Socrates

Si scalda il nipotino di zio Antonio.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) HT: Juve fight back with Shakhtar Oct 2, 2012 Juventus have had a tough time in the first half of their Champions League match with Shakhtar Donetsk, fighting back to draw 1-1 with Leonardo Bonucci. The Juventus Stadium hosted its first European fixture against Mircea Lucescu’s Ukrainian side. The former Brescia Coach was the man who first brought a 15-year-old Andrea Pirlo into the first team and he had a full squad to choose from after beating Nordsjaelland 2-0. Alessandro Matri got the nod alongside Mirko Vucinic, as Simone Pepe was the only absentee. These sides have only met once before, when Juve won 3-0 at home and lost the second leg 1-0 in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup. Bizarrely considering this arena has been sold out for practically every game since opening, there were many empty seats in this Champions League home debut. It was Shakhtar who had the first chance when a ball was squared to the back post for Henrik Mkhitaryan, who turned wide under pressure from Giorgio Chiellini. Fernandinho drilled wide from distance, but Vucinic was incorrectly flagged offside when sent clear by Andrea Pirlo. Moments later, Alex Teixeira flashed a ball across the six-yard box and Willian fell under a Stephan Lichtenstein shirt-tug, but the referee waved play on. Vucinic hit a taut slightly deflected pass across the face of goal and Matri was inches away from getting a toe to it. Gigi Buffon smothered at the feet of the dribbling Teixeira, then Claudio Marchisio ran on to a Pirlo ball over the top and fired over on the half-volley. Shakhtar had been the more dangerous side and took a deserved lead on 23 minutes. The first shot by Willian was charged down, but he passed it back to the onside Teixeira to drive in off the underside of the crossbar from eight yards. Juve fought back and Yaroslav Rakitskiy threw himself at Matri’s shot to block. However, from the resulting corner Pirlo passed back to the unmarked Leonardo Bonucci to smash under the bar from 14 yards. It was a wonderful strike and clearly practiced on the training ground. Arturo Vidal was blocked, but Matri picked up the loose ball and hit a ferocious effort straight at Andriy Pyatov. The Bianconeri pushed harder towards half-time and had more possession than in their rather shaky start to the match. In stoppages they nearly scored from another corner, as this time Bonucci’s glancing header was hoofed off the line by goalkeeper Pyatov’s outstretched foot. Juventus 1-1 Shakhtar (Half-Time) Scorers: Teixeira 23 (S), Bonucci 26 (J) Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Matri, Vucinic Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschman; Mkhitaryan, Willian, Alex Teixeira; Luiz Adriano Ref: Nijhuis (HOL)

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Marotta sad at empty seats Oct 2, 2012 Beppe Marotta expressed his disappointment at empty seats for the Champions League debut at the Juventus Stadium. Tonight is the first time the arena has hosted a European fixture, but there are whole sections of empty seats against Shakhtar Donetsk and only 30,000 tickets sold. “In truth, 30,000 paying attendees are a considerable number of people. We have many supporters who live outside the city and it is Tuesday, so that creates problems,” the director general told Sky Sport Italia. “Perhaps we deserved a different atmosphere, but we know there are many watching at home, just as the passion of those in the stadium will be felt.” It is particularly surprising considering the Juventus Stadium is regularly sold out for Serie A games, but the tickets for the Champions League fixture were considerably more expensive.

Asamoah si sveglia

Schema collaudato Pirlo-Lichtsteiner

Matri in bocca al portiere

Meno male

C'é qualcuno che ha un link?

Mircea Lucescu é una vecchia volpe della panchina

Costano troppo

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Line-ups: Juventus-Shakhtar Oct 2, 2012 Juventus welcome Shakhtar Donetsk in their first Champions League home game with Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri up front. This is the first European match to be hosted by the Juventus Stadium since it opened a year ago and comes after an impressive 2-2 draw at Chelsea. Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk have won their last 19 League games and beat Nordsjaelland 2-0 in their Champions League opener. These sides have only met once before, when Juve won 3-0 at home and lost the second leg 1-0 in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup. Neither side has particular injury problems going into the game, as only Simone Pepe is ruled out. Matri and Vucinic are chosen as the front pair, while Nicklas Bendtner does not even merit a spot on the bench. Luiz Adriano, Alex Teixeira and Willian lend a South American style to the Ukrainian attack. Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Matri, Vucinic Juventus bench: Storari, Lucio, Caceres, Pogba, Giaccherini, Giovinco, Quagliarella Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat; Fernandinho, Hubschman; Mkhitaryan, Willian, Alex Teixeira; Luiz Adriano Shakhtar Donetsk bench: Kanibolotskiy, Shevchuk, Stepanenko, Kobin, Gai, Ilsinho, Eduardo

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Juventus opt for Matri and Vucinic in attack versus Shakhtar The Italian and Montenegrin will lead the frontline for the Serie A champions as they make their home bow in this season's Champions League. Oct 2, 2012 Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic will lead the line for Juventus on Tuesday evening in their home return to the Champions League versus Shakhtar Donetsk. The duo will be tasked with firing the Serie A side - who have started their domestic campaign in superb form - to victory over the Ukrainian outfit in Turin. Behind the pairing, the formidable midfield trio of Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo are all present. For Shakhtar Donetsk, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be the main threat, supported by an able attacking trio of Luiz Adriano, Willian, and Alex Texeira. Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Marchisio, Vidal, Pirlo, Asamoah; Matri, Vucinic Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Rat; Hubschman, Fernandinho; Alex Texeira, Willian, Luiz Adriano; Mkhitaryan

Pirlo must only play once a week if Juventus want to make a real Champions League challenge The midfielder's sluggish start to the season should provoke the Bianconeri to rethink their policy on how they use the ageing Italian around their European campaign. Oct 2, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer In Italy last season, there was a stand-out story full of the romanticism with which calcio is often associated. While a Champions League spot was lost, betting scandals were uncovered, AC Milan and Inter took backward steps, refereeing controversies caught the headlines and Alessandro Del Piero was tossed aside by Juventus, the rebirth of Andrea Pirlo at the top end of the sport was in many ways the saving grace. By masterminding the Bianconeri’s Scudetto victory, the regista was rightly credited with having rejuvenated a superpower, providing the composure, the experience and the quality from the midfield axis that was to be their platform for a return to glory in an unbeaten league season. He even managed to carry such form into Euro 2012, helping to inspire Italy to an unexpected runners-up spot with displays of excellence and of wisdom in a team still very much learning its way in international football following the fallout of the 2010 World Cup. But in 2012-13, something has changed. Pirlo has not managed to provide that consistency of excellence which became his modus operandi over the 12 months prior. While Juventus remain dominant in the majority of their matches at domestic level, the No.21 has been nowhere near his best. It has even become the subject of much debate, with his poor form causing some to worry that either Juve or Italy – or both – could eventually pay for his new increased workload. With the Champions League having been added to his calendar, the 33-year-old now faces a potential 60-plus games before the international season ends on June 8, and following a campaign in which he missed just three matches in all competitions, it is becoming increasingly obvious that his schedule needs to be carefully managed in order to coax the 2011-12 Pirlo back out of the cupboard. "I think that it's time for Pirlo to leave some duties behind. He should retire from international football," former Milan star and Zvonimir Boban told Sky Sport recently. "He has been lacking the brilliance that he showed last year, and I think it may be down to the fact that he has too many commitments. He hasn't had much rest this summer." But do Italy need to lose out completely? Ex-Azzurri defender Christian Panucci was not in favour of such a move. “I believe he should rest with Juventus, not with Italy, who play a lot less games." Given Pirlo’s apparent desire to prolong his international career, Panucci’s course of action is clearly the preferred route, yet the timing of breaks has already proven to be a bone of contention. The midfielder turned in a very poor showing in the Champions League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago having played the full 90 minutes at Genoa three days earlier. It was only after the trip to London that he was then rested for the following week’s fixture against Chievo. This weekend we saw a similar decision. With Shakhtar Donetsk set to come to town for tonight’s Matchday Two contest, Juve ran all over Roma in the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s Serie A fixture at Juventus Stadium yet still Pirlo was asked to complete a second game in four days following his struggles against Fiorentina while the younger, less pivotal Paolo De Ceglie, Alessandro Matri and Claudio Marchisio were withdrawn ahead of him with the Bianconeri cruising towards victory. From this, it would seem that Antonio Conte and Massimo Carrera have taken the decision that Pirlo will be rested after, rather than before, Champions League fixtures, but this could be to the club’s detriment. Given the way that the calendar works, he will often be competing in his third game in seven days by the time each European clash comes around. Surely the most appropriate time to rest him would be the weekend before each European game. Given their clear superiority in Serie A, he could even be afforded successive weekends off either side of Champions League matches and the Old Lady could get away with it. Now that they have Paul Pogba in the frame to stand in for league fixtures, Pirlo need not play much more than the one game a week he was playing last season and Juve could still win the league, but it would also give them a better chance of succeeding on the continent. “Pirlo remains a very important player. Juventus and Italy would be in trouble if he weren't around,” Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti told Tuttosport last week. “It's only normal that Pirlo is going through a difficult period. Things like that happen with every player. I don't think this is the right moment to make drastic decisions and quit Italy.” And nor does he have to. If Juve manage him effectively, they can ensure that he returns to his 2011-12 form, and by becoming their midweek midfield maestro he could still lead them to success in Europe.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Juve been warned: Henrikh Mkhitaryan is Europe's most in-form player The Armenian attacking midfielder has been one of the revelations of the 2012-13 European season and Juventus will need to treat him with caution when Shakhtar visit Turin tonight. Oct 2, 2012 Donbass Arena in Donetsk is a very musical stadium. Every goal by Shakhtar is greeted with tunes from the country of the scorer. Ukrainians are getting their national hopak, but most of the time the crowd naturally listens to samba. Almost all of Shakhtar’s midfield and attack is based on Brazilians. Luiz Adriano, Willian, Fernandinho, Ilsinho, Alex Teixeira, Douglas Costa – the veteran Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu must speak Portuguese quite fluently by now. This season, however, samba is less frequent, and its place is taken by the Sabre Dance. Aram Khachaturyan is Armenia’s finest composer, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the man responsible for him being celebrated in eastern Ukraine. The 23-year-old midfielder has been unplayable in recent months. After scoring just four goals in his first year at Shakhtar in 2010/11, and netting 11 times in all competitions last season, Mkhitaryan has amazingly put 15 balls past opposing keepers in just 11 games since July. His 13 goals in the Ukrainian league include a hat-trick versus Chernomorets Odessa and doubles against Arsenal Kiev, Volyn and Vorskla. Add four assists, and you get a player who is pretty much unstoppable. Tonight, Juventus could experience difficulties trying to deal with the Armenian, who struck twice in the 2-0 win against Denmark champions Nordsjaelland on the Champions League opening day. Those who have followed Mkhitaryan’s career are not surprised by these exploits. His outrageous talent has been there for all to see for a long time now. Hamlet Mkhitaryan, Henrikh’s father, was the biggest star of Ararat Yerevan in the Soviet league during the 1980s, scoring 46 goals for the club. At the beginning of the 1990s, Mkhitaryan Sr moved to France, where he helped the now defunct Valence to be promoted to the second division. That’s where Henrikh spent his early childhood. Tragically, Hamlet Mkhitaryan died of a brain tumor at just 33, and never witnessed his heir developing into an outstanding footballer. Unlike his father, Henrikh has mostly played in midfield since starting his career at Pyunik Yerevan aged 17. By 2009, he had won four Armenian league titles and was quite clearly too good to stay. Many teams tried to acquire his services, and Mkhitaryan was tempted to go to France, where he would have no language problems. Lyon and Lille were realistic options, while there was also interest from Lokomotiv Moscow and Boca Juniors. The youngster said at the time: “It is an important dilemma, as I must choose a team where I will be assured of a starting place.” This logic led to Mkhitaryan signing for unfashionable Metallurg Donetsk, where Yaya Toure spent more than a year at the beginning of his career. The Ivorian was sold to Olympiakos for €2 million in 2005, the Armenian’s price was €7.5m when he joined city rivals Shakhtar in 2010. One could claim that was still a bargain. In his only full season at Metallurg, Mkhitaryan was the unquestionable leader, scoring 14 goals from midfield, guiding the team to the Ukrainian Cup Final, and eventually being named team captain. Shakhtar beat Tottenham and Werder Bremen to his signature, and those clubs will regret missing out on him. At first Lucescu used Mkhitaryan in a slightly withdrawn position, where his vision and precise passing were very useful. Towards the end of last season, though, the coach moved the Armenian higher up the field, handing him the free role behind the striker, and the results were stunning to say the least. Magically two-footed, calm in front of goal and extremely confident, Mkhitaryan flourished, and after being voted Shakhtar’s player of the season by fans he stated: “I definitely feel more comfortable close to the attack, even though I don’t mind playing as a holding midfielder if that’s what the team needs.” Modesty is one of Mkhitaryan’s main qualities, as he states that he “doesn’t feel like a star”, even though he is one of the best players in the most successful outfit in Ukraine, winning two league and cup doubles in his two seasons at Shakhtar. His willingness to play for the team can be highlighted by a beautiful example from the last day of 2011-12. With the title already assured, Shakhtar led 2-0 against Oleksandria when Mkhitaryan, who scored in the first half with a header, got an opportunity to claim a very easy brace. Despite having just the keeper to beat, the Armenian chose to pass to Yevhen Seleznyov, so that his fellow striker could become the league’s top scorer. As unselfish as he is talented, Mkhitaryan is very much liked and respected in the dressing room. As well as starring for Shakhtar, Mkhitaryan also hit the headlines by scoring no less than six goals in Armenia's sensational Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Armenia were one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, beating Slovakia twice, including a 4-0 stunner in Bratislava. Only an unlucky defeat in Dublin on the last day meant they lost out on a playoff place. Mkhitaryan, who made his national team debut before he was 18, is already one of his country's leaders, partnering in attack the Russian Premier League's top scorer Yura Movsisyan of Krasnadar. Armenia might not be so prolific in the World Cup 2014 qualifiers, having been handed a tough draw with Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Nevertheless, the Italians should be aware of his impressive potential. The goal against Dnipro last week was Mkhitaryan’s 100th in his rising career, and he is quite clearly the most in-form player in the whole of Europe. Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci will take him on tonight in the Champions League, before meeting the young prodigy again in Yerevan next Friday, wearing Squadra Azzurra shirts. They will have their hands full on both occasions.

................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2^ giornata di andata) Juventus stadium - Torino martedì 2-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Bas Nijhuis (Olanda) Verso Juventus-Shakhtar Donetsk: Conte sceglie Matri per sventare l'insidia ucraina. Conte sembra aver sciolto anche l'ultimo dubbio di formazione: sarà Matri ad affiancare Vucinic. Solito 4-2-3-1 per gli uomini di Lucescu, che schierano Adriano come prima punta. 2 ottobre, 2012 PROBABILI FORMAZIONI JUVENTUSBuffon Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah Vucinic, Matri SHAKHTAR Pyatov Rat, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Srna Stepanenko, Fernandinho Willian, Douglas Costa, Mkhitaryan Adriano QUI JUVENTUS Sembra essere stato sciolto l'unico dubbio che ancora aveva Antonio Conte riguardo la formazione da mandare in campo contro lo Shakhtar: la scelta del partner di Vucinic. Sembra infatti avere optato per il 'colosso' Matri quale titolare, mentre la 'Formica Atomica' Giovinco partirà dalla panchina. Per il resto, sarà la miglior Juve, con la difesa 'azzurra' Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini, Asamoah a sinistra e Pirlo confermatissimo in cabina di regia. Niente riposo, dunque, per il playmaker bresciano. QUI SHAKHTAR Solito 4-2-3-1 per Mircea Lucescu, che si affida alla colonia di brasiliani (ben cinque) e all'estro del 23enne centrocampista offensivo Mkhitaryan, paragonabile per caratteristiche ad uno degli avversari di stasera, Claudio Marchisio. Proprio l'armeno sarà uno dei tre rifinitori - assieme a Douglas Costa e a Willian - alle spalle della prima punta Luiz Adriano. IL MOMENTO I bianconeri sono primi in classifica in campionato - a pari punti con il Napoli - e hanno destato un'ottima impressione all'esordio in Champions, rimontando un doppio svantaggio, al cospetto dei campioni d'Europa del Chelsea. Stanno molto bene anche gli ucraini, che non perdono da 25 partite. Sarà una sfida tra squadre che scoppiano di salute, stasera allo 'Juventus Stadium'. LA CHIAVE La Juve dovrà cercare di liberare spazi per Pirlo che, se marcato a uomo o pressato, potrebbe faticare a creare gioco. A Vucinic il compito di non dare troppi punti di riferimento alla difesa avversaria, che ha incassato soltanto sei reti in dieci partite di campionato. Occhio alla tecnica dello Shakhtar: da Willian a Douglas Costa, è tutta gente che dà del tu al pallone. I PROTAGONISTI I bianconeri faranno affidamento soprattutto sulle invenzioni di Mirko Vucinic e sugli inserimenti offensivi dei centrocampisti: i 'magnifici cinque' di stasera hanno aperto le marcature in sei delle sette vittorie raccolte finora. Sul fronte ucraino, c'è grande curiosità per la prova del promettente Mkhitaryan. I vari brasiliani della squadra, invece, sono ormai una certezza. Testa a Testa 24.11.1976 Coppa UEFA Juventus-Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 08.12.1976 Coppa UEFA Shakhtar Donetsk-Juventus 1-0 Ultime 5 Partite JUVENTUS 29 settembre, 2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 1 - Serie A 25 settembre, 2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A 22 settembre, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Chievo 0 - Serie A 19 settembre, 2012 - Chelsea FC 2 - Juventus 2 - UCL 16 settembre, 2012 - Genoa 1 - Juventus 3 - Serie A Shakhtar Donetsk 19 settembre, 2012 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - UCL 6 dicembre, 2011 - APOEL Nicosia 0 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - UCL 23 novembre, 2011 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - Porto 2 - UCL 1 novembre, 2011 - Zenit Saint Petersburg 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - UCL 19 ottobre, 2011 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Zenit Saint Petersburg 2 - UCL Previsione Juventus 3 - 1 Shakhtar

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Juventus - Shakhtar Donetsk Preview: Juve to add to Shakhtar's away misery In only the second meeting between the two, the Bianconeri will be hopeful of a victory against the notoriously bad Ukrainian travellers, even though they won in Rome last year. Oct 1, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS JUVENTUS Buffon Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah Vucinic, Matri SHAKHTAR Pyatov Rat, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Srna Stepanenko, Fernandinho Willian, Adriano, Ilsinho Mkhitaryan If confidence was not already high in the Juventus camp, then it certainly will be now after their 4-1 victory over Roma stretched their unbelievable unbeaten run to 45 league games whilst serving as the perfect appetiser for the Serie A champions' clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night. Antonio Conte's men cruised to victory over an off-colour Giallorossi, but they can expect a much tougher test against the Ukrainian champions - who hold an impressive record of their own - winning the last three league titles and, given that they have a 100 per cent record from their 10 opening games, that run doesn't look like abating anytime soon. Coming from two goals behind to salvage a draw against the European champions Chelsea, would have felt much like a win for the Bianconeri on Matchday 1, and they will be hoping to build on that performance with victory at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday - the first time the venue will hold a Champions League fixture since opening in 2011. Shakhtar meanwhile, recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Danish outfit Nordsjaelland and anything other than defeat here would be seen as a good result, given the Miners have a poor record in Italy, but they will be buoyed by the fact they won in Rome last year. DID YOU KNOW? • Juventus and Shakhtar have met once previously – this was back in 1976 in the third round of the UEFA Cup and the Italian side won 3-1 on aggregate. • The Old Lady have only lost twice in six matches against Ukrainian teams whilst they have never been beaten at home, winning two and drawing the other. • Juve's record of only two shots on target against Chelsea on Matchday 1 was the joint lowest total in the Champions League, yet they still managed a draw courtesy of Fabio Quagliarella's (right) equaliser. • Shakhtar Donetsk have only recorded one win away from home in eight attempts to Italian teams, while losing six. Their biggest defeat in Europe came at the hands of Lazio in 2000 losing 5-1. • However, that one win on Italian soil came in their last fixture - an enthralling 3-2 victory over Roma in February 2011. • The Miners ended a run of four games without victory in Europe by winning on Matchday 1, while striker Henrik Mkhitaryan is in fine goalscoring form having netted 13 times in 10 league games this season, scoring twice against Nordsjaelland as well. Head to Head 24.11.1976 UEFA Cup Juventus-Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 08.12.1976 UEFA Cup Shakhtar Donetsk-Juventus 1-0 Last Five Matches JUVENTUS Sep 29, 2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 1 - Serie A Sep 25, 2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A Sep 22, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Chievo 0 - Serie A Sep 19, 2012 - Chelsea FC 2 - Juventus 2 - UCL Sep 16, 2012 - Genoa 1 - Juventus 3 - Serie A Shakhtar Donetsk Sep 19, 2012 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - UCL Dec 6, 2011 - APOEL Nicosia 0 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - UCL Nov 23, 2011 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - Porto 2 - UCL Nov 1, 2011 - Zenit Saint Petersburg 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - UCL Oct 19, 2011 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Zenit Saint Petersburg 2 - UCL Players to Watch Arturo Vidal Was influential in his side's comeback against Chelsea, as he scored to get Juve back in the game after twisting his ankle, it was the type of hard of work and determination which typifies the 25-year-old's performances of late. He has been a revelation since joining the Italian giants in July 2011. A box-to-box midfielder, the Chile international is an important cog in the Bianconeri machine and continued his fine form on Saturday scoring against Roma. Henrik Mkhitaryan The 23-year-old has been in lethal goalscoring form for the Miners this season having scored 13 times in 10 games in the league. He also grabbed a double on Matchday 1 against Danish side Nordsjaelland. A constant threat and having a keen eye for goal, the Armenian international could yet spring a surprise on the Bianconeri. Prediction Shakhtar have struggled away in Italy in the past and against an in-form Juventus side this trend looks set to continue, both teams are top of the table domestically, so this should be an entertaining game but the Italians' class should prevail. Editor's Prediction Juventus 3 - 1 Shakhtar

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Lucescu crowns Golden Pirlo Oct 2, 2012 The 2012 Golden Ball should be awarded to Andrea Pirlo of Juventus, says Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu. Speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash between the two sides in Turin, Lucescu hailed a midfielder who he bossed at Brescia and then Inter. “I know Pirlo very well,” said the Romanian. “I gave him his debut when he was 15 and a half, then I worked with him again at Inter. “His evolution has been exceptional. I’m convinced that for what he achieved last season, he deserves to win the Golden Ball. “He should win it to crown his career. Pirlo is in great form and, for me, he is always number one.” While full of admiration for the playmaker, Lucescu also conceded that the Old Lady are a force to be reckoned with. “Juventus are not just Pirlo though,” he added. “Right now, they are the best side in Europe when you consider results, how many players they provide for national teams and for the way they play. “They are a well organised side which has been constructed very well, with new signings which they needed. “Their spine of Gigi Buffon-Leonardo Bonucci-Pirlo and Mirko Vucinic is fundamental, as that is where their play originates from. “I’ve shown my boys the Juventus-Roma game from the weekend, telling them that is not the way you play against them. “The Giallorossi left Juventus too much freedom to do what they wanted. But no side is perfect…

Conte appeal verdict on hold Oct 2, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte will have to wait until October 7 at the latest to find out the result of his appeal against a 10-month ban. Conte is currently suspended from touchline duties after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix the outcome of a Siena game while he was a tactician in Tuscany. The Coach’s legal team spent two hours with judges at the country’s National Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday in a bid to get his sentence rescinded or at least reduced. His defence want the TNAS to take into consideration the testimony of ex-Siena player Salvatore Mastronunzio. One of Conte's lawyers, Giulia Bongiorno, believes the evidence from Mastronunzio could be crucial. “We believe that it’s essential Mastronunzio is heard. His testimony can reverse the whole decision,” lawyer Giulia Bongiorno stated. "Our objective remains Conte’s acquittal.” TNAS will now make a decision on Conte’s ban by October 7, with the reasons explaining their judgement set to be published by November 15. Reports this morning are speculating that Conte will have his ban cut by somewhere in the region of four to six months. Conte continues to train the side in the week, but Massimo Carrera takes charge on the touchline during games.

Conte set for ban reduction Oct 2, 2012 Reports suggest that Juventus boss Antonio Conte should have his suspension reduced by the TNAS appeal court. The tribunal in Rome will reconvene on Tuesday to examine further evidence provided by the tactician’s lawyers. Although a verdict may not be given today, Conte looks set to have his 10-month touchline ban downgraded. The giornalaccio rosa dello Sport is suggesting that the punishment will be slashed to a six-month stop, while the Corriere dello Sport is claiming that his suspension could be cut to just four months. The Coach is currently banned from match-day duties after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a game which he was in charge at Siena. Conte has always insisted that he is innocent.

Pogba: I want to replace Pirlo Oct 1, 2012 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has claimed he wants to take Andrea Pirlo's place in the Bianconeri starting XI. The 19-year-old, who arrived in Turin from Manchester United this summer, has asserted that he hopes to oust the Italy international out of the first team this season, as well as becoming one of the greatest footballers on the planet. “My goal is to become the best player in the world,” he told L'Equipe. “But to do that I have to work hard. I want to take the place of Pirlo and prove that when he's not there, there's no difference between me and him.” He also commented on how he thought he played in his first start for the club against Chievo two weeks' ago. “My first game was great. Giorgio Chiellini said that I played really well, and so did some of the other players.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Juventus respect Shakhtar threat Oct 1, 2012 Juventus match-day boss Massimo Carrera is failing to underestimate Champions League opponents Shakhtar Donetsk. The Old Lady should be in confident mood after comfortably disposing of Roma at the weekend, but Carrera is taking nothing for granted ahead of Tuesday’s encounter. “Before talking about our Champions League objectives, we have to win this game,” Carrera, touchline boss during Antonio Conte’s suspension, stated. “They are a very technical side and they have a Coach in Mircea Lucescu who knows Italian football well,” he added. “They have a lot of Brazilians, they are a dangerous team, one who can counter-attack and a team who can play good football. “We know that they are very good at the back too, they’ve conceded just six goals in 10 games and they haven’t lost in 25. “It will be a hard game and we’ll have to suffer during the match itself. We’ll have to play like we do at Juve, to attack our opponents and not allow them to breathe. “It will be difficult, but we know what we have to do and we are aware that we still have to improve ourselves.” Despite Conte’s 10-month ban for failing to report alleged attempts to fix a Siena game while he was in charge in Tuscany, Juventus haven’t suffered from his absence. “Conte spends all week with the team,” Carrera explained. “He tells the players what they need to do and how to behave during the match itself. He’s not on the pitch, but he’s always present.” Tomorrow will be a big day for Conte as the TNAS tribunal court should rule on his appeal against his ban, but the former midfielder is apparently just focused on one fight. “Antonio is hopeful, but his lawyers are looking after that,” Carrera explained. “He’s just concentrating on the game and nothing else.” Juventus are expected to start the tie with the same XI who drew 2-2 at Chelsea in their opening Champions League encounter.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Chiellini: Shakhtar tie will be key Oct 1, 2012 Juventus stopper Giorgio Chiellini has described Tuesday’s match with Shakhtar Donetsk as the most crucial of the group stage. Despite being included in the same section as champions Chelsea, Chiellini thinks tomorrow’s tie could help decide qualification. “We’re aware that tomorrow’s game is the most important of the group, so we’re counting on our fans to fill the stands and make it even more special,” he stated at Vinovo on Monday. “We experienced a special atmosphere in London, but this is our first home game at the Juventus Stadium and it will be extremely exciting.” Juventus boss Massimo Carrera today insisted that his boys won’t underestimate Mircea Lucescu’s side and Chiellini mirrored that statement. “We’ll be taking on a very strong and underrated outfit,” he argued. “When the draw was made I heard people talk about an easy group, which couldn’t be further from the truth… “Shakhtar have players who would make the starting line-up of the majority of European sides. We’ve got a lot of respect of them. “Saying that, we are still convinced that we can win – even if it will need a great Juve.” Chiellini was also asked about how far his team could go in the competition, but he refused to make any predictions. “We don’t want to set minimum or maximum objectives, but we certainly haven’t returned to the Champions League to be knocked out at the group stage. “It has been tough to watch this tournament as an outsider in recent years.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Carrera: Shakhtar clash is a crucial test for Juventus The caretaker coach has spoken of the perils that await his side, urging them to not take the Ukrainians lightly given their recent unbeaten run and mix of flair and solidity. Oct 1, 2012 Massimo Carrera has warned his Juventus players that they must play at their very best when they host Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday. The Bianconeri have won all but two of their eight matches this season, one of which was a 2-2 comeback draw at European champions Chelsea a fortnight ago, to kick off their campaign on the continent. And with the clash against the Ukrainians looming large, the interim boss issued a rallying cry, claiming that his side are conscious of what is needed to overcome Mircea Lucescu's troops. "We have got to beat them and we know what we have to do," Carrera said at a press conference. "It is a crucial game, but before we start thinking about the future we have got to beat them. "It is going to be a difficult game and we are going to have to suffer. We have to play like Juve." Carrera then analysed Shakhtar's strengths and warned his team to anticipate a mix of Brazilian flair and defensive solidity, both of which have contributed to the side embarking on a 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions. "They are a very strong team technically, coached by a coach who knows Italian football well," he added. "They have plenty of Brazilians so we are going to have to be careful as they are technically strong and know how to play football. "We know they have a strong defence. They have not lost in 25 games and deserve full respect and, I repeat, it is going to be a very difficult game to play."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Pirlo deserved to win Ballon d'Or, claims Shakhtar boss Lucescu The Romanian previously coached the playmaker at Brescia and believes his former charge should have been rewarded for his efforts in helping Juventus lift the Scudetto last season. Oct 1, 2012 Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu says Andrea Pirlo's form over the past year should have resulted in him being awarded the Ballon d'Or, ahead of his side's clash with Juventus on Tuesday. The coach worked with the midfielder as a 15-year-old at Brescia, before signing him upon his appointment as Inter boss in 1998. However, the Italy international failed to establish himself with the Nerazzurri following the trainer's dismissal. Nonetheless, Pirlo most recently played an instrumental role in the Old Lady's charge towards the Serie A title and his country's run to the final of Euro 2012, and Lucescu believes his exploits last season deserved to warrant the prized individual award. "I know Andrea Pirlo very well," said Lucescu at a press conference. "When I worked at Brescia, he was 15 and a half and was already attracting attention. "We have stayed in contact since. His development has been exceptional and I am convinced that, with all he has done last year in the league and for Italy, he deserved to win the Ballon d'Or. "He should have won it to crown his career. Pirlo is in great form, and for me, he is always number one." Shakhtar midfielder Fernandinho was also vocal in his admiration of the World Cup winner, but insisted his side are aware of the threat posed by the Italian champions. "Pirlo is a great player and he has shown in his career that he always produces great games," he added. "I hope we are able to stop him tomorrow. "There are difficulties in every game, but we have studied Juve well and we know their strengths so I hope that will make the difference on the pitch."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (2nd leg) - 2-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ JUVENTUS - SHAKHTAR DONETSK Juventus stadium - Turin Referee: Bas Nijhuis (Netherlands) Juventus have rediscovered taste for Champions League, says Chiellini The Bianconeri have returned to Europe's premier competition after two seasons in the wilderness, and the defender is eager to make up for lost time. Oct 1, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has spoken of his excitement as the club prepare to host Shakhtar Donetsk in the first Champions League game at their new ground. The Turin giants moved to Juventus Stadium at the start of last term and stormed to the Serie A title, securing a place back in Europe's top competition after a two-year absence. "The first game in the Champions Leauge in the new stadium will certainly be emotional for us all," he told reporters at a press conference. "It has been hard to be just spectators in recent years, but we got a taste for it again in London [against Chelsea a fortnight ago]. We want to show the whole of Europe what we can do. "We don't plan on going out in the group stage, or even qualifying for the Europa League. We always aim high." The Italy international went on to warn of the threat posed by the Ukrainian champions, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition two years ago, eventually losing out to Barcelona. "We are playing a side I think are very strong and generally underestimated," he continued. "They play in Ukraine and are maybe not so well-known, but I can assure you at least half would be first-teamers in many European sides and we will need the best possible Juventus against them. "It's a decisive game because a win can put you into a favourable position. We are not favourites for this game or this group - Shakhtar have been in the Champions League for years and have gained a lot more experience than us." Juventus and Shakhtar kick off at 20:45CET on Tuesday. The Bianconeri drew their first group match 2-2 with Chelsea.