Socrates

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.) - Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania Referee: Andrea Gervasoni No definitive claim to Serie A superiority by Juventus yet Oct 26, 2012 It all started with the dream of getting Juventus back to the top of the Italian game, and then the European one. While the outcome of the latter hangs in the balance after a spate of three Champions League draws this season, it’s safe to say the former is done and dusted, and with such aplomb at that. As the team travels to Catania with the intention of consolidating their 47-game unbeaten run, they will do so in the confidence that they strengthened their position at the top of Serie A with last week’s top-of-the-table victory over Napoli. Naturally, consensus was that the blockbuster would not yet have served to decide the outcome of the Scudetto this early in the campaign, but that nevertheless did not stop Martin Caceres from decisively planting a gorgeous belter past Morgan De Sanctis from a corner, before teen wonder Paul Pogba wrapped up matters with a Pavel Nedved-esque thunderbolt from outside the area. Accolades gushed in from all angles following the 2-0 win, with club director Giuseppe Marotta eager to heap praise onto the collective strength of the Bianconeri‘s squad. “I always hear people talk about a top player, but here we need to speak about a top team,” the transfer guru gushed after the match. “The team unit is our true strength. This is also evident by the fact that 12 different players have hit the target so far this season. The statistics enable us to make a full analysis and confirm that we have a winning model, where the squad is our strength.” Which is all fair and well to perceive Mr. Marotta, except that closer examination of his boast identifies loopholes that would lead to such a suggestion becoming a flawed evaluational perspective regarding the team’s displays thus far. With the latest inductees to the Juventus scoring charts against the Partenopei, such numbers can either be viewed as an impressive team outlay, or an underwhelming start to the new term across general individual levels. Indeed, such dispersed statistics bear an indication of mediocrity on the personal performances of the players. Reminiscent of Alessandro Matri’s club-topping, albeit woefully unflattering, tally of ten goals when they made off with the league title in May, nothing eye-catching particularly stands out about this current team’s form, especially in terms of the prominent lack of any identifiable player capable of scoring goals in manners commonly associated with representing the Turin giants. Most of what has been seen this season has been built around solid, reliable work ethic, but the dilemma within that aspect is a tedious absence of the spectacular, as has been pertinently visible in recent weeks. The famous creed of lo spirito Bianconeri – an unmatched team etho based on hard graft and an intrinsic desire of self-sacrifice for the side – has last catapulted Antonio Conte’s men to the enviable record of seven wins and one draw, but it is also fatally disguising the poor form and performances of integral members in the set-up at Vinovo. Naturally, the club faithful will not be found complaining so long as they continue winning via their proven recipe of success, but in order to make a clear step up in quality, Juventus will need last week’s individual heroics of Caceres’ and Pogba’s magnitude reproduced with markedly more consistency by their team-mates; the glaring failure of which so far lies as the one exposable weakness the outfit’s title rivals will be looking to exploit as the fixtures progress. Indeed, while Italy’s other heavyweights cannot lay claim to keeping up with Juventus’ collective effort, the aspect they currently trump the Italian champions in lies with being able to call upon the services of an undisputed luminary. Napoli have mercurial striker Edinson Cavani to thank for producing the goods week-in and week-out, while Inter are growing to count on Antonio Cassano’s revelatory eye for goal to keep pace at the top. For that matter, even Stephan El Shaarawy is turning on the style at beleaguered AC Milan, despite the Rossoneri‘s fundamental flaws. Whilst staying marginally ahead of the rest after a year of consolidated success, there have been too few amongst Gianluigi Buffon and co. to prove worthy of the mantle in being the team’s absolute game-changer over the course of 90 minutes, condemning the glorious post ’90s heritage of Roberto Baggio, Gianluca Vialli, Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane and Nedved to distant memory. Despite being visibly tired and far from his best, Andrea Pirlo is left with little choice but to find avenues bearing the closest resemblance to a spark of the old magic, and yet signs ominously point to the workhorse nature of the rest of the squad not coming any closer to relieving the 33-year-old veteran of his creative burden anytime soon. The trio of Arturo Vidal, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Mirko Vucinic, so affably reliable last term, have failed to fire up and produce useful, regular runs of form that would so easily be invaluable to the club’s cause. Giovinco has looked nothing like the inspiration he was to Parma that initially justified Juventus forking out €11 million to buy his half-share back, while Kwado Asamoah has not proven the driving force he last exhibited himself to be when leading a depleted Udinese to Champions League qualification on consecutive occasions, marooned unflatteringly in a makeshift role out wide. At the same time, the coaching staff have stubbornly placed slender trust in fellow arrivals Mauricio Isla and Nicklas Bendtner, despite the existing potential for their integration to inject some impetus into what are turning into tired, uninspired displays otherwise. If there is to be a profound distinction from the running pack on the domestic front, Conte will need a superstar - a prominent focal point to spur on the search for success – amongst his men to step up, someone to take responsibility for delivering winning contributions even when the chips are down. Will that come in the shape of an A-lister during the winter mercato? Perhaps, but priority one during the ongoing period should be to address their limitations via the means they have till then, lest they offer that hair’s breadth of hope to their competitors in the title race. Raising the bar to personal performances proved vital in their league triumph the previous season, and to stand the chance of repeating such a feat in this instance, such a wake-up call has to be issued. As maintaining that unbeaten streak takes on increasing burden, the squad need to find it within themselves to take greater ownership of the shifts they put in on match-day, aware that the slightest loss of focus will leave the pretenders to their throne snapping closer at their heels. Juventus may still be reveling in the victory against Napoli last Saturday in spite of their rude midweek shock in the Champions League, but rest assured, the task of securing the Scudetto is far from being over and done with. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.) - Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania Referee: Andrea Gervasoni Andujar hails Buffon as best ever Oct 25, 2012 Catania’s Mariano Andujar has labelled Juventus’ Gigi Buffon as the greatest goalkeeper of all time. The Argentine will come face to face with the Italian at the weekend when the two teams meet in Serie A. “I’m happy to be taking on Buffon, he is a legend,” the custodian told Itasportpress in an interview. “He’s the best in history, at least in my opinion. “Why has he never won the Golden Ball? Because we are goalkeepers. Then there is Lionel Messi who is ahead of everybody – there is no room for anyone else.” Juventus will go into the Sicilian clash on an unbeaten Serie A run which now stretches to 47 matches. “Well, that run has to end some day,” the South American continued. “Let’s hope that happens on Sunday…” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Zanetti: Inter want to challenge Juventus for Scudetto The experienced defender is desperate for success this season. Oct 26, 2012 Inter skipper Javier Zanetti has insisted his side have the ambition to challenge Juventus for the Serie A title this term. The Giuseppe Meazza outfit currently sit joint third in the league table, trailing the Turin giants by four points, and Zanetti is determined to push the reigning champions right to the end of the 2012-13 campaign. "Are we Juve's main rivals? We want to be up there challenging with them," Zanetti was quoted as saying on the official Inter website. "We're following our path and we all feel we have a part to play."

Buffon: I want to stay at Juventus for a long time The experienced goalkeeper looks back fondly at his time in Turin, including the spell in Serie B, and is eager to win more silverware in the upcoming seasons. Oct 26, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has made it clear that he's desperate to stay at Juventus and wants to remain at the Serie A champions for at least three more years. The Italy international has developed into one of the Bianconeri's undisputed star players since joining them from Parma in the summer of 2001, and Buffon has no intention of trying his luck elsewhere. "I’ve already spent 12 years wearing this shirt, almost half of my life so far, but I hope that my adventure with Juventus continues for a long time, at least up until 15 years," Buffon was quoted as saying on the club's official Facebook page. "Only a few players can say they’ve stayed at such an important team for that length of time." The 34-year-old came close to winning the Champions League in 2002-03, but AC Milan eventually proved to be too strong in the final, something that still frustrates Buffon. "I had a fantastic first five years here, given the satisfaction we enjoyed in the championship, even though there was a little disappointment in the Champions League. "We were probably the strongest team in Europe, but we never managed to win it." The experienced goalkeeper then looked back at his time in Serie B with Juventus, and stressed that it was well worth it to stay put. "The year in Serie B is something I recall with pleasure, because I stayed and owed it to the fans to do so. It would have been too easy to leave at that particular moment. "The most difficult period was the return to Serie A, because we were aware of how difficult it would be to return to winning ways. I asked myself if staying at Juve was worth it. After last year, the answer is an emphatic yes, because the feeling of winning the Scudetto again was so intense, and something I would not have experienced with any other team. "Now I’d like to end my time with Juventus by winning something important." Buffon has made 10 official appearances for Juve this term.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata - Andata) - 23-10-2012 (ore 20:45) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Spettatori: 22404 Champions League - Vucinic salva la Juve, ma l'1-1 potrebbe non bastare Vucinic con una zampata nei minuti finali salva la Juve dall'umiliante sconfitta, ma è un pareggio agrodolce. Entrambe le reti nella ripresa: la punizione di Beckmann gela la Juve, che agguanta il pareggio con una girata di Vucinic. A nulla vale l'assalto finale. Eurosport - Martedí, 23 ottobre 2012 Ennesimo pareggio per l’euroJuve: con quello di Copenaghen sono nove i segni “X” consecutivi. Siamo alle solite. Juve spietata, implacabile in campionato, titubante e spuntata in Europa. E ora i giochi in ottica qualificazione si complicano: non sono compromessi, sia chiaro, ma ora i bianconeri non potranno più lasciare punti per strada. Come le capita spesso nei palcoscenici europei la Vecchia Signora non sfodera l’italico killer instinct: e quando Giovinco & Co. inquadrano la porta ci pensa un Super Hansen a sbarrare la strada ai bianconeri. Menomale che l’estremo difensore danese si era dichiarato tifoso sfegatato della Juventus. Ci ha pensato l’imprescindibile Mirko Vucinic a evitare agli uomini di Conte la più umiliante delle sconfitte. POCA FREDDEZZA SOTTO PORTA - Lo si capisce fin dalle prime battute: la trasferta danese non è una passeggiata di salute per i bianconeri. Gli uomini di Hjulmand non sono fenomeni, ma possono contare su un copione di gioco ormai consolidato, con gli esterni Joshua John e Andreas Laudrup a vestire i panni delle mine vaganti. La prima frazione di gioco è equilibrata. Prive di timori reverenziali, le tigri selvagge di Farum se la giocano alla pari con i più quotati avversari. Probabilmente a fine gara impazzeranno le polemiche sull’assenza di un grande attaccante tra le fila della Juve; in realtà Matri e Giovinco hanno disputato una buona gara, mostrando un’intesa consolidata e creando più di un pericolo alla retroguardia danese. è mancato l’acuto decisivo. La Formica atomica ha avuto due occasioni colossali nel primo tempo: sulla prima è stato sciagurato nel centrare l’esterno della rete dopo aver scartato il portiere, mentre nella seconda è stato superbo Hansen nella deviazione d’istinto, dopo un dribbling da fuoriclasse dello Juventino. Sono mancati gli inserimenti dalla mediana, con Marchisio e Vidal più spompati del solito. Per contro i danesi hanno sfondato con Joshua John, esterno di belle speranze in prestito dal Twente, che alla mezzora sfugge ai radar bianconeri e prova a eludere Buffon con un timido pallonetto: il portierone della nazionale si è salvato con un’uscita kamikaze fuori dalla sua area. Colpisce il pallone con il petto o con le mani? I replay non chiariscono. Al limite risulterà essere anche la decisione di non accordare il penalty alla Juve sul bolide di Marchisio respinto con il braccio da Mtiliga. TUTTO NELLA RIPRESA - L’avvio di secondo tempo è promettente: improvvisamente la Juve sembra ritrovare l’agonismo abituale. è un fuoco fatuo. è Beckmann a mandare in visibilio il Parken di Copenaghen. La sua punizione pennellata sorprende Buffon e firma l’incredibile vantaggio dei danesi. Notte fonda per la Juve che fatica a riprendersi dopo la doccia fredda. Giovinco si conferma l’uomo più pericoloso e innesca una sfida all’Ok Corral con l’insuperabile Hansen; ci prova persino di testa il numero dodici della Juve, ma la sua girata da ariete consumato trova l’opposizione miracolosa di Hansen. Matri si spegne alla distanza, e Alessio giustamente decide che è arrivato il momento di estrarre il jolly Vucinic, seguito a stretto giro di posta dall’idolo locale Bendtner. La pressione della Juve cresce a dismisura: lo stoico Nordsjaelland cede alla distanza e soccombe sul cross millimetrico di Isla – fin lì disastroso-. La girata di prima intenzione di Vucinic sull’assist del cileno è un saggio di concretezza e classe: proprio quella che era mancata fino a quel momento. A nulla vale l’assalto finale: la palla d’oro ce l’avrebbe sulla testa Bendtner ma l’airone danese getta alle ortiche l’occasione della vita. Paolo Pegoraro - Eurosport FC Nordsjaelland 1-1 Juventus

Buffon: Chelsea clash will decide progress Oct 25, 2012 Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon says the Champions League fixture between the Serie A champions and Chelsea "will be decisive" as to which of the pair progress to the knockout stage. The match, on November 20, is a home game for Juve and according to the goalkeeper,will see one side crash out of the competition. Speaking to fans via JuventusMember.com, Buffon said: "I have always said that we would fight out for top spot in the group with Shakhtar Donetsk. The match against Chelsea will be decisive, qualification for the knockout stages will be between us and them." "The Champions League is a tough competition but it feels great to hear the anthem before every game." Buffon also said he was relishing his role as leader of the side following the departure of Alessandro Del Piero during the summer, but insisted that he prefers that the team be recognised for its efforts rather than any individual. "Raising my first trophy as captain [the Supercoppa] in Beijing was nice but I really do not love to be the centre of attention in these situations. When we win, I feel such gratitude towards my companions as it is not right that the honour of raising a trophy is restricted to one. That's why in the photos of awards I am often behind and to the side!" Now 34, the Italy international also answered questions on Juve's 2006 relegation, saying: "With this shirt I have spent 12 years, almost half my life, but I hope that this adventure can continue for a long time. Few people can say they were there for a long time with a team so important. "I stayed with the team while we were in Serie B for the fans. Those were difficult years and it was also tough when we returned to Serie A."

Buffon: Chelsea game is crucial Oct 25, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Juventus' home game against Chelsea will be decisive if they are to qualify from Champions League Group E. The Turin giants host the reigning European champions on November 20, and the veteran shot-stopper has conceded that whoever wins that game will go through to the last 16 of the competition. “I have always said that we would fight out for top spot in the group with Shakhtar Donetsk,” he told juventusmember.com. “The match against Chelsea will be decisive, qualification for the knockout stages will be between us and them. “The Champions League is a tough competition, but it feels great to hear the anthem before every game.” He also commented on his career at the Bianconeri, as well as his best and worst games for the club. “I stayed with the team whilst we were in Serie B for the fans,” he said. “Those were difficult years, it was also tough when we returned to Serie A. “The game that is always in heart is when we beat Milan in 2005, 1-0. David Trezeguet scored the goal. “The worst game was the one against Lecce last year. I was terrible.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 'We must perform better to qualify' - Buffon urges Juventus to up their European game The Old Lady captain knows his team are not playing well enough to advance to the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition and wants more from his colleagues. Oct 25, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon insists Juventus must up their game to succeed in the Uefa Champions League this season. The Bianconeri have returned to the competition after not participating for a few years and, having landed the Serie A title in an unbeaten campaign last term, expect to have a major impact on the tournament. However, a draw on Tuesday night against FC Nordsjaelland has dented their hopes of progress. Shakhtar Donetsk have taken control of Group E to leave Buffon and his side fighting it out with reigning champions Chelsea to make the last 16 teams. "It's a difficult competition. I said to my companions, 'what we do in Italy and Europe is not enough'," the Italian World Cup winner told fans via a video conference. "To qualify for the second round we must play against Chelsea. I knew it would be tough after the draw in the group. Speaking briefly of his plans after football, the goalkeeper was non-committal: "I do not know what I'll do. I need projects, I always need challenges, I always need to win races. My life has always been like this since I was a kid." http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 Seeking Desperately Cure to European Draw-Itis… Oct 25, 2012 Complete domination in Serie A, eating humble pie in Europe. That is the tale of Juventus so far this season, with the Old Lady unable to do any better than a 1-1 draw against a resolute Nordsjælland side Tuesday evening (and only achieving this result in the last 10 minutes of the match). Conte’s playoff hopes in Group E keep on getting more complicated while the team’s European “draw-itis” continues, bringing Juve’s streak of consecutive draws in continental competitions to 9! The adage “it’s useless to be undefeated when your opponents have more points that you” rears its ugly head again… MATCH ANALYSIS (by Marco Pantanella) Nordsjælland, as mentioned in our match preview, may lack European experience but play an organized, determined, and offensive style of football focused on passing and ball possession. Galvanized by their home crowd, the Danes started the match with a lively pace and positive mentality, trying to exploit their wings and find breaches in the Bianconeri defense (through the left side in particular, dominated by Mtiliga and John). The first 15 minutes thus went by with very little to note, with Juventus (and particularly Vidal and wing-backs De Ceglie & Isla, who replaced absentees Asamoah and Lichtsteiner) leaving much to be desired. Around the 20th minute mark Pirlo finally took the reins of the game, offering a few of his trademarks pearls of passing, which neither Giovinco (lively but insufficiently incisive) nor Matri (always making his run a moment too soon) could properly exploit. Juventus started to gradually reduce their opponents’ zone of operation, but not before getting the biggest scare of the half after a long aerial drive towards Joshua John — slipping behind Bonucci and Lúcio — put the Dutch winger one-on-one with Buffon. Fortunately Gigi’s risky, but ultimately decisive rush prevented an early goal against Juve, with the Azzurri keeper chest-blocking the ball outside of his box under referee Ayketin’s attentive eye. On the opposite end, Giovinco obtained the best shooting chance he would have all evening. Exploiting a good Matri delivery, Super-Seba chested the ball down, and accelerated past an out-rushing Hansen, only to deliver the ball on the outside part of the mesh with the goal at his mercy (the angle was difficult). At the half-time break, Juventus had conceded the advantage of ball possession to Nordsjælland but spent slightly more time in their opponent’s offensive third, as exemplified by their 7 corner-kicks vs. 3. Disappointing for the visitors, but with still 45 minutes left to rectify the situation. After the break, Juventus resumed things where they left off: in Nordsjælland’s half. The Danish champions, aware of their opponents’ superior technique, patiently contained the Old Lady. Waiting. Lurking. Ready to pounce on the first Juve mistake. Which promptly arrived. In the 51st minute, an idiotic backpass from Paolo De Ceglie was followed by an equally inept foul by Giorgio Chiellini, who needlessly brought down Andreas Laudrup just outside his box. Andreas who by the way — up until then — had shown to have the Ladrup pedigree only in name, possessing neither the verve of Brian nor the inventiveness of daddy Michael. It was all Nordsjælland needed to make it count. With the best Pirlo impersonation one could have expected fom a Danish player this evening, Mikkel Beckmann delivered a perfect curling free kick towards the top-right corner. Buffon could only touch it. 1-0 Nordsjælland, with the entire Parken Stadium throbbing in jubilation (save for a very surprised and disappointed Juventus supporters section). What ensued was a long Juventus siege, in which Conte’s team collected no fewer than 18 corners and 30 shooting attempts (15 on target), but which exalted the spirit of sacrifice of Kasper Hjulmand’s troops, particularly center-backs Okore and Runje and an absolutely monumental Hansen in net (who, for all him being a Juventus fan, made his childhood team’s evening extremely difficult). Nearly every shot attempted by the Bianconeri was either saved by the Danish keeper, or found the opposition of an opposing defender entrenched into his box. With Vidal having an off day, Pirlo’s passes getting predictable, and Matri and Giovinco running around with very little effect, it was time for Juve to make some changes. Fans called for Pogba. They saw Giaccherini instead, but not before Vucinic and Bendtner and stepped in for Matri and Lúcio, turning the Bianconeri into a 3-4-3 offensive assault force. De Ceglie and Isla multiplied their efforts on the wing, especially the former (trying to atone for his mistake), yet deliverance (so-to-speak) would arrive from the latter. Finally getting an effective cross in, the Chilean served up a perfect ball for Mirko Vucinic‘s accurate instep finish past Hansen. 1-1. At last. Conte’s boys continued to push forward. A De Ceglie cross served Nicklas Bendtner with the opportunity to turn into his team’s saviour, but the forward’s header was wide of the mark. The Bianconeri’s last few desperate attempts were cleared by the Danish defense. Full time. 1-1. The football Gods had decided Juve had simply not done enough to merit a win tonight, and frankly, we are inclined to agree… LE PAGELLE (by Aaron Giambattista) Buffon 6 – A bit of a strange match from San Gigi. Saved the team’s ass on more than one occasion, but also left his line uncharacteristically poor. That was a very tough goal to save (Buffon called it impossible) but perhaps while no ordinary man could have made that save, Superman could’ve. Lúcio 5 – Simply a step too slow on a number of occasions. After a great match played against Chievo, he returned to the starting lineup but in very different fashion. Did not guarantee the flank at all. (76′) Bendtner s.v. Desperate for playing time, the big Dane was granted a spot on the bench perhaps largely due to his status as a “hero” back in Denmark. Came on, had a good chance and looked better than Matri, but didn’t light up the pitch. Bonucci 6.5 – The only guarantee in defense. Wasn’t particularly troubled by the Nordsjælland attack and occasionally cleaned up for Lucio and Chiello’s mess. Chiellini 5 – Full of physicality and grinta, but perhaps needed to play calmer. Didn’t contain his area of the pitch as usual. His unnecessary foul (put in a tough spot by Paolino) led to the goal. Isla 5.5 – From experience with Quagliarella (and long ago, ADP) Juventus fans are well aware it takes a while to recover from an ACL injury. Beyond the actual physical healing time, it takes a long time before players feel comfortable on the pitch and get into some degree of form. Isla isn’t yet- we have not seen the Udinese Isla at all, who was probably a better player than even Asamoah. His assist was the only note of the night, otherwise, his offensive output was worthless. Defensively secure, for the most part. Vidal 5 – It continues to be a month of difficulties for Re Arturo, who has struggled badly since the Chelsea match. Looks tired and irritable. Vidal right now is unable to control the midfield and prone to poor fouls. Needs a break, if not for physical reasons, then surely for mental ones. (83′) Giaccherini s.v. Sent on in the last few minutes to try and connect midfield and attack. Not much of note. Pirlo 6 – Andrea’s successful passing rate was a mediocre 77%, poorer than his midfield compatriots Marchisio and Vidal, though he did pass a bit more than the other two. Had a few illuminating passes but a bit of a subdued night for il Maestro. Marchisio 5.5 – Took a hard blow early on, and that seemed to affect him physically for much of the match. Lost a significant amount of balls in midfield and wasn’t able to penetrate the box well. De Ceglie 5.5 – Too much time out of the starting XI has seen Paolino’s performances slip back to his “old” self- great in attack, delivering different types of teasing crosses, but far from assured in defense. Was beaten off the ball and didn’t look comfortable in coverage. A disappointing performance. Matri 5 – It’s not a question of whether Matri is in an epic slump or not, but rather how/if we can get him out of it. Looks like a shadow of the player he was last fall, where he had a great eye for goal and contributed well in the build up play. Was unable to hold onto the ball and never looked like he knew how to score. Depressingly wasted another shot at a starting spot. (67′) Vucinic 6.5 – I’ve been plenty critical of Mirko in the past (and present) but he is scoring on a more consistent basis than last fall. It doesn’t matter whether they are pretty or ugly goals, the other strikers don’t look like scoring. Rescued Juventus. Giovinco 6.5 – Had the most amount of shots in the game, the most shots on target, the 2nd most key passes (after Pirlo), and a fair amount of lost balls and dispossessions, all statistics that show how involved Giovinco was. Did everything right, much as he did against Napoli, except scoring. I think the goals will come, he showed an eye for it while at Parma, Conte just needs to keep believing in the Atomic Ant. Conte/Alessio 5 – The team did not appear mentally prepared for this match, and the substitutions came far too late. A disappointing draw in Europe. Again. ANALYSIS WRAP-UP (by Aaron Giambattista) This draw is not the fault of any one players performance. Matri looked depressingly poor, Isla/PDC were shadows of Lichtsteiner/Asamoah on the flanks, Buffon didn’t look secure, Vidal played tired, and Pirlo wasn’t terribly inspired. Collectively, it was a team failure, and one we saw against Shakthar. Credit to Nordsjaelland for playing a fine match, but Juventus simply is not playing up to grade in Europe thus far. This is completely different from the team mentality in Serie A. And it’s hard to think of a concrete reason why. It wasn’t a completely terrible performance. Unlike today’s Arsenal match, where the London-based club struggled to get any kind of shots or shots on target, Juventus rained in 33 shots, 9 of them on target, and got one measly goal out of the whole affair. But not all shots are alike. Nordsjaelland defended well, but Juve’s tactical positioning failed to cut the team incisively. It may have been a situation where the 4-3-3 could’ve been more effective in drawing the defense wide and allowing for Marchisio and Vidal’s forward runs. Under Gigi Delneri, the club looked painfully casual in the Europa League. It was a second priority, and everyone knew it, it was a secondary European competition and no one cared about the results. The performances in the Champion’s League have likewise been disappointing, despite the higher level of prestige. Perhaps the coaching is partially to blame as well- by rotating in secondary players like De Ceglie, Lucio, Isla, and Matri, maybe the coaching staff had an overly relaxed view in taking on minnows Nordsjaelland. 3 draws in a row was certainly not what we hoped for in a return to the Champion’s League. These three ties, added onto Delneri’s stunning 6 draws in a row in the Europa League group stage, means Juventus have tied in 9 consecutive European ties. It was already a record at 8, a record not to be proud of, and we have extended it. And yet, the team still can qualify for the next round of the Champion’s League. A win at home against both Chelsea and Nordsjaelland, followed with a draw/win away at Shakthar means the Old Lady would taste knockout Champion’s League football for the first time since the Claudio Ranieri era. As we like to say here at JuventiKnows- it ain’t over till the Old Lady sings. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 Chiellini: Juventus deserved more against Nordsjaelland The Italy international struggled to comprehend how the Turin giants failed to bag the full three points against the Danish champions after playing out a 1-1 draw. Oct 24, 2012 The Bianconeri had set their sights on the full three points against the Danish side, but had to thank Mirko Vucinic for not leaving Copenhagen empty handed as the Montenegro international levelled the scoring with only 10 minutes to spare. "We go home scratching our heads as to how we haven’t won this match," Chiellini was quoted as saying on the official Juventus website. "Over the course of 90 minutes we allowed them one free kick and one chance from a long ball. We had 15 shots and created 30 chances. "In certain league games, like against Genoa or Siena, we've gone home with three points despite conceding more chances. Tonight we deserved a lot more." Juventus sit third in their section with three points from as many games, behind Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 We are happy to be off the mark, admits Nordsjaelland's Hjulmand The Danish coach wasn't satisfied with his side's performance against the Serie A champions, but admits relief over getting a point on the board. Oct 24, 2012 FC Nordsjaelland boss Kasper Hjulmand admitted that he is relieved to have picked up a point in the Champions League group stage, after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Juventus, but was keen to discuss what could have been. A free kick from Mikkel Beckmann opened the scoring for the competition's minnows, as Danish hopes came to fruition, but a Mirko Vucinic goal in the dying stages of the game extinguished any hopes of a heroic victory. Nordsjaelland remain bottom of Group E with a solitary point, but after grinding out a point against the Italian champions they have demonstrated that they are capable of competing with Europe's best. "We could have got more out of the match if we had of kept playing during their pressure," admitted Hjulmand, speaking to reporters. "After playing well in the first half, I don't think we threatened them enough in the second. However, considering their pressure - their equaliser was inevitable - we are happy to be off the mark now," he said. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group

Juventus not interested in signing Drogba, says Marotta The powerful attacker has recently been linked with the Serie A champions, but the Italian giants have no plans to try and sign the 34-year-old. Oct 24, 2012 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has insisted that his side have never thought about signing Didier Drogba, and have no intention to go after the Shanghai Shenhua star in the January transfer window either. The Cote d'Ivoire international, 34, is reportedly unhappy at his current club, and has recently been linked with a move to Italy, with the Old Lady keen to add some more firepower to their squad. However, the former Chelsea striker is not one of the candidates to strengthen the Serie A leaders' attack this winter. "We have never considered making a move for Drogba. That's just rumour and speculation," Marotta told Mediaset Premium. Juventus are also be said to be monitoring the situation's of Roma's Pablo Osvaldo and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 Rossi ‘blames’ Juventus midfield Oct 24, 2012 Italy legend Paolo Rossi believes that Juventus’ problems against Nordsjaelland originated from midfield. The Old Lady were expected to get their first Champions League win of the campaign in Denmark last night, but they could only salvage a 1-1 draw. “The Juventus midfield was subdued,” Rossi told Sky Sport Italia. “Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio put in opaque displays.” According to UEFA stats, Juventus only enjoyed 52 per cent possession during the encounter on Tuesday. Juve had 15 shots on target against the home side’s five. The Bianconeri also had 15 efforts off target versus the three of Nordsjaelland. The Italian champions now have home games against Nordsjaelland and Chelsea, before ending the group stage with an away trip to Shakhtar Donetsk. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 Juventus can rely on history Oct 24, 2012 History shows that all is not lost after Italian giants Juventus drew yet again in the Champions League. The Old Lady complicated their passage towards the last 16 with a 1-1 at Nordsjaelland last night to add to the 2-2 with Chelsea and the 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk. However, the Bianconeri are not new to such a string of results in the European Cup. In 1998-99, they actually drew their first five games in a group containing Galatasaray, Rosenborg and Athletic Bilbao. They beat the Norwegian minnows in their last game to go through and they eventually reached the semi-finals before losing to Manchester United. Current boss Antonio Conte was part of that side. Meanwhile, Inter proved in 2009-10 that you can actually win the competition after drawing your first three games. Jose Mourinho’s troops were stopped by Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev before going through with two wins, three draws and a loss. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND 1 - 1 JUVENTUS Mikkel Beckmann (50′) Mirko Vučinić (81′) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Attendance: 22404 Draw-ventus lack European aura Juventus have complicated their Champions League path with another draw. Luca Cetta writes after the 1-1 with Nordsjaelland. Oct 24, 2012 A night of Champions League shocks looked on the cards during the opening 45 minutes. Celtic led at Barcelona, Manchester United found themselves two goals down and Chelsea fell behind. In Denmark, minnows Nordsjaelland went blow for blow with Juventus as it remained scoreless. There was to be no fairytale for Celtic, while Braga let their lead slip to lose 3-2. Shakhtar have proven to be dangerous opponents – especially at home – so perhaps the shock value was not as high when they claimed a win over Roberto Di Matteo’s side. Meanwhile, Juve toiled for little reward after falling behind to Mikkel Beckmann’s fine 50th minute free-kick. That was until Mirko Vucinic rescued a draw. A relief? Yes. The desired result? No. The Danes gained their maiden Champions League point in a result not many saw coming. It means the Bianconeri have drawn for the third time in Europe this season and for the ninth consecutive game in European competitions. For a club of their stature that record is not good enough. Just as much as winning has become a habit domestically, not winning is prevalent on the continent. The aura of invincibility which powers the Juve machine in Serie A is not present. When they needed to get out of a tight spot against Napoli they found a way. Here it did not occur. The typical grinta was missing. While a different regime and scenario to when the Turin giants drew their way through the Europa League two seasons ago, this side has not yet altered the pattern. The same old problem with this Juventus reared its ugly head in. The lack of a clinical edge in attack was evident once again. A total of 33 shots, just nine on target and only one found its way past the impressive Jesper Hansen. The self-confessed Juve fan did his best to frustrate time and again with a series of saves. Gianluigi Buffon and Angelo Alessio claimed Juve deserved to win after creating ample opportunities, but the fact is they failed to capitalise. The Danish champions should be commended for their performance. They contributed to an entertaining first half, at times holding more possession than Juventus and nearly opened the scoring, only for a superb Buffon stop to deny Joshua John. However, Juve’s captain could do little to prevent the opening goal and for the third straight contest Juventus conceded the lead. Nordsjaelland were then pinned back in their half but defended stoutly, led by youngster Jores Okore. Could Alessio have looked to the bench sooner? In between Beckmann netting and Vucinic appearing Juve were pressing, but the game followed a predictable pattern. Once the fresh injection was made the Bianconeri looked livelier. Beside his goal the Montenegrin was readily involved, while fellow substitute Nicklas Bendtner was vigorous. On home soil and with something to prove a longer run in place of Alessando Matri may have done the trick. On a disappointing night, the Dane’s cameo and the showing of Sebastian Giovinco – who continued on from an impressive display on Saturday – were bright spots. Group E has reached the halfway point and Juve lie third. They will fail to gain six points against Nordsjaelland as expected, but now cannot do with less than four. Shakhtar’s win over the reigning champions throws the group wide open, with the Ukrainians currently leading by three points. Should they take something away from Stamford Bridge it will aid the Old Lady’s cause. But Antonio Conte’s men must be concerned with their results as Juve’s European destiny remains in their hands. Seven points from a possible nine is the minimum required. As recent at 2009-10 Inter drew their opening three matches before qualifying and going on to claim the trophy, so all is not lost. Yet what Juventus requires above all is that winning aura to follow them into the Champions League. http://www.goal.com/en/results-standings/49/uefa-champions-league/group