Socrates

Nedved hails Juventus winning mentality The former Czech Republic international believes the current squad's exploits are hugely commendable and has set his sights firmly on helping the side progress even further. May 7, 2013 Pavel Nedved has hailed Juventus' winning mentality after they secured their second consecutive Serie A title with a 1-0 win over Palermo at the weekend. The former midfielder, currently part of Juve's board of directors, feels the current crop of players has progressed rapidly in the last couple of seasons and is confident they can continue to deliver trophies in the near future. "The players possess the winning mentality that Juventus is all about. Everyone’s done really well, be it the coach or the group of players. I think they’ve all improved since last year’s triumph, so you can only take your hat off to them," Nedved told the official Juventus website. "I think the applause should go to the coach and all the players because, like I said, everyone’s improved in so many aspects – progressing in the Champions League and winning the Scudetto by this kind of margin is a really difficult thing to do. "Even after two Scudetto titles and a Super Cup victory, there are still other targets in mind, so we have to sit down and discuss how we can improve and what’s required to keep on winning." Juventus meet Atalanta, Cagliari and Sampdoria in their remaining three Serie A games. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Buffon: Conte is the best coach I've worked with The Juventus captain has praised his boss for bringing a winning mentality to Turin after the club had suffered a couple of years in the wilderness. May 6, 2013 Juventus and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says that Antonio Conte is the best coach he has worked with in his career. The former Siena boss took the reins at the Turin giants in the summer of 2011 and has since delivered two successive Serie A titles and led the Old Lady to the Champions League quarter-finals. “I think every coach has had a decisive impact on my career development but I have to say that Conte is definitely the best coach I’ve worked with," he told Fifa.com. “In a short space of time he’s breathed new life into a team who in two seasons could do no better than seventh place. And he was a winner straightaway." Buffon, who captains Italy as well as Juve, went on to say that Cesare Prandelli has revolutionised the Azzurri team since taking over in 2010. "Thanks to the excellent job Cesare Prandelli is doing, I think we've found a balance between defensive solidity and an attacking approach that allows our great forwards to express themselves better," he added. Prandelli led Italy to the Euro 2012 final in his first tournament in charge of his country.

Scudetto a huge weight off Juve's shoulders, says Buffon The experienced goalkeeper is over the moon with his side's Serie A success and believes they always performed at the important moments. May 6, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon has voiced his delight with Juventus' Scudetto win and has admitted that a weight been lifted off their shoulders now they have wrapped up the title. The Turin giants recorded a 1-0 win over Palermo at the weekend to secure the Serie A title and the Italy captain feels they fully deserve their success as they always performed when it mattered most. "It’s a huge weight off our shoulders, a responsibility we've had from the start of the season. When you’re favourites and expected to win, it’s only yours to lose. We did well," he told the official Juventus website. "I’ve really enjoyed this particular Scudetto triumph as we’ve shown our group spirit right from the first match. "We never put a foot wrong when it counted and in recent matches, we took the decisive steps by winning difficult games that were anything but guaranteed victories." Juventus take on Atalanta, Cagliari and Sampdoria in their remaining three Serie A games.

If Juventus play their cards right, they can now build a Serie A dynasty With a second successive Scudetto now under their belts, Antonio Conte's side could dominate the Italian league for the foreseeable future. May 6, 2013 COMMENT By Kris Voakes If last season’s Scudetto was about redemption, this one has made a serious statement. Juventus are champions of Italy again and the celebrations witnessed on the streets of Turin on Sunday could well become an annual feature of Serie A over the foreseeable future such is the Bianconeri’s position of dominance right now. There were fanciful claims at various stages this term that a veritable Scudetto ‘race’ was on, but the truth is that the Bianconeri have been simply untouchable since beating Parma on opening night. They may well have lost their 18-month long unbeaten league record to Inter in November and gone down in three further games since then, but their consistency of force has been such that there is little hope of a true challenge to them for a couple of years at least. Last term they drew a huge number of games, but this time they’ve had the wherewithal to eke out three points where previously they may have had to settle for one. Whenever any side has got even remotely close to Juve’s points tally, the champions have upped their game and pulled clear once more. They have clinched the title with three rounds to spare and that is a more than fair reflection of just how superior they have been. One of the charges levelled at Antonio Conte this season has been his unwillingness to shuffle the pack ahead of Champions League fixtures, but that has simply exemplified his will to make Juve the undisputed number one in Italy. In the bel paesemore than anywhere else, success in the league comes above and beyond everything else, and Conte’s approach has summed up Juventus’ burning desire to leave their traditional rivals trailing far behind. For four years after Calciopoli, Inter dominated. They won the heavily-handicapped 2007 title by 22 points and also triumphed with something to spare in 2009, but in 2008 and 2010 it took goals in the second halves of their final games to clinch the title. In comparison, having secured their first crown since those dark days in Serie B in the penultimate round of 2011-12, this season has shown just how much Juventus are building a potential empire, one which will take quite a coup to halt. With Gianluigi Buffon set to go on in goal for a number of years yet, there has been a great consistency about their defensive line this term. And when Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci or Giorgio Chiellini have been missing, Martin Caceres has shown to be an able enough replacement. Ahead of them, the first-choice ‘MVP’ midfield has been superbly supported – infiltrated even – by the rise of Paul Pogba, with Emanuele Giaccherini only 11 months removed from participating in Euro 2012 for Italy and the versatile Simone Padoin and talented Luca Marrone still to show their best. Consider the form of Stephan Lichtsteiner, arguably the best wing-back in the game right now, and Kwadwo Asamoah, who has slotted in superbly on the left, and Juve are perhaps two good strikers away from boasting the kind of quality and quantity in every position that many other clubs are struggling to attain in more than one department. AC Milan have a forward line which could be truly explosive in the coming years, but their defence is regularly shot to pieces and the midfield line needs serious attention too. Inter, meanwhile, need a severe overhaul, while Napoli have flair but no depth in the attacking departments and nothing much of anything defensively. It all adds up to a huge advantage for the Old Lady on the pitch, and simply mirrors the gap which currently exists off it. The club’s balance sheet is something of an anomaly in Italian football in the 21st century, with huge profits being made since the move to Juventus Stadium. With the muscle necessary to strengthen their first team, the international pull to continue making money like no other Serie A club and the kind of matchday revenue that only they can rake in due to their unique ownership of their own stadium, the Bianconeri simply appear to be an unstoppable machine at this moment in time. The truth is that the only thing that can possibly stop Juventus from dominating Serie A for at least the next half-decade is Juventus themselves. With anything approaching careful management, they will win the Scudetto again next year, and it will take something extraordinary for them to even be challenged in the following campaign. And given two more years of trophies, profits and increased revenue streams, they can surely only be in an even stronger position in relation to the rest of the country. So congratulations once more to Juventus, the best team in Italy last season, this season and a few seasons still to come. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Bonucci: Juventus have dominated Serie A The Italy international was delighted with his side's domestic success and believes they were the outstanding team in Serie A this season. May 6, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci has claimed Juventus fully deserve their Serie A success as they have dominated the Italian top flight this season. The Turin powerhouse beat Palermo 1-0 on Sunday to clinch their second consecutive Serie A title with three games to spare, and Bonucci was over the moon with his side's success. "We’ve dominated from start to finish and shown ourselves to be a united and tight-knit group that fights together for a single objective," Bonucci told the official Juventus website. "It’s been demonstrated in recent matches when - even against top-level teams - we’ve been able to pick up crucial points. And now we’ve won the Scudetto with three games remaining. "I felt more pressure in some matches last year, but that’s all part of football. In any case, winning in this way means that everyone has improved." Juventus hold an unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Napoli with three rounds of matches to play.

Pogba: Conte gave me a chance May 6, 2013 Paul Pogba has praised Juventus Coach Antonio Conte, claiming that the tactician has given him a chance this season.The 20-year-old France international has enjoyed a revelatory campaign in Serie A, winning the Scudetto at the first attempt. And the midfielder has insisted that the 43-year-old has been important in his development, whilst also commenting on the League success. “Conte has done nothing but push me,” he told fifa.com. “It is easy to end up nowhere, so I have to keep working hard. “It is my first year, but the Coach has shown he is not afraid to give me a chance, and that age does not mean a thing. “I immediately had a good feeling when I signed and he spoke to me. “My choice to come to Juventus last summer has been rewarded with the title. “It is a great joy and I'm glad to be at such a great club.”

'Prandelli doing an excellent job' May 6, 2013 Gianluigi Buffon has claimed that Cesare Prandelli is doing an 'excellent job' at the Italian National Team.The Azzurri reached the final of Euro 2012 last summer, and currently sit top of their World Cup qualifying group. And the goalkeeper has insisted that the former Fiorentina Coach is doing well in the job, whilst also commenting on his senior status in the squad. “Thanks to the excellent job Cesare Prandelli is doing, I think we’ve found a balance between defensive solidity and an attacking approach that allows our great forwards to express themselves better,” he told a Press conference. “That time stops for no man. I made my debut when I was 17 and now I’m 35. I can’t stop the clock from ticking, but I’m very much at peace with myself and I’m not worried about it. “The future belongs to the youngsters and I’m just trying to pass on the experience I’ve acquired over the years.”

Buffon: Conte the best Coach May 6, 2013 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Antonio Conte is the best Coach he has ever worked with.The pair won their second consecutive Scudetti on Sunday, as the Bianconeri defeated Palermo 1-0. And the goalkeeper has revealed what playing for the Turin giants means to him, whilst also commenting on his responsibilities as captain and who he has the best relationship with. “I don’t want to be boring but I think every Coach has had a decisive impact on my career development,” he told fifa.com. “I have to say, though, that Antonio Conte is definitely the best coach I’ve worked with. “In a short space of time he’s managed to breathe new life into a team that in two seasons could do no better than seventh place. And he was a winner straightaway. “Juventus, for me is a life of success, struggle and commitment. It’s a family I’ve grown up in and helped others to grow in. “It’s a kind of life choice, a way of life. “I’ve never felt that being a captain is just about wearing an armband. A real captain is one who plays an important role for the team on the pitch and in the dressing room, regardless of the position they play in. “There are five defenders, no question who I've had the best relationship with: Fabio Cannavaro, Lillian Thuram, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.”

Pogba banned for three games May 6, 2013 Paul Pogba’s season is over after the Juventus midfielder was banned for three games after his dismissal against Palermo. The heavy punishment was expected after the 20-year-old was sent off for spitting in the direction of Palermo stopper Salvatore Aronica. Given that there are just three games left this term, the former Manchester United youngster’s campaign has been brought to a premature end.

Three-match ban for Pogba? May 6, 2013 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba risks being handed a three-match ban for his spitting dismissal, reports the Corriere dello Sport. The young Frenchman was red-carded on Sunday in the 1-0 win over Palermo after spitting in the direction of Salvatore Aronica. If the Corriere is correct and Pogba is stopped for three matches then his season will be brought to a premature end. Pogba, 20, has been a revelation in Turin since his summer move from Manchester United. He’s scored five goals in 27 League games this term.

Barzagli: 'Stronger this year' May 5, 2013 Andrea Barzagli believes Juventus are “stronger than last season” and are building their way towards European success.The Bianconeri are celebrating their second consecutive Scudetto, which is officially their 29th, but the club and fans consider it to be their 31st. “From Bologna onwards we met some really strong teams and didn’t lose, so that gave us a real boost,” he told Rai Sport. “The game we won at the last minute against Catania was a really tough one. Napoli were hungry and really wanted to win, but we were stronger than last season. “We defenders tend to be out of the spotlight, but that’s fine. The important thing is that the team wins.” Juve also reached the Champions League quarter-final and are targeting even more next term. “It takes experience to win in Europe and this year was our first approach. We faced Bayern Munich, who are the strongest side, so we must focus only on improving.”

Marotta: 'Juve winning project' May 5, 2013 Director general Beppe Marotta assures Juventus will share Antonio Conte’s vision to make them competitive in Europe too.The team is driving around Turin in an open-top bus to celebrate their second consecutive Scudetto. “It is extraordinary being part of Juventus history,” said the transfer guru. “We knew it would be difficult to repeat ourselves, but we experience this with emotion and joy because the work done has been extraordinary.” Coach Conte warned in his Press conference yesterday that he’d need to sit down and discuss their plans before confirming his future. “There is a great rapport with Conte and the whole club. I would define Juventus as a winning project. Clearly there is always the desire to win again and we won’t forget that. “Conte wants to win and it’s only right that all together we work to achieve that. We have created a project and want to continue this positive trend, as we had originally thought it would take us two or three years to lift silverware. “In Europe there is still a gap to be covered, as Bayern Munich right now are an unreachable war machine. We will absolutely try to breach that gap with Conte. “There is also an economic crisis in Italy and guidelines the club has to respect, but that doesn’t mean we’re being remissive. We want to have winning ideas. “People keep talking about us signing a ‘top player,’ but I’d like to point out Juventus have still scored more goals than anyone else in Serie A this season. “We will sit down with President Andrea Agnelli and Conte to analyse the situation we have today in order to create a tomorrow as protagonists. Juventus must continue to win, that is our imperative.”

Bonucci: 'Juve superpower' May 5, 2013 Leonardo Bonucci feels “this is the Scudetto that confirms Juventus are a superpower.” The Bianconeri celebrated a second consecutive Serie A title today and will go round Turin on an open-top bus. “I’m still sober because we’ve got to go all round the city now!” grinned the defender. “We started this season well and dominated the League. This is the Scudetto that confirms Juventus are a superpower. “The secrets to our success are sacrifice, hunger and a sense of humility. Antonio Conte has a project with us, the club believes in him and there will be no problems for him to stay.”

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ Del Piero: 'Watching Juve win...' May 5, 2013 Alessandro Del Piero sent a moving message to his former Juventus teammates. “I never thought what it’d be like to see this team win without me.” The legend left the Bianconeri last summer after another Scudetto celebration, but is now in Sydney watching today’s title celebrations from afar. “Since I left Juventus, I’ve never thought what it’d be like to see this team win without me,” he wrote on his website alessandrodelpiero.com. “I never did, until a few days ago, when the numbers of the rankings secured the second title in a row, after the one of the Great Return. “I tried to imagine it, but in my "film" the images were rather blurred: the final whistle, my friends who rejoice, the cup ready to be lifted, the roar of our supporters. And at this point, with the roar of fans, everything starts to become sharper, and come into focus. The leading actors are the fans. You, guys, are the leading actors. “For those who play football, at least for me, it’s great to see fans rejoice, hear them shout for joy, make them explode with excitement and happiness. “That's why when the "movie" from my mind moved to reality, when Juventus has won again the title (what a nice verb is "to win again" ...), my first thought was about those who were celebrating this victory. And this time I am one of them. “I want to applaud to my teammates, to a fantastic team, that will always stay in my heart. A round of applauses to Gigi, who deserved to lift the trophy as captain. “I applaud to all who dedicated this triumph to me last year, I'm happy to exchange this gesture: to re-affirm that you are the best is a great challenge. My applauses to the work of the society, to the technical staff, and to all those who work behind the scenes. “Who knows Juventus well, is well aware that it's just not possible to stop at one victory. You have to win once again. And again and again. “ONE LOVE Alessandro” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ Conte: 'Juve and the ice bath' May 5, 2013 Antonio Conte thanked the Juventus players – even if they dumped him in an ice bath – and confirmed he must sit down with the club. The Bianconeri secured their second consecutive Scudetto after beating Palermo 1-0. “We are very happy and satisfied. The credit goes to these extraordinary lads who went through a tough and tiring season, but were always on point,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “I am proud of them, as it was not easy to win this year despite being favourites, as we knew the Champions League would take a lot of energy out of us. “We won the title with a triumphant march to secure it four rounds early and I will never stop thanking the players, plus the club and my staff who more than ever had to take a key role thanks to my time in the stands.” Conte spent the first four months of the season in the stands, as he sat out a ban for failing to report a potential fix to authorities while he was at Siena. He always denied the charges, but assistants Massimo Carrera and Angelo Alessio had to take the bench during his suspension. “The home defeat to Inter helped us understand certain things, as we had started this season a bit too confidently considering the performances. There were some games, such as against Genoa, where luck was on our side. “The game with Inter got our feet back on the ground, though the players were certainly not arrogant beforehand. We realised we had to put in a little more grit and determination to confirm the title. “I think the strangest match, which hurt the most, was the home defeat to 10-man Sampdoria. It was incredible and I got really angry, but also understood it was a freak result that must never happen again. We learned from it.” The squad is about to go on an open-top bus around the city, but the celebrations have already begun in the locker room with Conte dumped into an ice bath wearing only his underwear. “I was getting ready to have a shower and was violently kidnapped by my players! They could either throw me in the bath with hot water or the one with cold, but as soon as I saw their approach it was clear which one they’d choose!” In Saturday’s Press conference Conte hinted that his future was not entirely secure, as he would have to sit down with the club to discuss the projects. “I am very happy at Juventus and always hoped to come here when I started my coaching career. It was my dream to come back to Juventus and win. What I said yesterday was at the end of two extraordinary seasons when we achieved targets ahead of schedule, it makes sense to sit down with the club and discuss the projects. “The bar has been raised higher and there is also an economic crisis in Italy. I thank President Andrea Agnelli, who wanted me here at Juventus and for that I will be always grateful. I want what is best for everyone. “Raising the bar means if we didn’t win the title next year then it would be treated as a problem. We also finished in the top eight in Europe, in front of clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, who have enormous economic potential. “We must be very realistic to see what we are capable of doing and where we can end up. I remember the moment we went out against Bayern Munich, we were inundated with criticism from people saying we weren’t up to the task. Every now and then in football you have to sit back, relax and admit the other team was stronger. We doff our hats to Bayern. “We also know that Juventus always start to win every tournament, but we have to start the season with clear objectives and not raise expectations beyond what is reasonable.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ Buffon: 'A different feeling' May 5, 2013 Juventus captain Gigi Buffon reveals this Scudetto “has a different feeling to last year’s, but that doesn’t mean it is an inferior feeling.” The Bianconeri beat Palermo 1-0 this afternoon to secure their second consecutive Serie A title and will today travel round the city on an open-top bus. “I am very happy, because this has a different feeling to last year’s, but that doesn’t mean it is an inferior feeling,” Buffon told Mediaset Premium. “In all of these weeks we put one brick at a time to secure our victories, appreciating this Scudetto bit by bit. “The difference from last year is that we had nothing to lose, whereas this time we were forced to win otherwise it would’ve been treated like a failure. “There was a lot of responsibility on our shoulders, as it isn’t easy to win again in that situation.” Juventus and their fans are all waving signs with ‘31’ as they continue to include the two Scudetti stripped in the Calciopoli scandal. “In 12 years at Juventus I finished first on seven occasions, including Serie B, so winning helps you to win. “Antonio Conte? I don’t think there are any doubts over his future, but it’s only normal to discuss things with the club at the end of each season.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:38000‎ Conte: I'll never stop thanking my team The 43-year-old coach heaped praise on his side for winning consecutive league titles and has cited the defeat to Inter earlier in the campaign as the worst moment of the season. May 5, 2013 Juventus boss Antonio Conte has paid tribute to his team having being named as champions of Italy for a second successive year following the 1-0 victory over Palermo. The Bianconeri went into Sunday's match knowing a point would be sufficient in securing back-to-back Scudetto titles and, speaking to Sky Italia after the game, the 43-year-old coach revealed he is forever indebted to his squad for successfully defending their Serie A crown. "We are happy and satisfied. The credit goes to the players who have been extraordinary for the entire season. I am proud of them as it was not easy to win another championship," he told Sky Italia. "The Champions League sapped some energy out of us, but the team were outstanding in all respects. I'll never stop thanking them. "I must also thank the club and my staff, especially for their work at the start of the season because of my ban." The 43-year-old then reflected on a number of difficult moments on the journey to retaining their title and believes the defeat to Inter in November - which ended Juve's 49-game unbeaten streak - prompted a sense of mortality within the squad. "Most difficult moment of the season? The home defeat to Inter made us reflect on many things after the beginning of the season had gone so positively," said Conte. "Against the Nerazzurri came our first defeat. The result brought our feet back to the ground. The match that made me feel sick to the stomach was the one at home against Sampdoria." Juventus bowed out of Europe after going down 4-0 to Bayern Munich over two legs in the Champions League, but Conte believes the club's two recent league titles more than make up for their percieved failure on the continental stage. He added: "The Champions League? After our elimination against Bayern, we were on the receiving end of criticism. There was talk beforehand that Juventus were not on the Bavarians level, but after the first leg I remained quiet as the German side were superior. "The essence of Juve is winning, we always aim to win every tournament in which we participate. At the end of the season, I shall speak with the club. The fans must be satisfied, first and foremost though, because in these two years we have forged ahead together." The newly-crowned champions travel to Atalanta on Wednesday. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ 'I'm realising a dream by coaching Juventus' - Conte The Bianconeri boss insists there is no reason for him to leave following their latest Scudetto triumph and is planning to hold talks over his future. May 5, 2013 Antonio Conte has admitted that he has realised "a dream" by taking charge of Juventus in the wake of the side's Serie A title success. The Old Lady beat Palermo 1-0 on Sunday to defend their Scudetto in convincing style, having accumulated a 14-point lead over Napoli, but the coach has been linked with a summer exit following reports that he and the club are at loggerheads over transfer policy. Nonetheless, Conte is ready to hold talks with the Bianconeri hierarchy over their future plans after confessing his love for the reigning Italian champions and has outlined his ambitions of launching another assault on the Champions League next season. "The future? I'm feeling great at Juventus and at the place where I always hoped to be when I started coaching," he told Sky Sport Italia. "My dream was to coach Juventus when I was a player here and to win, especially after only two seasons, is exceptional. "It's right to sit down with the club in a serene way, I will always be grateful to [president] Andrea Agnelli. I will always have a debt towards him and I hope that all matters regarding the club remain transparent. "I want everything for the good of the club. Raising the bar means that we still have to fight for the Scudetto, but also improve our progress in Europe. "Fans are calling for the Champions League, but we must be realistic and figure out where we can go." http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ Lippi: Juventus have no rivals in Italy The 65-year-old says the Old Lady were runaway champions this season, while Gianluigi Buffon believes "failure was not an option" for the club. May 5, 2013 Marcello Lippi has claimed that Juventus "have no rivals" in Serie A following their successful title defence against Palermo on Sunday. The Bianconeri wrapped up their second straight Scudetto with three matches to spare, having moved 14 points clear of nearest challengers Napoli thanks to a 1-0 victory, and their former coach believes the side have blown away the competition. "I want to congratulate everyone at Juventus. This Scudetto is proof that Juve are constantly growing. Of course, the compliments are extended to the club's board," the Guangzhou Evergrande boss told TMW. "This team have no rivals in Italy, they are the strongest and also did well in Europe. The most important player of the season? Other than the usual suspects, I liked Barzagli the most so I pick him." Meanwhile, club captain Gianluigi Buffon was adamant his side were obliged to retain their crown this season. "When you have a duty to win, failure is not an option. We were really good today," the goalkeeper told reporters after the match. "This is a Scudetto victory that I liked particularly because we played as a group from day one and overcame our rivals at the most crucial moments. "Subsequently, we were also able to secure the title. Conte? He knows what the future holds, I don't have too many doubts about him." http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ Juve seal Serie A title May 5, 2013 Juventus wrapped up their 29th Serie A title with a narrow home win over relegation-threatened Palermo. A second-half penalty from Arturo Vidal was enough to see Juve crowned champions for the second successive season with three games to spare. Paul Pogba's dismissal for spitting at an opponent left the home side having to play out the final seven minutes with a man less, but Antonio Conte's men held on to spark the celebrations at the Juventus Stadium. It was a different story for Palermo though, whose defeat combined with Genoa's win over Pescara means they are now three points adrift of safety and looking in serious danger of going down. With a point still needed to seal the title, Juve coach Conte took no risks and named his strongest team against a Palermo side who have been in good form recently during an unbeaten five-match run that has brought them three wins. Juve soon stamped their authority on the game and appeared to want to wrap things up as quickly as possible to allow them to enjoy the occasion with the full stadium already preparing for the title celebrations. However, they were unable to turn their domination into goals as Palermo stood firm. The Sicilians' resistance lasted just under an hour before Massimo Donati was adjudged to have pushed Mirko Vucinic inside the penalty area and a penalty was awarded. Vidal stepped up to place his shot low into the bottom right-hand corner with Stefano Sorrentino diving the other way. Palermo now needed two goals to put Juve's title party back on ice and the home fans responded in anticipation of the final whistle which was still half an hour away. Those 30 minutes still had to be played, though, and Juve forward Fabio Quagliarella was keen to make the most of his chance after replacing Vucinic. He struck the crossbar in the 81st minute with a fine shot from outside the penalty area. Pogba followed suit with a shot which Sorrentino saved well, but the French midfielder then reacted badly to a push by Salvatore Aronica, spitting at the Palermo defender and earning a straight red card. It was the only blot on an otherwise perfect afternoon for the Bianconeri as the celebrations for their latest Italian title began. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ JUVE CAMPIONI D'ITALIA! An Arturo Vidal penalty got the party started, as Juventus beat Palermo to clinch the 2012-13 Scudetto! May 5, 2013 There was a real party atmosphere in Turin, as the Bianconeri needed just one point to mathematically clinch the title. Everyone was available apart from Simone Pepe, while Palermo’s Michel Morganella sat out a ban. The Sicilians were desperate to spoil the celebrations, as they needed points to avoid sliding back into the bottom three. This game was on May 5, the 11th anniversary of the legendary Juventus Scudetto victory in 2002, surpassing Inter on the final day of the season. Paul Pogba’s long-range effort was charged down, Arturo Vidal hit a screamer just wide and Andrea Pirlo fired over the bar. Mirko Vucinic ran on to a long pass and held off Massimo Donati to get the shot away, but Stefano Sorrentino beat it round the base of the near post. Gigi Buffon punched away a Fabrizio Miccoli free kick, but the first half ended goalless. Straight after the restart Palermo went extremely close to taking a shock lead, as Miccoli’s angled drive went past Giorgio Chiellini and Buffon’s fingertips to thump the base of the far post. Donati barged Vucinic in the back when he was trying to chest down a Pogba assist and the referee pointed to the spot. Vidal stepped up and coolly converted low into the near bottom corner. The Chilean then ran into the stands to hug Simone Pepe, who missed practically the entire season through injury. Pirlo was ready to tap in when Steve Von Bergen intercepted the Vucinic pass at the back stick, then Chiellini got in front of Santiago Garcia to nod inches wide of the upright. Sorrentino used his knee to parry a Vucinic volley at the near post, then beat away a Vidal strike after Pogba was closed down in the box. Abel Hernandez turned Chiellini to flash an effort inches past the base of the upright. Sorrentino got his hand to a Pogba solo effort, but the French teen rather ruined his afternoon when receiving a red card for spitting at Salvatore Aronica. Juventus: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah (Peluso 66), Marchisio, Vucinic (Quagliarella 79) Palermo: Sorrentino; Von Bergen, Donati, Aronica; Nelson, Barreto, Arevalo Rios (Faurlin 79), Kurtic, Garcia; Ilicic (Dybala 71), Miccoli (Hernandez 65) Ref: Romeo Sent off: Pogba 83 (J) http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 35 - 5-5-12 (3:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Arturo Vidal (59′ - PG) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: AndreaRomeo Attendance:‬38000‎ Vidal spot kick seals second successive Scudetto for battling Bianconeri The Chilean stepped up to the mark for the Old Lady once again, slotting home a second-half penalty awarded for a needless push by Massimo Donati on Mirko Vucinic. May 5, 2013 Juventus claimed their second successive Serie A title with a hard-earned 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Palermo in Turin on Sunday. The Bianconeri performed poorly but fortune smiled on them, with Fabrizio Miccoli striking the post before Arturo Vidal made the crucial breakthrough from the spot after Massimo Donati had been penalised for a senseless shove into the back of Mirko Vucinic. With the pressure off, Antonio Conte's men could even have added a second in the closing stages, with Fabio Quagliarella thumping a shot against the bar, and even though Paul Pogba saw red late on for spitting at Santiago Garcia. But one goal still proved sufficient to secure a Scudetto that has been theirs for the taking for some time now. Juventus had gone into the game knowing that they needed only a draw to clinch the title but it was clear right from the very first minute that victory was the only thing on their minds, with wing-backs Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah taking turns to terrorise the Palermo defence during an early Bianconeri onslaught. For all Andrea Pirlo’s probing, though, Juventus struggled to break through a disciplined Rosanero rearguard, which was being diligently protected by Egidio Arevalo Rios, who repeatedly pilfered possession back for his side during a dynamic display. However, Lichtsteiner prised Palermo open just before the half-hour mark with a wonderfully weighted through-ball for lone striker Mirko Vucinic, who held off Massimo Donati well only to then see Stefano Sorrentino save well with his feet. That near miss failed to lift the Bianconeri, though, and a wayward header from Pogba was the best they could must before the conclusion of a surprisingly ineffective first half from the home side’s perspective. In truth, they did not improve much after the interval and were extremely fortunate not to have fallen behind five minutes after the restart when Miccoli found some space in the area for the first time and very nearly made it count, unleashing a shot that deflected off Giorgio Chiellini but then came back off the base of the right post. However, just as it appeared that Palermo might be poised to prolong Juve's wait for the title, a rush of blood to head allowed the hosts to break the deadlock right out of the blue. Paul Pogba lofted the ball into Vucinic, who, with his back to goal, represented little threat to the Palermo goal. However, Massimo Donati inexplicably elected to barge into the back of the Montenegrin, leaving the referee with little option but to point to the spot. Vidal unsurprisingly punished Donati’s stupidity by coolly rolling home the resulting penalty, though his task was aided by Sorrentino’s rather bizarre decision to jump ridiculously early. Juventus suddenly looked like a different side and Vucinic very nearly doubled the hosts' advantage on 66 minutes when he connected with Pogba's chip in behind, but the striker's volley was well saved by Sorrentino. Quagliarella then rattled the bar with a thumping strike from the edge of the area, just moments after coming on in place of Vucinic, before Pogba was sent off for spitting at Santiago Garcia during an eventful ending to an otherwise dull encounter. Palmero pushed forward in a bid to aide their bid for survival, but to no avail, with Juventus holding on quite comfortably to spark wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

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