Socrates

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Juventus will take nothing for granted, says Alessio The Turin side's assistant trainer is full of respect for the Farum side ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match. Oct 23, 2012 Juventus coach Angelo Alessio has insisted the Serie A champions will have to be on top of their game against Nordsjaelland if they are to get a good result in Tuesday's Champions League encounter. The Danish powerhouse have lost their opening two games, but Alessio has nothing but respect for Nordsjaelland as Juve look to record their first win of the group stages. "We’ve got great respect for Nordsjaelland. They play an attractive style of football and keep good possession," the 47-year-old said at a press conference. "They’ve got technically gifted players and their strength could also be seen against Chelsea in spite of their defeat. "Chelsea scored three of their four goals here very late in the match, so we know it is not going to be easy for us. Nordsjaelland have been playing some fine football." Tuesday's match in Copenhagen kicks off 20:45CET.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Juventus look to end draw streak Oct 23, 2012 Juventus will be looking to break their European taboo with a victory against Nordsjaelland in the Champions League. Despite their Serie A record of seven wins and one draw from their first eight games this term, winning in Europe is proving problematic. The Old Lady have drawn both of their Champions League games so far this season against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk. It means that they have not won on the continent for eight games after drawing all six of their Europa League group ties during the reign of Gigi Del Neri. Their last victory came during a Europa League tie against Sturm Graz back in October 2010. Their last win in the Champions League was in November 2009 at Maccabi Haifa. Mauro Camoranesi got the only goal of the game.

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Nordsjaelland-Juventus, le formazioni ufficiali: Out Vucinic, in avanti ci sono Matri e Giovinco. Spazio anche per Isla e De Ceglie Tra i bianconeri c'è il rientro di Buffon, mentre Vucinic non giocherà dal primo minuto, in campo al suo posto ci sarà Matri con Giovinco. 23 ottobre, 2012 Dopo due pareggi consecutivi, la Juventus in Danimarca contro il Nordsjaelland deve per forza vincere se vuole continuare il suo cammino in Europa. Antonio Conte ha deciso di concedere un turno di riposo ai suoi esterni, schierando De Ceglie e Isla. Out anche Vucinic (che andrà in panchina insieme a Bendtner, con Quagliarella in tribuna), in avanti ci saranno Matri e Giovinco. Ecco le formazioni ufficiali: Nordsjaelland (4-2-3-1): J.Hansen; Parkhurst, Okore, Runje, Mtiliga; Adu, Stokholm; Lorentzen, Laudrup, John; Beckmann. A disposizione: Villadsen, Gundelach, Christensen, Tičinović, Petry, Christiansen, Nordstrand. All. Hjulmand. Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Lucio, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Matri, Giovinco. A disposizione: Storari, Caceres, Pogba, Giaccherini, Marrone, Vucinic, Bendtner. All. Alessio.

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Uno stadio troppo piccolo per la Champions, un patron con le mani in pasta ovunque e un figlio d'arte: tutto sul Nordsjaelland avversario della Juventus Profilo, storia e curiosità della formazione danese che attende la Signora a Copenaghen: l'ennesima favola della nuova Champions di Platini. 23 ottobre, 2012 Sulla carta, e per quanto visto sinora, sembra più difficile pronunciare correttamente il loro nome che batterli e tornare così a una vittoria che in Europa manca da quasi 3 anni. Il Nordsjaelland, onesta e nulla più squadra di Farum, è crocevia fondamentale delle speranze della Juventus di approdare agli ottavi di Champions League. Stasera nel catino del Parken di Copenaghen, dove i danesi sono costretti ad emigrare perché il loro stadio è troppo piccolo (meno di 10 mila posti a sedere) per ospitare gare di Champions League, va in scena il più classico dei 'Davide contro Golia'. Da una il piccolo club danese, fondato nel 1991 e con nel palmares solo un campionato e due coppe nazionali, dall'altra la Juventus, uno dei club più famosi e vincenti al mondo che, tanto per rendere l'idea, nel 1991 aveva già vinto (tra l'altro) 22 scudetti, 8 Coppe Italia, una Coppa Campioni e una Coppa Intercontinentale. Per sfortuna dei bianconeri, ma per fortuna dello spettacolo, in campo non va la storia, anche se in manifestazioni come questa pesa e non poco. Il Nordsjaelland rappresenta un'intera regione (la Northern Sealand), soprattutto da quando nel 2003 ha assunto l'attuale denominazione, che ha sostituito il nome Farum Boldklub, nato dall'unione di due club, il Farum Idraets Klub e il Stavnsholt Boldklub. Conquistata la Serie A danese nel 2002, da allora è stata un'escalation di risultati, fino allo scudetto della passata stagione. Alla base del successo di questa squadra di un sobborgo multietnico di Copenaghen ci solo la passione e i soldi dell'uomo d'affari locale Allan Kim Pedersen, personaggio con le mani in pasta un po' dappertutto (servizi per hotels, sanità, viaggi e industria), finito nel mirino della Suprema Corte proprio per l'acquisto poco trasparente e a un prezzo stracciato del Nordsjaelland da una delle sue holding, che sarebbe poi fallita poco dopo. L'inchiesta è ancora in corso e la fine del procedimento non è poi così vicina. Intanto Pedersen si gode la sua creatura, diventata grande grazie all’ex giocatore del Celtic, Morten Wieghorst, che in cinque anni ha vinto due coppe danesi prima di cedere alle lusinghe della Danimarca Under 21 e lasciare la panchina al suo vice, Kasper Hjulmand, che al primo tentativo ha vinto uno storico scudetto. La peculiarità di questi sconosciuti danesi è un gioco sempre propositivo e votato all'attacco, che in Champions (Shakthar e Chelsea insegnano) possono diventare autentiche voragini, dove i vari Vucinic, Giovinco e Quagliarella possono infilarsi come nel burro. Gioco d'attacco e tanta corsa per una squadra che in estate ha perso le sue due stelle più luccicanti, Andreas Bjelland passato al Twente e Tobias Mikkelsen che ha fatto le valigie per andare in Germania al Greuther Fürth. Da queste parti il problema del top player non se lo sono mai posti, nel 4-2-3-1 l’uomo chiave è il 36enne centrocampista Nicolai Stockholm, naufragato a San Siro contro l’Italia. Non sono malvagi i due terzini, il nazionale Usa Michael Parkhurst e il 31enne Patrick Mtiliga, un passato in Olanda e nel Malaga. Il giocatore con il tasso tecnico più elevato è l’olandese Joshua John, 24 anni, arrivato in prestito dal Twente, grande dribbling e velocità. Il nome che, però, accende maggiormente la fantasia è quello di Andreas Laudrup, figlio di Michael, che con la Juve ha vinto uno scudetto e una Coppa Intercontinentale. Dal padre e anche dallo zio Brian, il 22enne Andreas ha ereditato solo passione e buona volontà, ma nulla più. Mentre la Juve vola in campionato dove non conosce sconfitte da 47 partite, i danesi occupano il terzo posto a 4 punti (e con una gara in più) dal Copenaghen. Freddo a parte, quella di stasera ha l'aria di essere poco più di una scampagnata, ma guai ad abbassare la guardia: la famosa birra locale Carlsberg può anche rimanere sullo stomaco...

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) A Copenaghen arriva una Juventus stakanovista, Marchisio in primis: "Non siamo stanchi, abbiamo una rosa ampia e competitiva per la Champions. Conte? E' merito suo se siamo arrivati fin qui" Il centrocampista bianconero ha parlato in conferenza stampa: "Stiamo bene, non vedevamo l'ora di disputare la Champions e adesso non vogliamo farcela scappare". 23 ottobre, 2012 Scudetto con la Juventus, finale europea con la Nazionale ed il suo nome, Claudio Marchisio, inserito nella lista dei pretendenti al Pallone d'Oro. Per il 'Principino' bianconero è stata una grande annata. Ma per concludera ancora meglio l'obiettivo è fare ben anche in Champions League. Stasera contro il Nordsjaelland è l'occasione giusta per tornare a vincere in europa dopo ben otto partite: "Sei di Europa League e le prime due di Champions, le ricordo tutte. La vittoria contro il Napoli, importantissima per il campionato, ci ha dato uno spinta in più. Dobbiamo vincere e siamo convinti di potercela fare", dichiara Marchisio in conferenza stampa. Prima la Nazionale, poi il big match col Napoli e adesso la trasferta a Copenhagen. Stanchezza? Non secondo Marchisio, stakanovista come tutta la Juve: "Stiamo bene, stiamo bene. E anche per me è la stessa cosa, gioco tanto, campionato-Champions e Nazionale ma non sono affatto stanco. Anzi: contentissimo. Ovviamente rispetto le scelte dell’allenatore ma da parte mia vorrei sempre stare tra gli undici titolari". La Juve, come ribadisce Marchisio, ha dimostrato di avere mille risorse: "Certo che giocare ogni due giorni non è facile per nessuno ma presentiamo una rosa ampia e competitiva. Del resto non vedevamo l’ora di disputare la Coppa più bella del mondo e adesso che siamo qui non vogliamo farcela scappare". E non importa se quest'anno segna di meno, l'importante è che alla fine riesca comunque a festeggiare: "Non penso a queste cose e se devo essere sincero aggiungo che non mi interessano neppure. A me interessa solo vincere. Vincere e basta. Penso a vincere in Champions, questo è il mio obiettivo e quello dei miei compagni". La chiusura del 'Principino' è tutta per Conte: "Ci manca la sua carica quando è in panchina, ma ci abbiamo fatto l'abitudine. I nostri allenamenti sono molto intensi e ce li portiamo dietro durante i match. E continueremo a farlo senza problemi con la speranza di averlo in panchina al più presto. Perché se siamo arrivati a questo punto il merito è soprattutto suo che è riuscito a regalarci una carica vincenti. Ci sentiamo tutti un po’ più forti".

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Marchisio sprona la Juve: "E' tempo di vincere anche in Europa. Occhio al Nordsjaelland, in Europa le squadre non si conoscono bene" Il centrocampista della Juventus è intervenuto in conferenza stampa insieme all'allenatore in seconda bianconero Angelo Alessio. 22 ottobre, 2012 Dopo i due pareggi contro Chelsea e Shakhtar, per la Juventus martedì sera contro il Nordsjaelland è tempo di vincere per poter sperare di andare avanti in Champions League. In conferenza stampa ha parlato il centrocampista bianconero Claudio Marchisio. "Questa partita è decisiva per il nostro cammino in Europa. Dopo aver pareggiato i primi due incontri adesso è arrivato il momento di vincere. Non credo che in una competizione come la Champions League possano esistere delle partite facili, il Nordsjaelland è una squadra che a mio modo di vedere gioca bene a calcio. Ci sono inoltre molti giocatori che hanno una buona esperienza internazionale, che in Champions è essenziale". Marchisio ha poi continuato: "Bendtner si sta allenando bene, credo che abbia cominciato a mettere qualche dubbio nella testa del mister sulle scelte da fare in attacco. Giocare in Europa è molto diverso rispetto all'italia, in Serie A conosciamo per filo e per segno i nostri avversari, qui c'è da approcciarsi contro squadre che molto spesso non si conoscono alla perfezione".

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Alessio non si fida del Nordsjaelland e avvisa i suoi ragazzi:"I danesi esprimono un buon calcio, meritano rispetto. Formazione? Nulla di deciso" Il vice allenatore bianconero mostra di rispettare gli avversari, e non si sbilancia sull'undici che scenderà in campo domani sera: "Decideremo dopo l'ultimo allenamento". 22 ottobre, 2012 Per la prima volta in stagione, dopo il consistente sconto di pena ottenuto dal Tnas, tocca ad Angelo Alessio presentarsi in conferenza stampa alla vigilia, in vista della gara che attende domani la Juventus in quel di Copenaghen. Gara che si preannuncia già decisiva per il prosieguo del cammino bianconero in Champions League. Il vice di Conte non si sbilancia sulla formazione che scenderà in campo contro il Nordsjaelland: "Abbiamo ancora una sessione di allenamento per decidere gli undici da schierare domani sera". Quindi Alessio mostra di avere grande considerazione per gli avversari di domani, e avverte tutti: "Nutriamo grande rispetto per i danesi, sono una squadra che riesce ad esprimere un buon calcio. Anche se hanno perso le prime due partite contro Chelsea e Shakhtar sono riusciti comunque ad avere un buon possesso palla, sarà una cosa da tenere a mente". Tornando sul tema formazione, è quanto mai probabile che domani sera venga concessa una chance dal primo minuto agli eroi del match contro il Napoli, Caceres e Pogba. Certi i rientri di Buffon e Vucinic. Ipotizzabile anche un turno di riposo per Barzagli, che verrebbe rimpiazzato dal brasiliano Lucio.

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Il tecnico del Nordsjaelland Hjulmand rispetta la Juventus e dichiara: "I bianconeri sono fortissimi, noi però giocheremo senza paura" Hjulmand prova a infondere coraggio ai suoi uomini in vista del match contro la Juve, anche se ammette: "La forza dei bianconeri è il collettivo, e Pirlo è unico al mondo". 22 ottobre, 2012 Alla vigilia di Nordsjaelland-Juventus è il turno di Kasper Hjulmand, allenatore della squadra danese, impegnata domani nel match di Champions League contro i bianconeri, presentarsi in sala stampa per la consueta conferenza pre-gara. Hjulmand mostra rispetto per la Juventus, dichiarando. "E' una squadra dal valore assoluto, basti dire che non ha mai perso.- quindi sottolinea- Pirlo è unico al mondo, ma credo che la forza dei bianconeri sia il collettivo e la mentalità trasmessa da Conte". Infine il tecnico dei danesi detta la propria ricetta per provare a fare risultato contro la compagine bianconera: " Dal canto nostro cercheremo di scendere in campo senza paura, giocandoci le nostre occasioni". Nessun timore reverenziale dunque in casa del Nordsjaelland, in un match come quello di domani sera, che si preannuncia molto aperto, avendo entrambe le squadre assoluta necessità dei tre punti per sperare di proseguire nel proprio cammino in Champions League.

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Verso Nordsjælland-Juventus: Vucinic non ce la fa, spazio a Matri e Giovinco. A centrocampo confermato Vidal Contro la 'cenerentola' danese la Juve non potrà lasciare altri punti per strada dopo i pareggi contro Chelsea e Shakhtar. Pogba partirà dalla panchina. 22 ottobre, 2012 PROBABILI FORMAZIONI NORDSJAELLAND Hansen Parkhurst - Okore - Runje - Mtiliga Stokholm - Adu Lorentzen - Christensen - John Beckmann ------------------------------------------------- Matri - Giovinco De Ceglie - Marchisio - Pirlo - Vidal - Isla Chiellini - Bonucci - Lucio Buffon JUVENTUS QUI NORDSJæLLAND Sarà una serata di gala quella che il Nordsjælland vivrà questa sera, quando ospiterà i campioni d'Italia della Juventus nel suo primo match contro una squadra del Belpaese. Il morale è alto, anche perchè il tecnico Hjulmand non deve far fronte a nessun infortunio e potrà quindi avere a disposizione tutti i suoi uomini migliori. Obiettivo: segnare il primo goal nella massima competizione europea per club. Se poi arrivasse anche la prima vittoria... QUI JUVENTUS In Danimarca, la Juventus ritrova Buffon, sabato scorso costretto a saltare per un affaticamento muscolare il big-match col Napoli. Il portierone bianconero riprenderà posto fra i pali, col pur bravo Storari che torna in panchina, alle spalle di una difesa in cui Lucio dovrebbe far rifiatare Barzagli. A centrocampo almeno due cambi, con Isla preferito a Caceres per la fascia destra e De Ceglie su quella sinistra. Di fianco a Pirlo e Marchisio, poi, la novità è la conferma di Vidal nonostante il momento di forma non esaltante del cileno. Partità dalla panchina, quindi, Pogba. In attacco, le condizioni fisiche di Vucinic lasciano spazio fra i titolari a Matri e Giovinco, col montenegrino che potrebbe finire addirittura in tribuna. IL MOMENTO La formazione danese arriva a questa partita sull'onda della vittoria per 3-0 conquistata venerdì scorso contro il Silkeborg, ma anche sulla scia di due sconfitte nelle prime due gare del Gruppo E di Champions, dove ha incassato 6 goal e ne ha realizzati nessuno. Ha il morale alto anche la Juventus, reduce dall'importante vittoria in campionato col Napoli. In Champions, però, anche i bianconeri sono ancora a secco di vittorie e contro il Nordsjælland sono chiamati a fare bottino pieno sia in trasferta che, successivamente, nella gara in casa. LA CHIAVE La chiave della partita sarà l'approccio alla gara che i giocatori della Juventus avranno sin dal primo minuto. La squadra danese è formazione che cerca sempre di far gioco e senz'altro cercherà di sorprendere i bianconeri nella prima parte di gara. Concentrazione massima, quindi, per Pirlo e compagni, che se giocheranno come sanno avranno poco da temere dalla volenterosa formazione danese. Viceversa, un atteggiamento di sufficienza potrebbe essere deleterio per la squadra di Conte. I PROTAGONISTI Pirlo sarà il fulcro del gioco bianconero, come al solito, ma potrebbero essere Matri e Giovinco i grandi protagonisti della partita, visto che dovranno per forza di cose trovare grandi motivazioni in una partita di Champions in cui partiranno da titolari. Dopo il gran goal segnato contro il Napoli, il francese Pogba potrebbe rivelarsi un'arma importante da utilizzare a partita in corso. Testa a Testa --------------------------------------- Ultime 5 Partite FC Nordsjælland 02/ott/2012 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - Chelsea FC 4 - UCL 19/set/2012 - Shakhtar 2 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - UCL 08/lug/2012 - Twente 2 - FC Nordsjælland 1 - AMICHEVOLE 25/ago/2011 - Sporting 2 - FC Nordsjælland 1 - EL 18/ago/2011 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - Sporting 0 - EL JUVENTUS 20/ott/2012 - Juventus 2 - Napoli 0 - Serie A 07/ott/2012 - Siena 1 - Juventus 2 - Serie A 02/ott/2012 - Juventus 1 - Shakhtar 1 - UCL 29/set/2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 1 - Serie A 25/set/2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A Previsione FC Nordsjaelland 0 - 2 Juventus

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Juventus probable XI for Nordsjaelland Oct 23, 2012 Gigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic are expected to return to the starting line-up for Juventus’ game at Nordsjaelland tonight. The duo missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Napoli, but were both included in the squad for their Champions League tie. Boss Antonio Conte is expected to make other changes though to his first choice XI when they take on the Danish minnows. In defence, Lucio is expected to be brought into the side in place of Andrea Barzagli who will be allowed to catch his breath. There will be changes on the flanks as Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah have been left in Turin. Martin Caceres and Paolo De Ceglie are set to be picked above Mauricio Isla and Emanuele Giaccherini for those roles. Paul Pogba is providing Arturo Vidal with some competition for a spot in midfield, but the Chilean may still start. In attack, Alessandro Matri and Sebastian Giovinco are fighting to be picked alongside the returning Vucinic. Juventus probable: Buffon; Lucio, Bonucci, Chiellini; Caceres, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Matri, Vucinic.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ SHAKHTAR - CHELSEA Unbeaten for 11 months: Why Chelsea should fear Shakhtar Donetsk The Miners struck a blow to Juventus' European aspirations last time out and given their recent form, the Blues will have to be on their guard against Ukraine's finest. Oct 23, 2012 COMMENT By Michael Yokhin It is somewhat peculiar that Shakhtar Donetsk managed to take many Italians by surprise with their superb 1-1 draw at Juventus Stadium three weeks ago. The Ukrainian champions deserved to beat La Vecchia Signora quite comfortably, but why should that astonish anyone? Astonishingly, the 1-1 draw at Juve is the only competitive game Shakhtar have failed to win since March! After all, the very same Shakhtar reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2010-11, soundly thrashing Roma 3-2 at Olimpico and 3-0 at Donbass Arena. The words “very same” should be taken literally here. Of the starting line-up for those games, only Brazilian star Jadson has left the club, returning to Sao Paolo at the beginning of the year. All the rest, without exception, are still in Donetsk, and most of them have only improved since. Shakhtar are currently the most stable club in Europe by some margin, and they are building their success on a very solid foundation. Their management is exceptional, and they take great pride in retaining stars, rather than chasing new ones. One of the most important stars is veteran Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu, who arrived in Donetsk in May 2004, a few weeks before Jose Mourinho took charge at Stamford Bridge. Roman Abramovich has hired and fired six more managers since, not counting Ray Wilkins. Meanwhile, Lucescu’s position has never been questioned, and he has led Shakhtar to six league titles, four national cups and Uefa Cup success in 2009. It was more than three years ago, but no less than nine starters from that final against Werder Bremen still play for Lucescu’s team. To put things into perspective, only two Bremen starters from that fixture, Clemens Fritz and Sebastian Prodl, still feature for Thomas Schaaf’s outfit. Just four Roma players who faced Shakhtar in March 2011 are at Zdenek Zeman’s disposal today. Shakhtar’s captain, Croatia wing-back Dario Srna, is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world in his position but is terribly underrated because he has played for an unfashionable Eastern European club since 2003. Romanian left back Razvan Rat has also been in Ukraine since 2003, closing in on a decade at Donbass. Czech defensive midfielder Tomas Hubschman arrived from Sparta Prague in 2004. Shakhtar have even been able to retain their Brazilian stars too despite offers from big western clubs. Willian, the imaginative versatile playmaker, who made Juventus’ midfield look almost amateurish at times, was bought from Corinthians as a 19-year-old in 2007, and is still in Ukraine despite strong interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. Fernandinho, who effortlessly dictates the game’s rhythm when on form, is in his eighth season at Shakhtar. Centre forward Luiz Adriano, who scores and misses a lot of goals, is ever improving after joining in 2007. Remarkably, even Ilsinho, who left the club in 2010 to return to Brazil, chose to sign for Shakhtar again in January. However, this does not mean that Lucescu and general director Sergei Palkin never look for reinforcements. On the contrary, outstanding purchases are made every summer. A new generation of Brazilians is prospering at Shakhtar, with 22-year-old Alex Teixeira, scorer of the brilliant goal against Juventus, particularly catching the eye. He was signed in 2010, together with the technically superb Douglas Costa, while striker Dentinho joined a year later on. The best addition, though, was an Armenian. The wonderfully two-footed Henrikh Mkhitaryan was bought from neighbours Metallurg in 2009, and is now developing into a world class scorer. Naturally, every team experiences tough patches from time to time, and Shakhtar were hugely disappointing in the Champions League last season, finishing last in a group containing APOEL Nicosia, Zenit St Petersburg and Porto. Even then, their 2-2 draw in the 'derby' against the Russian champions was one of the best and most entertaining matches in Europe. The final standings would have prompted many clubs to look for a coaching alternative, but not so at the Donbass Arena. Lucescu retained the trust of his superiors, and by the end of the season rivals Dinamo Kiev were humiliated once again when Donetsk completed their second successive league and cup double. This term, their form has been irresistible. Shakhtar have won all of their 12 league fixtures, and dumped Dinamo Kiev out of the Ukrainian Cup, a 4-1 thrashing that resulted in the end of Russian coach Yuri Syomin's reign in Kiev. Astonishingly, the 1-1 draw at Juventus is the only competitive game they have failed to win since March. In fact, Shakhtar are unbeaten in all competitions since losing to Porto in November 2011. Granted, local opposition in Ukraine is not of the highest quality, but that should not make the achievement less significant. Chelsea will visit opponents of supreme quality on Tuesday, and Shakhtar’s goals are set very high. They remember only too well in Donetsk that Dinamo Kiev, led by Andriy Shevchenko, reached the Champions League semi-finals in 1999. Club owner Rinat Akhmetov, the richest person in Ukraine, wants his side to better that record, and firmly believes his team is up to the task. In order to make the dream come true this season, the Ukrainians must finish above Chelsea or Juve in the group, and the couple of games against Roberto Di Matteo’s team are crucial. The Blues might be flying high in the Premier League, but their Italian manager knows only too well that taking a single point from Donbass Arena will be a very positive result.

Marotta: Our model is winning Oct 22, 2012 Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta spoke to Radio Rai about his squad, returning to the definition of “little toy soldiers” that had been used by Inter’s Antonio Cassano to describe the Bianconeri. He spoke about the professionalism of his players, and the importance of being a group. “In a group, there must be a respect for rules, otherwise you won’t go very far,” he said. “We have done that which should be done by every squad. We have some rules, and we have players who are very responsible, and who understand that their job takes sacrifices.” He also took the time to speak about the statistics that speak about his team’s mentality. “The statistics help us to do a more complete analysis. “We have only lost one game in 55 official matches, and are unbeaten in 47 league matches. “We are at the top of the table, we have the best defense, and the best attack. All this shows our model is winning.” Marotta expressed his thoughts on the players in his Bianconeri side, especially the young, home-grown talents. “At the moment no Italian club can purchase a player like Messi. Not only him, but there are many other players who are unreachable. We’re talking about players that cost €30 million and upwards. We are at a point in our football tradition where we must give higher value to our young Italian players.” The Juventus big man was asked about Paul Pogba possibly being a new Andrea Pirlo. “I don’t believe it is possible to find a new Pirlo. You need to look for good players that then must be handled by our technical staff. Pogba is a young player who is appreciated, but not glorified. Besides being an exemplary professional, he is a very intelligent player.” On Tuesday night, Juventus take on Nordsjaelland in their next Champions League match. “Tomorrow night against Nordsjaelland we must win,” he said. “Dangers lie right around the corner. We must play with an awareness of being better than the opponents, but at the same a respect for their game.”

CHAMPIONSLEAGUE.CA UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Nordsjaelland vs. Juventus Preview Oct 22, 2012 Matchday Three of the Champions League begins tomorrow, among the fixtures is Danish champions Nordsjaelland hosting Serie A holders Juventus. This is a big match for the Italians, who have picked up two points and trail Shakhtar and Chelsea (who also play) on four points. Back to back meetings against Nordsjaelland should be an easy six points, keeping them in the race for first round knockout qualification, but they cannot take anything lightly at this point or else they could see an early exit from the competition. Gianluigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic were called up to the squad after injuries kept them out against Napoli on the weekend, they should start on Tuesday. Kwadwo Asamoah picked up a slight leg knock so he was left in Turin as precaution and Stephan Lichtsteiner is being rested. Paolo De Ceglie could feature at left wingback, while one of Martin Caceres or Mauricio Isla will start on the right. Everyone else should remain unchanged in Antonio Conte’s patented 3-5-2 (with Angelo Alessio managing on the touchline). Nordsjaelland have no reported injuries so they can play any XI they wish, the starters from their last outing against Chelsea could be the preferred selection. With two games of Champions League experience under most players’ belts, nerves may not be a factor anymore, especially with Juve needing maximum points in both games to realistically keep themselves in the fight for top 2. This will be a game that will encourage a win rather than a performance, but it would be nice for the Bianconeri attack to score at least a couple along with the defense keeping a clean sheet to give themselves a positive goal differential. With Nordsjaelland’s six goals conceded and zero scored, this should be a straightforward task for the Serie A leaders. Not to mention they earned a morale boosting 2-0 victory against Napoli at home, with two substitutes getting the goals in Martin Caceres and Paul Pogba. Juventus certainly got some goal scoring threats in every position off the bench, not just the attack. The two players to watch for Juventus are Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo. For Giovinco, this could be a golden opportunity to get himself on the score sheet for his first Champions League goal. He was very close to getting a tally against Napoli, but narrowly missed two great chances. He should come in hungry and might have enough space to operate as his size was a problem against Chelsea in the first match. For Andrea Pirlo, he might get more room than usual because Nordsjaelland could be content to sit deep and frustrate Juve, so look for the midfield maestro to orchestrate the attack like he has so many times in his career.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) 'There are no easy game in Europe' Oct 22, 2012 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has warned his teammates against complacency when they play Nordsjaelland in the Champions League. The Bianconeri travel to Denmark to face Kasper Hjulmand's men on Tuesday, and the Italy international has claimed that, although the Wild Tigers may be European debutants, they will still be a tough proposition. “There are no easy games in the Champions League, so we have to be careful,” he told a Press conference. “Nordsjaelland are a team that like to play football, with a lot of internationals in their squad. “This match is decisive for us in Europe. We drew the first two games, and now the time has come to win.” He also commented on the progress of summer signing Nicklas Bendtner. “Nicklas is working very well,” he said. “Every session he is getting more and more used to the way we play.”

IN DIRETTA CON IL PASSATO : ROBERTO BETTEGA Prima di Essere Bobby-Gol RACCATAPALLE NELLA JUVENTUS, LE GIOVANILI E IL SUCCESSO IN B CON IL VARESE E POI IL GRANDE DEBUTTO NELLA SQUADRA BIANCONERA GolCalcio.it Roberto Bettega, juventini come lui ce ne sono pochi. E non solo perché con i suoi gol, quasi sempre esaltanti, ha contribuito a far della sua squadra l’asso pigliatutto, ma per la sua assoluta semplicità, la cortesia e l’assoluta realtà. Nella Juventus ha cominciato giovanissimo: “Avevo solo nove anni quando mio padre mi accompagno allo stadio e nell’intervallo abbiamo sentito che cercavano bambini per il NAGC. Il giorno siamo andati alla selezione e sono stato accettato. Incomincia a dare i primi calci al “Combi” e la domenica facevo il raccattapalle a Sivori e a Charles…quest’ultimo è stato il mio campione preferito, e ed ora, non voglio che dicano che gli assomiglio, andiamoci piano…John è stato un campione troppo bravo in tutto. All’inizio giocavo come mediano laterale e così incominciai fra i giovanissimi. A quattordici anni lasciai il NAGC per la trafila delle squadre minori e nella squadra allievi l’allenatore Grosso intuì la mia inclinazione come goleador. Un giorno mi disse che dovevo provare a giocare all’ala destra perché dimostravo un temperamento d’attaccante. Andò bene e poi giocai come centravanti, in difesa non tornai più. Poi la “Primavera” e poi la “De Martino”, ma non credevo che la mia carriera andasse poi così di corsa. Credevo di cominciare in serie C o D invece all’epoca la Juventus aveva chiesto al Varese Leopardi. I lombardi volevano Zigoni, ma la dirigenza nicchiò offrendo infine io e Bonci. Andai a Varese ricco di entusiasmo, anche perché ero stato ceduto in comproprietà, ma all’inizio i tecnici mi dissero che avrei giocato poco, in modo che successivamente sarei stato riscattato per pochi soldi… Ma in campionato le cose andarono diversamente; le due punte Braida e poi Corradi si infortunarono in pochi giorni così alla quinta di campionato Liedholm mi fece esordire con il Modena. Alla fine del torneo disputai trenta incontri segnando ben tredici gol, altro che panchina! La Juventus mi riscattò ma avevo paura di non giocare; in quel periodo ci furono ottimi acquisti come Capello e Landini dalla Roma. Invece Picchi ebbe subito fiducia in me e debuttai con il Catania e realizzai il gol della vittoria. Così comincia la mia carriera con la Juventus, una squadra che spesso ha “ucciso il campionato”. In molti dicono “squadra aiutata”, “arbitri che vedono troppo o troppo poco”… tutte favole! La Juventus è una squadra che ha sempre dimostrato di essere una formazione di primo ordine, che può aspirare a trofei più esaltanti! Lo so. E’ quasi uno scotto da pagare, che vince di solito non è simpatico…ma la realtà e diversa, le vittorie sono sempre frutto di sacrificio, rinuncia ,lotta.” da "Intrepido" n.13 del 27 marzo 1975

................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3^ giornata di andata) Parken Stadium - Copenhagen martedì 23-10-2012 - Ore 20:45 Arbitro: Deniz Aytekin (Germania) Confronti ufficiali 0 Vittorie Juventus 0 Pareggi 0 Vittorie Nordsjaelland 0 Goals Juventus 0 Goals Nordsjaelland 0 Nordsjaelland - Juventus a Copenhagen Confronti ufficiali 0 Vittorie Juventus 0 Pareggi 0 Vittorie Nordsjaelland 0 Goals Juventus 0 Goals Nordsjaelland 0 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro il Nordsjaelland - Ultimi confronti diretti - Giocate 0 - Vittorie Juventus 0 - Pareggi 0 - Vittorie Nordsjaelland 0 - Goals Juventus 0 - Goals Nordsjaelland 0

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Excited Hjulmand relishing Juventus test Kasper Hjulmand says FC Nordsjælland are looking forward to two-time European champions Juventus's visit "like it is Christmas Eve", with both teams seeking a first Group E win. Oct 22, 2012 FC Nordsjælland coach Kasper Hjulmand compared himself to a child at Christmas as he spoke of his club's excitement at hosting Juventus on Tuesday. "We are looking forward to this match like it's Christmas Eve," said Hjulmand, who did not disguise his admiration for Juventus and Andrea Pirlo, in particular, but stressed that his team still "have a chance" of taking their first Group E points. Nordsjælland Coach Kasper Hjulmand Juventus are a fantastic team. They have not lost in 47 league matches and are also undefeated in the Champions League this season. Juventus coach Antonio Conte has created a side with a superb team spirit. Everybody works extremely hard and knows exactly what to do. The team is the star. Andrea Pirlo is the key, though, as his distribution is second to none. He is a joy to watch – at least when you are not up against him. I am not the first coach to try to find a way to close Pirlo down. It is an almost impossible task. If we can improve as much for this match as we did between our first game at Shakhtar Donetsk and the one against Chelsea, we have a chance. We did a lot of things right against Chelsea. Juventus do not give many chances away so we have to be clinical in front of goal. I rate Juventus as one of the best teams in the world right now, but we believe we can surprise them if we give our all. We are looking forward to this match like it is Christmas Eve. Weekend result Friday: Nordsjælland 3-0 Silkeborg IF(Nordstrand 72, Okore 75, Laudrup 80) Hansen; Gundelach (Parkhurst 73) Okore, Stokholm, Mtiliga; Petry (Issah 63) Adu; Christensen, Lorentzen, John; Nordstrand (Laudrup 73). • Morten Nordstrand scored his 50th Superliga goal on Friday. Nordsjælland have lost just one of their last 14 home games – the 4-0 defeat by Chelsea FC on matchday two. Team news Ivan Runje and Mikkel Beckmann are doubts for the game following tests during training on Monday. Juventus Assistant coach Angelo Alessio I have plenty of experience and a good feeling, so I am not worried that Antonio Conte is not here for this match. We have respect for FC Nordsjælland, but we acknowledge that we are the favourites and have a good chance to pick up three points. Chelsea scored three of their four goals here very late in the match, so we know it is not going to be easy for us. Nordsjælland have been playing some fine football. We will assess the squad after our training session at the stadium and then decide who is going to play. Conte decides who plays depending on the tactical outlay and the opponents we face. We have five forwards in the squad so it is not certain that Nicklas Bendtner will feature. Weekend result Saturday: Juventus 2-0 SSC Napoli (Cáceres 80, Pogba 82) Storari; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Lichtsteiner, Vidal (Pogba 76), Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah (Cáceres 78) ; Giovinco, Quagliarella (Matri 60). • Paul Pogba scored his first goal for the club as the Bianconeri extended their undefeated run to 47 Serie A games, since a 1-0 defeat at Parma FC on 15 May 2011. Fabio Capello's AC Milan set the Italian top-flight record of 58 matches without defeat between 1991 and 1993. Team news Gianluigi Buffon (thigh) and Mirko Vučinić (flu) are back in contention after missing the Napoli game, while Kwadwo Asamoah (ankle) and Stephan Lichtsteiner (fatigue) have stayed in Turin. Simone Pepe is out. Match fact Michael Laudrup, father of Nordsjælland forward Andreas, was on Juventus's books between 1983 and 1989, scoring 16 goals in 102 games.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Champions League Preview: Juventus vs. FC Nordsjælland — Danish Treat Oct 22, 2012 For all the winning Juventus has done this season, there seems to be one thing missing. No, no, It's not Antonio Conte celebrating on the sidelines after every goal — although I do miss that guy running up and down the sideline like a complete mad man sometimes. Hint: It involves the competition that Juventus are playing in tomorrow. If you guessed "Champions League win" then you can come on down and collect your very own prize! (Black & White & Read All Over doesn't actually give out prizes.) For the next two European games, Juventus have the chance to play the bottom feeders of Group E. And, at the same time, Chelsea and Shakhtar will basically beat each all to hell. Or that's the hope, at least. The first one, obviously, is in Denmark in 24 hours time. The next, in two weeks, is the return leg at Juventus Stadium. So, with the squad already touching down in Copenhagen, we say one word: AVANTI! GOOD NEWS The best part about Saturday's 2-0 win over Napoli wasn't just the fact that Juve battled for two late goals, but also how they didn't show any kind of drop off from the international break. Obviously a lot of it had to do with the fact just about everybody was off with their respective national teams, but still. The fact that they came out against a very difficult side and won was fantastic. Now let's just hope they can continue playing like that for an extended period of time instead of throwing in a complete clunker like they did the last time the Champions League was on the schedule. BAD NEWS I know absolutely nothing about tomorrow's opposition other than the fact that they're from Denmark. What does that say about me? Well, you can probably guess that the amount of Danish Superliga games I've ever watched can be counted on one hand — that is also missing a few fingers. So, for info regarding Nordsjælland, I direct you to the JuventiKnows match preview written, unsurprisingly, by their resident Danish football correspondent. WHAT TO WATCH FOR 1. How much squad rotation there will be. Because, well, let's face it. Nordsjælland isn't going to be the toughest team Juventus play in the next month or so. I know it's the Champions League and you should never take any of your opponents lightly. But a little squad rotation against a team that Juventus should beat never hurt anybody. 2. How Juventus starts the game. This is the kind of game where you want things settled fast and have nothing waiting to be settled going into the final 30 minutes or so. Well, that's at least the way I think of it. Juventus should — and hopefully will — show that they're the better team early, take the lead, put the game away, and then cruise the rest of the way. There's the blueprint, fellas. Go ahead and follow it as close as you'd like. 3. Starting strikers. Why? Because we do it every goddamn week, nerds. Mirko Vucinic said he's good to go on Facebook as the team left for Denmark on Monday, so it'll be interesting to see whether he starts from the bench or is on the field when the opening whistle sounds. Sebastian Giovinco is coming off a damn good game against Napoli over the weekend, so I'd expect to see him start. Other than that, it's really totally up in the air. 4. The right-wing battle. (And no, this has nothing to do with who I'm voting for President next week.) With Stephen Lichtsteiner not being included in the 22-man squad that departed for Denmark, it's a two-man race for who's starting on the right wing against Nordsjælland. It would make sense if Martin Caceres is picked because he has been the second stringer on the right for pretty much the entire season thus far. However, this would be a great chance for Mauricio Isla to get a start against a side where he could get some confidence going. 5. How San Gigi is looking. Not his outfit, which will be awesome as always, but the condition he is in after missing Napoli over the weekend. He presumably is completely healthy since he is back in the squad and hopefully he doesn't have much work to do on Tuesday. 6. The final result of Chelsea-Shakhtar because, well, it's pretty damn important. My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Isla, Vidal, Pogba, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Vucinic, Giovinco

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Nordsjælland vs. Juventus PREVIEW – Danish New Boys vs. Determined Old Lady Oct 22, 2012 Tuesday night will see the Old Lady of Italian football have a first date with some humble Danish “Wild Tigers” and, while confidence will be soaring following the 2-0 victory over Napoli on Saturday, three vital Champions League points are absolutely essential for Juventus. After two draws against Chelsea and vs. Shakhtar the Bianconeri can ill afford to slip up in Scandinavia. In terms of stature in the footballing landscape, it’s hard to imagine two sides farther removed from each other than FC Nordsjælland (pronounced: “Norshelland”) and Juventus. Turin’s Vecchia Signora is a storied and hugely successful club, domestically as well as internationally, and a member of the absolute world elite (a historical fact that even the tumultuous events of the last six years have not altered). FC Nordsjælland (or simply FCN, as they’re often called in Denmark) on the other hand, is a very new club indeed, the current name having only been in use since 2003 (they were previously known as Farum, a town in the northeast of the island of Zealand from which the Tigers hail). Indeed, the club never tasted Danish top-tier football before the 2002-03 season, and while they have stayed up ever since, it wasn’t until 2010 that FCN won their first trophy, the Danish Cup. Successfully defending their Landspokalturneringen (Yup, that’s how the cup’s called — Ed.) title the following season, the meteoric rise of the once unknown provincials was completed in 2012 when they won the Danish Superliga a mere twelve years after the club introduced professional football! In many ways this match is a duel between opposites, for even though the common denominator is that both won their domestic championships last season, for the Danes this was a unique feat in the history of the club whereas for the Bianconeri, a Scudetto was more a case of “normality restored”. This fixture thus pits UEFA Champions League debutantes against seven-time finalists of said tournament; Italian pedigree against Danish pluckiness. There was only ever going to be one favourite going into this match. But while there is every reason to think Juve can live up to the billing, this encounter is vital for their chances to proceed from the group stage, especially after their home draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Bianconeri quite simply NEED to get six points from the coming two games against FC Nordsjælland – and that kind of urgency comes with its own type of pressure, no matter the level of the opposition… FC Nordsjælland That FCN are reigning champions of the Danish league is still a bit of an enigma for many people domestically. Not so much because of the team itself — which plays an uncompromising and enjoyable brand of football under highly rated coach Kasper Hjulmand — but more so because FC Copenhagen (the dominant force of Danish football in recent years) failed to win the title, something which everyone agreed was there for the taking (and that in the very first season where a championship resulted in direct qualification for the UCL). But one club’s loss is another club’s gain, and FCN are naturally relishing the chance to compete with Europe’s finest. The fact that they are there at all speaks volumes of how far you can go with a coherent vision, a settled game plan and inspirational coaches (any of that sound familiar, Juventini?). For while is was a surprise that the club performed that well last season, there was no doubt that the solid, possession-based and attacking system developed at FC Nordsjælland over the last few seasons had the potential to come good. Like their (much) more illustrious counterparts Barcelona (and in many ways, Juventus too), the recent success of the Tigers is built first and foremost on a system or even a philosophy of football, which has been implemented and matured with great care. The club’s explicit values of “Team Spirit, Courage, Dedication and Joy” have resonated around the team, and coupled with some shrewd breeding and buying of the right types of individuals to function within it, the “vision” of FC Nordsjælland culminated last season. The big question since then of course was whether or not this model could make it against the elite teams of Europe. The answer has, so far, been a rather emphatic “no”. For while the Danes have some European experience (including being only narrowly beat to the Europa league group stage by Sporting Lisbon two years in a row), the basic difference in level of experience – and not least, sheer quality – has so far shone through in their two previous UCL outings. For while FCN stayed true to their possession-based style and saw plenty of the ball, both in Donetsk and at home vs. Chelsea, the results speak for themselves: two defeats and a goal difference of 0-6. The Tigers will of course hope that the first two results were down to inexperience, namely the team’s need to bed in and get used to the pace and the ferocity of the Champions League, but one has to wonder whether these results are not simply caused by the general chasm in quality between a good and talented group of individuals — most notably Okore, Mtiliga, Stokholm, Nordstrand, and of course young (even if he is mostly used as a sub still) Andreas Laudrup, son of former Barça, Real Madrid, and more importantly Juventus icon Michael — and the truly great and proven squads of their group opponents. It should also be noted that FCN parted with one of their best assets this summer, in shape of central defender Andrea Bjelland, whose absence has been clearly felt in the opening stages of this season, both in the league and in Europe. It shall be interesting to see whether FC Nordsjælland intend to persevere with their traditional game plan against Juventus, or if the two defeats early on have forced coach Hjulmand to opt for a more cautious/cynical approach when facing the Italian Champions in Copenhagen (due to the limited capacity of the their home ground in Farum, Nordsjælland play their Champions League matches at Parken Stadium in the Danish capital). NORDSJæLLAND (4-2-3-1) Hansen Parkhurst, Okore, Runje, Mtiliga E.Adu, Stokholm Lorentzen, S.Christensen, John Beckmann BENCH: Villadsen, A.Christiansen, Nordstrand, Gundelach, A.Laudrup, Ticinovic, Petry Starting %: S.Christensen 55-45% Nordstrand Injured: - Suspended: - Other: D.Jensen, Kildentoft, K.Issah, Lawan, Sise Juventus Two of the main concerns for Antonio Conte’s men this season was how they performed following international breaks, and in what way their form would be affected by playing in Europe’s elite competition all while attempting to sustain a successful Scudetto defence. There appears to be no problem with the latter, a combination of the squad having such incredible belief in its own ability – witness the ease with which substitutes Martín Cáceres and Paul Pogba slipped into the side against Napoli – but the former is quickly becoming a far more pressing issue. Stretching back to Gigi Delneri’s ill-fated UEFA Europa League run, la vecchia Signora now holds the dubious record of having drawn 8 consecutive continental matches but that simply must end here, if Juve are to hold any hope of progressing beyond the Group Stage. As Chelsea and Shakhtar go head-to-head twice, Juve have a real opportunity to put six points on the board against what is undoubtedly the weakest side they will face this term. [insert own joke about Zeman’s Roma here!] Conte will most likely continue with the 3-5-2 formation that has served the side so well thus far and is perhaps unlikely to rotate too many players, so vital it is to win here. Pogba and Cáceres may well be given starts, in-keeping with mister Conte’s habit of rewarding those who perform well but, those two aside, we are most likely to see the strongest XI possible come kick-off time. This should include returning Gigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic, but however not Kwadwo Asamoah (who picked up a slightly ankle knock Saturday) and Stephan Lichtsteiner (suffering from over-exertion) who are not part of the call-up list. The game may also see some playing time for Eljero Elia… erm sorry, Nicklas Bendtner as he was in good goal scoring form for the national team last week and has been performing well in training according to the club propaganda machine. If that all sounds eerily familiar to you then don’t worry, you are not alone! Of course it is a match riddled with all those footballing clichés about guarding against complacency, over-confidence and not underestimating the opposition in the quintessential ‘must-win game’. However, this is one match where supporters everywhere (even Danes who have inexplicably chosen this moment to leave their homeland and travel to North America… cough*LARS*cough) will want to tune in and see a convincing performance. One that simply says to the rest of Europe… We are back… We are serious… WE ARE JUVENTUS! JUVENTUS (3-5-2) Buffon Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Cáceres, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini Giovinco, Vucinic BENCH: Storari, Lúcio, Marrone, De Ceglie, Pogba, Matri, Bendtner Starting %: Giaccherini 60-40% De Ceglie, Vidal 55-45% Pogba, Giovinco 70-30% Bendtner Injured: Lichtsteiner (matchday #9), Asamoah (#9), Pepe (#9) Suspended: - Other: Rubinho, Padoin, Isla, Quagliarella, Iaquinta

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Nordsjaelland are a good team, says Claudio Marchisio The Bianconeri midfielder has given credit to the Danish Champions League debutants ahead of their Group E clash on Tuesday evening. Oct 22, 2012 Juventus' Claudio Marchisio is aware of the difficulties his side could face when travelling to Denmark to play against Nordsjaelland for their next Champions League fixture. The 26-year-old told reporters at a press conference leading into the game that despite The Old Lady being clear favourites, he believes that the Danish underdogs could pose a threat to his team's European plans. "Nordsjaelland are a good team. They have players with international experience," he warned. The Italy international then went on to explain the challenge of facing lesser-known opposition in an international context, detailing how domestic matches can differ greatly to European games. "For us, winning in Italy is all too easy because we know all of the other clubs very well. In Europe, it is difficult to win every match. "But now we have to win to continue our European tournament," he concluded. Juventus take on Nordsjaelland on Tuesday evening at 20:45CET.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Nordsjaelland - Juventus Preview: Winless Bianconeri looking to heap more misery on Danish champions Antonio Conte's men will be desperate to return to Turin with all three points after drawing their opening two games thus far, away to Chelsea and at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. Oct 22, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS FC NORDSJAELLAND Hansen Parkhurst, Okore, Runje, Mtiliga Stokholm, Adu Lorentzen, Christensen, John Nordstrand JUVENTUS Buffon Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Pirlo Isla, Marchisio, Vidal, De Ceglie Giovinco, Vucinic Juventus should be bolstered by the return of captain Gianluigi Buffon and forward Mirko Vucinic for Tuesday night's crucial Champions League Group E clash with FC Nordsjaelland. Buffon sat out Saturday night's Serie A win over title rivals Napoli with a thigh injury picked up on international duty with Italy but is expected to be given the all-clear to return in goal in place of Marco Storari for a game that the Bianconeri simply have to win after successive draws against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk. Vucinic also missed the top-of-the-table showdown in Turin but he has recovered from the flu virus which laid him low last week and is expected to start up front alongside Sebastian Giovinco, with Fabio Quagliarella dropping to the bench. However, on the down side for the Italian champions, the game in Copenhagen has come too soon for both Simone Pepe and Paolo De Ceglie, who are also doubtful for this weekend's trip to Catania. As for the hosts, who have lost their first two games without scoring a single goal, coach Kasper Hjulmand has at least no fresh injury concerns, with his troops having come through last Friday's 3-0 win over Silkeborg unscathed. DID YOU KNOW? • Nordsjaelland have never before lined-up against an Italian side in European competition. • Juventus have taken on Danish opposition just once before, the Bianconeri defeating Hvidovre IF 7-4 on aggregate in the first round of the 1982-83 European Cup. • The hosts have now gone eight games without a victory in Europe, losing seven of those encounters. • Andreas Laudrup's father, Michael, netted 16 times in 102 appearances for Juventus. • Nordsjaelland quartet Nicolai Stokholm, Kasper Lorentzen, Jesper Hansen and Jores Okore were all in the Danish squad beaten by Italy in Milan last weekend. Juventus forward Nicklas Bendtner started up front for the visitors. • Juventus have yet to taste defeat in any competition so far this season, with their unblemished Serie A record now standing at 47 games, a run which stretches back to the penultimate round of the 2010-11 season. Head to Head ................................ Last Five Matches FC Nordsjælland Oct 2, 2012 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - Chelsea FC 4 - UCL Sep 19, 2012 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - UCL Jul 8, 2012 - Twente 2 - FC Nordsjælland 1 - FR Aug 25, 2011 - Sporting Lisbon 2 - FC Nordsjælland 1 - EL Aug 18, 2011 - FC Nordsjælland 0 - Sporting Lisbon 0 - EL JUVENTUS Oct 20, 2012 - Juventus 2 - SSC Napoli 0 - Serie A Oct 7, 2012 - Siena 1 - Juventus 2 - Serie A Oct 2, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - UCL Sep 29, 2012 - Juventus 4 - Roma 1 - Serie A Sep 25, 2012 - Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 0 - Serie A Players to Watch Joshua John Scoring goals has proven incredibly difficult for FCN in their debut campaign in the Champions League proper, so they could really do with their most reliable marksman, Joshua John, carrying over his scintillating domestic form into European competition. That will be easier said than done, of course, but the on-loan Twente attacker, who has netted eight times in nine Danish Superliga appearances since arriving in Farum during the summer, showed enough against the Blues last time out to suggest that he belongs at this level. Arturo Vidal The all-action Chile international was strangely out of sorts in Saturday's crunch clash with Napoli and his withdrawal midway through the second half came as no surprise. Juventus will need the former Bayer Leverkusen man at his biting best if they are to suppress what is likely to be a spirited challenge from the home side. Prediction The home side are unsurprisingly seen as the whipping boys in Group E, having lost their opening two games. However, Juventus would do well to be very wary of the Danish champions, who caused Shakhtar problems in Donetsk before coming out on the wrong side of an incredibly unjust 4-0 scoreline at home to Chelsea. Still, Juventus received the perfect pick-me-up after some rather patchy performances by deservedly defeating Serie A title rivals Napoli at the weekend. Away win. Editor's Prediction FC Nordsjaelland 0 - 2 Juventus

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Alessio: Nordsjaelland have our respect Oct 22, 2012 Angelo Alessio has claimed that Juventus will not take anything for granted when they face Nordsjaelland in the Champions League. The Bianconeri travel to Denmark to face Kasper Hjulmand's team on Tuesday, and the 47-year-old assistant Coach believes his side will not be complacent. “We have great respect for Nordsjaellad,” he told a Press conference. “They are a team that plays great football, and have done well against Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea. “They play good, possession football, and we realise how much quality they have. We have prepared for a challenging match. “There are no easy games in this competition, so we will have to focus on tomorrow night.” He also declined to comment on any selection issues his team may face ahead of the game. “We still have one more training session,” he said. “And we will use it to make any final decisions regarding who will start.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Juventus squad for Nordsjaelland Oct 22, 2012 Gigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic are back in the Juventus squad for their Champions League game at Nordsjaelland on Tuesday. Buffon and Vucinic missed the 2-0 win over Napoli on Saturday through injury and illness respectively, but they have returned for European duty. Left-back Paolo De Ceglie also returns to the set-up, but Simone Pepe, Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner have remained in Turin. Asamoah picked up an ankle injury at the weekend, while the Swiss international right-back has been rested. Juventus are third in their group, two points behind Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk, after two draws from two games. Squad: 1 Buffon, 2 Lucio, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 6 Pogba, 8 Marchisio, 9 Vucinic, 11 De Ceglie, 12 Giovinco, 15 Barzagli, 17 Bendtner, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 23 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 27 Quagliarella, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Isla, 34 Rubinho, 39 Marrone.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Laudrup relishing Juventus challenge Oct 22, 2012 Andreas Laudrup of Nordsjaelland is looking forward to facing Juventus – a former club of father Michael. The latter, now boss of Swansea City, was a player for the Old Lady in the 1980s and his son will take on the Turin giants in the Champions League on Tuesday. “It will be a special evening for me,” stated the 21-year-old to Tuttosport. “My dad played for Juventus for four years and he has always spoken well of his time in Turin where he has happy memories. “I don’t know whether I will start the game,” added the midfielder. “I hope I do though as facing the Bianconeri would be a dream. “Juventus are a great side, a very great one. They are the Italian champions and they play an entertaining brand of football.” Laudrup added that he has great admiration for Juventus and Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo. “He’s a fantastic player with an excellent right foot,” he explained. “He is the star of the Bianconeri midfield, but also that of Italy. You could learn a lot from him. “To play alongside him? It’ll be nice, but I don’t think that is likely. I’m young and I still need to grow. I would have to do a lot to deserve the shirt of Juventus. “But I can’t hide the fact that I’d love to play for the same club that my father played for.”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Buffon returns for Juventus as Lichtsteiner & Asamoah are rested The experienced shot-stopper has shaken off his thigh injury while some of his team-mates will stay behind in Turin to recover from minor fitness issues. Oct 22, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has been included in Juventus' 22-man squad for Tuesday's Champions League match away against Nordsjaelland. The goalkeeper picked up a muscular problem while away on international duty with Italy and consequently missed this weekend's 2-0 Serie A win over Napoli. However, the 34-year-old has now been given the green light again by the club's medical staff and is likely to start against the Danish champions. Meanwhile, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah have both been left out of the team for Tuesday's Group E match. The Ghanaian midfielder has been omitted as a precaution after taking a knock to his ankle during Saturday’s meeting with the Partenopei, whereas the Swiss full-back will be put through a specific regime to improve his condition. Juventus have collected two points from as many games, while Nordsjaelland lost their opening two matches.