Socrates

Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea Romeo Pioli: 'Every ball decisive with Juve' Oct 30, 2012 Bologna Coach Stefano Pioli warns “every ball could be decisive” in tomorrow’s trip to the Juventus Stadium. The Rossoblu are coming off a run of three consecutive defeats and face the runaway Serie A leaders. Click here for a match preview. “We are taking on the strongest team in Serie A, so must have the same spirit we showed against Inter,” he said of Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat. “That performance against Inter was positive and we must continue in that vein to have consistency. We must learn to carry the starting mentality all the way through to the end of games. “In Turin every action must be faced with tenacity and aggression, as this is going to take a significant performance. Every ball could be decisive.” Bologna must do without star trequartista Alessandro Diamanti, who sits out a ban, plus the injured Diego Perez, Gianluca Curci, Cesare Natali, Robert Acquafresca and Henry Gimenez. It means Manolo Gabbiadini and Saphir Taider, who are both on loan from Juventus, should partner Alberto Gilardino. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 10 - 31/10/2012 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea Romeo Juventus scrap Alessio conference Oct 30, 2012 Juventus will remain silent ahead of their game against Bologna in the wake of the Catania storm. The club have decided to cancel the pre-game Press conference which would have seen assistant boss Angelo Alessio face questions. The Old Lady will play the Rossoblu at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night where they will be looking to tighten their grip on the Serie A leadership. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A - 9^ Giornata - Andata - 28-10-2012 (ore 12:30) 0 - 1 Arturo Vidal (57′) Stadio Angelo Massimino - Catania Arbitro: Andrea Gervasoni Spettatori: 14000 Serie A - Juve, a Catania 3 punti e polemiche Un gol di Vidal nella ripresa regala i 3 punti ai bianconeri che centrano così il 48esimo risultato utile consecutivo in Serie A. Polemiche per un paio di decisioni arbitrali di Gervasoni e Maggiani: sullo 0-0 annulato infatti un gol nettamente regolare a Bergessio. Eurosport - Domenica, 28 ottobre 2012 Nel bene e nel male la Juventus di Antonio Conte è destinata a far discutere. Nel bene, perché i bianconeri espugnano un campo insidioso, difficile, tosto come quello di Catania grazie al gol di Arturo Vidal e centrano così il 48esimo risultato utile consecutivo in Serie A. Nel male, loro malgrado, perché la partita è caratterizzata da un paio di decisioni errate –entrambe a favore dei bianconeri – del quintetto arbitrale: nel primo tempo infatti, sullo 0-0, viene ingiustamente annullato un gol al Catania per un fuorigioco inesistente di Bergessio e nella ripresa, poi, la posizione di Bendtner da cui nascerà la rete di Vidal è viziata da una leggerissima posizione di offside non rilevata dall’assistente Maggiani. Detto questo, nel mezzo, la solita solidissima prova di una Juventus che ormai non fa più notizia: tanto possesso palla così come occasioni sprecate (soprattutto nel finale dopo l’espulsione del catanese Marchese) dagli avanti bianconeri. LA PARTITA - Che il Catania fosse squadra tosta, soprattutto tra le mura amiche, è fatto piuttosto risaputo e i primi 45 minuti da questo punto di vista non regalano nulla di sorprendete. Così come non sorprendete è la scarsa forma dei quintetti arbitrali che, dopo gli abbagli degli anticipi, sfoderano il piatto forte di giornata a Catania negando agli etnei un gol clamorosamente regolare: al 25’ infatti, dagli sviluppi di una sponda area di Spolli e da una mini-deviazione del Papu Gomez, il pallone sbatte sul palo della porta difesa da Buffon e Bergessio mette dentro il gol del vantaggio catanese. La gioia dura però il giro di pochi secondi: l’assistente Maggiani richiamato all’attenzione dall’arbitro di porta Rizzoli, segnala a Gervasoni un fuorigioco assolutamente inesistente dello stesso Bergessio. La scelta è un“capolavoro” figlio dei famosi “due occhi in più” che dovrebbero aiutare, il gol è ingiustamente annullato e la Juventus si salva. JUVENTUS SVEGLIA, ANDUJAR SUPER - Scampato il pericolo gli uomini di Conte tornano a fare quanto tentato fin da inizio gara: sviluppo del consueto possesso palla a terra alla ricerca dell’inserimento giusto. Maran è però bravo a bloccare tutte le vie centrali e non è un caso che le uniche occasioni della Juventus passino dai cross sugli esterni. Asamoah è ancora una volta più propositivo dello spento Lichtsteiner, Bendtner si dà un gran da fare ma la sua unica pericolosità arriva soltanto a gioco fermo (prima Andujar blocca un tocco sotto e poi una traversa: entrambe le occasioni da posizione di fuorigioco). A regalare la prima vera grande chance ai bianconeri è quindi la coppia Rolin-Legrottaglie che sbagliando un disimpegno mette Vucinic davanti ad Anjuar: fondamentale l’intervento proprio del difensore pugliese che da terra devia il pallone al montenegrino. Il portiere argentino è poi bravo prima del duplice fischio a superarsi ancora su Vucinic che, dopo una sponda aerea di Bendtner, gli testa i riflessi con una conclusione da zero metri. CATANIA, GOL E BEFFA - Il Catania, che aveva terminato il primo tempo in maniera piuttosto nervosa dopo il torto subito – 4 ammonizioni più l’espulsione in panchina di Pulvirenti – esce dagli spogliatoi con l’atteggiamento giusto: rabbia dimenticata e concentrazione assoluta sugli episodi del campo più che quelli extracalcistici. Il ritrovato atteggiamento è spezzato però da una cinica Juventus che, proprio sul più bello, punisce l’unico errore difensivo dei catanesi: la difesa etnea infatti non si posiziona bene dagli sviluppi di una punizione rasoterra di Pirlo, Vucinic trova per la prima volta spazio centralmente e serve l’assist a Bendtner che spara su Andujar; la respinta finisce però sui piedi di Vidal che a porta vuota sigla il gol partita. MAGGIANI, GIORNATA NO! - La giornataccia però, per il malcapitato guardalinee Maggiani, è completa: se nel gol annullato a Bergessio è infatti decisivo l’intervento del giudice di porta Rizzoli, in questa occasione il guardalinee non vede la gamba avanti di Bendtner sull’assist di Vucinic. Il fuorigioco seppur difficile da vedere c’è e per il Catania la beffa si fa completa quando 10 minuti più tardi, Marchese, commette un ingenuo fallo di mano e si prende il secondo giallo. La partita di fatto termina lì. JUVENTUS CHE VA - La squadra di Maran, provata dai grandi ritmi tenuti nel primo tempo e in avvio di ripresa, non ha più le forze per aggredire il possesso palla della Juve e il risultato è salvato soltanto dalla poca lucidità sotto porta dei vari Vidal, Bendtner e Giovinco e dalle parate di un Andujar in versione super. La squadra di Conte torna così al successo dopo lo stop infrasettimanale di Champions e si proietta alla sfida col Bologna ancora saldamente in testa la classifica. E se per i bianconeri ci si mette anche la fortuna, per le altre la rincorsa si fa davvero difficile. Simone Eterno - Eurosport Catania 0-1 Juventus

Juventus have Marchisio doubt Oct 30, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte will have to decide whether to rest or play Claudio Marchisio in the game against Bologna. The Italian international didn’t feature in the 1-0 win at Catania on Sunday because of an ankle problem. Marchisio is thought to be available for tomorrow’s game, but he may not be risked given that Inter arrive in Turin on Saturday evening. The 26-year-old has one goal in eight Serie A appearances so far this term.

Agnelli: Lay off Juventus Oct 30, 2012 Juventus President Andrea Agnelli has defended his club from the accusations being thrown at them after their 1-0 win at Catania. The Old Lady have been attacked after Catania had a good goal disallowed, while the Bianconeri’s winner should have been ruled out for offside. “There was an attitude, a behaviour of tension surrounding Juventus before, during and after the game,” he declared. “There were insults thrown at us in the stands that forced our directors to leave their seats and at the Press conference it was obvious what a siege was waiting for boss Angelo Alessio. “These are unpleasant things that do the sport no good. We were placed in a state of siege that I find absolutely abnormal and atypical.” Agnelli admitted that the match officials had made mistakes, but he was quick to point out that Juve haven’t been overly favoured this term. “We immediately recognised the error and there’s an article on the Panorama website that states how Juve are the team that has benefited the least from alleged refereeing mistakes… “I condemn this behaviour towards us.” Agnelli then defiantly underlined how dominant his side have been in the Italian game over the last year. “We’re closing in on 50 League games without a defeat and, when also taking last season into account, we’re coming off the back of 18 wins and two draws. “That is not to mention the ban of Coach Antonio Conte. We’re waiting for him to return, waiting for him to unleash the great sense of desire that he has!”

Pogba to start for Juve again Oct 29, 2012 Paul Pogba will retain his place in the Juventus starting XI that will face Bologna on Wednesday evening. That is according to Sky Sport Italia, who have backed the young Frenchman to make his second successive start. Pogba was placed into the first team that beat Catania 1-0 on Sunday because of the absence of Claudio Marchisio. Marchisio should return to the side, but Pogba will be confirmed as Arturo Vidal will be suspended after his booking in Sicily. Pogba, a summer signing from Manchester United, has scored one goal in five Serie A appearances so far this term.

Prandelli praises Ballon d'Or three Oct 29, 2012 Cesare Prandelli has responded to the news that three Italian national team players have been nominated for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or. Gianluigi Buffon, Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo have been nominated in a 23-man list for the governing body's annual award, and the 55-year-old Coach has congratulated his squad members for recognition of their impressive 12 months. “It is great news for the whole of Italian football,” he told reporters. “It is recognition that gives us great optimism for the future. “It is brilliant to have three candidates for the Ballon d'Or.”

Prandelli praises Ballon d'Or three Oct 29, 2012 Cesare Prandelli has responded to the news that three Italian national team players have been nominated for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or. Gianluigi Buffon, Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo have been nominated in a 23-man list for the governing body's annual award, and the 55-year-old Coach has congratulated his squad members for recognition of their impressive 12 months. “It is great news for the whole of Italian football,” he told reporters. “It is recognition that gives us great optimism for the future. “It is brilliant to have three candidates for the Ballon d'Or.”

Toppling Juventus will be a difficult task, says Napoli sports director The Partenopei chief has commented on the challenge his side will face in beating the Bianconeri this season, but tipped them for a successful campaign. Oct 29, 2012 Napoli sports director Riccardo Bigon says his club face a difficult task in toppling Juventus from the top of the Serie A table. The Old Lady grabbed a controversial 1-0 win over Catania at the Angelo Massimino on Sunday, after which the losing side's president expressed his anger over Gonzalo Bergessio's disallowed strike. "It will be hard if Juventus continue to win when they don't play very well," Bigon told Gazetta dello Sport. "Referees said that every time you go away from the technical area you will be booked, but in Catania this situation was different." Concerning his side's championship ambitions this season, the 41-year-old added: "We are sure that Napoli will fire until the end of the season for the first, second or third position." Juventus, who face Bologna on Wednesday at home, are currently enjoying a three-point lead over Napoli in Serie A.

Sneijder unlikely to feature against Juventus, admits Stramaccioni The midfielder recently returned to the training pitch after a one-month layoff, but next Saturday's encounter might come too soon for him to make his comeback. Oct 29, 2012 Inter trainer Andrea Stramaccioni has revealed that Wesley Sneijder is unlikely to be fully match fit in time for the Nerazzurri's crunch clash against Juventus. The Netherlands international has been out of action ever since picking up a thigh injury in the 2-0 win over Chievo on September 26, but recently resumed training again. However, Stramaccioni has no intention of rushing his playmaker's comeback and feels the game in Turin will come too soon for Sneijder. "I don’t think he’ll make it for Turin. It’s senseless to force it if we just risk losing him again," Stramaccioni said at a press conference. Sneijder has made five Serie A appearances for Inter so far this term, scoring one goal in the process.

Serie A Team of the Week: Di Natale double takes the plaudits in controversial weekend Goal.com looks at the star performers from the latest round of Italian league action at the weekend. Oct 29, 2012 There were big decisions made by officials in Serie A this weekend, but the performances of the players made for some tough calls when compiling Goal.com's latest Team of the Week. Amidst the mayhem at the Massimino came a cool display in between the sticks from Catania's Mariano Andujar, despite not being able to prevent Juventus from taking a controversial victory back to Turin. In defence, Andrea Ranocchia again makes our team after scoring the opener in Inter's victory at Bologna, and he is joined by Andrea Barzagli, who helped Juventus prevent a single shot on target (Gonzalo Bergessio's aside!) against Catania. Davide Astori gets the final spot for his assured display in Cagliari's excellent away day win at Sampdoria. The midfield quartet supplies a little bit of everything. On the right, Juan Cuadrado contributed both with and without the ball as Fiorentina beat Lazio, while Marek Hamsik's superior energy helped him see off Chievo and score Napoli's only goal in their Sunday night win. Esteban Cambiasso repeated a feat he managed in Inter's treble-winning season of three years ago, scoring in a 3-1 win at Bologna, and Jonathan Biabiany was the star of the show in Parma's victory at Torino. Up front, two players emerge from the same fixture. Erik Lamela grabbed a quickfire double to give Roma what seemed like a winning lead, but Antonio Di Natale struck back with two of his own as Udinese took all three points in stunning fashion. The final man in our XI is birthday boy Stephan El Shaarawy, who gave his old Genoa side a torrid time before slotting home AC Milan's winner on Saturday night. ANDUJAR (Catania) RANOCCHIA (Inter) - BARZAGLI (Juventus) - ASTORI (Cagliari) CUADRADO (Fiorentina) - HAMSIK (Napoli) - CAMBIASSO (Inter) - BIABIANY (Parma) LAMELA (Roma) - DI NATALE (Udinese) - EL SHAARAWY (Milan)

Moggi: Juventus referee should have been closed in the dressing room The ex-Italian football administrator has claimed his former club were victims on Sunday, despite having won the controversial match. Oct 29, 2012 Luciano Moggi has attacked referee Nicola Rizzoli for disallowing a Catania goal against Juventus in Sunday's Serie A encounter. The Old Lady secured a 1-0 win over the Rossazzurri at the Stadio Angelo Massimino, leaving the hosts empty-handed after a 'goal' by striker Gonzalo Bergessio was wrongly ruled out for offside. "Refeeres didn't act in bad faith, they made only errors. The assistant, [Luca] Maggiani, validated the goal and then Rizzoli confused him," the Italian told Radio Kiss Kiss. Much controversy has followed the clash and Moggi has given his full support to Catania chairman Antonio Pulvirenti, who claimed after the game he had just witnessed "the death of football". "Catania chairman Pulvirenti should have closed Rizzoli in the locker room," he blasted. "The real problem is that the referees are now insufficient and want to do more than usual and this is the case with Rizzoli. The goal that was disallowed is something that has no real logic. Rizzoli should be punished." Moggi concluded his assessment of the afternoon by defending the Bianconeri, stating that they did nothing to influence the decisions made. "Juventus didn't ask for favours. They are victims."

Serie A Week 9 - 28-10-12 (12:30 p.m.) 0 - 1 Arturo Vidal (57′) Angelo Massimino Stadium - Catania Referee: Andrea Gervasoni Attendance: 14000 Marotta defends Juventus in ref storm Oct 29, 2012 Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has rubbished claims that they are in charge of some sort of refereeing conspiracy. The Old Lady have been placed in the middle of a storm after Catania had a good goal disallowed on Sunday, while Juve won the game with a strike that should have been ruled out. “I agree with the analysis of refereeing mistakes,” Marotta told Radio Anch’Io Sport on Monday morning. “There have been mistakes and there will be mistakes, but I do not accept the allegations being thrown at us. “Or the insinuations that we got the referee to change his decision. I do not want to hear about any kind of plot and I intend to defend the world Juventus. “And who is to say that Catania’s goal, had it been awarded, would have decided the outcome of the game?” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/