Socrates

Buffon reflects on ‘beautiful’ 2012 The goalkeeper was a key member of the Serie A-winning Juventus side and helped Italy reach the Euro 2012 final, but he is hopeful he can achieve even more in 2013. Dec 31, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is elated with how his year went, and is aiming for even more success in 2013. The goalkeeper was a crucial member of the Serie A-winning Juve team under Antonio Conte and helped Italy reach the final of Euro 2012, though Spain beat them comfortably. The 34-year-old wrote on his official Facebook page: "2012 gave me a lot of joy. "Juventus bounced back to win the Scudetto, I had a beautiful European adventure with the national team, I lifted my first trophy as captain and then [Juve had] a really superb beginning to this season. "This group aims higher in every competition. In 2013 I hope to convey all my determination and confidence so that the team keep being able to fight on every front." The Bianconeri currently sit top of Serie A on 44 points after 18 matches, seven points clear of second-placed Lazio. In Europe, Conte's team have been drawn against Celtic in the last 16 after knocking Champions League title holders Chelsea out at the group stage.

Michel Platini: 'Juventus will beat Celtic' Dec 30, 2012 UEFA president Michel Platini has said that Juventus will have no problem in disposing of Celtic in their Champions League tie. The teams have been drawn to face each other in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition, but Platini believes that is as far as the Hoops will go. "If we look at the Champions League draw, it's clear that Juventus are already through to the quarter-finals," the Daily Mail quotes the Frenchman as saying. Platini played for Juve between 1982 and 1987.

In Praise of Pirlo, My Ballon D’or Winner! Dec 30, 2012 You may have heard that the Ballon d’Or — the award for the best football player in the world for this calendar year — will be awarded on January 7. You may have seen the leaked pictures of the trophy with Lionel Messi’s name on it. And you may deduce from that evidence that Andrea Pirlo cannot win it. For Juventini, this sad verdict probably falls somewhere between “unfortunate” and “unfair,” depending on mood, degree of bias (let’s call it “passion”) or more rational criteria. So Andrea can’t win it; in that case, he should be among the three finalists, a (barely) just reward for serving with flair and distinction as the beating heart and brain of a team that went unbeaten in its path to the championship of a very competitive league, as well as leading a country with little-to-no expectations to the finals of the European Championships. Alas, FIFA and affiliated journalists have failed to include him therein. That, my friends, is outrageous. True, this was a year in which Lionel Messi scored a barely conceivable 91 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo led Real Madrid to a La Liga championship, and Andres Iniesta was a talismanic figure in Spain’s historic second-straight Euro Cup and third-straight major international victory, all while carrying out his crucial role in the thriving commune/platonic ideal that is Barcelona. But if Messi is indeed the winner, his selection bucks the recent trend of awarding a player whose team or country won a major trophy during the year (Barcelona did win the Copa del Rey, but seriously, come on). World football media, with the tacit approval of FIFA itself, usually errs on the side of big victories. Not this year. Because this calendar year, in terms of the mysterious combination of collective success and a player’s influence thereupon, Andrea Pirlo was the best soccer player on Earth. The following is a simple appreciation, devoid of intensive tactical analysis or too many facts and figures. It is foolhardy at best to engage in a stat war with the three finalists (especially Messi). For all its many arguments, it’s mainly a reminder of what I saw this year, and what I wish to take from 365 days worth of brilliance. Rebirth Most comeback stories are just that — stories. A neat way to reduce a player’s experience to a single word. In Pirlo’s case, his return as champion of Serie A, leader of a resurgent Italy and official reentry into the conversation of best players in the world is more than a comeback; it’s a rebirth. The fact that he achieved all this at 33 — after a dispiriting season at Milan in which he was passed over in favor of a more athletic midfield, thought to be all but washed up, and given away for free — makes it all the more impressive. Still, this success, like Pirlo himself, is not likely to call attention to itself. And we follow a sport defined by peacocks. Messi and Ronaldo influence matches in the most direct, quantifiable way: They score goals, in wholesale quantities. Many times, even their assists feel like goals. Somehow, Pirlo’s 86.9% pass completion just doesn’t sound sexy, which also goes some way in explaining why Iniesta is not a favorite, being the most similar of the three to Pirlo. Moreover, Messi and Ronaldo score prolifically with the media, being two of the biggest providers of the journalist’s daily bread. With a 24-hour news cycle and up to a week between matches, their sound bites, injury reports, training sessions and off-the-field antics fill columns. There’s not much interest in a man who speaks mainly through his game. Messi is obviously a genius, and Ronaldo must be very talented indeed to play so well, distracted as he is by his enduring, devoted love affair with himself. Iniesta is perhaps unfairly hampered by the subtlety of his greatness (again, see Pirlo), not to mention sharing the spotlight with Messi and so many other stars at both club and international level. But Pirlo’s genius, more than that of any of the three finalists, is not readily quantifiable in terms of personal success. It needs to be seen, which is why we Juventini are in the best position to argue for his inclusion, and unfortunately the least likely to be believed. We saw the world-leading 2,778 passes that opened up an opponent’s defense, some of which should be hanging in the Louvre, others that may have led to a goal only two or three plays later. We registered the elegance, the sense of occasion in a dribble, a feint, a through-ball. We felt the internal tempo he set each match and thus sensed Juve’s dominance well before the score finally ratified it. And we saw the work he does in all phases of the game, everywhere on the pitch, unlike the three finalists. Pirlo alone exists between the boundaries of offense and defense, and for Juve is responsible for both, as are all of his teammates. Under Antonio Conte, Pirlo drastically improved in terms of both stamina and defensive performance. He defied not only his critics, but also the stereotype of the lazy fantasista/regista whose flashes of inspiration make up for his indolence on the pitch. He pressed, won the ball back, led breaks and finished them, as needed. Remember, he’s playing deep, just above the back line; his increased defensive responsibilities, especially on counterattacks, allowed Marchisio and Vidal to play further up; to press and to risk making those runs that were so frequently decisive. And when they made runs, who protected Pirlo, a player dogged throughout his career by criticism that he is vulnerable when exposed, a liability on defense? No-one. And he did just fine. The old notion that Pirlo needs a Gattuso to protect him has proved to be not only false, but laughably so. Pirlo is his own Gattuso now. Call it less of a comeback or rebirth than a full (if late) bloom. Team Success Messi’s Barcelona won the Copa del Rey, a competition of tertiary importance for their club, while ending the La Liga season nine points behind Ronaldo’s Real Madrid and making the semi-finals of the Champions League. Iniesta, in addition to his role with Barcelona, also won the European Championships with Spain. Ronaldo won La Liga and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League. In the semi-final of the Euros, his insistence on taking the final penalty saw him lamely watch from midfield as Portugal lost to Spain with only four kicks necessary. Pirlo won Serie A without losing and made it to the final of the European Championships. When laid out this way, it seems plausible that Pirlo’s chances for the Ballon d’Or were mortally wounded by Juventus’ absence from the Champions League. That Pirlo was passed over for the shortlist perhaps says more about Juve’s current status as European giants in hiding, as well as their diminished prestige for the international media. But once again — beyond the 49-game unbeaten streak and Scudetto — the success of Pirlo’s teams this year cannot be quantified. As fans of Juventus or the Nazionale, we were in the best position to qualify Pirlo’s success with both squads this year. We shared the relatively low expectations for Juve at the beginning of last season and were cautious even at the winter break, when the Scudetto became a distinct possibility. As Azzurri fans, we knew intimately the shame of the disastrous World Cup in South Africa and its subsequent effect on Italy’s international standing, as well as the anxiety and feared hopelessness of fielding several young players with little or no experience. Whereas Real Madrid, Barcelona or the Spanish national team were expected to win in style, and their results ultimately measured against those expectations, Juventus and Italy, forever conjoined, were simply hoping to win, or in the worst case, to give a good account of themselves. That they exceeded those tasks by revolutionizing Italy’s tactical and stylistic image to help begin a new cycle for the balance of power in world football speaks volumes — but, unfortunately, only for those actually listening. Juventus and Italy were remade in Pirlo’s image: subtly pervasive, tactically intelligent and quietly devastating. None of these traits makes for a good headline when it’s time to vote. Catalyst and Focal Point Here’s a relevant rhetorical question for you: Which one of Messi’s 91 goals this year actually won a major championship or team trophy? And while Ronaldo’s scoring and playmaking snatched the La Liga title from Messi’s Barcelona, did he not play in a two-horse league with zero competitive (re: economic) parity? And did he not also play with world-class teammates referred to with straight faces the world over as Galacticos (admittedly much less galactic than in previous years)? Messi, of course, had his share of interstellar teammates as well, namely Xavi and Iniesta. And Iniesta, for that matter, played in Messi’s shadow at Barcelona, and although he was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2012, will you remember Spain’s victory as a collective effort, as their publicity emphasizes, or as Iniesta’s achievement? When you think of these players, do you immediately swoon over how they make their teammates better? Or are you too busy marveling at their highlight reels? But now look at Pirlo: The catalyst and focal point of an unbeaten, championship-winning Juventus with limited funds and diminished prestige, the man who led a young, ragtag group of Italian internationals to the Final of the European Championships. And though Italy would ultimately lose, it’s impossible to deny that Spain’s collective talent and years of experience playing together made them superior from the outset. Thanks in large part to Pirlo, both Juventus and Italy did much more with much less. Domestically, Pirlo was the one objectively irreplaceable player on a club that went unbeaten in its run to the championship of a very competitive league. Many players were crucial, but if you took away Pirlo, even with Conte as coach — no Scudetto. Then, as now, he ran the entire offense, and we all saw the deleterious effects of the rare instances in which he was rested or suspended. Also, in reference to my previous comment on Galacticos: Messi and Ronaldo play with almost uniformly world-class talent, bought by two very rich teams with seemingly infinite resources. At the beginning of this season, Pirlo didn’t have any Galaticos on his side, but match after match, he elevated the performances of his teammates to galactic levels; some of his teammates even seem to have reached permanent world-class status. Look at Arturo Vidal: surely a great player to begin with, but one who is now mature and dominant beyond his years, highly coveted by the giants of world football. Look at Stephan Lichtsteiner, whose almost telepathic understanding with Pirlo has made all the difference in his emergence as a player of international reputation. Acknowledging his tireless running and tactical understanding, it was Pirlo who literally put Lichtsteiner in the thick of things. He’s a star when Pirlo’s directing. And for heaven’s sake, look at Claudio Marchisio! He’s gone from a frequently great but frustratingly inconsistent player to one of the best midfielders in the game. In the past, he’s either been an engine or a game-changer, rarely both at once. Pirlo’s influence on him has made him not only reliable, but transcendent. He’s even starting to be known solely by his last name—outside of Italy! We all knew he had it in him, but who brought it out of him? As far as the National Team is concerned, Pirlo was once again the center of attention, and despite the alteration in tactics, he led a potentially very underwhelming team to perform much better than their modest collective talent warranted. Whether it was his play in general (calmly orchestrating the offense) or a specific instance (that penalty kick), he was crucial to inspiring Italy to go much further than almost everyone predicted. Perhaps more importantly, Pirlo’s mastery and leadership, despite the constant two-pronged threat of tabloid insanity from Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano, did more to improve Italian soccer’s image than anyone has at any time since the fallout from Calciopoli. The tactical emphasis on possession and ball movement, both of which focused on Pirlo, upended the tired catenaccio stereotype and made Italian soccer actually entertaining for the neutral, casual viewer. That in itself warrants some kind of international award. What Success Means The Ballon d’Or is historically a measurement of success, both individual and collective. Pirlo was indispensable to the wild success of both club and country, while Messi collected individual awards but won nothing with Barcelona or Argentina, and Ronaldo won a championship with a team rich in resources and players — world economy be damned. And despite his greatness, I think it can be argued that Iniesta was simply not as crucial to Barcelona as Pirlo was to Juventus. Awarding Messi or Ronaldo — and more importantly, omitting Pirlo — is as close to a definitive statement as possible from world football. It offers a very specific collective opinion as to the very purpose of a soccer match, what success means, and thus what makes a player most valuable. Casual fans of soccer in general skew toward an individual, statistical and inevitably commercial bend. The players, coaches and journalists voting on the Ballon d’Or, their memories reinforced respectively by intense contests swayed by single moments, tactical nightmares in man-marking, or the blessings of a year’s worth of good copy, will ultimately support that predilection. In the end, this is an award designed to promote a sport. I personally thought the purpose of a soccer match was to win, or (allowing for draws) to at least get the better of your opponent. It’s a struggle for dominance, whether qualitatively or quantitatively. This year, Pirlo had more success than Messi and was equally or more responsible for his team’s success against more difficult competition than was Ronaldo or Iniesta. Of course, it doesn’t always show up in the official record. Antonio Conte stated that “even if Messi had scored thousands of goals, I would give the Ballon d’Or to Pirlo.” Conte is biased, and so am I, but nevertheless it’s hard to shake the feeling that he’s right. It’s also hard to shake the feeling that it doesn’t matter anyway. Pirlo will be Pirlo regardless, and his achievements will always be more impressive in our memories than they would have been in the record books. And given how he’s conducted his career (and his teams), it’s easy to believe that he’s fine with that. by Vittorio Pazzini. http://youtu.be/fLodZXnYaMA

Capello: Victory over Chelsea was a turning point for Juventus The 66-year-old feels Antonio Conte's side made a leap of faith in their rout of the European champions, but added that Serie A is not as strong as it was in 2005. Dec 30, 2012 Russia coach Fabio Capello believes Juventus' victory over Chelsea in the Champions League was a turning point in their season. The Bianconeri recored an impressive 3-0 win over the European champions on their way to winning the group, and Capello feels the result and the performance could be the catalyst for further success for Antonio Conte's men in 2013. "Juventus have a solidity and continue to be very convincing. Conte is doing a very good job," he told giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "I think the turning point of the season coincided with a clear victory over Chelsea. The team made the leap, even in terms of belief. "This team has people that make the difference. Mirko Vucinic, Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Pirlo." Juventus' 3-1 win over Cagliari in their final game of 2012 saw them accumulate 94 points over 12 months, surpassing the record for a calendar year set by Capello's side in 2005. However, the 66-year-old believes his side cannot be compared properly to Conte's as Serie A was more competitive during his tenure, adding that the sanctions imposed upon Napoli further undermine the current state of the league. "The league was much more combative in 2005, there were at least five teams equipped for victory," said Capello. "I would like to clarify that in the table Napoli were docked two points for the events of Scommessopoli. A decision that affects the fight for the Scudetto for the events that occurred in 2010 does not seem right." A resurgent AC Milan have been linked with a move for Didier Drogba recently, and while Capello believes the Cote d'Ivoire star could be a valuable addition to the Rossoneri, he insists there remains only one side who can stop the Old Lady from reclaiming the title. He added: "A guy like Drogba can make the difference. However, for me the only team that on paper is troublesome to Juventus is Roma."

Why Andrea Pirlo Was My Favorite Player of 2012 Dec 29, 2012 "I thought God exists because it's truly embarrassing how good he is," said Gianluigi Buffon of his Juventus teammate Andrea Pirlo in 2011. (FIFA) Pirlo arrived at Juve on a free transfer. He was 31 and a decade at AC Milan had ended with a Serie A title, but with Pirlo cast as a fading force and his place in their starting lineup no longer assured. Milan's faith extended to just a one-year deal and with that, Pirlo, fired by a sense of betrayal, plotted his exit. Where Milan saw a bit-part player, Juventus coach Antonio Conte saw a man to build a team around. Pirlo was handed the conductor's baton in their midfield for the start of the 2011-12 season and would lead the Old Lady of Turin through an unbeaten league campaign and to the Serie A title. The tone was set 17 minutes into Pirlo's league debut against Parma in September 2011 at the new Juventus Stadium. Collecting a pass from Stephan Lichtsteiner, Pirlo instinctively flicked a delightful return ball into the box and Lichsteiner put Juve on their way to a 4-1 win. It was a sign of things to come. Pirlo would go on to deliver 13 assists in 36 Serie A appearances, operating as Juve's resplendent regista. He was the most influential midfielder in Italy and a footballer reborn under Conte. His mastery was mesmerising. Opposition midfielders pressed and harried, but Pirlo could not be denied the space he thrived in. When they did get close he dipped a shoulder and left them behind. And when he saw a pass he played it with such deft weight his teammate received it in stride. Euro 2012 arrived with Italian football embroiled in its latest match-fixing scandal, but Pirlo's majestic performances at the hub of Cesare Prandelli's Azzurri midfield would soon put that story to the back of our minds. For their first test in the group stage, Italy would face the might of Spain and a midfield boasting the talents of Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso. But it was Pirlo who stole the show, ghosting past Busquets to play in Antonio Di Natale for their opener and controlling the rhythm of the game. Spain knew what they were up against. Xavi had talked of Pirlo being Italy's "genius with the ball" before the two teams came together, but there was nothing the world champions could do to stop him in Gdansk, Poland, that afternoon. The game finished 1-1, but it was Italy who edged the midfield battle. Pirlo's influence grew stronger still against Croatia. He was at his imperious best during the first half and capped his masterclass with a curled free-kick into the top corner to put Italy ahead. Pirlo finished with man-of-the-match honors, but Croatia fought back for a 1-1 draw. It was the Republic of Ireland next and Pirlo was once again to the fore. His corner led to Antonio Cassano's opener and Italy's 2-0 win saw them safely through to the quarterfinals, where they would face England. What followed was one of the most one-sided 0-0 draws you're ever likely to see. Despite England having had three Euro 2012 group games and an entire Serie A to draw on, Roy Hodgson's team found themselves completely dictated to by Pirlo. They could find no answer to his influence and might very well have been beaten out of sight on his command. They clung on. But as if Pirlo's superiority hadn't been obvious enough during those 120 minutes, he proceeded to put a paneka past Joe Hart in the penalty shootout to leave the England goalkeeper sprawling on the ground as the ball floated elegantly down the middle of the goal. Italy advanced and faced Germany in the semifinals, where the battle of contrasting styles would unfold in midfield. Writing for the Indepedent, Miguel Delaney described it as, "the abrasiveness of Bastian Schweinsteiger against the velvet control of Andrea Pirlo." Pirlo's velvet touch once again won out. Italy took the match 2-1 thanks to two Mario Balotelli goals and had negotiated their way to the final. The fitting end Pirlo deserved was denied by a rampant Spain, who came out firing and took down Italy 4-0. It was Andres Iniesta who was crowned UEFA player of the tournament, but Euro 2012 will be remembered as the tournament that very nearly belonged to Pirlo. The 33-year-old had won over a new audience with his elegant brand of play-making and gone about his romantic quest with a dignity that footballers everywhere should aspire to. We end 2012 with a now bearded Pirlo's Juve eights points clear at the top of Serie A and with the vision of his latest free-kick masterpiece—against Atalanta—to remind us of his enduring, seemingly effortless brilliance. He won't win the Ballon d'Or, but Pirlo won many, many hearts in 2012—mine included.

Buffon: 'What a splendid 2012' Dec 29, 2012 Gigi Buffon looks back over 2012, ahead to “at least another three years at the top” and claims Andrea Pirlo is on the same level as Leo Messi. “I am 34 and for a goalkeeper I don’t consider myself old. I am mature,” the Juventus star told Sport Mediaset. “I know where I can push myself and I think I have at least another three years at the top level. “This year has been very satisfying both on the field and off, so 2012 will be remembered for a long time. After two consecutive seventh-place finishes, we even surprised ourselves by doing something memorable. “It was all down to hard work, sweat and the fortune of being led by a great Coach. “As for Italy, nobody expected us to reach the Euro 2012 Final. It’s true, getting there isn’t the same as winning, but at the starting gate I dare anyone to say we were among the favourites to reach the Final.” It was hoped that Pirlo would win the Ballon d’Or after a year in which he took Juve to the Scudetto and was instrumental in Italy’s revival. “I think it’s impossible to say Messi isn’t the best player in the world, as it’ll be incredible if anyone is ever able to replicate his figures,” continued Buffon. “However, a striker always gets the front page headlines. For example, Pirlo is on the same level with Messi and anyone else in terms of quality, but he is a midfielder and won’t be treated the same way.”

Agnelli: 'Juve best is yet to come' Dec 29, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli looked back over his favourite memories of 2012 and promised “the best victory is always the next one.” The patron spoke to the official club website and was asked to comment on a year in which they won the title, reached the Coppa Italia Final, won the Italian Super Cup and qualified for the Champions League knockouts. “I think my favourite memory from 2012 was seeing 400,000 people on the streets on the day we won the Scudetto. That was something extraordinary. “I live up in the hills and heard the noise after the team’s victory against Cagliari in Trieste. Watching from afar, hearing and sensing what was going on, was something magnificent.” Agnelli was questioned over what present the Bianconeri supporters could expect under the tree this Christmas. “There are many things, but Juventus fans are perfectly aware that what happened in the past no longer counts for anything. “Juventus fans always want the next target, so we know we’ll have to work with professionalism, attention and tenacity, because the best victory is always the next one. “There certainly won’t be a lack of determination, knowing that 2013 will possibly be even tougher than this last year.”

Agnelli: There's more to come from Juventus The Bianconeri supremo reflected on the club's achievements during the past year, and insisted that the Old Lady must work even harder to achieve success in 2013. Dec 29, 2012 Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has warned that there is still more to come from his side in the future. The Turin outfit enjoyed a memorable 2012 as won the Scudetto and finished the year back on top of Serie A. The Bianconeri are also through to the round of 16 of the Champions League, where they are set to meet Celtic. Agnelli is confident that the club can reach new heights if they continue to work hard and fight to the end on all fronts. "I think seeing 400,000 people out and about on the day we won the Scudetto was something extraordinary," the Juventus president told the club's official website. "I live up in the hills, and I heard the noise after the team's triumph in Trieste. Watching from afar, hearing and sensing what was going on, was something magnificent. "Juventus fans are perfectly aware that what's happened in the past no longer counts for anything. Juventus fans always want the next target. "So we know we'll have to work with professionalism, attention and perseverance, because the best victory is always the next one. "There certainly won't be a lack of determination from me, knowing that 2013 will possibly be even tougher than last year."

Capello: Only Roma can challenge Juventus for Scudetto The experienced coach believes the Giallorossi are the only team in Italy capable of putting up a fight against the Bianconeri, and dismissed the chances of the Milanese clubs. Dec 29, 2012 Russia coach Fabio Capello has stated that only Roma are in any position to challenge Juventus for the Scudetto this season. The former England boss believes neither AC Milan nor Inter are capable of emerging victorious in the title race, and stated that the Giallorossi - who are 12 points behind the Old Lady in the standings - have a better chance. "I think that on paper the only team that can challenge Juventus is Roma," Capello told Sky Sport Italia. "This Juve team is doing well, you have to congratulate them even if they do not have any real competitors. In my days in charge of Juve, our opponents for the title were Milan, Inter and Roma. "Milan are now without many important players, but Roma are still up there and can put up a fight for the title." Capello then went on to comment on the rumours linking Daniele De Rossi with an exit from Roma in the upcoming transfer window. "I gave De Rossi his debut, as I did with Aquilani," the Italian added. "He is an important player and Zeman knows that, but he will have to adapt to the ideas of the coach. "I do not know what will happen in the future. The important thing is that the player is happy and hopefully this will rub off on his team-mates. De Rossi is a key player, who makes the difference."

Buffon believes Pirlo is 'same quality' as Messi The Old Lady's captain says his team-mate is as good as the Barcelona star, and adds that he wants to continue playing until he is 37 years old. Dec 29, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says that team-mate Andrea Pirlo is as good as Lionel Messi, but says his team-mate does not get as much recognition because he does not score as much. Messi has hit 91 goals during a record-breaking 2012, and while the Italy international praised the Barcelona legend, he believes Pirlo has similar abilities. “He's a once in a generation player. I think it's unlikely that any human being again will repeat the numbers that Messi is getting,” Buffon told Sport Mediaset. “But he is a striker, so numbers are on his side. I think Andrea Pirlo has the same sort of quality. “He does not have to envy anyone, but in the world of football, awards go to those who score goals.” The Juve captain also said his own recent success makes him believe he can play until he is at least 37-years-old, and admitted that last season's success had given him added confidence in his abilities. "I'm 34 and I do not feel old but mature," he said. "I know where I can go and I think I can play at least three more years at the highest level." Buffon led Juventus to a domestic double last term, winning the Serie A title and Super Cup, before captaining the Italian national team to the European Championship final, eventually losing out 4-0 to Spain. "2012 was a year full of sporting satisfaction, personal and otherwise," he added. "It was a year that I will remember for a long time. We were able to do something memorable thanks to hard work and sweat as well as the good fortune of being led by a great coach. "No one expected we were able to get to the final, we were not even remotely favorites."

Mourinho: I fear Juventus in the Champions League The Blancos boss compared the structure of the Italian champions' side to that of his triumphant 2004 Porto team. Dec 29, 2012 Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has admitted he is wary of the threat posed by Juventus in the Champions League. The Serie A champions finished top of a difficult qualifying group to progress to the knock-out phase, and the Portuguese boss has acknowledged that Antonio Conte's side will be tough to beat in this season's tournament. "I'll be honest: I do not like Juventus because I'm afraid of them," he said in an interview with Tuttosport. "And I say that Conte's team can win the Champions League. "It is a collective, an extremely compact, solid, almost unsinkable ship. Missing a top player in attack? That's just as well, I believe. This means that the goals can come from anywhere and at any time: a midfielder, a striker from outside the box. I mean it: it does not matter if there is a Benzema or Higuain in a team structured like that. "This reminds me of my Porto in 2004. And if anyone, by chance, had forgotten, Porto won the Champions League final in Gelsenkirchen."

Marchisio: Balotelli would struggle to adapt at Juventus The midfielder is of the opinion that the Italy international would have problems with the strict rules at the Bianconeri, and would not fit the team if he arrived in Turin. Dec 28, 2012 Juventus' Claudio Marchisio does not believe that Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is disciplined enough to play for the Serie A title holders. The controversial striker has recently been linked with a move to the Old Lady, but the midfielder does not believer the former Inter player will be a good fit at the Bianconeri. "I would put a question mark over a potential transfer of Mario to the club," Marchisio told Il Messaggero. "Here, we have rules. He has tremendous talent, but I'm not sure whether he will be able to change here. "I don't think there's any money for a striker. Karim Benzema is someone I liked even before he went to Real Madrid – he reminds me of the first Ronaldo." Marchisio then went on to dismiss comparisons between Juve and Barcelona, insisting that the Old Lady try to play "purposeful" football. "Comparisons with Barca are nice, but they are exaggerated. The numbers speak for themselves. We are on the start of a path, trying to win by playing spectacular, but also purposeful football. "I want 2013 to be at least equal to 2012. We have to lift at least one trophy." Juventus currently top the Serie A table with an eight-point advantage over Lazio.

Marchisio on Balotelli, De Rossi & trophies Dec 28, 2012 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has claimed that he wants to win at least one trophy with the team this season. The Bianconeri won their 28th Scudetto last season, going the entire campaign unbeaten. And the 26-year-old has admitted that he would like to retain the title this year. “I want 2013 to be at least equal to 2012,” he told Il Messaggero. “We have to raise at least one trophy.” He also commented on the rumours that Mario Balotelli could move to the Old Lady, as well as revealing his friendship with Daniele De Rossi. “I would have a question mark over Mario's move here,” he said. “Here, we have rules. He has tremendous talent, but I'm not sure whether he will be able to change here. “De Rossi and I have so much in common. We came through the youth ranks at the team we supported. He is a true friend that has been built through the national team. “Daniele should be the focus of the project at Roma. He is the image of the club, along with Totti.” The Italy international then remarked on the comparisons between Juve and Barcelona, and also disclosed which striker he thinks the team should buy. “Comparisons with Barca are nice, but they are exaggerated. The numbers speak for themselves. “We are on the start of a path, trying to win playing spectacular but also purposeful football. “I don't think there's any money for a striker, however, Karim Benzema is someone I liked even before he went to Real Madrid – he reminds me of the first Ronaldo.”

Friday return for Juventus Dec 27, 2012 Italian champions Juventus will return to training on Friday after being given a week off for Christmas following the win over Cagliari. The squad will face a double session at Vinovo as boss Antonio Conte prepares his side for the January 6 home game against Sampdoria. Giorgio Chiellini, Nicklas Bendtner and Simone Pepe will not train as all three are struggling with injuries. Stephan Lichtsteiner will miss the Sampdoria encounter at the Juventus Stadium as the right-sided wing-back is suspended.

Asamoah on new Juventus role Dec 27, 2012 Kwadwo Asamoah has admitted that he had difficulties adapting to a new role at Italian champions Juventus. The Ghanaian was accustomed to playing in central midfield, but he’s been converted to a left wing-back by Antonio Conte following his summer switch from Udinese. “It wasn’t easy when I first joined Juventus,” he told TV3. “I was used to playing my football in another position. “But now I play on the wing in defence and in attack.” Asamoah has been a success in Turin so far and, thanks to 25 appearances, he’s been used more than any other player by the Old Lady this term. “The secret behind my success? Training,” he continued. “We work hard at Juve and that allowed me to adapt to my best.”

Nagatomo: Losing easy games is Inter’s weakness The Japan international says Juventus are better than Inter in the easier games, whereas we've lost a few points in those. Dec 26, 2012 Yuto Nagatomo believes Inter trail Juventus in the Serie A table because of their inability to win "easier games". The Bianconeri top Serie A with 44 points from 18 games, while the Nerazzurri - who had a rocky start to the campaign - are lagging nine points off the lead in fourth, with Lazio and Fiorentina also ahead of them. The Japan full-back told ANSA: "I think Juventus are very good in the easier games, whereas we've lost a few points in those. Our squad is still a work in progress, but we have huge potential." He then revealed Inter’s 3-1 win at Juventus earlier this season, which ended the reigning champions' 49-game unbeaten run in Serie A, is the highlight of his time at the club to date. JUVENTUS 44 - inter 35. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Andrea Pirlo: Report Card for Juventus' Bearded Genius Dec 26, 2012 Juventus fans did not know what to make of the signing of Andrea Pirlo two summers ago. An injury plagued season had caused many to regard him as a dimming star. Behind the scenes, Antonio Conte was puzzling as well. Long a proponent of the unorthodox 4-2-4 approach, Pirlo's strengths as a regista did not translate into the tactics that he had just used to send Siena to the top of Serie B. Rather than try to shoehorn Pirlo into his preferred formation, Conte showed his true quality as a manager and rebuilt his system to fit the talents of his new midfield general. The results were phenomenal: working out of either a 4-3-3 or a 3-5-2, Pirlo revived his career with a fantastic season and led Juve to an undefeated season and the scudetto. He topped it off with a masterful performance at Euro 2012 that took the underdog Italians to the final and put his name forward as a top candidate for the ballon d'or. This year, the bianconeri faithful were optimistic but cautious. Yes, Juve had had a fantastic season in 2011-12, but it was done without the rigors of the Champions League. Pirlo would be 34 by season's end. Would the Champions League take its toll on l'architetto? The Italian made a huge statement in the Serie A opener against Parma. He took 94 touches, and completed 87 percent of his passes. He even kicked in two tackles—always a weakness for him—and topped the night off with a free kick goal that just made it past the goal line in the 58th minute. But the moment of truth for Pirlo's season this year would be the games after Champions League matches. These have brought mixed results. In Juve's first match after UCL play, against Fiorentina, Pirlo looked visibly off. He was hauled off the field after 68 minutes, Juve played out an uninspiring goalless draw, and alarm bells started ringing all over Turin. The second time he was trotted out after a Champions League tie, however, was a different story. Pirlo had been effectively bottled up by Shakhtar's Henrikh Mkhitaryan in midweek, and looked eager to break out. He throttled Siena, scoring a goal on a low, hard free kick, was denied a second by the woodwork and was named the man of the match. In the next four matches that followed Champions League play, Pirlo had no fewer than 95 touches in any match and completed no less than 81 percent of his passes. He completed a total of 12 key passes in those four matches, 34 accurate long balls (including 14 alone in the October 12 match against Catania), and notched an assist in the 6-1 demolition of Pescara that followed Juve's 4-0 Champions League win over Nordsjaelland. Overall so far this season, Pirlo has scored four goals in Serie A(one more than he did all of last year), notched three assists each in Serie A and the Champions League. In both competitions he is averaging 3.7 key passes, 8.6 long balls, and three accurate crosses per match, completing 86.3 percent of his passes. So Pirlo's overall grade through the winter break? Hiccups against Fiorentina and the first matches against Chelsea and Shakhtar notwithstanding, Pirlo has been fantastic. His form going into the winter break has never been better, including a magical match in Atalanta two weeks ago when he completed 96 percent of his passes, had 150 touches, scored a wonderful free kick goal and was accurate on a ridiculous 27 or 28 long balls. This mastery garnered a hard-to-come-by 10 rating from whoscored.com, and showed the overall level of his play on the year. The continued rumors of Pirlo's imminent demise are again unfounded. Pirlo has earned a solid A+ rating over the first part of the season, and looks only to be getting stronger as the new years looms, with (hopefully) a new target to find on Juve's forward line, the Champions League knockout phases coming, and the start of the ritorna bringing with it the prospect of revenge on Inter and AC Milan for the losses suffered during the andata. One thing is certain—if a team wants to beat Juventus, Andrea Pirlo is still the man that must be stopped in order to have any sort of chance.

To all the Juventus Fans around the world celebrating Christmas, everyone here at JuventiKNOWS would like to wish you all a very special Buon Natale!

Agnelli: Juve not yet champions Dec 24, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insists that the championship is still alive despite his club’s eight point lead at the top of the table. The Old Lady stretched their advantage thanks to a 3-1 win over Cagliari and Inter’s home draw with Genoa. “The championship is only decided when the maths say so,” the chief told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport on Monday. “There are still 20 games to go and we’ve killed nothing yet.” Juve are looking good for a second consecutive title, but they also have their eyes on the Champions League where they will play Celtic in the last 16. “Juventus always look to win everything,” Agnelli continued. “The most important thing today is winning in Italy again. “However, the Champions League allows us to dream and we like to dream. We can give anyone a game.” Agnelli, though, admitted that the Bianconeri do have to try to cut down the economical gap which exists between themselves and Europe’s giants. “Our annual turnover is €215m and that will rise next year, but we need to have a stable turnover of €300m-€350m annually to keep pace.” Turning to transfers, Agnelli admitted that the “important buys” are made in the summer, before commenting on past moves. “Our best signings in the current squad are Andrea Barzagli, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba – they cost us €300,000 in total!” That money was spent on Barzagli in January 2011, as Pirlo and Pogba were Bosman free transfers.

Ancelotti: 'Juve are stronger' Dec 23, 2012 PSG Coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident Juventus will succeed in Serie A and the Champions League, but is keeping an eye on Napoli. “I never miss a Serie A match,” Ancelotti told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport newspaper. “It seems to me that the Bianconeri have notched up a solid eight-point lead and are the strongest team in the Division. However, things can always be turned upside down in Italy. Let’s just say it won’t be easy for their opponents to bridge that gap.” Napoli have been docked two points in the betting scandal and fallen to fifth place, but the former Chelsea manager still sees them as the main contenders. “I think Napoli have the structure to do very well. It’s true they haven’t been enchanting of late and there was the points penalty, but in the long run Walter Mazzarri’s team will emerge. “Inter have changed a great deal and that takes time to settle. So far Inter have done well, but we cannot expect too much from them. They are in the Europa League and can earn qualification for the Champions League. “Serie A remains a very strong League, it’s just that Juve are stronger. Antonio Conte’s side have technical, tactical and psychological strengths that nobody should underestimate. The ferocity and aggression of the Bianconeri is astounding. They never give up and Conte deserves praise for that, as you can tell it’s his work. “I know Antonio, as I was his Coach. I can guarantee you he emerged covered in sweat even for a midweek game between ranks. I tip my hat to him!” Juventus also recovered from a shaky start to win their Champions League group, knocking out holders Chelsea, and will face Celtic in the next round. “European commitments weigh on a club and make a big difference, which is why the current eight-point lead is so important,” continued Ancelotti. “They can control that lead, although I’m not sure someone like Conte would try to control anything. Antonio is a sledgehammer, he won’t take the pressure off his men for a second. “Can Juve win The Double? One step at a time, after all my PSG are in the Champions League! I want to lift that trophy again... In any case, Juve had a good draw by being paired with Celtic and can progress.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/