Socrates

Coppa Italia - Ottavi di finale - 12-12-2012 (ore 21:00) - Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Marco Guida Verso Juventus-Cagliari: Conte si affida a Buffon e lancia Bendtner, rossoblù col 4-2-3-1. Ampio turn over in entrambe le formazioni per questo ottavo di finale della Coppa Italia. I bianconeri schierano Giovinco accanto al danese. Nel Cagliari molti Primavera in campo. 12 Dicembre, 2012 PROBABILI FORMAZIONI JUVENTUS Buffon Barzagli - Bonucci - Marrone Isla - Giaccherini - Pogba - Padoin - De Ceglie Giovinco - Bendtner ------------------------------------------------- Pinilla Ibarbo - Thiago Ribeiro - Cepellini Casarini - Ekdal Perico - Rossettini - Del Fabro - Murru Avramov CAGLIARI QUI JUVENTUS Conte torna in panchina allo 'Juventus Stadium' e mischia le carte. In porta il secondo Storari è squalificato, ci sarà Buffon con Rubinho pronto a subentrare nella ripresa. In difesa Bonucci partirà dal primo minuto, dato che salterà per squalifica il prossimo match di campionato, affiancato da Barzagli e da Marrone, recuperato (non convocato Caceres). A centrocampo spazio per Pogba al posto di Pirlo, con Padoin e Giaccherini interni. Sulle fasce agiranno invece Isla e De Ceglie. Davanti il tecnico salentino lancia il danese Bendtner, affiancato da Giovinco. QUI CAGLIARI Anche Pulga e Lopez scelgono il turnover, lanciando nel match anche alcuni ragazzi della Primavera. Spazio dunque a chi gioca meno: a difendere i la porta ci sarà Avramov, supportato dalla difesa formata dai baby Murru e Del Fabro, con Rossettini e Perico. In mediana Casarini ed Ekdal, davanti Cepellini, Thiago Ribeiro ed Ibarbo saranno i tre trequartisti dietro al 'puntero' Pinilla. IL MOMENTO La Juventus arriva con la rosa quasi al completo, dopo aver ritrovato la carica del proprio allenatore in panchina. L'ultima vittoria in campionato dei bianconeri ha consolidato il primato in classifica, dopo aver anche vinto il girone di Champions League: per cui le energie ora possono essere trasferite tutte negli ottavi di Coppa Italia. I rossoblù arrivano invece da un periodo difficile, dopo aver incassato la terza sconfitta consecutiva contro il Chievo, la seconda tra le mura amiche di 'Is Arenas'. Gli uomini di Pulga e Lopez cercano dunque riscatto in coppa, sul difficile campo dello 'Juventus Stadium'. LA CHIAVE L'ampio turn over che i due allenatori hanno deciso di effettuare potrebbe stravolgere ogni pronostico. Avrà sicuramente la meglio la formazione che saprà meglio sopperire allo stravolgimento tecnico-tattico dell'ossatura di squadra, inevitabile quando si cambiano quasi tutti gli uomini negli undici titolari. Farà poi la differenza anche la voglia che le seconde linee metteranno in campo. I PROTAGONISTI Nella Juventus occasione importante per il danese Bendtner, che non ha ancora convinto nelle poche apparizioni bianconere. A centrocampo ci si aspetta molto da Pogba, che invece ha già mostrato lampi di alta classe quando è stato chiamato in causa. Nel Cagliari gli osservati speciali sono i due attaccanti Pinilla e Ibarbo, con quest'ultimo sembrato in ottima forma nei sedicesimi contro il Pescara. Testa a Testa Serie A ‎- 06/mag/2012 - Cagliari 0 - Juventus 2 Serie A ‎- 15/gen/2012 - Juventus 1 - Cagliari 1 Serie A ‎- 05/feb/2011 - Cagliari 1 - Juventus 3 Serie A ‎- 26/set/2010 - Juventus 4 - Cagliari 2 Serie A ‎- 11/apr/2010 - Juventus 1 - Cagliari 0 Ultime 5 Partite JUVENTUS 09/dic/2012 - Palermo 0 - Juventus 1 - Serie A 05/dic/2012 - Shakhtar 0 - Juventus 1 - UCL 01/dic/2012 - Juventus 3 - Torino 0 - Serie A 25/nov/2012 - Milan 1 - Juventus 0 - Serie A 20/nov/2012 - Juventus 3 - Chelsea FC 0 - UCL Cagliari 09/dic/2012 - Cagliari 0 - Chievo 2 - Serie A 05/dic/2012 - Cagliari 4 - Pescara 2 - Coppa Italia 02/dic/2012 - Udinese 4 - Cagliari 1 - Serie A 26/nov/2012 - Cagliari 0 - Napoli 1 - Serie A 18/nov/2012 - Inter 2 - Cagliari 2 - Serie A Previsione Juventus 3 - 1 Cagliari

Coppa Italia - Ottavi di finale - 12-12-2012 (ore 21:00) - Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Marco Guida Confronti ufficiali 72 - 64 (Serie A) - 6 (Coppa Italia) - 2 (Coppa Uefa) Vittorie Juventus 31 - 29 (Serie A) - 2 (Coppa Italia) Pareggi 27 - 24 (Serie A) - 3 (Coppa Italia) Vittorie Cagliari 14 - 11 (Serie A) - 1 (Coppa Italia) - 2 (Coppa Uefa) Goals Juventus 89 - 80 (Serie A) - 8 (Coppa Italia) - 1 (Coppa Uefa) Goals Cagliari 62 - 54 (Serie A) - 5 (Coppa Italia) - 3 (Coppa Uefa) Juventus - Cagliari - Coppa Italia a Torino Confronti ufficiali 2 Vittorie Juventus 0 Pareggi 2 (L'ultimo il 06.05.1987, 2-2) Vittorie Cagliari 0 Goals Juventus 3 Goals Cagliari 3 Giocatori con più presenze e goals in Coppa Italia contro il Cagliari a Torino 1 presenza Anzolin Roberto 1 Benetti Romeo 1 Bercellino I Giancarlo 1 Bonetti Ivano 1 Bonini Massimo 1 Briaschi Massimo 1 Brio Sergio 1 Buso Renato 1 Caricola Nicola 1 Del Sol Luis 1 goal Bercellino I Giancarlo 1 Platini Michel 1 Soldà Roberto Ultimi confronti diretti 02.09.2007 Serie A Cagliari-Juventus 2-3 03.02.2008 Serie A Juventus-Cagliari 1-1 21.09.2008 Serie A Cagliari-Juventus 0-1 31.01.2009 Serie A Juventus-Cagliari 2-3 29.11.2009 Serie A Cagliari-Juventus 2-0 11.04.2010 Serie A Juventus-Cagliari 1-0 26.09.2010 Serie A Juventus-Cagliari 4-2 05.02.2011 Serie A Cagliari-Juventus 1-3 15.01.2012 Serie A Juventus-Cagliari 1-1 06.05.2012 Serie A Cagliari-Juventus 0-2 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 6 - Pareggi 2 - Vittorie Cagliari 2 - Goals Juventus 18 - Goals Cagliari 12

Serie A - 16^ Giornata - Andata - 9-12-2012 (ore 15:00) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) Stadio "Renzo Barbera" - Palermo Arbitro: Andrea De Marco Spettatori: 17000 Serie A - La Juve festeggia il ritorno di Conte Vittoria al rientro in panchina per Antonio Conte. Decide il match di Palermo la rete di Lichsteiner ad inizio secondo tempo, perfettamente servito da un colpo di tacco di Vucinic. Bianconeri sempre primi. Due pali per Vucinic, migliore in campo. Eurosport - Domenica, 9 dicembre 2012 Bentornato Antonio Conte. Riparte da dove aveva lasciato l’allenatore bianconero. Era il giorno dell’addio di Del Piero e allo Juventus Stadium si giocava l’ultima di campionato, Juventus-Atalanta. I bianconeri festeggiavano lo Scudetto. Ora, dopo sei mesi da quel momento e dopo quattro mesi di squalifica, il rientro in campionato del tecnico pugliese, è coinciso con una nuova vittoria della Juve, sempre più prima in classifica a quota 38 punti. Il gol che decide la partita, giocata in un campo ai limiti della praticabilità, lo segna lo svizzero Lichsteiner, sontuosamente servito da Vucinic di tacco ad inizio secondo tempo. I padroni di casa, ordinati, ma troppo rinunciatari, nel finale sono anche rimasti in dieci uomini per l’espulsione di Morganella (doppia ammonizione). Con i tre punti conquistati la Juve può guardare più serenamente alla super sfida Inter-Napoli, godendosi il ritorno del suo allenatore in panchina. Il suo bilancio alla guida della Juve da bordo campo in Serie A è impressionante: 24 vittorie e 15 pareggi in 39 giornate. PALERMO ORDINATO, JUVE ASSONNATA. Conte torna in panchina dopo quattro mesi, ma inizialmente la sua squadra non sembra la solita. Le fatiche di Champions e l’ottima organizzazione tattica impostata da Gasperini, frenano i bianconeri, che appaiono stranamente imprecisi. Non basta la solita splendida prestazione di Vidal e di tutta la difesa per riuscire a sbloccare la partita nei primi 45 minuti. Vucinic non si intende praticamente mai con Matri e così la difesa rosanero, ben guidata da Donati, riesce a non soffrire, concedendo solo un paio di grandi occasioni alla Juve, nelle quali Ujkani è sempre attento. Miccoli è troppo solo in avanti e così, nonostante l’ordine, il Palermo non impensierisce praticamente mai la retroguardia ospite, risultando a tratti eccessivamente rinunciatario. MATRI SFIDUCIATO, BRAVO UJKANI. Quando un attaccante con il fisico di Matri gioca poco e non riesce a segnare, le cose si complicano. L’ariete bianconero, seppur generoso, gioca sfiduciato e con evidenti limiti fisici (lento, impacciato, sempre in ritardo). Non basta il campo non in perfette condizioni, appesantito dalla pioggia, a scusare il bel Alessandro, che spreca la fiducia di Conte, venendo costantemente anticipato da Munoz e Von Bergen e sprecando la più grande occasione della prima frazione: Vidal lo trova al 43’ solo in area, ma l’attaccante si fa stoppare da Ujkani a tu per tu. Il portiere albanese era già stato protagonista poco prima, fermando un destro di Marchisio. Sulla respinta Vucinic aveva colpito il palo da due passi, rimandando il possibile vantaggio. Lo 0-0 di fine primo tempo conferma le difficoltà mentali della Juve dopo aver giocato la Champions e il corretto assetto tattico trovato da Gasperini quando i rosanero giocano in casa. LA SBLOCCA LICHSTEINER, MA CHE VUCINIC. Ad inizio ripresa la svolta. Subito Vucinic si inventa un gran sinistro e colpisce il palo e, dopo altri due minuti (siamo al 5’) con uno splendido colpo di tacco manda in porta Lichsteiner, bravo nel superare Ujkani, siglando il suo secondo gol in campionato. Lo 0-1 non scuote il Palermo, che non riesce quasi mai a rendersi pericoloso. La Juve invece va ancora vicina al gol con Pogba (ottimo il suo ingresso al posto di Vidal), con il solito Vucinic (geniale quando non deve fare gol) e con Bendtner, subentrato a Matri. Nel finale l’espulsione di Morganella per doppia ammonizione, chiude definitivamente il match, sancendo la vittoria bianconera. Tre punti importanti, che tengono Inter e Napoli a distanza di sicurezza. Conte non poteva festeggiare in miglior modo il suo ritorno: la sua grande esultanza sotto la curva bianconera a fine partita testimonia quanto abbia sofferto in questi mesi lontano dalla panchina. Con lui, la Juve, ha ritrovato il dodicesimo uomo in campo. Enrico Turcato - Eurosport Palermo 0 - 1 Juventus

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000 Bonucci banned after dive Dec 11, 2012 Leonardo Bonucci has been fined and banned for one match after his yellow card for simulation during Juventus’ League match at Palermo. The defender was booked during the Bianconeri’s 1-0 win at the Renzo Barbera for a dive taken in the penalty area. Apologising afterwards, the Italy international has now faced action from the Italian game’s governing body, for what also proved to be his eighth yellow card of the season already. Bonucci was already on a warning for previous conduct in the season and has now been hit by the FIGC’s disciplinary committee with a €2,000 fine and a one-game suspension. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Leali targets Buffon's place at Juventus within three years The Italy Under-19 star is determined to succeed at the Serie A champions in the long term, but has nothing but praise for the current Juve stopper. Dec 11, 2012 Young goalkeeper Nicola Leali aims to take Gianluigi Buffon's place between the sticks at Juventus in three years' time. The 19-year-old, who is seen as one of Europe's most promising shot stoppers, joined the Bianconeri from Brescia in the summer transfer window, but was immediately farmed out on loan to Lanciano for the 2012-13 campaign. Leali is confident that he has what it takes to succeed at Juventus in the long term though, and is desperate to eventually replace Buffon. "I would happily sign for it now to become Buffon's heir in three years' time," Leali was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. "He is an idol for me. I still look back at my time with him and [Marco] Storari in the dressing room at the start of the season with pride. I was impressed by everything he did. "It would already be a dream for me to return to Juventus to be Buffon's back-up." Leali has a contract with Juventus until the summer of 2017.

Agnelli: 2012 only the first step for Juventus The Bianconeri president believes their Scudetto win last season will be the start of something special for the club and urged his side to focus on the challenges ahead. Dec 10, 2012 Andrea Agnelli says Juventus' success in 2012 "was just the first step" on their route to becoming a footballing powerhouse once again. The Old Lady pipped AC Milan to the Serie A title by four points and remained unbeaten throughout the entire campaign. They have since followed that up with a flying start to their current domestic campaign - topping the table by four points and qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages as group winners - much to the delight of Agnelli. "This year has been great," he told reporters. "We are very proud of what we have achieved. But it is important to think about the next targets. We won't stop now, the 2012 Scudetto was just the first step of our route."

Chiellini targeting Champions League & Scudetto this season The Italy international believes that a double for the Bianconeri is a realistic aim this season, having knocked out reigning European champions Chelsea earlier this month. Dec 10, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has revealed he is targeting Champions League success to go with another potential Serie A triumph. The Bianconeri won the Scudetto last season and top the table with the winter break imminent, ahead of the likes of Inter, Napoli, Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina. Last week they beat Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine to top a tricky Group E and knock out reigning European champions Chelsea, and Chiellini has revealed that confidence is rising that the double is within reach in 2013. "We did something special last year winning Scudetto and now we are trying to insist in that way," he told Tuttosport. "The most beautiful thing is that we are improving game after game: last year someone said we were good just because we didn't player European cups. "Our first target is Serie A, than we hope to go as far as possible in Champions League. But after recent results, it's logical that we can start thinking about the double. But we must stay concentrated."

Buffon: I do not want a long Juventus contract The Bianconeri goalkeeper believes he has just a few years left at the top level, and stressed how much energy is being drained from the players by their European clashes. Dec 10, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he wants to renew his Juventus contract but does not want it to be a long extension. The Italy international has been at the Turin-based club since 2001, when he joined from Parma, and he was key to their Serie A success last season. Buffon believes that he has a few years left at the Juventus Stadium, at the very least, but wants to avoid becoming just an average shot-stopper by resting on his laurels. "I’m convinced I can remain at a high level for another two or three years and I’d be better suited on a short contract, but I'll talk with them," the 34-year-old told Mediaset Premium. "I’ve had a huge career and do not want to lie down on a long deal, I want to feel more on my toes, otherwise I’d become just a ‘normal’ goalkeeper." Juve beat Palermo 1-0 on Sunday and Buffon has revealed that part of the reason behind their lack of a resounding victory could be the effort being put into their Champions League progress, having topped their group with a 1-0 away win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night. "The European commitment there is taking a lot of energy, especially mentally," the Italian admitted. "It’s not easy to make a commitment during the week and then [on] the Sunday have the same stimulation to perform."

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000 Conte: Maybe I am a little special, like my extraordinary Juventus players The Bianconeri boss marked his return to the dugout in Sunday's win over Palermo, and he admits that if the saga had happened last year, he and the club would have parted company. Dec 10, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes the response he and his players showed during his suspension for his alleged involvement in the Scommessopoli scandal proves the club is "special". The 43-year-old has been banned from leading his side on matchdays for the past four months after being charged with failure to report two instances of match-fixing while in charge of Siena. However, he made his return in the Old Lady's 1-0 victory at Palermo on Sunday, and after the game thanked his players for helping him through his absence from Serie A for so long. "It's inevitable that when you are away on the pitch - the smell of grass, as I defined it three or four weeks ago - for so long, it is a pain," Conte said on Sky Sports Italia. "You do miss something, even if you work with the team throughout the week. "But, I had to face this situation and I think it was a learning experience in so many ways. And I think the team has responded extraordinarily. "I want to thank the players, because for me to be able to do in four months what I have done means that I have some special players. Special is the company and maybe I’m a little 'special' too." The Bianconeri trainer believes the experience would have proven too painful a year ago - to the point that both parties would have severed ties. "It is inevitable that it causes you pain when you're away from the pitch for such a long time, even if you get to work with the team during the week," Conte told reporters after the match. "You miss the emotions of the game, but I have been forced to face this situation, and I hope that it was at least helpful to strengthen my character. "When you do your job with the passion and enthusiasm that I bring to it, then being out of the game after so much preparation can make you feel as if you're missing something. "Of course, I prefer to train the side during the week and not attend the dugout than having nothing to do with them at all. "I was able to get to know certain people better and the experience fortified me. There is a little positive in being behind a glass wall in the stands. "If this ban had happened last year, it would’ve been the end for me and Juventus." Conte's assistants Massimo Carrera and Angelo Alessio oversaw the club's affairs while he sat out his suspension, and the Lecce native reserved praise for the way his right-hand men handled first-team affairs in his absence. "The team reacted in an extraordinary manner and I thank the players because they really are special," he added. "So is the club and perhaps so am I. "I am fortunate enough to have great staff, as Massimo Carrera and Angelo Alessio did brilliantly in replacing me and giving orders from the touchline. "The fact we are so in sync with each other allowed us to deal with the situation in the best way possible." Stephan Lichtsteiner's strike proved the difference at the Renzo Barbera, but Conte insists the Bianconeri's profligacy in front of goal could have ultimately cost them. "We have got to score more goals, and if Palermo had equalised, then we would have gone into a training camp for two days," the former Italy midfielder remarked. "We have to be more clinical, as a free kick can change everything and that would’ve been criminal." http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Palermo tracking Marrone too Dec 10, 2012 Luca Marrone is once more being linked with a January loan move out of Juventus, with Palermo said to be the latest interested party. The Rosanero’s CEO Pietro Lo Monaco is reported by today’s Corriere dello Sport as intent on strengthening his club’s midfield during the winter break and has identified the Bianconeri’s 22-year-old as an ideal addition. Udinese, Genoa and Atalanta are all also listed as still tracking the Juve youth product, who has made four appearances for the League leaders this season. That lack of playing time is thought why a long list is forming to take him in January, but Coach Antonio Conte is seen as a barrier to any potential move, having been repeatedly reported as keen to block any potential exit of Marrone in mid-season.

Scudetto a ‘first step’ for Juve Dec 10, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli insists that his club is still hungry for honours after the Scudetto win last term. “We won’t stop here,” Agnelli noted on Monday afternoon. “Our championship success last term was just the first step of a journey.” Last term’s League triumph was the club’s first since they were stripped of the 2005 and 2006 Calciopoli titles. The Old Lady are currently top of the Serie A table again and last week confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. They will entertain Cagliari in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, before taking on Atalanta in Turin at the weekend.

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000 Lichtsteiner rues missed chances Dec 10, 2012 Stephan Lichtsteiner insists that Juventus should have locked up the three points well before he netted the only goal of the game at Palermo. The Old Lady created numerous scoring opportunities in Sicily, but had to wait until a second-half strike from the Swiss international to break the deadlock. “We should have put the game to bed earlier, but sometimes it’s not that straightforward against certain teams,” he stated. The win for Juventus allowed them to maintain their grip on first place and also meant that boss Antonio Conte made a winning return to the bench following his suspension. “It was important to win, also for Conte, in order to welcome him back with a success,” the former Lazio man commented. “I’ll take him and the entire team out for dinner, because we’ve won a complicated game, against a strong side, who don’t deserve to be where they are in the League.” Palermo are in relegation danger thanks to just 14 points from 16 games so far. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Bonucci: Milan loss has made us grow Dec 10, 2012 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has praised his side after they claimed a 1-0 win against Palermo on Sunday. Stephan Lichtsteiner grabbed the winner for the Bianconeri and the Italy international has congratulated his teammates, as well as commenting on the Coppa Italia match with Cagliari on Wedensday. “It was a great Juve performance,” he told the club's official website. “We have shown that the loss to Milan has made us grow as a team. “The only drawback from the game was we needed to be more clinical. “Now we have the Coppa Italia – it is an important match for us and is one of the objectives for our season. “We will give 110% to win.”

Bendtner: Who shot Bonucci? Dec 10, 2012 Nicklas Bendtner has poked fun at Juventus teammate Leonardo Bonucci for his attempts to win a penalty with a dive at Palermo. The centre-back went down in theatrical fashion at the Stadio Barbera which only resulted in his booking. It seems that the incident amused Bendtner, who took to Twitter after the game with great amusement. He wrote: “Who shot Bonucci? Haha.” The Italian international apologised for his actions after the 1-0 win in Sicily. It proved to be a costly booking too as the player will now miss next week’s game against Atalanta.

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000‎ Buffon: 'Welcome back Conte' Dec 9, 2012 Gigi Buffon welcomed back Antonio Conte to the touchline and explained why he does not want a lengthy contract with Juventus. The Coach made his comeback after the four-month ban expired and was shouting from the bench during the 1-0 win in Palermo. “Conte’s presence is very important, even before kick-off. He ensures nobody can step on to the field lacking concentration or motivation. That’s practically impossible with Antonio! “We should’ve been more incisive with our attacks today, but winning is what counts and we achieved that. “The conditions were not helpful. Believe me, it is not as easy as it looks to be a goalkeeper in the rain when there are very few scoring opportunities, as you have to stay sharp.” Buffon is in negotiations to renew his contract with Juve, but revealed there are some unexpected problems. “We are getting close to finalising the deal, but we have to discuss the length, as I would like a short contract. “I don’t want to take anyone’s money without deserving it. I have had an important career and I think I can continue for another two or three years if I maintain certain motivation and targets. It’s about self-esteem too.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000 Bonucci sorry for dive Dec 9, 2012 Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has apologised for his embarrassing dive today. “That’ll teach me.” Bonucci was clear on goal in the final minutes of today’s 1-0 victory at Palermo when challenged by goalkeeper Samir Ujkani and let himself fall to the ground. “I was supposed to shoot, but then I got different ideas clogged in my head,” he wrote on Twitter. “I deserved that yellow card and set a bad example. That’ll teach me. As for the rest, it was a great victory.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000‎ Conte: 'Ban made me stronger' Dec 9, 2012 Antonio Conte was back on the Juventus bench after four months and hailed his “special players” for a victory in Palermo. “It is inevitable that it causes you pain when you’re away from the field for such a long time, even if you get to work with the team during the week,” said Conte. “You miss the emotions of the game, but I have been forced to face this situation and hope that it was at least helpful to build character. “The team reacted in an extraordinary manner and I thank the players, because they really are special. So is the club and perhaps so am I. I am fortunate enough to have a great staff, as Massimo Carrera and Angelo Alessio did brilliantly in replacing me and giving orders from the touchline. “The fact we are so in sync allowed us to deal with the situation in the best way possible.” The Coach had been banned for four months for failing to alert authorities to a potential fix when he was at Siena – charges he has always denied. “When you do your job with the passion and enthusiasm that I bring to it, then being out of the game after preparing it can make you feel as if you’re missing something. Of course, I prefer to train the side during the week and not lead the match rather than having nothing to do with them at all. “I was able to get to know certain people better and the experience fortified me. There is little positive in being behind a glass wall in the stands. “If this ban had happened last year, it would’ve been the end for me and for Juventus.” His comeback coincided with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Palermo, sealed by Stephan Lichtsteiner. “We have got to score more goals and if Palermo had equalised then we would’ve gone into a training camp for two days. We have to be more clinical, as a free kick can change everything and that would’ve been criminal.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 16 - 9-12-12 (3:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Stephan Lichtsteiner (50′) "Renzo Barbera" Stadium - Palermo Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 17000‎ Player Ratings The Old Lady had Stephan Lichsteiner to thank whose goal in the second half of a tightly- fought and icy cold encounter in the Sicily was enough to earn the champions victory.. Dec 9, 2012 PALERMO Samir Ujkani - Certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers and put in a decent display. Could not do too much about Lichtsteiner's winner. Ezequiel Muñoz - Like his defensive partners, Munoz was also solid at the back though he did struggle at times in his personal battles with Vucinic and Matri. Steve von Bergen - Had a strong showing at the back for Gasperini's side as he got stuck in and made a number of important tackles. Santiago García - Coped at times with the threat of Lichtsteiner, however, like Pisano he too found it difficult to provide much of an outlet for his side in attack. Eros Pisano - Struggled with the pace and physicality of Asamoah and was penned into his own half as a result. Subsequently, he failed to offer anything going forward and was rightly withdrawn at half time. Michel Morganella - A strong and physical presence in the middle for the Sicilians, but his passing left something to be desired. Was rightly sent off in the second half, leaving his side with a mountain to climb Edgar Barreto - Playing in the heart of midfield, he was overshadowed by the likes of Pirlo and Vidal. Still managed to get on the ball often, even if his effect on the game was minimal. Massimo Donati - The former Milan man marshaled the Palermo defence well, particularly in the opening period. Josip Iličič - The 24-year-old's pace was a threat for Palermo on the counter attack and he always tried to link up with Miccoli. Jasmin Kurtić - The Slovenian got on the ball often as he tried to direct proceedings for his side. Despite trying in vain, he did not perhaps affect the match as he would have liked. Fabrizio Miccoli - The diminutive striker was left rather isolated at times as Palermo often retreated deep with Juve pushing forward. However, when the ball did come his way he was dangerous and had a goal disallowed. Substitutions Viola - He may have only played for 15 minutes, but, he made as many tackles as anyone of his team-mates. Paulo Dybala - The young Argentine made an immediate impact when coming on in the second half with a good effort on goal. Franco Brienza - Came on for the ineffective Pisano at half-time and despite being a more offensive player, he too failed to really make an impact on the flank. JUVENTUS Gianluigi Buffon - The Italy captain did not have too much to do as Palermo were unable to get in behind the Juve defence. But he was comfortable when he was called into action. Giorgio Chiellini - Despite picking up a knock in the opening stages, he solidered on with great determination. Dealt comfortably with what Palermo offered going forward and was one of the reasons why they had so few goal-scoring chances. Andrea Barzagli - As ever, a physical presence at the back for Juve and a reliable inclusion on this particular afternoon. Went about his job dutifully against his former side. Leonardo Bonucci - The former Bari man was everywhere for the visitors. He was sound at the back, taking no chances, while he also surged forward at every opportunity. Stephan Lichtsteiner - The Swiss ruled on the right flank for the best part. He stormed forward at every chance while defensively he hardly put a foot wrong. Most importantly, he scored the decisive goal with a good touch and finish. Claudio Marchisio - It was a typically all-round performance from the combative midfielder, who had his chances to score while defensively he let nothing go by him. Andrea Pirlo - The Italian once again orchestrated the game for the visitors. Not known for his physical strength, he coped very well in what was at times a tightly contested squall in the middle of the park. Kwadwo Asamoah - The Ghanaian did not have his best outing, but, it was not his worst either. Got forward readily while he comfortably contained the limited threat of Pisano and later Brienza. Arturo Vidal - Was unstoppable in the first half, winning tackles while contributing much in an attacking sence. His superb tackle on Morganella before setting up Matri with a delightful through ball showed why he is so important to Juve. Worryingly, was withdrawn early in the second period due to an injury. Mirko Vučinić - Hit the woodwork in the first half, set up the winning goal with a delightful back-heeled pass and then came close again in the second period. The Montenegrin was Juve’s main attacking outlet and he did not disappoint. Alessandro Matri - The Italian has been a little goal-shy this season. Had a good chance in the first half to open the scoring, but saw his effort saved by Ujkani. Battled hard but was replaced with a quarter of an hour to go. Substitutions Paul Pogba - The Frenchman came on for Vidal and put in a decent showing. Got stuck in defensively though offered little in attack. Simone Padoin - Introduced for Lichtsteiner and went about helping his team secure all three points. Nicklas Bendtner - Almost opened his account for the club moments after coming on with a shot that just shaved the post. It proved to be his only contribution of note. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/