Socrates

Story so far: Juventus Dec 14, 2012 Propelled by a splendid midfield trio, Juventus racked up three wins on the bounce to top Group E and, as one of four unbeaten teams, must now be viewed as serious contenders. Returning to the UEFA Champions League group stage after three years away, Juventus qualified for the round of 16 in impressive fashion. Though the Bianconeri's progress was still in doubt heading into matchday six, they ultimately finished top of Group E ahead of the impressive FC Shakhtar Donetsk and holders Chelsea FC. Story so far Juventus, undefeated in last season's Scudetto-winning campaign, started the group stage away to Chelsea and immediately proved their determination to make a mark on their return. Two down at Stamford Bridge, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella scored to earn the visitors a share of the spoils. After another point followed at home to Shakhtar, a 1-1 draw at FC Nordsjælland complicated matters for the Serie A side. They moved up the gears when needed, though, concluding with three straight victories – and as many clean sheets. Pivotal moment Victor Moses's added-time clincher for Chelsea against Shakhtar on matchday four undid much of the good work achieved by Juve's 4-0 success against Nordsjælland. Subsequently requiring a home win against Chelsea, the Italian outfit responded in emphatic style in what defender Giorgio Chiellini described as an "almost perfect" performance: 3-0 the scoreline. Would they have produced such a display if their backs were not against the wall? Key player Midfielder Vidal, aka 'The Warrior', justified his nickname in the opening game when he scored at Chelsea despite visibly running with a limp following a nasty knock. The 25-year-old Chilean international ended the group stage with three goals and two assists – but showed himself to be more than just an attacking threat, embodying the never-say-die attitude of the Old Lady. "We are showing the same heart as last season," said Vidal, admirably supported in midfield by the excellent Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio. Rising star With such stiff competition in the middle of the park, it is no surprise Paul Pogba has had limited first-team opportunities. However, the 19-year-old has proved Juve can count on him whenever necessary. Two-footed, physically strong, technically sound and with a sense for goal, the French youth international revealed his worth when he deputised superbly for the suspended Marchisio in Donetsk. "Pogba is hard, physically strong and good at getting into scoring situations," said Pirlo. "He reminds me of Patrick Vieira." Number After beginning with three successive draws – taking their tally to nine in a row in European competition – the Bianconeri signed off with three straight wins, making them one of only four teams to finish the group stage undefeated. Quote "It was a show of strength; we sent out a strong signal to the whole of Europe. If somebody had doubts about us, I think we swept every question away by playing as we did." Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon feels Juve can aim high after their impressive group stage effort.

Marchisio: We can do better with Conte Dec 14, 2012 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has admitted that the team can go from strength-to-strength now that Antonio Conte has returned from his ban. The 43-year-old Coach came back from his touchline ban last weekend for the match against Palermo and the Bianconeri youth product has conceded that it was tough being without their boss. “It is not easy to be without your Coach after winning a championship,” he told juventus.com. “Just after you've won something, that is the time you need a man to guide you. “But we have grown up without him, and now he's back, we can do even better.” He also commented on the team's aims for the upcoming season. “We have achieved the first two objectives – to qualify from our Champions League group and to start well in the League. “But now we are focused on the upcoming League games. We've got Atalanta and Cagliari to come, and although they may seem easy on paper, we have to give them the utmost respect.” The 26-year-old concluded by remarking on who he believes will be the club's biggest rivals come May. “Every week a different name comes forward. First it was Roma, then Napoli, then Inter. We know they will all be there or thereabouts, but we can only concentrate on ourselves.”

Juventus deserve to be ahead of Inter, insists Stramaccioni The Nerazzurri boss believes that the Bianconeri are more consistent than his side and calls for better results when his team go up against weaker opposition. Dec 14, 2012 Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni feels that his team need to be more steady in their performances ahead of the Lazio clash. The Milan side currently sit second behind table-toppers Juventus, who the coach believes are more consistent in their matches against weaker opponents and therefore deserve to lead Serie A. "Juventus? They've shown they're more consistent, not only in their results but in their individual performances," the 36-year-old told reporters at the press conference ahead of the Lazio match. "That's why they deserve to be ahead of us. We knew we could beat them on a one-off match but their project is a year further on than ours and they have great players and replacements in every position."

Maldini: Juventus, Inter or Napoli will win Serie A The Rossoneri legend does not believe his former club are in the race for the league title and has tipped the current top three to maintain their charge for the crown. Dec 13, 2012 Former AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini believes Juventus, Napoli and Inter will fight it out for this season's Scudetto. Antonio Conte's side are currently in first place but an improving Nerazzurri and the Partenopei are following closely in the Bianconeri's wake. And Maldini has tipped one of those three to eventually lift the league title, but counted his former club out of the running. "The removal of Milan from third place is important and I do not think the teams in front of them will slow down," he told Tuttosport. "Fiorentina, Roma and Lazio are very competitive this season and I am sure they will make it hard for Milan to peg them back. The Scudetto? It's a three-way fight between Juventus, Inter and Napoli." "The Rossoneri were not capable of much earlier this season. The changes during the off-season were enormous in terms of men, players and personalities. They have required a little bit of patience, thats all." Maldini reserved special praise for Stephan El Shaarawy, though, who has emerged as the surprise package of the season with 13 goals in Serie A. "El Shaarawy has shown great class. He is a modern player because he works in both phases, attack and defence. He is proving to be a relentless goalscorer. I did not expect so much from him," he added. The former Azzurri skipper also spoke highly of his former international team-mate, Francesco Totti, who continues to blossom even at the grand age of 36-years-old. "Totti is without a doubt still a major player in Italian football. The way in which he plays for Roma and helps the attackers around him is amazing. Thanks to new methods of training Totti can still play at such a high level."

Coppa Italia - Ottavi di finale - 12-12-2012 (ore 21:00) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Coppa Italia - La Juventus passa il turno nel segno del 12 La Juventus si qualifica ai quarti di finale battendo il Cagliari per 1-0. Decide la gara Sebastian Giovinco, numero di maglia 12, al minuto 12 della ripresa. Conte non può sorridere del tutto, perché perde per infortunio Vidal e Bendtner. Ai quarti i bianconeri incontreranno il Milan. Eurosport - Mercoledí, 12 dicembre 2012 I numeri, a volte, possono lasciare a bocca aperta. Lasciando perdere le teorie sui Maya e sulla fine del mondo, l’ottavo di finale di Coppa Italia tra Juventus e Cagliari è stato deciso al minuto 12 della ripresa, dal numero 12 bianconero, Sebastian Giovinco. Proprio oggi che è il 12/12/12. Un dato di fatto. La Juventus si qualifica così ai quarti di finale, dove incontrerà la vincente tra Milan e Reggina. Grandi applausi e grande festa per Antonio Conte, al rientro nello Juventus Stadium. Non può però sorridere completamente il tecnico bianconero, che perde per infortunio Giaccherini, Vidal e Bendtner. PROBLEMA INFORTUNI. Giocare con la temperatura di meno cinque gradi, a Torino, un mercoledì sera di dicembre non è il massimo. Farlo con giocatori che scendono raramente in campo e che quindi non hanno una condizione collaudata come i titolari è ancora peggio. E così Antonio Conte, al ritorno nello Juventus Stadium dopo i 4 mesi di squalifica (tantissimi striscioni e cori per lui) nel giro di 45 minuti, deve rinunciare prima a Giaccherini (fuori per un problema intestinale nel riscaldamento) e poi a Bendtner (fermato da un guaio muscolare anche lui al 40’ del primo tempo). A loro due si aggiunge il riacutizzarsi del problema al ginocchio già avvertito domenica da Vidal, che viene tolto dal campo per evitare guai peggiori. BENDTNER CI AVEVA PROVATO. Ai tre infortuni la Juve somma la sfortuna del suo attaccante danese, che nel primo tempo, trovando ottima intesa con Giovinco, va vicino al gol in almeno tre nitide occasioni. Bendtner ci prova, ma prima Avramov e poi i centimetri che separano la palla dal palo, gli negano la prima personale gioia bianconera. Il Cagliari di Pulga-Lopez così, ordinato e infarcito di giovani interessanti come Murru, Eriksson e Del Fabbro, riesce a tenere il risultato sullo 0-0 nella prima frazione, senza nemmeno soffrire troppo. LA RISOLVE GIOVINCO, IL NUMERO 12. La giocata che sblocca la gara (e la decide) arriva ad inizio ripresa dal giocatore di maggior talento in campo. Sebastian Giovinco, al 57’ (minuto 12 della ripresa, approfitta di una disattenzione di Rossettini in area, lo evita e batte Avramov, diventando il primo bianconero in questa stagione a segnare in tutte e tre le competizioni. Per l’ex parmense fanno 8 gol totali nella nuova avventura bianconera e la conferma di un notevole aumento di personalità rispetto all’inizio. Conte, che ha creduto in lui da subito senza ascoltare le critiche di tanti tifosi, sembra vedere i risultati del suo lavoro (soprattutto psicologico) sulla formica atomica. Da quel momento in poi, per i bianconeri, la gara si mette in discesa e l'unica risposta vera del Cagliari sta in una conclusione di Dessena dalla distanza ben respinta da Buffon. ORA MILAN O REGGINA. La Juventus quindi, dopo il passaggio del turno in Champions League, si qualifica anche per i quarti di finale di Coppa Italia. Considerando anche il primo posto in campionato, non poteva esserci miglior inizio di stagione: fanno 17 vittorie, 5 pareggi e 2 sole sconfitte nel totale delle 24 gare giocate. Il Cagliari esce a testa alta, con il rimpianto che, forse, giocando con la squadra titolare, magari avrebbe ottenuto un risultato migliore. Ora , nel prossimo turno, la Juve affronterà la vincente di Milan-Reggina. Se passassero i rossoneri, ci sarebbe un quarto di finale dal sapore della grande sfida. Enrico Turcato - Eurosport Juventus 1 - 0 Cagliari

Ghana call Serie A stars Dec 13, 2012 Milan don’t have to worry about losing Sulley Muntari for the African Cup of Nations, but Ghana call Juventus and Udinese stars. There were concerns that Muntari’s comeback six months after surgery would see him waltz off almost immediately for the tournament in January and February. However, he is not included in the squad list for Ghana, so can act as a replacement for Nigel De Jong. There are other Serie A players called up for Ghana, such as Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and Udinese’s Emmanuel Agyemang Badu. Sassuolo striker Richmond Boakye is also included.

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Marco Guida Marrone wants Coppa progress Dec 13, 2012 Luca Marrone has underlined why progress in the Coppa Italia is so important for Juventus this season. Despite the Scudetto and the Champions League being top targets, the youngster says the Italian Cup also has its purpose. “It's important for us to stay in all the competitions so that those who are featuring less get more opportunities to play,” stated the midfielder after the 1-0 win over Cagliari. “We put in a good performance and we're glad to have made it through to the next round because we want to go all the way.” Marrone has struggled for games this term and, when he has been used, he’s been fielded in the middle of a back-three. “It's up to boss Antonio Conte where he wants to play me,” he added. “All I have to do is make sure I'm ready when called upon. “It's not as if I've forgotten how to play in midfield though, because I play there in training and for the Italy Under-21s.” Marrone was also asked for his opinion on the return of Conte to the bench following his touchline ban. “We're delighted to have him back with us because he's such an important presence. He made his presence felt during the break today too.”

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Juventus vs Cagliari: What Did We Learn About Juve's Depth Players in Cup Win? Dec 13, 2012 On Wednesday night, Juventus beat Cagliari 1-0 in the Coppa d'Italia with a team that featured a number of unfamiliar faces. Players like Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio were given some much-needed rest and fans got a chance to see how their replacements would fare over the course of a full game. Having depth is crucial in the modern game, as teams like Juventus often play multiple games per week, courtesy of the UEFA Champions League. Juventus have been lucky so far when it comes to injuries, but it is still important to know that you have players able to step right in when your star performers go down. The game against Cagliari was Antonio Conte's first chance to see how his bench players would handle a start against a quality side, and the results were fairly good. The Bianconeri came away with a win and looked dominant in the process, and several players showed the coaches that they can be trusted when called upon. In this article, we'll take a look at how each player that isn't a regular starter for the team performed in Juventus' win and try to determine whether or not they have what it takes to play in top games should one of the regulars go down. Nicklas Bendtner It's a shame that Nicklas Bendtner had to leave the pitch with an injury at the end of the first half, because he was having his best game since arriving in Turin during the summer on loan from Arsenal. Bendtner looked sharp and was involved from the very first minute. For the first time this season, his movement was precise and his runs were timed perfectly. Paired with Sebastian Giovinco, Bendtner regularly overpowered the Cagliari defense and made good use of his body to counteract Giovinco's movement around the box. The Dane created several chances for himself and came close to scoring on multiple occasions. Before he went down, he certainly looked like the most dangerous man on the field. He looked nothing like the player Bianconeri fans have gotten used to seeing in these past few months. I've been very critical of Bendtner's performances this season, but I must say that I was greatly impressed with the Danish international in this game. Providing the injury isn't too serious, I hope Bendtner gets a few more chances before January. If this is truly what he's capable of and these past few months were the result of him getting back in shape and getting used to Italian football, I'll gladly forgive him for the misery he has put me through in 2012-2013. Mauricio Isla Mauricio Isla can't cross the ball. It's really that simple. The former Udinese man has all the tools in the world to be an elite force on the right wing, but his crossing is poor and, in Antonio Conte's 3-5-2, providing quality crosses is his main responsibility. Isla was impressive against Cagliari, completely locking down his side of the field defensively and breaking through on the right wing on multiple occasions. His speed and power are too much for most defenders, and he has impressive vision in the passing game. He does a good job at presenting a target to the midfield triangle and never panics in possession. Isla is an excellent depth player and someone who should always sit on the bench for the Bianconeri, but as long as he doesn't learn how to cross a ball, I'd rather put my faith in the hands of Stephan Lichtsteiner in the big games. Paul Pogba Paul Pogba is the gem of Juve's bench. I honestly believe he would be a starter for every other team in the Serie A, but at Juventus, he sits behind Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal. For such a young player, it's really the perfect situation. I've never seen a young prodigy that's so calm and collected with the ball. It all looks so simple, like he isn't even trying. He makes very good use of his body when shielding the ball and always has his eyes up, looking for where to go with the ball. Pogba has excellent scoring ability, but his main strength is his defending and his vision. The best comparison for his playing style would be Vidal, who serves as an excellent example for the talented Frenchman. He has to be one of the best backup players in the world. Juventus couldn't ask for a better midfielder to be waiting on the bench in case one of the members of the MVP triangle go down. Pogba will be an absolute superstar very soon, and the question is how much longer Conte can afford to sit the youngster on the bench. Simone Padoin Simone Padoin had a fairly quiet game, but that doesn't mean he had a bad performance. He was very useful in the role of the vacuum cleaner, blocking fast attacks by Cagliari. Most of his work came on the defensive side of the ball, but when he ventured forward he did an excellent job of penetrating the penalty area. He showed he wasn't afraid to take a shot on goal and wasn't a liability in the passing game, which is a big plus if you look at the guys playing around him. Fans might not know this, but Padoin was once one of the hottest prospects around Italy and his play certainly shows that. While the Italian might not have reached the lofty expectations he once carried, he is a very useful player to have in case of multiple injuries and the likes. I also get the idea that his play for Juventus is improving with every chance he gets. As far as backups go, I say he's a keeper. Paolo De Ceglie Fans know who Paolo De Ceglie is and what he brings to the team: a steady presence on the defensive side, and very little offensively. De Ceglie knows this system and the Juve back line like the back of his hand as he was the starter on the left wing all of last season. But there's a reason the Bianconeri brought in Kwadwo Asamoah during the summer: De Ceglie is almost useless as an attacking player. He lacks the explosiveness to pass defenders and his crossing is far from top-notch. His passing is solid, but nothing more. De Ceglie has a tendency to lose the ball deep in enemy territory, forcing the centre-back playing on the left side (usually Giorgio Chiellini) out of position. To his credit, he's much more cautious with the ball on his own side of the field. We all know he's prone to making costly mistakes, but there were no such mistakes against Cagliari. Overall, De Ceglie isn't a flashy player but with his knowledge of the system and his defensive prowess, he's a good player to have on your team. If Juventus were to invest in a new wing-back, I would not object to De Ceglie being sold. Luca Marrone It seems like Luca Marrone's move to the back line will be permanent. The former midfielder has seen all of his minutes this season as the central defender in Juve's 3-5-2 and has been very solid for every one of them. I prefer him in midfield, but the team's biggest strength lies in the centre of the pitch and the club's biggest talents waiting for their chance occupy the same position, so Conte's decision to use Marrone as a centre-back is understandable. Marrone had a great game playing next to Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli and he showed great understanding of his new position—something that was lacking last year. He moves well on the line and is rarely caught out of position. He uses his body well in duels and has excellent athleticism for the position—something Conte likes a lot in his players. His long ball is good but not great, and his attacking contributions are almost always useful. He does play scared when he ventures forward, visibly scared of making a mistake, but he will learn to understand he has two star defenders playing alongside him who can take care of things when Marrone loses the ball. The centre-back position lacks depth for Juventus, so Marrone should definitely be a part of the team. His versatility is a big asset for the Bianconeri. Alessandro Matri Time is running out for Alessandro Matri. I wanted him to get his chance in December, and the injury to Nicklas Bendtner gave him exactly that. Unfortunately for both him and Juventus, he did nothing to show Antonio Conte he can return to the form that made him the team's top scorer last year. Matri looked lost on the field, running out of position and not presenting a target to the midfielders for most of the game. He had a handful of small chances but didn't look dangerous on a single one of them. He created very little space for his teammates and did a poor job of holding the ball. Once Sebastian Giovinco opened the scoring, his lack of pace made him miss out on most of the scoring opportunities the counter attacks presented. Alessandro Matri needs to get his act together real fast, or his tenure with the team might be over soon. A striker that doesn't score and has no other use on the field is dead weight to a top team like Juventus, and with the January transfer window fast approaching and the team in need of extra funding to acquire a star forward, he could be moved in the next two months. And if I'm really honest, I think that would be the best solution.

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Giovinco – the twelfth man! Dec 13, 2012 The number 12 proved to be the magic number for Sebastian Giovinco as Juventus progressed in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday. The forward, wearing the No 12 shirt on his back, scored his 12th goal for the Old Lady in the 12th minute of the second half of the 1-0 win over Cagliari. Yesterday’s date was also 12/12/2012...

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Conte: Juventus want to challenge on all fronts The Bianconeri trainer was especially pleased with the way his squad players seized their chance to impress in the Coppa Italia win over Cagliari, and is grateful to the fans. Dec 13, 2012 Antonio Conte has challenged his Juventus side to challenge for silverware on every front after they reached the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cagliari. Sebastian Giovinco's strike was enough to settle the tie in Turin, and the 43-year-old, returning to the home dugout for the first time since completing his suspension, was delighted that his much-changed side was able to keep another trophy quest alive. "I'm pleased we went through tonight because we want to be challenging on all fronts," he was quoted as saying by the club's official website. "We were up against a decent Cagliari side and they were well set out on the pitch. Now we'll wait to see whether we face AC Milan or Reggina in the next round. "Today the lads who have been playing less gave me the response I was after. I'm sorry for [Emanuele] Giaccherini - he was forced to withdraw because of some sort of flu bug, so I had to field Arturo [Vidal], who had a knee problem. "And I was especially sorry for Bendtner, I would have liked to see him have a longer run-out." Conte received a rapturous reception from the Juventus Stadium faithful, and the former midfielder admitted he was moved by the fans' response. "It was really touching, it's always nice to know you're appreciated," he added. Luca Marrone echoed the crowd's sentiments towards the coach, and added that his boss wasted no time in making his own feelings about the first-half performance known at half-time. "You could sense the crowd's affection for him from out there on the pitch," he told reporters. "We're delighted to have him back with us because he's such an important presence. He made his presence felt during the break today too! "We put in a good performance and we're glad to have made it through to the next round because we want to go all the way. "It's important for us to stay in all the competitions so that those who are featuring less get more opportunities to play."

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Conte: 'I was moved' Dec 12, 2012 Antonio Conte was “certainly moved” when saluting the Juventus fans after his first game back in Turin, while Cagliari Coach Ivo Pulga cursed a single slip. Tonight’s 1-0 Coppa Italia victory over Cagliari was Conte’s first home match since his four-month ban expired and he saluted the whole crowd, joining his players in rushing hand-in-hand towards the ultras. “I am certainly moved, as it is always very pleasing to have this show of affection from our fans,” confessed Conte. “Of course we wanted to get a victory, as we want to be competitive in every tournament. There were many lads who hadn’t played as much this season, but they had the chance to shine. “Cagliari were organised and now we wait for the Quarter-Finals, where our opponents will presumably be Milan.” The Rossoneri welcome Serie B side Reggina to San Siro tomorrow evening. Conte had to reshuffle his pack repeatedly, as Emanuele Giaccherini pulled out in the warm-up, his replacement Arturo Vidal bruised his knee and Nicklas Bendtner was stretchered off with a muscular problem. “It’s a shame, as Giaccherini felt unwell before kick-off and so I needed Arturo to play. He then got a knee problem, while Bendtner’s problem is muscular. It’s a shame, as you want to try new faces.” The tie was decided only by a Sebastian Giovinco goal, as he took advantage of defender Luca Rossettini’s error. “It was a fine performance and the lads showed there are no second choice players at Cagliari,” said Coach Pulga. “We’re happy with the performance, not the result, as the goal was unlucky. One of our players slipped and they took advantage.”

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Player Ratings The home team triumphed and move into the Coppa Italia last eight with a narrow victory in Turin, earned thanks to a single goal from Sebastian Giovinco. Dec 12, 2012 JUVENTUS Gianluigi Buffon - A very comfortable evening for the keeper, with one save from Dessena about as busy at it got. Leonardo Bonucci - Stood out primarily for his creative rather than defensive talents. A perfect ball over the top nearly set up Giovinco, before Bendtner should have buried his cross. Andrea Barzagli - Flawless in the middle of defence, always there to stop Cagliari in their tracks on the rare occasions they ventured forward. Mauricio Isla - It was the Chilean's cross that put in motion the move that handed Juve the lead. Solid performance, even if he did not get forward as much as he would have liked. Paolo De Ceglie - Revelled in the freedom afforded to him as he marauded down the left. Frightened the visitors on more than one opportunity with his dribbling. Luca Marrone - The centre-back proved an able replacement for Chiellini as the first choice was rested, tackling strongly and rarely being caught out. Arturo Vidal - The Chilean was a late inclusion following Giaccherini's injury, but did not manage to complete the first 45 minutes before being taken off with his own complaint. Paul Pogba - Continues to impress following his move from Manchester United. Strong, assured and confident in the middle, with an obvious talent for both the simple and eye-catching pass. Simone Padoin - Great pressuring on Rossettini to force the error that opened the way for Giovinco. Used the ball well around the Cagliari area. Sebastian Giovinco - A livewire for the home team, constantly probing and testing the Cagliari backline even if the final product was at times suspect. Classy finish to open the scoring. Nicklas Bendtner - A frustrating evening for the on-loan striker. Missed more than one chance to break his duck for Juve, before being forced off towards the end of the first half. Substitutions Kwadwo Asamoah - A low-key yet effective performance from the winger, who was pressed into service due to Vidal's injury. Alessandro Matri - Came in for Bendtner just before the break, and suffered the same profligacy in front of the net as the Dane. CAGLIARI Vlada Avramov - Made a handful of key saves and had little chance to stop Giovinco's winner, as the Juventus forward advanced on goal unchallenged. Luca Rossettini - Paid dearly for a lack of concentration in his own box, as Giovinco stole in to decide proceedings with the game's only goal. Gabriele Perico - Battled without pause to keep the Turin side at bay in his own box, but flashed one effort wide at the other end that could have changed the game. Nicola Murru - Too often caught out of position, leaving Cagliari vulnerable to the long ball over the top. Dario Del Fabro - Struggled with the movement of first Bendtner, then Matri, although the pair's lack of confidence in front of goal meant his hesitation was forgiven. Sebastian Eriksson - Was one of the more lively players in the Rossoblu, creating several chances that were not seized upon by his colleagues. Albin Ekdal - Given a lot of trouble by Giovinco's running from deep early on, although composed himself to improve as the game progressed. Pablo Ceppelini - The young Uruguayan showed flashes of his potential with some assured passing, although he looked lightweight at times in the face of fierce pressure. Thiago Ribeiro - An all-too anonymous display from the Brazilian forward, who could not repeat his hat-trick heroics of the previous round. Víctor Ibarbo - Flashes of excellence from the former Atletico Nacional wonderkid, whose determined play almost allowed Pinilla a way to goal. Mauricio Pinilla - A tireless display from the battling forward, but could not find the precision in front of goal to match his impressive work-rate. Substitutions Daniele Dessena - The midfielder's entry coincided with a more dynamic, confident Cagliari effort, although it ultimately proved insufficient to turn around the game. Marco Piredda - A late substitution for Ceppelini, but he could not force a draw.

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Juventus suffer multiple injury blows Dec 12, 2012 Juventus have been dealt a number of injury problems following Wednesday's Coppa Italia victory over Cagliari. Arturo Vidal was forced off with a knee problem in the early stages of the match having come in as a last-minute replacement for Emanuele Giaccherini. Nicklas Bendtner could also be facing a spell on the sidelines for the Serie A champions after coming off during the first half. Sebastian Giovinco scored the only goal of the game at the Juventus Stadium to put Antonio Conte's side through to the quarter-finals.

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Juve through to last eight Dec 12, 2012 Juventus booked their place in the last eight of the Coppa Italia with a narrow 1-0 victory over Cagliari. Sebastian Giovinco scored the only goal of the night in the 57th minute as the Old Lady squeezed into the next round at the expense of their Serie A rivals. In the night's other last-16 tie, Catania needed penalties to see off Parma after playing out a 1-1 draw after extra time. Dorlan Pabon gave Parma the lead after 12 minutes but Francesco Lodi equalised from the penalty spot seven minutes later. The remaining 101 minutes failed to deliver a second goal, so the tie was settled on penalties, with Catania prevailing 4-3 after Parma's Marco Parolo and Gabriel Paletta failed from 12 yards.

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Conte counts cost of first win back in Turin The Old Lady triumphed in their last-16 encounter thanks to Giovinco's well-taken strike, but no less than three players were ruled out of action in a worrying sight for the coach. Dec 12, 2012 A single goal from Sebastian Giovinco was enough to put Juventus into the quarter-final of the Coppa Italia, as they overcame Cagliari 1-0 in Turin on Wednesday evening. Celebrations for the home team were muted, however, as they suffered injuries to Emanuele Giaccherini, Arturo Vidal and Nicklas Bendtner before and during the match that could stretch their squad to breaking point in the coming weeks. Juve coach Antonio Conte was given a rousing reception by home fans as he returned to the bench in Turin for the first time following his suspension, and the hosts wasting no time in piling the pressure onto Cagliari. The first-half was almost completely one-sided in terms of possession and territory, but the Sardinians were pardoned on more than one occasion by their rivals' imprecision in front of goal. The lively Sebastian Giovinco was a constant thorn in the side of the Rossoblu, and after narrowly missing with an early free-kick the youngster was given an excellent chance to open the scoring. Giovinco read perfectly Leonardo Bonucci's lofted pass to break a faltering offside trap, but with the ball running away from him he could only release an underpowered shot that posed few problems for Cagliari keeper Avramov. Nicklas Bendtner also went close, flashing an effort past the post after fluid build-up from the Bianconeri. It was not to be the ex-Arsenal man's night, as he struggled in vain to open his account for the Italian club. Bonucci again inspired an opportunity with a well-hit cross as play broke down following a corner, but with no markers in his vicinity Bendtner steered his header wide of the post. As half-time approached, the Dane broke down and was forced off, Alessandro Matri coming in to the action. Opportunities for the visitors were few and far between. Gabriele Perico briefly threatened Gianluigi Buffon's goal, but could only blaze over the bar after being played in by Sebastian Eriksson. Juve finished the first 45 minutes well on top, but a pair of injuries left a sombre mood; as well as Bendtner, Emanuele Giaccherini was forced out of contention during the warm-up, and his replacement Arturo Vidal was another casualty after pulling up with a muscle complaint. Despite those setbacks, Conte's charges continued their quest to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Coppa, and Matri caused a stir when he headed Giovinco's free-kick just wide of the net. The pressure was building, and with 10 minutes gone in the second-half Juve scored a decisive strike. A low cross from the home team appeared simple to clear for Luca Rossettini, but the defender dawdled for far too long in getting rid of the ball. Juve took full advantage; Simone Padoin dispossessed his rival, and it fell to Giovinco who jiinked past the remaining markers to net the opening goal. Having withstood the Serie A leaders for almost an hour, Cagliari would now have to drastically change their game plan, and come out for the first time to chase a result in Turin. Daniele Dessena almost provided an instant response for the Sardinian institution, but the substitute saw his shot saved with class by the ever-reliable Buffon. Hopes were also briefly raised when Perico fired the ball into the far post, only to be extinguished once more as Mauricio Pinilla just failed to meet it with a despairing lunge. With 15 minutes remaining, Cagliari were given perhaps their best chance of the match. Pablo Cepellini fired across the box following tenacious work from Victor Ibarbo in winning back possession, but his centre was diverted wide by Pinilla who looked anguished at squandering the opportunity. Juventus were in no mood to surrender their narrow advantage, and held on to book a place in the next round and keep their dreams of a third domestic double alive. The Bianconeri become the third team to book their place in the quarter-final, joining Catania and Roma in the last-eight. Five more ties are still to be decided, with Milan and Reggina continuing the round on Wednesday evening.

Coppa Italia - Last of 16 - 12-12-2012 (9:00 p.m.) 1 - 0 Sebastian Giovinco (57′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Referee: Marco Guida Coppa: Juve squeeze past Cagliari Sebastian Giovinco’s goal allowed Juventus to squeeze past Cagliari 1-0 in the Coppa Italia, but Arturo Vidal was one of three players who picked up injuries. Dec 12, 2012 The Bianconeri’s first Coppa Italia tie of the season was also Coach Antonio Conte’s first at the Juventus Stadium since his four-match ban in the betting scandal expired. A huge banner read: ‘Welcome back to our leader, though you never really left.’ Fabio Quagliarella and Marco Storari were suspended, but Nicklas Bendtner, Paul Pogba and Luca Marrone were given rare starts. Cagliari left many of their top stars behind, using a very attack-minded 4-2-3-1 system. Giovinco, who was sporting a new beard, sprung the offside trap only to aim the finish weakly into the goalkeeper’s arms. Bendtner also blasted wide, but there was bad news when Vidal pulled up by himself in midfield and limped off with a suspected knee problem. Vidal had already been a last-minute replacement for Emanuele Giaccherini, who picked up an injury in the warm-up. Bendtner thought he’d scored his first Juve goal, but again Vlada Avramov was able to parry. The Dane on loan from Arsenal headed a Leonardo Bonucci cross into the ground and back over from close range. Giovinco had hooked a long ball over the top to go clear on goal when incorrectly ruled offside, though Avramov had also read his lob. A Giovinco shot was accidentally charged down by teammate Paolo De Ceglie in the box, as Juve fans started to grumble from the stands. Bendtner then crumpled to the ground during a counter-attack and immediately called for a substitution. He was stretchered off for ex-Cagliari star Alessandro Matri, the third forced change for Conte this evening. Juventus finally broke the deadlock just shy of the hour mark, as Luca Rossettini didn’t clear Simone Padoin’s cross effectively, so Giovinco pounced and dribbled forward to slot in at the near post. Cagliari had their first shot on goal after 59 minutes, as Gigi Buffon got down to palm a Daniele Dessena strike round the upright. Ceppelini won back possession in the box to roll across for Mauricio Pinilla, who turned wide under pressure from Leonardo Bonucci. Giovinco and Matri blasted off target, while Rossettini nodded a free kick past the post. A Juve corner ricocheted off several legs – including the referee – before it was put back out again. Matri’s glancing header from a Giovinco corner flashed across the face of goal. Thiago Ribeiro went on the counter and collapsed on the edge of the box under a Bonucci challenge, but was booked for simulation and admitted to his dive. Juventus go through to face the winners of Milan-Reggina in the Quarter-Final next month. Juventus 1-0 Cagliari Scorers: Giovinco 57 (J) JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Marrone, Bonucci; Isla, Padoin, Pogba, Vidal (Asamoah 16), De Ceglie; Bendtner (Matri 44), Giovinco CAGLIARI: Avramov; Perico, Rossettini, Del Fabro, Murru; Eriksson, Ekdal (Dossena 46); Ibarbo, Ceppelini (Piredda 77), Thiago Ribeiro; Pinilla Ref: Guida