. Instead, they now face up to having a player struggling to rediscover himself as a footballer, let alone a goalscorer. With the plan now being to relaunch the No.14 in mid-October, the very best scenario is that they will be nursing a striker approaching 29 back into action 15 months after they could have had an in-form 27-year-old hitting the ground running. For the player himself, this couldn’t be a bigger season. The first transfer of his senior career has come ahead of probably his last World Cup representing a country whose one perceived weak spot in recent years has been their shallow resources front and centre. In a campaign when Llorente should be making it impossible for Vicente del Bosque to overlook him, right now it is inconceivable that the national coach will bother watching any Juventus fixtures any time soon. Llorente certainly hasn’t been helped by the way that Carlos Tevez and Mirko Vucinic have linked up since being thrown together in the summer. Their form as a partnership over the first few weeks of the season was spectacular, on the one hand giving Juve time to be patient with Llorente but on the other limiting his importance to the Bianconeri over the short and medium term. If Juve’s new plan to gradually bring him into the set up over the next month doesn’t pay off, then the Llorente situation will become critical as winter sets in. They may not have received a bid for him yet, but they may need one come January in order to get him some football. It is all well and good trying to give a player first-team football bit by bit but Llorente needs more than that. After his year without regular games with Athletic, he needs a lot of time and understanding. October, maybe even November, may not be time enough, especially considering he will be expected to change his style of play quite markedly. A player well known for his lack of mobility outside of the 18-yard box will need to blend in to a Juve side who placed third in the standings for average metres covered in the Champions League last season behind Dortmund and Ajax. During pre-season there was no cohesion between player and club, precipitating the current hiatus and throwing doubts in the mind as to whether two are right for each other. Judgement day has been postponed, but clearly all is not well in the early days of Llorente and Juventus’ marriage. And while both insist that a divorce is not on the cards, further teething problems will surely mean that a trial separation in January will be the only way to add some spice to their relationship.

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Serie A Preview: Juventus v Verona Juventus entertain Verona in Serie A on Sunday in what will be the first match between the two clubs for over six years. Sep 21, 2013 The sides' last meeting came in Serie B in April 2007 following Juventus’ relegation for their involvement in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal - a fixture the Turin club won 1-0. http://markting10.nl/ Indeed, the reigning top-flight champions have won nine of their last 10 games against Verona and will be expected to rack up another victory over their newly promoted opponents this time around. Juve's bid to win a third consecutive Serie A title has got off to a strong start, with Antonio Conte's men collecting seven points from their opening three games against Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter. Their 1-1 draw at San Siro last weekend was earned thanks to Arturo Vidal’s third Serie A goal of the season, and the Chilean midfielder is sure to provide a major attacking threat to Andrea Mandorlini's side, along with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Mirko Vucinic. Conte will be without Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres (knee) and Simone Pepe (thigh) for the game, but midfielder Claudio Marchisio could make his first appearance of the season after a knee problem. The size of Verona's task is shown in the fact that Juve have lost just twice in 39 Serie A games since moving to the Juventus Stadium ahead of the 2011-12 campaign. However, they have started their first top-flight season since 2001-02 well, taking six points from their three games so far, beating fellow newly promoted outfit Sassuolo 2-0 last time out. Verona will also take heart from the fact they have already overcome one of the giants of Italian football this term as they came from behind to beat Milan 2-1 on the opening weekend, while they lost just four times away on their way to finishing second in Serie B last season.

Fernando Llorente: PATIENTLY Awaiting The Lion King Sep 21, 2013 It may only be mid-September and a mere three weeks into the new season, but already the stories have begun to appear. In not only the Italian sports dailies, but also their Spanish and English counterparts, “The Caso Llorente” is discussed at length. http://markting10.nl/ He has yet to be tarnished with the ‘mysterious object’ tag that is often attached to players who never take to the field, but the reasons for the Spanish striker’s lack of action is being brought into question. Yet in almost every instance the conversation is short on reason and quickly descends into transfer talk as, naturally, the more times a post mentions Barcelona, Chelsea or [insert your club of choice here] the more hits it will garner. “We know him well, were fortunate and smart enough to sign Llorente for free and he’s trying to get into our system. There ought to be some respect and not just hurling insults at someone or piling on the pressure to create a headline. The media creates controversy out of nothing.” - Antonio Conte fernando-llorente-juventus-friendly-matchThis is essentially something that, much to the dismay of the tabloid press, should indeed not even be a story at this point. Rather than the usual click-whoring prevalent in most pieces however, there was one sensible and reasoned line in Thursday’s edition of La Repubblica. In it, columnist Timmothy Ormezzano wrote; “Fernando has very quickly assimilated Italian but not yet the language of Conte’s football.” Having played under Marcelo Bielsa and been a part of Spain’s all-conquering national team, the player is clearly capable of playing a high tempo style. Under the Argentinean coach, he would have been taught – to quote the great Arrigo Sacchi – how to press, partial press, fake press and totally press! During the 2011-12 season in which both Llorente and Athletic enjoyed much success, he made more tackles (37) and interceptions (52) than any striker in Bianconero has under Conte. He also worked that hard whilst also displaying a prolific scoring rate – 29 goals in 53 appearances – that the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Marco Borriello and even Alessandro Matri could never replicate. So, while he may not yet be calling Carlos Tevez a matòt like the a native of Basso Piemonte, those fortunate enough to speak to the 28 year old in recent days can attest his grasp of Italian is more than passable. Taking Conte and Beppe Marotta’s recent comments into account, the only issue remaining is one of sharpness. One need only look at the rustiness of new Chelsea signing Samuel Eto’o to see how seriously a lack of sharpness affects a quality striker. As Jose Mourinho told reporters after the Premier League side lost to Basel this week: “Samuel, maybe, lacks sharpness but this is something that doesn’t surprise me because, when you are two and a half years at a place that doesn’t motivate you, off the main stage, maybe you are there not for the right reasons and you lose the hunger, the appetite.” If that can happen to the Cameroonian star – who made 71 appearances (while earning countless millions!) for Anzhi Makhachkala – then making just four league starts for Athletic would surely have a similar effect on Llorente. Even without the upheaval of leaving his beloved Basque homeland, the manner in which he was ostracised for not signing a new contract would obviously take its toll. Of course, many will scream that the only way to gain full match fitness is, well, to play in actual matches. That may be true but here is where those using reason and facts can do a little yelling of their own. With the Lega Calcio abandoning the practice of delaying matches between Serie A’s big clubs, 2013-14 has seen Juventus begin their title defence with a tougher than usual opening month. Having already played their first game in the Champions League, la vecchia Signora has already met Lazio, Inter and Sampdoria. The latter achieved wins over the Bianconeri both home and away last term meaning Conte, a man who almost perfectly embodies the ‘Spirito Juve’ was never going to take them lightly. “Juventus was the best decision for me, but I need to adapt and it will take time.” - Fernando Llorente As Gianpiero Boniperti taught us so well, winning is the only thing that counts at Juventus. The desire to ensure the team hit the ground running may not have helped the integration of the Old Lady’s new acquisition but, with games against Hellas, Chievo and Torino on the horizon, the man known as el Rey León will get his chance. In delivering two league titles and restoring the Old Lady’s reputation Antonio Conte has earned the right to be trusted. He says Llorente will play when he is ready and it seems only a matter of if not when. To doubt someone who has shown he has no difficulty expressing his unhappiness with a player – such as Reto Ziegler – seems foolhardy. To do so over a player he was so instrumental in signing would be utterly ridiculous. Stay calm, have faith in the coach and don’t believe all you read.

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Verona up next as Juve try to forget Euro disappointment Sep 20, 2013 As the world continues theorise as to why it seems Antonio Conte will not play Fernando Llorente, the coach has been busying himself with the upcoming Serie A clash against Hellas Verona. The European result on Tuesday evening will have to be forgotten, while the Spanish striker will hopefully make his way onto the pitch at some point. For now, Verona is a worry. http://markting10.nl/ Newly promoted sides, Jose Mourinho once warned, can be the most difficult opponents simply because they're desperate to prove themselves. Verona is not simply just another promoted side looking to avoid relegation; they boast history, a legacy and legions of fans who have followed their exploits despite some tough times in the lower leagues. Perhaps more than most, based on their high number of fans, dedication to sporting success and rich history, they deserve to be and remain a top flight club, and under Andrea Mandorlini they have a good chance of achieving their objectives this season. While Sassuolo depended on their great attacking talent and Livorno turned to the skill of their brilliant coach, Verona managed promotion because of their cautious manner, balanced displays and excellent organisation. Deployed in a 4-3-3 formation, they're renowned for their relentless pressing and constant running. Based on their first three games of the season, the side have averaged 37% possession. They don't care about having the ball but prefer to react to a side. Once possession is won, they are quick to launch an attack, playing short passes and exploiting the wide areas. Their defence is strong and it is very much the reason for their promotion back to the top-flight, but perhaps their best quality lies in their competitive spirit. Mandorlini has brought back the warrior mentality and Verona will play until the dying moments. Boasting the stamina and determination to do so, they have already defeated one Serie A giant in Milan and will be looking to do the same when they go to the Juventus Stadium for their first ever time. Mandorlini is not exactly the sweetest of tacticians while questions remain over a small portion of their fans who are considered to be racist. Giving a presentation before the start of a new season, Mandorlini, in front of fans, was alleged to have started singing a discriminatory song against Southern Italians and supposedly loves nothing more than to provoke reactions. Beating Juve would surely be a coup, especially a Bianconeri side that is somewhat down and tired after a disappointing result against Copenhagen in the Champions League. Without Luca Toni, the away side will suffer, but in Daniele Cacia, they have a terrific goal-scorer who once upon a time caught the attention of Juve's scouts. Having attended the Gabetto di Torino school, his youth was spent with Piacenza. His scoring ability and predatory nature in the box saw him gain Juve's attention, but poor luck with injuries saw him spend one year on the sidelines which hindered his growth and ultimately saw the Old Lady turn her attention elsewhere. On Sunday afternoon, Serie B's top scorer from last season will be keen to make a point to the Turin giants who dropped their interest in him. The belief of those around him saw him eventually continue his career and he certainly marvelled for Verona last season. However, he is far from being the side's only threat. Jorginho, who sits in front of the defence, is not only tactically intelligent, always positioning himself well, but he also excels in the creative side of things. He provided the assist for his side's 2-0 victory against Sassuolo and boasts the kind of individual ability Verona have come to greatly appreciate. Despite the many hidden dangers that exist within this match, it's clear Juventus are the favourites. Thankfully, it seems Claudio Marchisio is fit enough to start the match on the bench while Mirko Vucinic may well line-up alongside Carlos Tevez in attack. Llorente will be, as he always is, on the bench. If Juventus show their desire and prove efficient then they should pick up all three points, especially as Verona do not travel well. However, if fear is smelt, the away side will attack and can be dangerous when the eyes of the world are on them.

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi MATCH PREVIEW Sep 20, 2013 After their Champions League frustration, Juventus will be eager to return to winning ways, but should be wary of new boys Verona. http://markting10.nl/ The Bianconeri played out a frustrating 1-1 draw in their Group B opener at Danish outfit Copenhagen. Despite having 27 attempts on goal, only Fabio Quagliarella could find a way past inspired goalkeeper Johan Wiland. Coach Antonio Conte, who is reportedly a target for Arsenal should Arsene Wenger leave next summer, was left perplexed as to how his side didn’t win. “It’s amazing people said the goalkeeper was in crisis, but he performed 11 amazing saves. We have to learn that no matter how many chances you create, they have to go in. I don’t remember another time when we had so many chances one-on-one with the goalkeeper and from point-blank range.” Juventus’ 1-1 draw at Inter last weekend was another occasion where Conte’s side were in control for large spells, but failed to take their chances when on top. While still undefeated, a victory against Verona would be a good tonic to a frustrating week. The two teams have not met since 2007, when Juventus were in Serie B, after being demoted. A solitary strike from Jean-Alain Boumsong handed Juve a 1-0 win at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Both sides have changed much since then, but their upcoming clash could be equally close-fought. Verona have adjusted excellently to life back in Italy’s top flight, with six points from three matches. Their opening day victory against Milan was a dream start, while they frustrated Roma for almost an hour before collapsing to a 3-0 defeat. Last weekend’s 2-0 win over Sassuolo put the Gialloblu back on track and they will believe they can give Juventus another antagonising afternoon on Sunday. Coach Andrea Mandorlini is expected to make four changes from the side that was victorious against Sassuolo, with Juan Manuel Iturbe, Bosko Jankovic, Matteo Bianchetti and Jorginho coming into the starting line-up. Luca Toni, Daniele Ragatzu and captain Domenico Maietta are injured. Conte will name the same side that was held by Inter, with Simone Pepe, Claudio Marchisio, Martins Caceres and Rubinho all unavailable. Keep an eye on: Juan Manuel Iturbe (Verona) – The 20-year-old winger, who represented Paraguay at international level before switching allegiance to Argentina - his country of birth - was considered one of South America's brightest prospects when Porto signed him from Cerro Porteno in 2010. Iturbe's time in Portugal and subsequently on loan at River Plate was, however, largely unimpressive. His talent is unquestionable though, and he may yet rediscover his spark at Verona. Form Guide: Juventus ( - -W W D) Verona ( - -W L W) Last season: Not played Stat fact: Only Inter and Sampdoria were victorious at Juventus Stadium last season. Juventus (probable): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah; Tevez, Vucinic Verona (probable): Rafael; Cacciatore, Moras, Bianchetti, Agostini; Romulo, Jorginho, Hallfredsson; Jankovic, Gomez, Iturbe

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Juventus News – Looking at Sunday’s Verona Clash Sep 20, 2013 So… what happened to all those goals? And why is Giorgio Chiellini making one horrible mistake per match? http://markting10.nl/ It looks like the international break seriously messed with the Bianconeri’s momentum. First they returned to Serie A action with a grind-out 1-1 draw with Inter (understandable), then started another Champions League in underwhelming fashion with another 1-1 draw in Copenhagen (less so). To be sure, as underwhelming draws go it was a doozy. Following Fabio Quagliarella’s equalizer (which compensated for Chiellini’s fateful lapse in concentration), Juventus unleashed an offensive barrage in search of a match-winner, peppering shots at the Danish goal only to meet with a frustration almost existential in scope. Now everyone is questioning whether this summer’s spending will make any difference, whether Juventus are complacent, and why Fernando Llorente never plays. Try as they might, the Bianconeri cannot avoid giving critics ammunition — or tifosi reasons to be anxious. On Sunday, Juve host newly promoted side Hellas Verona, who have taken six of their nine points thus far and shocked Milan on opening day. With the Rossoneri and Fiorentina looming on the schedule and the pressure in Europe only increasing, Juve not only need to take all three points, but in style. Enough suffering already! Last time on STTBS, we hoped things wouldn’t get “interesting.” Unfortunately, they have. But that’s when Juve are usually at their best. We’ll see… Updates on Verona Clash: Marchisio Returns? Good news from Vinovo: our Principino is very close to full recovery, and may even make an appearance this weekend. When Claudio Marchisio went off injured in the Super Cup, many (myself included) wondered aloud if he would ever recover his spot in the Bianconeri’s starting lineup (at least for this season — Andrea Pirlo will not play forever). But I would say the past two matches have confirmed that Marchisio is sorely needed in Antonio Conte’s squad, whether it’s full- or part-time. His imminent return may cough up more “crowded midfield” arguments, but seeing as Conte’s bench options for midfield are generally limited to wingers (and Pirlo SERIOUSLY needs to sit out periodically if he’s going to be at his best this year), the problem of Marchisio’s role in the squad would be a welcome one at the moment. Originally due to return next week, the Man of a Million Facebook “Likes” might now be available on Sunday, according to Football Italia: The midfielder had been penciled in to be at the disposal of boss Antonio Conte for next week’s midweek round tie at Chievo. However, the 27-year-old could be named in the squad for the Week 4 action if he doesn’t suffer any fitness setbacks between now and the Juventus Stadium tie. The midfielder had been penciled in to be at the disposal of boss Antonio Conte for next week’s midweek round tie at Chievo. However, the 27-year-old could be named in the squad for the Week 4 action if he doesn’t suffer any fitness setbacks between now and the Juventus Stadium tie. Meanwhile, the Bianconeri are finishing preparations for Verona with their usual training sessions, but also by indulging in what seems to be this season’s favorite pastime: beating up on lower-division sides. Conte hosted a routine 3-0 romp over Lega Pro club Cuneo, fielding a squad comprised of first-team and Primavera players. Goals were scored by youth products Younes Bnou Marzu, Sergio Buenacasa and — lo and behold — man of much recent controversy, Fernando Llorente. Of course, the goals have always flowed in practice. Will they do so once again when it counts? As with Copenhagen in the Champions League, Hellas Verona’s status as Serie A minnows belies just how dangerous they are; you’ll remember how they beat Milan 2-0 in their season opener behind a brace from our old friend Luca Toni. The good news is that Juve are generally a far more organized side than this year’s Milan squad and should provide a much sterner test for the newly promoted club — especially playing at home and frustrated with two draws in a row. In any event, I’m hoping that Luca will go goalless for old times’ sake. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bergonzi Refs Verona Match Mauro Bergonzi of Liguria will preside over Juve’s Sunday afternoon clash with Verona. This will not only be Mauro’s first Juve match this year, but also his first match at Juventus Stadium in a long while: according to the official site, his Juve action last season was limited to three away matches. Happily, all three were victories: a 2-1 win vs. Chievo, a 2-0 result at Bologna, and another 2-0 triumph “at” Torino. Historically, Juventus have an impressive record with Bergonzi, posting 13 wins, three draws three and two losses in 18 matches. A good sign for a return to winning ways. Mauro’s linesman will be Marco Barbirati and Espedito Marco Musolino (close shave there). Alfonso Marrazzo will be fourth official, and in his spare time will eavesdrop on Conte’s conversations to get to the bottom of this Fernando Llorente situation.

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Maietta: Juve? We beat Milan Sep 20, 2013 Verona defender Domenico Maietta has insisted that if his side can beat Milan, then they can do the same to Juventus. http://markting10.nl/ The Gialloblu beat the Rossoneri on the first day of the season, but travel to the Scudetto holders this weekend looking for the same sort of result. The veteran however, will be out through injury. “I’ll be at the stadium as a fan,” he told reporters. “How should you play Juve? With humility. “But having said that, we have to back ourselves, and play with the bit between our teeth. “If we beat Milan, then I’m sure we can repeat the same feat at Juve.”

JUVENTUS - VERONA September 22, 2013 3:00 PM Juventus Stadium — Turin Referee:‬ Mauro Bergonzi Jorginho looking to upset Juventus Sep 20, 2013 Verona midfielder Jorginho is planning on upsetting Italian champions Juventus during their weekend Serie A game. http://markting10.nl/ After consecutive draws against Inter and then Copenhagen in the Champions League, the 21-year-old is hoping to further frustrate the Old Lady on Sunday. “We will be looking to stop Juventus even if they are the superior side,” the youngster commented to TG Gialloblu Live. “Their Coach Antonio Conte has the ability to make them fly, but we will try and ruin their plans even if we know that every error can cost you in Serie A.” Jorginho was born in Brazil, but he does have the necessary paperwork to play for Italy. He’s already appeared for the Azzurrini. “My objectives? The first one is to keep Verona in the top flight,” he added. “The second is to wear the national shirt of Italy.”

Llorente will be of use to Juventus, says Toni The 36-year-old has little doubt that the former Athletic star will prove to be a good signing for the Scudetto holders. Sep 20, 2012 Former Italy international Luca Toni is confident that Fernando Llorente will eventually prove to be a useful addition for Juventus. http://markting10.nl/ The Spanish attacker has been struggling to live up to the high expectations since his summer move from Athletic Bilbao and has mainly been forced to watch from the sidelines. However, Toni has little doubt that Llorente will become a valuable first team member at Juventus once he has adapted to his new surroundings. "Llorente has always done well in La Liga and with Spain's national team. Juventus signed him because they think he can add something. It's way too soon to write him off," Toni told Tuttosport. "At the moment, it seems as if Conte prefers attackers with different characteristics than Llorente. He prefers attackers who combine well, help each other and can add something outside the box, too. "That being said, I am convinced that Juventus will spend a lot of time in their opponents' area and Llorente will prove to be useful." Llorente has made just one official appearance for the Serie A champions so far.

Campagnaro: Napoli as good as Juve Sep 20, 2013 Inter’s Hugo Campagnaro expects former club Napoli to challenge Juventus in the Scudetto race this season. http://markting10.nl/ “I think Napoli are on the same level as Juve – they have made some excellent signings,” the man who left the Azzurri at the end of his contract in the summer told Sky Sport 24. The stopper got a close look at the Old Lady last Saturday when his Beneamata outfit collected a 1-1 draw against them at San Siro. “We created many chances versus Juventus, without suffering too much pressure from the Bianconeri. Now, however, we must continue on this path. “We are improving game by game,” he added. “The gap between ourselves and Juventus can be reduced. I think they remain a step ahead of us as they have the best squad in the Division, but we are working well.” Inter struggled badly last term, but they have collected seven points from a possible nine under the guidance of new boss Walter Mazzarri so far. “We’ve had a wonderful beginning to the season, I did not expect us to start so well,” continued the 33-year-old. “We'll be looking for a positive result against Sassuolo to confirm our ability, but games like this are amongst the most dangerous.”

Toni: Juve’s Llorente useful, but… Sep 20, 2013 Verona’s Luca Toni has doubts about how well suited Fernando Llorente is to the Juventus tactics of Antonio Conte. http://markting10.nl/ The Spanish international joined the Old Lady in the summer, but he has made just one late substitute appearance in the club’s first five official games of the campaign. “Conte, on paper at least, prefers attackers with characteristics which are different to those of Llorente,” the former Bianconero striker told Tuttosport. “He prefers strikers who play between themselves, who help out and are also good away from the goal. “Saying that, I’m convinced that Juventus will spend a lot of time in the penalty areas of opponents and the Spaniard will be very useful.” Toni, who didn’t play a part in the plans of Conte in Turin, is similar in stature to the man who left Athletic Bilbao on a Bosman in the summer. “Such situations are hard, especially for players like myself and Llorente,” the 2006 World Cup winner added. “In order to reach top form you have to play proper games. You either like a player or you don’t – if you do then you have to play him. “We are players who are good in the air and we like to live in the penalty area. I just hope one thing for him – a bit of luck so that he can make the most of his chance that will sooner or later be given to him.” Toni’s Verona will face Juve at the weekend, but the former Fiorentina and Bayern Munich ace is still struggling with an ankle problem. “I don’t think I’ll make it. I’ll need a miracle. My unavailability will hurt because facing Juventus is always stimulating and beautiful. “I’ll still go to the Juventus Stadium though, I have a lot of people to say hello to.” Fernando Llorente continues to controversially sit on the Juventus bench, but Antonio Labbate thinks there should be more faith in the decisions of boss Antonio Conte.

Tevez: I never criticised Llorente The Argentine forward has insisted that he never badmouthed his Bianconeri team-mate and thinks the former Athletic striker will become a key figure. Sep 19, 2013 Carlos Tevez has denied criticising Juventus team-mate Fernando Llorente, insisting that the Spaniard will become a key player. http://markting10.nl/ Reports in Spain suggested that the former Manchester City attacker had said Llorente "would be better off playing basketball", but the Argentine has stressed that he never sad anything bad about his colleague. "I want to explain I haven't said anything bad about Fernando," he said on his official Twitter account. "In fact, I believe he is a great player and he will be a key player for us." Llorente, 28, joined Juventus from Athletic Bilbao on a free transfer at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, but has been struggling to make an impact at his new club. The striker has made just one official appearance for the Serie A champions to date.

'Galatasaray clash is a must-win game' - Bonucci The 26-year-old says history has proved the Bianconeri can still progress from Group B despite the draw with Copenhagen, but admits it is vital they win against the Turks. Sep 19, 2013 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci believes his team's qualification to the latter stages of the Champions League could hinge on beating Galatasaray on matchday two. http://markting10.nl/ The Italian champions were held to a 1-1 draw with Copenhagen in Denmark on Tuesday in their Group B opener, evoking memories of last season's surprise stalemate with Nordsjaelland. Antonio Conte's men went on to win their group last year but, with the Bianconeri paired with Real Madrid and Galatasaray this season, Bonucci says there is less margin for error and believes victory over the Turkish giants is essential. "I don't think we have compromised qualification," he told La Gazetta dello Sport. "The draw with Nordsjaelland last season was more serious but we still won the group. "But we know we have to beat Galatasaray and then we can go to Madrid convinced that anything could happen. "Real are strong, but their 6-1 win was surprising because the Turk Telecom Arena is a hot one to play in. Galatasaray are dangerous, we’ll need to be at our best." Juventus host the Turkish champions in Turin on October 2, before travelling to the Spanish capital for a clash with Real Madrid three weeks later.

Marchisio back for Verona tie? Sep 19, 2013 Claudio Marchisio is hoping to return to action on Sunday in Juventus’ home game against Verona. http://markting10.nl/ The Italian international has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury in August’s Italian Super Cup Final win over Lazio. The midfielder had been pencilled in to be at the disposal of boss Antonio Conte for next week’s midweek round tie at Chievo. However, the 27-year-old could be named in the squad for the Week 4 action if he doesn’t suffer any fitness setbacks between now and the Juventus Stadium tie.

Bonucci looks forward to Galatasaray Sep 19, 2013 Juventus are still in a strong position to qualify from their Champions League group, says Leonardo Bonucci. http://markting10.nl/ The Italian outfit were surprised on Tuesday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Copenhagen in their opening game. “We created a lot, but unfortunately we didn’t get the three points,” the defender told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “We were a bit hesitant at the start, Copenhagen started strongly and we expected that. “I don’t think we lacked fight. I don’t believe that was the problem and we did not underestimate the game. “We created chances and just missed out on the win at San Siro too against Inter. Had we scored a goal more against Inter and Copenhagen then everybody would be talking about a great Juve. “We’re certainly disappointed as three points would have been fundamental. You can’t make certain errors in the Champions League. “But I don’t think we have compromised qualification. The draw with Nordsjaelland last season was more serious, but then we still won the group.” The Old Lady’s next game at home against Galatasaray will now be vital, with Real Madrid also in the section. “We know we have to beat Galatasaray and then we can go to Madrid convinced that anything could happen,” the Italian added. “Real are strong, but their 6-1 win was surprising because the Turkish stadium is a hot one to play in. Galatasaray are dangerous, we’ll need to be at our best.”

F.C. KOBENHAVN 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Nicolai Jörgensen (14′) Fabio Quagliarella (54′) September 17, 2013 8:45 PM Parken Stadium — Copenhagen Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia) Attendance:‬ 36524‎ Rossi: Juventus result a lie Sep 18, 2013 Paolo Rossi is struggling to understand how Juventus didn’t win their Champions League game against FC Copenhagen. http://markting10.nl/ The Old Lady dominated the tie after falling a goal behind, but they could only grab a 1-1 draw after some sloppy finishing and inspired goalkeeping from Johan Wiland. “The result is a lie, a big lie,” stated the man who won the European Cup with Juventus in 1985. “A lack of focus from Juve was the reason behind Copenhagen’s goal. “Juventus created 10 scoring opportunities and only managed to put away one. “You also have to underline the positive performance of the Danish ‘keeper who kept Juve out after the game was tied.” The Bianconeri are next in European action on Wednesday 2 October when they will host Galatasaray in the Juventus Stadium. The Turkish side had a difficult beginning to their campaign as they lost 6-1 at home to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

Vialli liked Tevez display Sep 18, 2013 Carlos Tevez’s performance during Juventus’ 1-1 draw with Copenhagen in the Champions League impressed Gianluca Vialli. http://markting10.nl/ The Argentine forward went a second game without scoring, but the former Old Lady striker thinks the 29-year-old did well. “I really liked Tevez,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “His performance was positive even if he didn’t manage to score. “He moved around a lot, he created some dangerous moments, but he – like the rest of the side – was just unfortunate.” Juve, after falling behind, dominated the game but wasted chance after chance in the Danish capital on Tuesday. “It’s a shame about the result,” Vialli, who won the European Cup with Juve in 1996, continued. “A convincing opening game victory would have been an ideal start to a Champions League campaign.”

F.C. KOBENHAVN 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Nicolai Jörgensen (14′) Fabio Quagliarella (54′) September 17, 2013 8:45 PM Parken Stadium — Copenhagen Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia) Attendance:‬ 36524‎ Juve needed a good start - Vialli The Bianconeri began their European campaign with a disappointing draw against Copenhagen but the ex-Italy striker was pleased with Carlos Tevez's performances. Sep 18, 2013 Former Juventus striker Gianluca Vialli believes it was vital for the Bianconeri to make a strong start to their Champions League campaign. http://markting10.nl/ The Italian champions began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Copenhagen in Denmark, despite having a number of chances. And Vialli believes that a good win would have been an ideal way to kick off their campaign in Europe's top competition. "It's a shame about the result," he told Sky Sport Italia. "A convincing opening game victory would have been an ideal start to a Champions League campaign." Vialli went on to praise the performance of Carlos Tevez in Copenhagen due to his movement and creative influence. I really liked Tevez," he continued. "His performance was positive even if he didn't manage to score. "He moved around a lot, he created some dangerous moments, but he – like the rest of the side – was just unfortunate."

Vidal worth as much as Bale, says Marotta The Juventus general manager believes the 26-year-old Chilean midfielder is just as valuable as Real Madrid's new world-record signing. Sep 18, 2012 Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta believes midfielder Arturo Vidal is worth the same amount as new Real Madrid star Gareth Bale. http://markting10.nl/ The Welsh winger made a world-record €100 million move to the Bernabeu this summer from Tottenham after starring in the Premier League last term. However, Marotta is certain that the midfielder is worth just as much as the 24-year-old after starring for the Italian champions for the last two seasons. "If Bale is worth €100m, then the same goes for Vidal," he told Mediaset. "Real Madrid expressed an interest this year, but selling him is out of the question so the interest ended there." Marotta also voiced his praise French midfielder Paul Pogba, who has established himself as an integral part of Antonio Conte's side since moving from Manchester United a year ago. "We can say the same about Pogba [as Vidal]," Marotta added. "He's a solid element of the team and we've turned down all the offers we've received for him. "He's exploded in an almost unexpected way, so compliments to the lad but also to (Antonio) Conte who has managed to get the best out of him. "If he confirms his status at the highest of levels, as we obviously hope he will, then this should be recognised with an increased salary."

Juventus cannot be satisfied with Copenhagen draw, stresses Lichtsteiner The Switzerland international has voiced his frustration with the Bianconeri's failure to capitalise on numerous goalscoring chances in the Danish capital. Sep 18, 2012 Stephan Lichtsteiner believes Juventus cannot be satisfied with their performance in the 1-1 Champions League draw against Copenhagen on Tuesday. http://markting10.nl/ The Serie A champions created numerous chances against the Danish minnows after Fabio Quagliarella's equaliser, yet goalkeeper Johan Wiland pulled off a number of superb saves to help the home side to a hard-fought draw in the capital. "Of course we wanted to win the game. We cannot be satisfied with only one point here in Copenhagen. We needed to win a game like this. It is hard to travel back to Italy with only one point in the suitcase after having wasted all these great opportunities," Lichtsteiner told the official Uefa website. "We came back and got the one point. In the first half, we were below par, but in the second half we played very well. We had two big chances in the first half, and then even more in the second – four, five or six big chances. "It is important for us to play our game. We did that in the second half, but their goalkeeper did very well. "It was a nice game to play in a good atmosphere. They were happy with the 1-1. For us it was important to win. We didn't, so we cannot be satisfied."