Socrates

Serie A Week 18 - 21-12-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Ennio Tardini Stadium - Parma Referee: Antonio Damato Cagliari lose last-gasp Juve appeal Dec 19, 2012 Cagliari’s Mayor gave the all-clear for the game with Juventus at the Is Arenas, but it came too late and the tie has been confirmed for the Tardini in Parma. It was announced today that Friday’s Serie A match will be played at the neutral venue of the Stadio Tardini in Parma after the local Cagliari council refused to grant the Is Arenas a temporary safety certificate. However, this evening Mayor Mauro Contini signed a special order allowing the game to go ahead at the Is Arenas. The two clubs and the Lega Calcio were in negotiations to move the match back to Cagliari, but it has now been confirmed it’s too late to change again. Construction work continues on the troubled stadium, which failed security checks and saw several games played behind closed doors. It had seemed as if the problems were sorted out, with full crowds allowed into the Is Arenas over the last few weeks. Cagliari had already sold 15,000 tickets for the big match when told it would be played in Parma instead. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Juve seek Chiellini replacements Dec 19, 2012 If Giorgio Chiellini really is out for three months, then Juventus need a replacement and are looking at Federico Peluso and Siena’s Neto. The Italian international defender pulled up in training today with a calf strain and initial reports suggest he has torn the muscle, meaning a three-month lay-off. Juve already released Lucio from his contract so he could join Sao Paulo this week, so there are precious few options in defence. According to the early rumours, the main target to fill the gaps is Siena’s Brazilian talent Neto. Siena confirmed last week they were willing to release Neto “for the right price,” though many other clubs are also interested. Another option for Juventus would be Atalanta defender Peluso, who can play both centre-back and full-back.

Chiellini out for three months? Dec 19, 2012 Italian champions Juventus could be without Giorgio Chiellini for the next three months because of injury. The stopper has picked up a calf strain in training which, if initial fears are confirmed in 48 hours, will see him set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Chiellini is a key figure in Antonio Conte’s three-man defence alongside Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. The injury comes in the same week that Juventus rescinded the contract of centre-back Lucio given his lack of playing time. Martin Caceres will in all likelihood take Chiellini’s place in the starting XI, but Juve could now look to sign a new defender in January given their Champions League commitments in 2013.

Serie A Week 18 - 21-12-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Ennio Tardini Stadium - Parma Referee: Antonio Damato Parma to host Cagliari-Juventus Dec 19, 2012 Friday’s Serie A game between Cagliari and Juventus will be played at a neutral venue, the Lega Serie A have confirmed. The switch of stadium has been made necessary after the local Cagliari council refused to grant the Is Arenas a temporary safety certificate because of on-going work around the ground. The game will now be played at Parma’s Stadio Tardini. Cagliari had already sold around 15,000 tickets for the arrival of the Italian champions. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 18 - 21-12-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Ennio Tardini Stadium - Parma Referee: Antonio Damato Cagliari-Juventus venue doubts Dec 19, 2012 Cagliari are set to play Juventus on Friday night, but there is still no confirmation regarding where the game will be staged. The local council have still not issued the temporary safety certificate that the club need to invite fans to Friday night’s encounter. As a result, the tie at the Is Arenas could be played behind closed doors or the match could even be switched to Bari’s Stadio San Nicola or Parma's Tardini. Last season’s Cagliari-Juventus tie was also played on the neutral ground of Trieste on the night that Juve were crowned Italian champions. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Buffon to sign for Christmas Dec 19, 2012 Gigi Buffon will sign a new contract with Italian champions Juventus before Christmas, reports suggest. The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is claiming that the veteran, who is currently tied to the club until June 2013, will put pen to paper on a new two-year agreement. Buffon’s agent Silvano Martina held talks with Turin officials at Vinovo on Monday where terms were ironed out. The 34-year-old will accept a cut in salary to €4m a season, however he will be handed a €1m bonus if the Bianconeri win the Scudetto or the Champions League. The Italian international, now club captain, joined Juventus in the summer of 2001 from Parma at a cost of £32m.

Serie A - 17^ Giornata - Andata - 16-12-2012 (ore 15:00) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (2′) Andrea Pirlo (14′) Claudio Marchisio (27′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Davide Massa Spettatori: 38000 Serie A - La Juventus cala il tris e prova la fuga Dominata l'Atalanta allo Juventus Stadium. Nel 3-0 finale segnano Vucinic, Pirlo e Marchisio, tutti in gol nella prima mezzora. Bianconeri che volano a quota 41 punti in classifica, campioni d'inverno con due turni d'anticipo, grazie ai 7 punti di vantaggio sull'Inter. Bergamaschi mai in partita e rimasti in 10 per l'espulsione di Manfredini. Eurosport - Domenica, 16 dicembre 2012 La Juventus vince la terza partita in questa settimana e inizia la mini fuga sull’Inter, ora distanziata di 7 punti in classifica. I bianconeri sono già campioni d'inverno, con due giornate d'anticipo. La squadra di casa chiude la pratica Atalanta nella prima mezzora, con i gol di Vucinic, Pirlo (splendida punizione) e Marchisio. Bergamaschi annichiliti e rimasti anche in 10 per l’espulsione di Manfredini. Un 3-0 che significa tredicesima vittoria in 17 partite: la Juve ha ritrovato il suo condottiero Conte ed è tornata a volare. CARRO ARMATO JUVENTUS. Quando la Juventus approccia il match con la fame agonistica che l’ha contraddistinta durante la scorsa stagione non c’è avversario che tenga. La prima mezzora dei bianconeri è quanto di meglio può mostrare una squadra di calcio: Barzagli e Chiellini non sbagliano un intervento, Pirlo gestisce con sapienza ogni pallone che tocca, infischiandosene della marcatura di Bonaventura, Vucinic e Giovinco si cercano e si trovano a meraviglia, Vidal e Marchisio si inseriscono come frecce. Conte, al rientro in campionato allo Juventus Stadium (aveva già fatto il suo ritorno in panchina in Coppa Italia mercoledì sera), può solo applaudire i suoi da bordo campo. Al minuto numero 2 la Juve è, infatti, già avanti: lancio di Giovinco per Vucinic, che entra in area e rientra col destro e supera Consigli sul secondo palo. E’ il suo quarto gol nello Stadium, il terzo stagionale in campionato. PIRLO SONTUOSO. Il vantaggio gasa i bianconeri, che aggrediscono un Atalanta troppo timorosa e con un Denis troppo solo davanti. Così, su una punizione da circa 30 metri, Pirlo celebra l’ennesimo capolavoro della sua straordinaria carriera. Palla sotto l’incrocio dei pali e 2-0 Juve dopo un quarto d’ora (quarto sigillo per il centrocampista della Nazionale in Serie A quest’anno). Non si fermano i padroni di casa, che dopo aver sprecato un paio di buone opportunità, chiudono definitivamente il match: alla mezzora Chiellini tocca per Marchisio che con l’esterno destro fa partire un gran tiro che non dà scampo a Consigli. 3-0, match chiuso e pubblico bianconero in visibilio. ATALANTA IN 10. A complicare ulteriormente le cose ad una sconvolta Atalanta ci si mette anche il suo capitano Manfredini, che nel giro di dieci minuti, già sul 3-0, prende due cartellini gialli e lascia i bergamaschi in 10 uomini. La Juve così chiude la prima frazione in totale controllo e Colantuono, per limitare i danni, è costretto ad inserire Stendardo (l’avvocato) togliendo Bonaventura e spegnendo qualsiasi speranza di rimonta ospite. SECONDO TEMPO IN SURPLACE. Il secondo tempo è giocato dalla Juventus a ritmi ragionevolmente più bassi. Per risparmiare le tante energie spese in questa prima parte di stagione, i bianconeri rallentano e tentano solamente di gestire il risultato, lasciando alle iniziative personali la libertà di colpire. Consigli si fa notare con un paio d’interventi su Giovinco e su Quagliarella, e Colantuono tenta di limitare i danni, coprendo atteggiamento e schieramento. Conte toglie anche Vucinic, Barzagli e Marchisio (per farli riposare in vista del prossimo match) e il 3-0 con il quale si chiude la partita sancisce la tredicesima vittoria in campionato dei bianconeri, che volano, in attesa del Napoli a più sette sull’Inter seconda in classifica. Venerdì si chiuderà il grande 2012 della Juventus, con la sfida al Cagliari in trasferta. Conte può sorridere: con queste prestazioni, fatte di personalità, grinta e sicurezza, i Campioni d’Italia sono praticamente imbattibili. Enrico Turcato - Eurosport http://youtu.be/-lK1JikKTrA http://youtu.be/Gkl3nYuRZPg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlXulo1l5qY Juventus 3 - 0 Atalanta

Chiellini was a Milan fan Dec 18, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini says he now feels 100 per cent Juventus after admitting to supporting Milan as a youngster. The stopper was a Diavolo fan as a boy, but that all changed when he joined Juventus in 2005 and helped them get back into the top flight after Calciopoli demotion. “I’ve got no problem admitting it, as a youngster I supported Milan,” he told a Juventus Premium Member video chat. “But when I came here I fell in love with this shirt and the feeling grew over the course of time. “Following our return to the top and everything that’s happened, you can’t help but feel a sense of belonging to the shirt, city and fans.” Juventus returned to winning ways last term with the Scudetto and Chiellini thinks the new stadium played a part in that success. “What we accomplished last year, winning the Scudetto unbeaten, was an exceptional achievement which nobody will ever be able to follow up, only equal at the very most,” he added. “The inauguration of Juventus Stadium was a strange evening. We were coming off the back of two disappointing seasons, but something magical began that day and you could feel it in the air. “We saw the entire history of Juventus, the club’s past, and inside our heads we started to dream about the future – and then we managed to achieve it.” Chiellini is now a key figure in Antonio Conte’s three-man defence alongside Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. “Over the last year Leonardo, Andrea and I have managed to create a unique unit,” he continued. “We know each other well, play off by heart and the more you work with someone the more you discover their strengths and weaknesses. “Individually speaking, there are better defenders than us around, but I doubt that they could do better if they were placed in our defence. “And then we have Gigi Buffon behind us. Many of his saves seem straightforward, but that’s only because he makes them appear as such.”

Conte: I would give the Ballon d'Or to Pirlo The Bianconeri boss insists the Italy playmaker deserves to win the prestigious prize, despite the record-breaking exploits of leading candidate Lionel Messi. Dec 17, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes Andrea Pirlo should be given the Ballon d'Or this year. The 33-year-old put in an inspired performance in his side's 3-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday, scoring a stunning free-kick in the process, and his boss is under no illusions as to who should be crowned the best player in the world. "Even if Messi had scored thousands of goals, I would give the Ballon d'Or to Pirlo," Conte told reporters after the match. "Then, I would have the pleasure of being the coach of a Golden Ball winner. Maybe in the future I will." Pirlo was at the heart of his side's ruthless performance at the weekend, with the victory moving them seven points clear at the top of Serie A after Inter's defeat to Lazio. The former AC Milan midfielder was named on the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or prize earlier this year, but missed out on a place in the top three nominations to Andres Iniesta, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Lichtsteiner: We want to win it all Dec 17, 2012 Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner has revealed that he wants to win every competition possible with the Bianconeri. The Swiss wing-back has been linked with a move away from Turin, with Paris Saint-Germain looking the most likely suitors. But the former Lazio man has admitted that he is happy at the club and wants to retain the Scudetto they won so convincingly last season. “We are very happy because we have completed one of our goals,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “We wanted to finish top of the table at the midway point, and we have done that. “It is fundamental however, that we continue at this pace. There are so many good teams in this League, but we have to concentrate on our own performance. “We will continue to be hungry for points. We want to repeat what we did last year. “I always give my best for this shirt and I want to win as much as possible with it.”

Marrone out of Italy U-21 squad Dec 17, 2012 Juventus’ Luca Marrone has pulled out of the Italian Under-21 squad on Monday because of injury. The midfielder, who is being used as a centre-back this term by the Old Lady, was originally included in the party for Tuesday’s friendly against an Italy B side. Marrone has returned to Turin because of a left ankle complaint. He’s the second player to withdraw from Devis Mangia’s party after Riccardo Saponara of Empoli was also ruled out with fitness issues. The latter has been replaced by Sampdoria midfielder Roberto Soriano.

Marchisio demands win at Cagliari Dec 17, 2012 Juventus may already be Winter Champions, but Claudio Marchisio wants to end 2012 with another League win. “Now we’ll think ahead to Friday’s game against Cagliari,” he stated after the 3-0 over Atalanta. “We’re after another victory in order to celebrate Christmas in the best possible way.” Juve wasted little time in securing the three points on Sunday afternoon with a clinical first half display. “We got off to a fantastic start, playing the type of game we were aiming for, with a ruthless approach and plenty of character,” the 26-year-old stated. “Mirko Vucinic’s strike made the task easier, but the overall performance made a tough game much more straightforward. “The tempo dropped in the second half, but it’s a good sign that the strikers kept going right until the end in search of a goal.” The Old Lady are now seven points clear of second-placed Inter.

Pogba a doubt for Juventus Dec 17, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that Paul Pogba is in a race against time to be fit for the Cagliari game. The Frenchman was being tipped to start ahead of Arturo Vidal in the 3-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday, but missed the tie with injury. “The boy picked up a knock in the match against Palermo and so was already a doubt for Cagliari,” the tactician explained. “He felt a little discomfort in the final training session before the Atalanta game and that caused a thigh issue. “I spoke with the club doctor and the player where we decided that he wouldn’t be available for action. “I just hope that he, a young player who can recover quickly, will be back in action against Cagliari.” Juventus, Winter Champions, take on the Sardinian outfit on Friday night.

Another clean sheet for Buffon Dec 17, 2012 The 3-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday saw Gigi Buffon’s unbeaten run at the Juventus Stadium continue. The Italian international has now not conceded at home since the 3-1 reverse to Inter on November 3. Since being beaten by Rodrigo Palacio in the 89th minute of that tie, Buffon has gone six matches in Turin without picking the ball out of the net. Those matches are made up of three Serie A ties against Lazio, Torino and Atalanta, Champions League fixtures versus Nordsjaelland and Chelsea, plus the Coppa Italia Cagliari encounter. If you also include away games, Juventus have conceded just once – a dubious Robinho penalty – in their last eight official matches.

Serie A Week 17 - 16-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (2′) Andrea Pirlo (14′) Claudio Marchisio (27′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Davide Massa Attendance: 38000 Phenomenal Pirlo doesn't need the Ballon d'Or to prove his greatness The veteran was unplayable on Sunday in Juventus' 3-0 win over Atalanta, a performance that summed up his perfect 2012. Dec 17, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer Even before he took a couple of paces towards the ball, you just knew something special was about to happen. Andrea Pirlo's stunning free-kick put Sunday's game beyond Atalanta and ensured that Juventus will end 2012 at the top of Serie A. It is the only fitting place for the Italy midfielder to spend the winter break after a calendar year of magnificent proportions. A team who had finished seventh in the league in consecutive seasons has been transformed since Pirlo's arrival from AC Milan in 2011, and the last 12 months have been the best of his career. Since January, he has scored nine goals and laid on another 22 in 61 games for club and country. For a player whose starting position is so far removed from the opposition goal, that assist rate is a phenomenal record, and outlines just how much he adds to the Bianconeri. But Pirlo has always been a bit different. His switch to a role at the base of midfield while under former coach Carlo Ancelotti at Milan sparked many a copycat move by trainers around the globe, but nobody has been able to reproduce his form in the role. His consistent quality has helped to make him one of the most loved and respected footballers in the game, and many now consider him to be one of the best technicians never to have been seriously considered for a Ballon d'Or at any stage of his career. ANDREA PIRLO'S PHENOMENAL 2012 Pirlo - Nine goals and 22 assists in 61 games Having never come any higher than fifth place in the race for the world player of the year accolade, this should arguably have been his time. He should have been in the top three at the very least. As the basis for a pressing game that has made Juventus into an attacking monster few have been able to tame, Pirlo has taken the side onto two whole new levels, first domestically, and then in the Champions League. Served by the legwork of Arturo Vidal and assisted by willing runners Claudio Marchisio, Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner, he is nothing less than the Serie A champions' focal point. At the hub of far too many Juve goals to mention, he is the irreplaceable heart of the side, as proven by Antonio Conte's reluctance to rest him despite the hectic nature of his calendar of late. He was also the guy driving Italy around the park as they confounded a huge number of pundits to reach the Euro 2012 final, and then when the Azzurri needed to get their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a decent start, Pirlo was the man who got them going again. Carrying his Juventus form into the international arena, he had rediscovered the touch that had previously made him such a widely regarded footballer's footballer. And yet this has been no ordinary year, even for a player who was spectacular in 2006, when he became a world champion with Italy, and in the seasons ending 2003 and 2004 which led to him being crowned as a king, first of Europe and then of the Bel Paese. Pirlo's 2012 has topped even those outstanding years, and while the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony will not feature the 33-year-old, that cannot take away from what he has achieved in the past 12 months. So when the prizes are handed out at Fifa's big gala next month, worry not over Pirlo's absence. Instead, simply raise a glass to a legend who has outdone himself once more. Just ask Juventus and Italy fans if they need him to have a golden ball under his arm in order to appreciate his magnificent contributions of the last 12 months. ELSEWHERE ... • Miroslav Klose's late winner saw Lazio come up trumps against Inter on Saturday night to continue the Nerazzurri's recent misery. While victories over Palermo and Napoli appeared to have put Andrea Stramaccioni's men back on track, their loss at the Stadio Olimpico was a reminder that they have shown some real failings of late, following their win against Juventus with just seven points from six league games. They could claim they were unlucky in the capital given that both Fredy Guarin and Antonio Cassano struck the woodwork, but in all truth they struggled to deal with Klose for much of the night, and the Germany international should have scored from a simple chance just moments before firing home the game's only goal. There is still much for Inter to do. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/