Socrates

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.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3rd leg) - 23-10-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ NORDSJAELLAND - JUVENTUS Parken Stadium - Copenhagen Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) Caceres: Juventus desperate for first Champions League win The Uruguay international is aiming for victory in Tuesday's encounter against the Danish outfit in order to keep the Bianconeri's European ambitions alive. Oct 22, 2012 Juventus defender Martin Caceres is eagerly anticipating the Champions League Group E fixture away against Nordsjaelland, and is determined to bag the full three points against the Danish Superliga champions. The Serie A giants drew their opening two games against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively, and Caceres realises that they cannot afford to slip up again on Tuesday if they are to reach the knockout stages of European club football's elite competition. "Now we want to go on and do well in the Champions League," the Uruguayan defender was quoted as saying on the official Juve website. "We’ve drawn our first two games and it’s time for our first win. We understand the importance of Tuesday's game in Denmark. "We always want to win, we know we’re wearing a shirt that brings pressure and we always play to get the three points." Tuesday's encounter is scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET.

Serie A Team of the Week: Amauri and Osvaldo at the double Goal.com looks at the star performers from the latest round of Italian league action at the weekend. Oct 20, 2012 With a couple of very big games and a huge batch of big performances, round eight's Team of the Week was not an easy one to compile. But Goal.com has managed to whittle down the numbers to present you the best XI from the weekend's fabulous Serie A action. Torino were the latest side to come away from the Renzo Barbera with something to show for their trip to Sicily, and it was Jean-Francois Gillet who left with the most credit, with some excellent stops ensuring that Palermo wouldn't take all three points against the Granata. In front of him, Andrea Ranocchia gets the nod for an impressive shift against Catania, who had Inter on the rack at times in the second half at San Siro but couldn't find their way past the big centre-back. Andre Dias is the first of three Lazio players in this week's team as he kept Giampaolo Pazzini quiet during the Biancocelesti's 3-2 win over Milan. The final spot in the back line goes to supersub Martin Caceres, whose header moments after coming on for Juventus against Napoli broke the spirit of the away side and sent Juve clear at the top of Serie A. Our four-man midfield has some familiar faces, as another wonder strike from Antonio Candreva earned him a third call in succession for the Team of the Week. His effort from distance for Lazio helped to put Milan out of sight, and his endeavour down the right ensured that it was a long time before the Rossoneri could make any headway down his flank. Paul Pogba is included after he came on to hit a magnificent volley to see off Napoli for Juventus, prompting calls for the Frenchman to see more game time in the black and white shirt. Anderson Hernanes' latest influential performance, capped by his sixth goal of the campaign, gets him a centre-midfield spot, while Kwadwo Asamoah appears in our XI for the fourth time this season thanks to his phenomenal effort down the left in Juve's 2-0 win. Up top, Antonio Cassano is rewarded for his goal and leadership from the front in Inter's win against Catania, but he's flanked by two men who went one better. Amauri netted twice - the first from the spot - as Parma surprised many by taking three points off Sampdoria at the Ennio Tardini, while Pablo Daniel Osvaldo bounced back from a fortnight of conjecture and controversy to score an excellent double in Roma's comeback victory at Genoa. GILLET (Torino) RANOCCHIA (Inter) - DIAS (Lazio) - CACERES (Juvents) CANDREVA (Lazio) - POGBA (Juventus) - HERNANES (Lazio) - ASAMOAH (Juventus) CASSANO (Inter) - AMAURI (Parma) - OSVALDO (Roma)

Marotta: Top player? Top team… Oct 22, 2012 Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has underlined that one player – even a top player – doesn’t make a team. One of Marotta’s missions during the summer was the acquisition of a big-name striker, but he didn’t have the finances to make that happen. Juventus, however, haven’t missed a main hitman as they sit at the top of the table after seven wins and a draw from their first eight games. “I always hear people talk about a top player, but here we need to speak about a top team,” he told Radio Rai. “The team unit is our true strength. “The statistics enable us to make a full analysis and confirm that we have a winning model. “This team has lost just once in 55 competitive fixtures, and we’re on a 47-game unbeaten run in the League. We’re at the top of the championship, with the best attack and best defence. “This is down to the work which we started two years ago when President Andrea Agnelli arrived.” The Old Lady’s form this term has been even more surprising given that it has come without Antonio Conte on the touchline given his four-month ban. “The absence of Conte is something that weighs heavy on us, but his professionalism and that of his backroom staff enables the team to be fully prepared for our games,” Marotta added. “We suffer without Antonio, but this gives everyone greater stimulation. The squad is our strength and this is also evident by the fact that 12 different players have hit the target so far this season.” Juve are next in action on Tuesday in the Champions League against Nordsjaelland of Denmark. “We go into the game knowing that we’re the superior side. This is a fundamental step and we’ll travel to Denmark looking for all three points.”

Pogba agent – why the surprise? Oct 22, 2012 The agent of Paul Pogba says he’s not surprised by his client’s encouraging start to life in Serie A with Juventus. Pogba won some rave reviews over the weekend after he came on during the game against Napoli to score a spectacular second in the 2-0 win. “Did I celebrate his goal? No,” Raiola told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “I’m actually surprised by the general surprise… “Paul has some great ability and he just needs to play games in order to gain experience. “Juventus believed in him and they are giving him the right conditions that he needs. But let’s not get over-excited with the compliments because he still has a long way to go.” The Frenchman, just 19, has scored one goal in four Serie A appearances since his summer transfer from Manchester United. “Italian football needs to have more courage in focusing on youngsters,” Raiola added. “It needs to be a strategic decision.”

Serie A - 8^ Giornata - Andata - 20-10-2012 (ore 18:00) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (80′) Paul Pogba (82′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Antonio Damato Spettatori: 41000‎ Serie A: La panchina della Juve stende il Napoli Una partita intensissima è decisa a 10 minuti dalla fine dall'uno-due terrificante della Juventus: prima Caceres infila di testa, poi Pogba trova l'eurogol al volo. Bianconeri che proseguono così la loro corsa in vetta alla Serie A e staccano proprio il Napoli. Eurosport - Sabato, 20 ottobre 2012 Sono i dettagli a fare la differenza tra il vincere e il perire. E’ questa la massima che si racchiude dietro Juventus-Napoli e che permette ai bianconeri, per la 47esima volta, di proseguire il proprio cammino senza intoppi e rimanere in vetta alla Serie A. Al Napoli – un ottimo Napoli, giusto ricordarlo – è fatale una piccola disattenzione nel momento clou della gara. Martin Caceres infatti, l’uomo che sblocca l’equilibrio con un colpo di testa da calcio d’angolo a 10 minuti dalla fine, viene completamente perso da una difesa partenopea in cui ancora si scorgono i fantasmi di Stamford Bridge mandando così la Juve al settimo cielo. L’opera della panchina bianconera (Caceres era subentrato ad Asamoah da appena 2 minuti) è completata centoventi secondi più tardi dal capolavoro balistico del giovane Paul Pogba che con un sinistro al volo dai 30 metri trova la prima gioia in A e allo stesso tempo regala al campionato, se ancora ci fossero dubbi, il nome della vera squadra da battere. LA PARTITA - Che Conte e Mazzarri potessero affrontarsi solo in un certo modo era chiaro alla vigilia e come tale si è confermato in campo il primo tempo. La filosofia base di entrambi – fisicità e intensità – è ampiamente rispettata dai 22 sul rettangolo di gioco ma, ad avere la meglio, almeno nei primi minuti, è il metodo di applicazione di Conte che più che preferire il contropiede, sceglie di tenere il possesso del pallone e schiacciare l’avversario con il pressing. Il Napoli però, pur soffrendo in avvio e chiamando all’intervento De Sanctis dopo soli 60 secondi su un ottimo spunto di Giovinco, rimane sì schiacciato nella propria metà campo ma si difende con ordine e non permette alla Juventus di creare vere occasioni da rete. L’ESALTAZIONE DEL RITMO - Il merito dei partenopei è però quello di essere una squadra di grande personalità e, alla prima vera sortita offensiva, trovare l’occasione migliore dei primi 45 minuti. Al 27’ Hamsik trova l’inserimento e Vidal, con troppa foga, interviene in maniera scomposta al limite dell’area: la punizione è da posizione defilata, ma Cavani lascia partire un destro a giro di rara potenza; il pallone supera Storari e l’incrocio dei pali salva la Juventus. Di fatto, da lì in poi, non arrivano più reali chanche ma la partita resta comunque pregevole: lo spettacolo in campo è infatti un’esaltazione del ritmo e di un modulo – il 3-5-2 muscolare di Conte e Mazzarri – che mette in scena una partita che, per velocità soprattutto, da tempo non si vedeva nel campionato italiano. MENO CALCIO E PIU' CALCI - Il the dell’intervallo placa le gambe di un ritmo francamente insostenibile per entrambe le squadre ma, sicuramente, non è un calmante per i nervi. L’agonismo del primo tempo infatti, mai sfociato in episodi di “violenza”, in avvio di ripresa si trasforma in una serie di falli in mezzo al campo che rendono la partita decisamente meno piacevole rispetto al primo tempo. L’unica vera occasione finisce sui piedi di Giovinco in maniera piuttosto fortuita: Asamoah, probabilmente il migliore in campo, dopo l’ennesima discesa serve al centro un pallone che il numero 12 della Juventus prima non controlla ma poi si ritrova sul destro: palla vicino al palo e De Sanctis immobile. MATCH BLOCCATO - Detto questo però la trama tattica non cambia di una virgola. Il Napoli va alla caccia di ripartenze quasi sempre impedite dal lavoro sporco del centrocampo bianconero e la Juve, dal canto suo, fatica a trovare lo spunto in attacco. Il nuovo entrato Matri dopo 6 minuti di nulla conferma ai 41mila dello Juventus Stadium perché sia finito in fondo alle gerarchie non trasformando in rete un lancio delizioso di Pirlo da oltre 40 metri. Il Napoli invece, oltre a essere ben bloccato sugli esterni, fatica a trovare il movimento tra le linee di un Pandev poco ispirato: il risultato è un Cavani commovente per generosità ma praticamente mai pericoloso dalla parti di Storari. CAMBI BENEDETTI - La partita sembra a questo punto bloccata ma, gli dei del calcio, apparentemente si schierano contro la Juventus. Al 68’ Asamoah subisce un intervento da dietro che lo costringe 10 minuti più tardi a lasciare il campo proprio a Caceres; Vidal – ancora una volta sottotono – è sostituito per lasciare spazio alla fisicità del prorompente Pogba; Marchisio, steso da dietro da un fallo di Behrami non sanzionato dall’arbitro, si guadagna un corner che sarebbe dovuta essere una punizione. La mescola di questi 3 ingredienti all'apparenza negativi è in realtà un cocktail magico e la Juve, proprio da quel corner, passa. La difesa del Napoli va in tilt con le marcature (Asamoah non era mai salito sui corner) e Caceres stacca da solo in area piccola. 1-0. Passano 120 secondi e su un tentativo di pulizia dell’area dei partenopei Pogba si regala la prima gioia in A con un sinistro di rara bellezza. 2-0. La partita di fatto finisce lì. Sì perché l’ingresso di Insigne arriva ormai a giochi fatti e Pandev riesce anche a sprecare un contropiede 2 contro 1. Episodi, dettagli, sottigliezze... chiamateli come vi pare ma, alla fine di un big match così come di un campionato o una Coppa, una singola marcatura può fare tutta la differenza del mondo. Chiedere al Chelsea per credere… Simone Eterno - Eurosport Juventus 2-0 Napoli