Socrates

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

Serie A - Week 8 - 20-10-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (80′) Paul Pogba (82′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Antonio Damato Attendance: 41000 Juventus 2-0 Napoli: Super-Subs CáCERES & POGBA Take Juve at +3!! Did Anyone Say ‘Squad Depth’? Oct 21, 2012 TOP OF THE TABLE, BABY!!!! As repeatedly stated by the two teams’ respective coaches leading up to the match, Juventus vs. Napoli was NOT a Scudetto showdown: a mid-October clash is simply too early into the Serie A campaign to realistically affect the title race in any significant way. But ‘castles are built brick by brick’ as they say, and the way *this* particular brick was laid out will leave a a grin on the face of all Juventini for many days to come! A tactical, physical affair from the very beginning, the clash between the two ‘capolista’ had all the makings of a dry 0-0 affair devoid of significant scoring chances. It needed one of two things: a goal off a set play, or a piece of individual effort. It got *both*, and delivering it for Juve were two of the unlikeliest sources: substitutes Martín Cáceres and Paul Pogba! Adam and Aaron join forces, bringing you the after-action report of a very pleasant Saturday evening indeed! MATCH ANALYSIS (by Adam Digby) When your closest rivals in the standings come to town for a top-of-the-table clash, having your first-choice goalkeeper (and captain), leading striker (with a penchant for big matches), and head coach all absent would already be pretty high up on a list of worst-case scenarios. Combine the lot, then add one of your starting defenders held up at gunpoint two days before kick-off, AND one of Serie A’s least experienced officials sent to officiate the game. What you get is a banana skin straight from a King Kong brunch order. However, as referee Antonio Damato blew the full-time whistle on a match he never had any semblance of control over, it was once again Turin’s Old Lady standing tall over another defeated foe, notch #47 on a stretch that extends back as far as the remnants of the Gigi Delneri error era. It is seemingly unimportant who currently sits in the driving seat on the Bianconeri bench, such is the depth to which Antonio Conte has been able to ingrain the grinta and Juventus spirit he so embodied as a player into this Juventus squad. A squad that proved tonight it has a depth unrivaled by any other side on the peninsula. Gigi Buffon and Mirko Vucinic failed to recover from injury, both replaced in the starting line-up by Marco Storari and Fabio Quagliarella, two men who once called the Stadio San Paolo home. The former only played four times for the Partenopei and draws little of the ire reserved for his current teammate, universally despised as ‘core ngrato’ (ungrateful heart) by fans of his hometown club, after leaving the shadow of Vesuvius for that of the Mole Antonelliana. Yet it was neither of those who saw of the challenge of Napoli and instead it was left to two substitutes to make the difference and, fittingly, it was a pair from deep on the Juve bench who decided who took the points. After the game had swung backwards and forwards constantly in a battle punctuated by fouls and a lack of action from an officiating team seemingly desperate to let the game flow as much as possible, Angelo Alessio – leading the team now his own ban has ended – made changes to swing the tie in favour of the home side. That the returning Assistant Coach threw on eventual match-winning goalscorers Martín Cáceres and Paul Pogba only emphasised the quality throughout this Juventus squad, and was rewarded for their introductions with a goal from each, although the players’ celebrations were as different as their respective haircuts. The Uruguayan ripped off his shirt and took his top-knot into a jubilant Bianconeri crowd/dugout, while the former Manchester United midfielder – his head looking like it “was run over by a tiny FIAT” – pointed towards his family sitting in the terraces. The night was not without heart-stopping moments for Juventus who could only watch as an Edinson Cavani first-half free kick clipped the crossbar, and had Claudio Marchisio‘s impeccable sense of timing to thank not once, but twice for saving almost certain goals. The run continues and, having seen the second placed side vanquished, it seems the rest of Serie A can only do what now — once again — comes naturally to Juventini worldwide: SALUTATE LA CAPOLISTA!! LE PAGELLE (by Aaron Giambattista) Storari s.v. – Ready to secure the ball at any time, but had very few saves to make. Was rooted to the spot on Cavani’s free kick hitting the crossbar, but even Gigi wouldn’t have been able to get that one. Barzagli 7 – For most of this season, Andrea has not been the same player he was last year. He hasn’t been error-prone per say, but hasn’t dominated the defense like he did in his first season with Conte. Tonight was a rollback performance. “The Rock” completely locked up his man at the back, showed an impressive pace for recovery, and supported the midfield well. Cool and calm. Bonucci 6.5 – Fresh off fending an armed robber, Leo faced another challenge today and was even stretchered off with pain in his knee midway the first half. Though hobbling back into the match, his ailing didn’t affect his performance. Cleaned up any messes at the back. Chiellini 7 – With Ibrahimovic off to Ligue 1, Giorgio needed a new target, and Cavani may be it this year. Was incredibly physical the whole match, cleared the most amount of balls by some measure, and refused to be bullied in defense. Imposing all game. Lichtsteiner 5.5 – Zuñiga didn’t have a particularly good game, so it’s a plus that Lichtsteiner may have cancelled the Colombian out. But he didn’t have much impact offensively himself. Contained his opponent’s forward runs, but never really managed to beat him down the wing either. Struggled to work in the close spaces. Vidal 5 – Arturo’s last great game was against Chelsea. He’s been significantly sub-par since that Champions League fixture and was poor again today, failing to dominate the midfield and always seeming to flirt with a red card (his was the reckless challenge that led to Cavani’s woodwork free kick). Played poorly for Chile during the international break as well (red card being proof). With Pogba in smashing form, perhaps Capitan Uncino just needs a break? (75′) Pogba 7.5 – Stepped in, and scored a phenomenal volley any player would be proud of. This kid is scary talented, and he’s not even 20 years old yet. Who needs Verratti when you have a jewel like “Polpo Paul”? Pirlo 6.5 – Andrea didn’t have a 100+ pass game, nor particularly great accuracy (only 77%), but those passes that met their target were brilliant. Sliced a genius ball through the air for Matri, and provided a perfect corner for Cáceres’s header. Effective. Marchisio 7 – About a year ago, Juventus faced Napoli at the San Paolo with il Principino suspended. His presence, tactical balance, and running were sorely missed in the midfield, where Napoli ran riot. Was fantastically positioned today: put in his fair share of tackling in midfield, and had a few well-timed forward runs (one leading to a great save from De Sanctis, the other winning the corner that opened the match). At the back, Pandev beat both Bonucci and Storari, but who put in a great challenge to save a goal? Marchisio. Always in the right place at the right time. Asamoah 7 – In defense, his incredible physique meant neither Maggio nor Pandev could ever reach the byline, and Kwadwo’s technical abilities led him to consistently beat his Napoli wing counterpart. His 5 successful dribbles were equal to the entire sum of Napoli’s team. An absolutely phenomenal signing thus far. It’s a shame he had to come off due to injury… but not really, since his substitute ended up scoring the winning goal. (77′) Cáceres 7 – Has an uncanny knack for scoring in big games at crucial times. At Juventus, he’s scored 5 goals. The first (in his Juventus debut back in 2009) broke open a late lead over Lazio in a tough match. The second and third occurred on his “second” Juve debut, sinking AC Milan in the Coppa Italia. The fourth was a decisive 1-0 header over Inter, and the fifth today was another header, and also another deadlock-breaker and match-winner. Incredible ace up Conte’s sleeve! Quagliarella 5 – Fabio scored a great goal against his hometown team in the Spring, but was unable to make it another “night to regret” for Napoli. Was suffocated by the Azzurri’s central defense and never managed to do anything with the ball when he had it. It was a tough match for forwards in general, but Fabio was probably the least incisive of either side. (60′) Matri 5.5 – Looked decent in his brief time out. Had a good dribble, a keen pass, and positioned himself well for Pirlo’s long aerial ball forward. Not a good performance, but far from a few abjects ones we’ve seen of late. Giovinco 6 – SuperSeba’s match could easily be split in half. A 6.5 for the first half, and a 5.5 for the second. Was lively in the first few minutes, forcing a good save out of De Sanctis. Took his man on time and time again, though sometimes the second few touches were too heavy. Still, Gio was probably the brightest attacker out there. Should have scored after a good trap in the box, but hit it wide. His deflected shot led to Pogba’s goal. Conte/Alessio 7.5 – Though the two midfields largely canceled each other out, Juve’s defense conceded no space. Sending on Cáceres and Pogba, two players removed from a space in the starting XI, was a sign the “benchwarmers” are clearly feeling the faith from the coaching staff. We have incredible depth in the squad, but thanks to FIGC Prosecutor Stefano Palazzi we now know to have incredible depth in the coaching staff as well. After seeing his ban expire, Angelo Alessio became the third Juventus coach of 2012 to defeat Napoli. Are ya mad yet, Mazzarri? ANALYSIS WRAP-UP (by Aaron Giambattista) Before today, Juventus had struggled in another league match: against Siena. Not aesthetically pleasing games, but rather, games of a champion. A ground-out victory away to a plucky relegation candidate was followed by a showdown against the club’s chief league competitors, but the end result was the game: 3 points. Today, we yet again saw the impact of the incredible depth this team has. With a strong starting XI failing to score, Conte/Alessio sent on Paul Pogba and Martín Cáceres and both notched a goal. The strikeforce may lack a bombing duo like ADP-Trez, but the work rate and production of the entire team means the midfield and defense pick up the scoring slack. It’s late October, and Juventus has won all but one Serie A match this season. This was also their 47th consecutive league game without a loss, only 11 behind AC Milan’s absolute record under Fabio Capello. With a 2-0 victory against a team with an identical Win-Loss-Draw record, it ensured the Bianconeri’s lone spot in 1st place, further cementing their status as the club with the best strike record (19 ahead of Lazio’s 15) and the best defense in the league (4 conceded ahead of Napoli’s 5). Juventus has started a phase of domestic glory. With Napoli short on money, AC Milan and Inter struggling in rebuilding, and AS Roma’s “Zeman brand” of unpredictability, the Old Lady is set to continue to dominate the league for many years to come. It’s time for la Vecchia Signora to create another winning Agnelli dynasty, and to start working on that mentality in Europe as well. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/