Socrates

Serie A - 5^ Giornata - Andata - 25-9-2012 (ore 20:45) 0 - 0 Stadio Artemio Franchi - Firenze Arbitro: Paolo Tagliavento Spettatori: 21000 Una super Fiorentina ferma la Juve: 0-0 La squadra di Montella gioca una partita perfetta imbrigliando per 90 minuti i bianconeri di Conte e costringendoli allo 0-0. Viola due volte clamorosamente vicino al gol con Jovetic (traversa) e Ljajic nel finale di primo tempo. Juve praticamente mai pericolosa. Eurosport - Martedí, 25 settembre 2012 Se il calcio fosse boxe e le vittorie andassero ai punti, questa sera, sarebbe la squadra vestita in viola ad uscire vincitrice. La Juventus prosegue infatti il suo cammino da imbattuta nella gestione Conte (44esimo risultato utile consecutivo in Serie A), ma tra tutti i pareggi dei bianconeri, questo 0-0 del Franchi, è sicuramente uno dei più dolci. La Fiorentina di Montella riesce ad imbrigliare come pochissime (forse nessuna) altra squadra la filosofia autoritaria della Juventus di Conte e costringe i campioni d'Italia a una partita di corsa e sofferenza. Non è un caso che alla fine nella Juventus il miglior in campo sia Asamoah, l'uomo con più fiato del gruppo, come non è un caso che al 90' il pubblico di Firenze dedichi una standing ovation ai suoi uomini, che rispetto al campionato scorso sembrano totalmente trasformati. Merito di una prova d'orgoglio necessaria dopo la batosta di sei mesi fa, ma anche di un Montella capace di mettere le catene al duo Pirlo-Vidal. Il tutto, infine, condito dalle due più grandi chance della gara - la traversa di Jovetic e il gol mangiato da Ljajic - che lasciano sì alla Fiorentina, questa sera, un retrogusto amaro in bocca ma, al contempo, riconsegnano al campionato italiano un realtà che era venuta a mancare. Per la Juventus invece, nonostante tutto, l'ennesima prova di forza: ancora una volta, come succede da più di un anno ormai, la classifica si è mossa. E in una serata del genere non è poco. LA PARTITA DELL'ANNO - Che per Firenze, questa, sia la parita dell'anno, è chiaro fin dai primi minuti. In un Franchi autentica bolgia, i viola di Montella fanno da subito capire alla Juventus che questa sera mantenere l'imbattibilità in campionato non sarà impresa facile. Conte, che all'ultimo rinuncia a Marchisio per fare posto a Giaccherini, non rinuncia però all'unico elemento sempre titolare della sua Juventus in questo inizio di stagione: Leonardo Bonucci. Nonostante un risentimento muscolare nella rifinitura, infatti, il tecnici juventini decidono di rischiare il centrale laziale. E questo sarà un fattore importante nel finale di tempo. VIOLA PERFETTI - Sì perché la Fiorentina, di fatto, imita - decisamente in meglio - il Genoa di 7 giorni fa e per l'intero primo tempo annichilisce l'ormai famosa gestione del gioco della Juventus. Il centrocampo è altissimo ed è un filtro perfetto, Roncaglia e Rodriguez non concedono a Giovinco e Quagliarella nemmeno la possibilità di allacciarsi le scarpe e Vidal, generalmente l'uomo in più della mediana bianconera, è annichilito da un intensità che non gli permette di trovare le consuete giocate. E' emblematico infatti come nell'unica volta che la Juventus riesce a saltare la prima linea di pressing dei viola, il cileno sbagli il passaggio in profondità proprio a Giovinco. L'EPISODIO - Se il tema tattico della Fiorentina è però perfetto in fase difensiva, per 35 minuti abbondanti i viola non si fanno mai realmente vedere dalle parti di Buffon e l'unica azione degna di nota è una protesta per un intervento di Bonucci su Pasqual in area che fa gridare il pubblico di Firenze al rigore. L'arbitro Tagliavento è vicino all'azione ma opta (giustamente) per far proseguire il gioco. TUTTO IN UN MINUTO - Gli uomini di Montella capiscono però che la Juventus è, per la prima volta in questa stagione, realmente in difficoltà e nel giro di 2 minuti legittimano un grandissimo primo tempo due clamorose palle gol. AL 41' da una punizione guadagnata da Pasqual sulla sinistra, Jovetic è bravissimo nel movimento sul primo palo a dare la frustata di testa: Buffon è battuto ma la traversa dice di no. Un minuto più tardi e sul passaggio in profondità dalle retrovie, Bonucci mette in mostra tutte le sue difficoltà fisiche facendosi bruciare in velocità da Ljajic ma, per sua fortuna, il serbo davanti a Buffon si scioglie e manda i suoi a riposo con un pareggio decisamente stretto. NESSUN CROLLO FISICO - Dopo un primo tempo del genere, la grande incognita legata intorno ai viola, è solo una: "riusciranno a mantenere quel ritmo?". Ma Pizarro e compagni, già dopo un paio di minuti, danno dei segnali positivi riprendendo da dove avevano lasciato: rincorrendo tutto e tutti e muovendosi perfettamente con i reparti. Roncaglia, al 53', prova a bissare la gioia di Parma scendendo palla al piede e provando a beffare Buffon con una conclusione di punta: fuori di pochissimo. Cuadrado, 20 minuti più tardi, lo imita cogliendone però identici risultati. Insomma, la Fiorentina c'è e si vede. JUVENTUS NON PERVENUTA - Quello che non si vede invece è una reazione della Juventus. Pirlo, sottotono, viene sostituito al 68' da Pogba; Vidal si fa vedere solo per un intervento che gli costa il giallo; Quagliarella è un eremita, Giovinco litiga coi più grandi uscendone praticamente sempre senza caramelle. Insomma, dalle parti di Viviano, la Juventus non ci arriva mai, e l'ingresso di Vucinic non cambia le cose. SEGNALE - Il vero merito di una Juventus del genere, però, è che di grosse chance in stile "finale primo tempo", ai viola non ne vengono più concesse. L'ultima, un colpo di testa in diagonale di Pasqual a 9 minuti dal termine, è un invenzione che regalerebbe al terzino una statua dorata sotto la Fiesole in stile Batistuta; ma il miracolo è solo sfiorato. Insomma, anche in una serata in cui la superiorità fisica, motivazionale e sotto certi punti di vista anche tecnica dell'avversario è evidente, la Juve strappa un punto che ha tutte le caratteristiche dell'ennesimo "segnale". Le inseguitrici, ancora una volta, sono avvisate. Simone Eterno - Eurosport Fiorentina - Juventus 0-0

Tacchinardi would rest Pirlo Sep 27, 2012 Alessio Tacchinardi believes that there is only one way in which former club Juventus can regenerate Andrea Pirlo. “He needs rest.” The classy playmaker has been criticised this term for failing to live up to the high standards he set in 2011-12. The former Milan man returned to the starting line-up against Fiorentina on Tuesday, but was replaced in the second half of the 0-0 draw, by Paul Pogba, after an ineffective performance. “I would let him rest up,” Tacchinardi, an ex-midfielder with the Turin giants, told the Corriere dello Sport. “It would be opportune for him to stop for a bit, to spend some time in the pits. Of course he is fundamental for Juventus, but he needs to be the player he was last term. “He perhaps should have been given more of a holiday.” Tacchinardi believes that the fact Pirlo played such a key role in the club’s title success – he missed just one League encounter – and Italy’s march to the Euro 2012 Final has taken its toll. “He’s paying for a season at the very highest levels,” he continued. “It was a campaign, that included the European Championship, which was played at a frenetic pace with his usual class. “But he also had a specific motivation – to demonstrate to Milan that he was still not finished. He hasn’t got that ferocious spirit today, even if he remains a player who gives it his all. “With so many games this term, he doesn’t have the time to recover. You can see out on the pitch that he’s running on low, also on a mental level too.” Reports today are suggesting that the 2011 Bosman free signing from the Diavolo could be left out of the starting XI for Saturday’s big clash against Roma.

Ghana and Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah in European All Star Team of the Week Sep 27, 2012 Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah is among the best eleven players in the five top leagues of Europe, a respected football statistics agency has reported. The Juventus playmaker is in the all star team of the week based on WhoScored ratings over Europe’s top 5 leagues from the weekend of the 21-24 September, 2012. Kwadwo was namend because of his outstanding performance for Juventus in the Italian Serie A over the weekend. Among some of the top players named in the all star team is PSG duo of Ibrahimovic and Nene. The Ghanaian has been in terrific shape since moving from Udinese to Juventus over the summer.

Juventus & Italy are in trouble without Pirlo, says Ancelotti The experienced coach has little doubt that the former Milan star still has a major role to play at both club and international level. Sep 27, 2012 Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Andrea Pirlo will soon return to his usual best and believes the playmaker is still a important player for Juventus and Italy. The 33-year-old midfielder has been struggling to find his best form in the opening weeks of the 2012-13 season, and Croatia legend Zvonimir Boban even suggested that it would be in his best interest to retire from international football. Nevertheless, Ancelotti, who coached Pirlo at AC Milan, feels it's only normal that the midfielder is going through a difficult period, and added his former pupil still has a role to play for Italy. "Pirlo remains a very important player. Juventus and Italy would be in trouble if he weren't around," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. "It's only normal that Pirlo is going through a difficult period. Things like that happen with every player. I don't think this is the right moment to make drastic decisions and quit Italy. "Juventus don't have to worry and can remain calm. You'll see that Pirlo will soon return to his usual efficient best again." The former Chelsea manager then went on to discuss the similarities between Pirlo and PSG youngster Marco Verratti. He added: "They are quite similar in terms of personality and both have great vision. There are some differences on a technical level as well, though. "Marco is still very young and has been one of the surprises of the season so far. Things could have been more difficult for him in Italy. We tend to expect a lot from youngsters and raise expectations." Verratti has provided two assists in six Ligue 1 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain so far.

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 Fiorentina against Juve: How different 3-5-2s produced a 0-0 Sep 27, 2012 A fierce rivalry wrote another chapter in it’s history during a clash between two different 3-5-2 systems. Vincenzo Montella lined up his traditional starting XI featuring Romulo alongside Pizarro and Borja Valero in the middle. While Antonio Conte opted to rest Claudio Marchisio, going with Emanuele Giaccherini as interior midfielder with Fabio Quagliarella starting up top paired to Sebastien Giovinco. Fiorentina applied the same tactical principles obeserved in the game vs Napoli. In that game, Fiorentina scouting card was: - Good negative transition, they tried to press where the ball was lost but if it doesn’t work they collapse behind quickly; - Defending with 8 men behind the line of the ball; - Cuadrado and Pasqual give team width; - Two forwards without much defensive duties until the defenders goes to the middle of the field line; forwards let Napoli’s three defenders play the ball; - Three-men defense switch often to a four-men defense, specially thanks to Pasqual, a more defensive player then Cuadrado; - While Romulo connects midfilders to forwards, Pizarro and Borja Valero often change their position as deep-lying playmaker; - First idea is go for the verticality. If the opposite ware closed Fiorentina went for the flanks. Against Napoli, Jovetic stayed up on the left during the fast-break situations, in the way to attack Napoli’s three-men defense in their weak point, i.e. the zone behind the wing-back. Against Juventus, tactical game plan was the same. Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic had not defensive duties on the defenders until they were near or over the middle of the pitch’s line; by the way, Ljajic had the task to chase Andrea Pirlo, Juventus’ deep-lying playmaker. He made a good job, nullifying Juventus’ playmaker. When Juventus started his play with Giorgio Chiellini, on the left side, Romulo was able to press him while Fiorentina’s wing-back, Cuadrado, switched on Giaccherini while the central defenders were ready to slide laterally to cover Kwawdo Asamoah. On the other hand, Claudio Pizarro had more freedom than Pirlo because both Giovinco e Fabio Quagliarella didn’t chase him adequately. Also, Juventus’ forwards was well marked by Fiorentina’s central trio of Facundo Roncaglia, Gonzalo Rodriguez, and Nenad Tomovic so Conte’s team offense were far from perfect. Borja Valero showed good technical skills to play as box-to-box midfielder moving forward when it was needed with Romulo played as insider midfielder ready to join the attack on the offensive phase. Both midfields played in a tight area with the spaces closed. As said earlier, 3-5-2s was different: while Juventus attacked through the middle, favouring a more direct approach, Fiorentina displayed a short of Tiki-Taka version, as showed by 2 through balls they played against the 7 played by Conte’s side. In the second half, Conte replaced Quagliarella with Mirko Vucinic, leaving an inconsistent Giovinco into the game. Despite his superiority, Fiorentina lacked in the last third of the pitch. Montella brought on Luca Toni too late, after a second half in which home side clearly showed a lack of a pure forward in the box to receive crosses from the outside. That was clearly showed because Jovetic and Ljiajc both started to play more wide, too far from Juventus’ penalty area. Juventus underplayed, lacking of the classic strenght and aggressive attitude they showed from last season. Both Arturo Vidal and Giaccherini played to far from the goal, with defensive duties against the technical Fiorentina midfield. On the transition phase, Juventus were slow when they gained the ball, allowing Fiorentina to create a solid defensive wall in front of their keeper. On the flanks, Asamoah and Cuadrado, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Manuel Pascual nullified each other on their side. At the end, Fiorentina was near to score and clinch the victory. They was the better side but failed to create enough scoring chance to do it. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 Juve draw gives hope to rivals As Juventus stalled at a fiery Fiorentina, most of their title rivals got back to winning ways. Giancarlo Rinaldi wraps up the midweek round action. Sep 27, 2012 Good things do happen in Serie A. In the midst of all the skulduggery, mud-slinging and matches awarded without a ball being kicked it can be easy to lose sight of them. A midweek round of matches turned out to be like watching a video of your daughter’s first school show – it put a smile back on the face. The first uplifting experience was the often festering fixture between Fiorentina and Juventus. In years gone by the match has regularly been a more terrifying experience than being trapped in a lift with Facundo Roncaglia. This time around it proved as refreshing as an ice-cold spritzer on a searing hot summer’s day. Before the Juventini out there start sharpening their keyboards, it wasn’t just about the result. Being held to a draw – and occasionally outplayed – did throw open the championship once again which will have been welcomed by every neutral and, of course, the Bianconeri’s main rivals. But much more pleasing were some of the side-orders served up with the match. A packed Stadio Artemio Franchi provided the kind of backdrop to an Italian League match which has become rarer than a week without injury for Alexandre Pato. The choreography before kick-off was spectacular and the atmosphere throughout the clash intense but never nasty. Even after such a test of their resolve, it seemed the Juve players had relished the battle. “The Florentine public backed their team with their usual passion and our fans turned out too, as they always do,” said Gianluigi Buffon. “There was no trouble. These rivalries have been around for years, but they give extra spice to these matches as long as it doesn’t get out of hand.” The beneficiaries of Juve’s brief comfort break on a journey they still hope will take them to the Scudetto were Napoli. Yet their resounding triumph at a mercifully sand-free San Paolo might not have happened but for another pleasing moment. The honesty of Miroslav Klose paved the way for their triumph. In truth, the German striker seemed to take a leaf out of the Buffon guidebook to dealing with such incidents. He looked happy enough to celebrate his handball goal which appeared to have given Lazio the lead early in the match. However, when questioned by the referee he did the decent thing and admitted the strike should not stand. After that the Roman side switched off and Edinson Cavani took centre stage. He grabbed a hat-trick, although the penalty he missed to make it four may well still be spotted in orbit over the Gulf of Naples. And in Rome, too, there were beaming smiles for the 36 today Francesco Totti. His strike against Sampdoria took him to 216 goals in Serie A alongside a legend like Jose Altafini on the all time list. His only regret will have been that, for a Giallorosso side which still seems to like to self-harm, it was not enough to win the match. The more malign might say Roma’s best result so far has been the one where they never set foot on the pitch. There was even reason to be happy on the two slow-starting sides of Milan with victories for both the Rossoneri and Nerazzurri. The boys in red and black may no longer have Zlatan Ibrahimovic to resolve matches, but they now have Stephen El Shaarawy. That might not please all their supporters, but his neat double to down Cagliari was good news for Max Allegri and, undoubtedly, Azzurri boss Cesare Prandelli. “It was difficult for us to play well with such a lot of tension,” admitted Milan assistant Coach Mauro Tassotti. “Stephan is getting more confident and he is playing well. He does a good job for us and works hard. He is helping us out a lot, even though he is very young.” Inter enjoyed the same scoreline in Verona in another match where the result was more important than the performance. Alvaro Pereira looked marginally offside when he put the visitors in front at the Bentegodi, but it certainly eased the nerves of a side still struggling to find its identity. It also convinced Andrea Stramaccioni that his new 3-5-1-1 formation is the way ahead. “It was important for us to get back to winning after the dramatic defeat at the weekend,” he said. “This is the best way to use the players I have got just now. It allows us to cover the pitch and gets the best out of my team.” Some things, of course, will never change. In Genoa, Marco Borriello won and converted the softest of penalties to deny Parma all the points. Maybe one day Serie A won’t see referees point to the spot for the most minimal of contact – we can but dream. However, overall we should enjoy all the bright spots the latest matches provided. After all, Zeman’s Roma face Juventus this weekend – so we know all the good feelings will never last. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Pirlo expects long Euro journey Sep 27, 2012 Andrea Pirlo is confident that Juventus can make an impact on their return to the Champions League. The Bianconeri began their European Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw at Chelsea and the playmaker is hoping that is the start of a special journey. “I hope we can go all the way, but it's a tough competition with big teams taking part,” the Italian international told Champions Matchday. “Still, we have every chance to go a long way. I don't know if we can even win it, but we will surely try.” Pirlo took no part in the 2011-12 competition given Juventus’ failure to qualify for Europe, but he knows what it takes to succeed given his success in the tournament with Milan. “That special Champions League melody has allowed me to experience great emotions,” he added. “I missed it a lot last season, but now we are back on this fantastic European stage. We will try to do as well as possible.” The Old Lady have been placed in Group E and will also come up against Shakhtar Donetsk and Nordsjaelland. “We all know Chelsea, they are the defending European champions,” Pirlo continued. “As for Shakhtar, they play good football. “I know Mircea Lucescu because I had him as a Coach at Brescia when I was starting out. “We don’t know the Danes that well yet, but we will play with the same mentality whether we are home or away.”

Ancelotti: Real Pirlo will return Sep 27, 2012 Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti is confident that former pupil Andrea Pirlo will soon be back to his inspirational best. The Juventus player has struggled so far this season and there are suggestions that he could even be rested again – after the Chievo tie – for the weekend encounter against Roma. “Players can go through moments of difficulty,” Ancelotti, who bossed Pirlo at Milan, told Tuttosport on Thursday. “It’s not the first time that it has happened. “Juventus can remain calm because you’ll soon see that he will return to his old self.” After another subdued performance in the 0-0 draw at Fiorentina on Tuesday, Pirlo was advised to quit international football by Zvonimir Boban. “I don’t think that will happen at all,” Ancelotti added. “Andrea is very attached to the Azzurri shirt and I doubt anything has changed in that regard.” Juventus were linked with the ‘new Pirlo’ in the summer, but 19-year-old Marco Verratti instead left Pescara for Paris SG. “They are similar in terms of personality,” Ancelotti added. “There are differences on a technical level though, even if they both have great vision. “Verratti has surprised almost everyone in France so far, also because he is so young.”

Pogba wants to be world’s best Sep 27, 2012 Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is certainly not lacking ambition after speaking of his hopes for the future. “Juve can help me to realise my dream of becoming the best player in the world,” he told RMC in an interview. “That is my target and to do that you need to be playing for the best clubs around, like Juventus,” he added. “The competition for places is tough, but I want to play 25 games this season and become one of the top five young players on the planet.” Pogba, 19, joined the Turin giants in the summer after his contract at Manchester United expired. He’s made two Serie A appearances so far this season for a total of 123 minutes. Reports today suggest that he could start against Roma on Saturday in place of Andrea Pirlo. Pogba also revealed his international dreams. “I still need to take a few more steps in order to play for France, but appearing for my country at the World Cup in 2014 is another of my objectives.”

Causio: Pirlo needs rest to recapture magic The World Cup winner believes that the midfield star could profit from some tactical adjustments in his game, after a fatigued start to the season. Sep 26, 2012 Juventus legend Franco Causio has claimed that Andrea Pirlo may need to consider a different approach to his game. The 33-year-old was one of the Bianconeri's key players in their unbeaten 2011-12 Serie A campaign and one of the stars of Euro 2012, as Italy reached the final of the competition. However, the creative midfielder has struggled to recapture his form of last season, with fatigue believed to be the, causing him to be rested for the victory over Chievo on Saturday. Speaking to Sky Sport 24, Causio said: "Is Pirlo having difficulties? I think he has imposed himself. He is finding it a little tough, but you mustn't forget that he is a bit tired and needs a rest. "Currently, he is the man who opposing teams are marking out; he is being patrolled and it is not easy for him to exert himself and have the freedom that he had last year." The former winger also offered advice to the Italian playmaker on how he could exert his authority on the game and compared his situation to that of former Juve star Michel Platini. "If I were Pirlo, rather than playing in front of the defence, I'd prefer to play behind the striker - Vucinic or someone else," he suggested. "I'd want to see someone helping him out. Platini was equal to Pirlo; he was a marked man. Without Scirea supporting him, he was lost in certain games." Causio also lent his support to Sebastian Giovinco and thinks that his game could improve if he drops deeper. "Giovinco is not a problem, but he must find the right position on the pitch. If he continues to play on the shoulders of the centre-backs, he will struggle," the 1982 World Cup winner added. "He must push back 20 yards, pick up the ball in midfield and face the opponent square on."

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 How to beat the unbeatable: Fiorentina show Serie A that Juventus are fallible Vincenzo Montella's side gave the champions a real run for their money at the Artemio Franchi, giving the rest of the league a blueprint for success against the Old Lady. Sep 26, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Writer Their unbeaten run may have survived the trip to Florence on Tuesday night, but Juventus had to overcome the toughest test yet during their 16-month streak of Serie A invincibility. And Fiorentina’s gameplan has set a blueprint for the rest of the league to follow as the Bianconeri’s rivals are given fresh hope of getting something from their forthcoming clashes with Antonio Conte’s side. After overcoming a rocky first hour against Genoa nine days earlier, when they struggled to contain the threat of Ciro Immobile and Marco Borriello from direct balls in behind, the Italian champions were given another scare by Vincenzo Montella’s men, but this time there was no second-half rally and no warm feeling inside come full-time. Yes, Juve remain unbeaten, and will very likely remain top of the league after the remainder of the matchday five fixtures. But after a four-game spell of convincing victories, the Bianconeri looked fallible. And it was not in defence where they were second best, not even in attack, where their profligate strikers has often left them with one point when it should have been three. Instead, it was – for once – in midfield that they fell short. Alongside Emanuele Giaccherini – playing in the central three in place of the rested Claudio Marchisio – Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal had nowhere near the success to which they have become so accustomed to in recent times, in turn giving Fabio Quagliarella and Sebastian Giovinco nothing but scraps to feed off up top. For the Viola, Romulo, David Pizarro and Borja Valero provided the right mix of breathless pressing off the ball and composure on it to ask the kind of questions Juve have hardly had to answer of late. Between the three of them, they gave the Scudetto holders a proper run for their money, and would perhaps have seen their efforts turn into a victory had Fiorentina had a true marksman to call upon. Juventus’ own Achilles heel under Antonio Conte has been their lack of a true No.9, so it was perhaps ironic that they were let off the hook by a team bearing the same flaw. While Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic both showed great ability, neither is a poacher, and the Serbian even missed his side’s best chance when running free in the right channel, pulling his shot wide of the far post. But while Conte will be relieved to have left the Artemio Franchi with a point, it will have been of serious concern to him that his midfield, the bedrock on which they have built some success, was outplayed in what was probably Juve’s worst game under the former Siena boss’ guidance. The subdued performance of Pirlo resulted in the regista being hooked for the final quarter, with Paul Pogba replacing him, but even Vidal was below par for long spells, despite one incredible challenge in the penalty area. The Chilean has been carrying an ankle injury since the first half of the Champions League fixture against Chelsea last week, playing over 200 minutes of football in the six days following the twist which would have seen most people replaced at Stamford Bridge. But if subdued performances are to become the norm from Pirlo in particular during the busy calendar to come, then it will need a quick transition from back-up to true first-teamer from Pogba to fill the gap. On the left of the three, Marchisio should return against Roma on Saturday, but will doubtless need time off again soon, and Juve can ill-afford another midfield display like Tuesday’s. Kwadwo Asamoah may have been a better option in the centre than Giaccherini once it became obvious that Fiorentina would be such a danger on the ball, with the Ghanaian’s better defensive make-up being more equipped for the task, but bench coach Massimo Carrera decided to stick with the former Udinese man on the left. Before the game, Carrera claimed there was a telepathy between he and Conte which was helping the Old Lady to sail smoothly through the period of the coach’s matchday suspension, but between them they seemed to have got their gameplan wrong on this occasion. Montella, meanwhile, will have had mixed feelings at full-time. The memories of last season’s 5-0 mauling at the hands of the Turin side have been buried, but he will surely feel that his outfit should have taken the full three points. Their solid start to the season continues though, and they have already demonstrated in their opening five games that they will have a say in the shake-up come May. They have proven that Juventus can be bettered, now it is up to somebody else to apply the same commitment in midfield as Fiorentina while offering a similar threat to Genoa in attack in order to bring them down before they get any nearer to Milan’s 58-game unbeaten record. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Pogba: I want to become the world's best player at Juventus The French midfielder was impressive on his full debut for Massimo Carrera's side against Chievo and is now ready to start pressing his claims on the global stage. Sep 26, 2012 Paul Pogba hopes that his transfer to Juventus can help fulfil his dream of becoming "the best player in the world". The France youth international turned down a new contract at Manchester United in the search of more regular first-team football, and impressed on his Bianconeri debut against Chievo at the weekend. Pogba understands his chances may be limited in such a competitive midfield, but is determined to seize the opportunity when it arises, as he expressed his hopes for the coming season and his long-term ambitions. "I want to be the best, so you have to play with the best at the best clubs," he told RMC. "My goal is to play 25 games this year and be one of the top five young players in the world. With France, I must skip some steps. To play at the World Cup in Brazil is an objective." The 19-year-old is yet to represent Les Bleus' senior side, but will be hoping to feature against Roma on Saturday.

Pirlo should retire from international football, says Boban The former Croatia international has advised the Juve playmaker to hang-up his boots for the national side, while he does not think Stevan Jovetic is a world-class player. Sep 26, 2012 Former AC Milan star Zvonimir Boban feels it would benefit Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo's form if he retired from international football with the Azzurri. The experienced midfielder has been struggling to find his best form in the opening weeks of the 2012-13 campaign, and Boban believes representing Italy as well as competing in the Champions League with Juve could be too much for Pirlo at his age. "I think that it's time for Pirlo to leave some duties behind. He should retire from international football," Boban stated to Sky Sport Italia. "He has been lacking the brilliance that he showed last year, and I think it may be down to the fact that he has too many commitments. He hasn't had much rest this summer." Boban then went on to voice his opinion that Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic, who was close to joining Juve in the summer transfer window, is not of the highest calibre just yet. "He is a superb player and I have no doubts that he would have done well at Juventus had the transfer gone through. "Nevertheless. I do not think that he is good enough to be described as world-class."

Jovetic had agreed to join Juventus, claims Marotta The Turin giants' general director has stated that the attacker was ready to join the Serie A champions in the summer transfer window. Sep 26, 2012 Giuseppe Marotta has claimed that Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic had already given a transfer to Juventus in the summer transfer window the go-ahead, before the move eventually fell through due to financial reasons. The reigning Serie A champions had earmarked the Montenegro international as the perfect addition to their attack, but they failed to reach an agreement with Fiorentina over a transfer fee. Jovetic revealed earlier this month that Juve pushed hard to sign him in the summer, but that he opted to stay at the Viola as he's happy with life at his current club. Nevertheless, Marotta claims that the 22-year-old was ready to make the move to the Champions League hopefuls. "Jovetic? It's a positive thing that the player and his entourage gave us the green light in the summer. It is useless to further discuss it. I can only say that we are closely monitoring a number of great players," Juventus' general director said to reporters. Jovetic is under contract with Fiorentina until June 2016.

Bonucci on Viola and Roma Sep 26, 2012 Leonardo Bonucci has looked back to the Fiorentina game with contentment and ahead to the Roma tie with confidence. The Old Lady’s 100 per cent League record ended with a 0-0 draw against the Viola on Tuesday, but the stopper was pleased with the result. “Fiorentina played really well and it was certainly a point gained for us, rather than two points lost,” he argued. “We extended our unbeaten record to 44 League games and, even if we didn’t win, I’m still happy as we did well at the back.” The League leaders are next in action on Saturday when they will play host to great rivals Roma and their boss Zdenek Zeman. “We now await Roma,” Bonucci continued. “We know it will be a great game, but we are still hungry for the victory. “It will be another important match, but the Juventus Stadium will be a hot pit and that will give us the right sort of push. “I have confidence in myself and in my teammates.”

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 Pizarro: We should have won Sep 26, 2012 David Pizarro admits that Fiorentina are disappointed with the 0-0 draw against Juventus, but believes they made a clear statement to the rest of Serie A. The Viola had the better of the chances at the Stadio Franchi on Tuesday evening, but the Old Lady held on for a point. “There is disappointment,” the Chilean playmaker noted. “We wanted the three points, but we just couldn’t find a goal. “Nevertheless, we are on the right road. Today was an important test to see at what point we are at in our development. “This is a new side and to have put Juventus in such difficulty is certainly something important for the future of Fiorentina. “Over the summer, slowly but surely, important players arrived and the enthusiasm increased. There is a great environment here and an excellent squad.” Fiorentina are currently fifth in the table after collecting eight points from five games. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 ‘Pirlo should quit Italy and JoJo...’ Sep 25, 2012 Zvonimir Boban wasn’t short of an opinion before and after the Fiorentina-Juventus tie. “Andrea Pirlo should retire from the national team and Stevan Jovetic is not world class.” The former Milan creator, now a TV pundit for Sky Italia, feels that the Italian international may need periods of rest this term. “Pirlo should think about leaving some duties behind,” Boban said after the 0-0 draw in which Pirlo was substituted by Paul Pogba. “I’m thinking about the national team. “He hasn’t stopped and he’s lacking some brilliance right now because he has so many commitments…” The playmaker moved to the Old Lady in the summer of 2011 and inspired them to the Scudetto last season. He then helped Italy reach the Final of Euro 2012. Pirlo, who now also has the Champions League to take into account this term, was rested for the 2-0 win over Chievo on Saturday. Before last night’s Tuscan encounter, the ex-Croatia player was also asked for an opinion on Jovetic – the Fiorentina sensation who Juve targeted in the summer. “He’s an excellent player and he certainly would have done well had he joined Juventus,” Boban noted. “However, I don’t think he is good enough to be defined as world class.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 Montella: 'We deserved to win' Sep 25, 2012 Vincenzo Montella is proud of Fiorentina’s performance against Juventus and “we probably deserved to win.” The Tuscans had by far the better chances in tonight’s 0-0 draw at the Stadio Franchi, including a crossbar hit by Stevan Jovetic. “I am definitely satisfied with my lads,” said the Coach. “We probably deserved to win if we had been a little more incisive or perhaps fortunate. “I must compliment the team and the fans, as it was a wonderful evening of sport. We faced an excellent team with open and attacking football. It’s a shame we didn’t win, but we hold on to the performance and the character of this Fiorentina. “It would have been wonderful to win and these players deserved a satisfaction like that.” Montella was asked whether this step up in quality showed Fiorentina could challenge for the top places in Serie A this season. “We must continue along this path. It’s a long road ahead of us and there could be obstacles. We need balance when considering our campaign. “Right now we will enjoy this evening, but we haven’t done anything yet. There’s potential, though.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A - Week 5 - 25-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 0 - 0 Artemio Franchi Stadium - Florence Referee: Paolo Tagliavento Attendance: 21000 Carrera: 'Credit to Fiorentina' Sep 25, 2012 Massimo Carrera credited Fiorentina for forcing a bad performance out of Juventus. “We were unable to do what we wanted to.” The Bianconeri ended their 100 per cent record in Serie A this season, but the 0-0 draw at the Stadio Franchi stretched their unbeaten League run to 44 games. “It isn’t always necessary to crush your opponents, as at times you also have to be good at containing them,” argued stand-in Coach Carrera. “Fiorentina deserve a lot of credit, as they ran hard for 90 minutes and played very well. We were unable to do what we wanted to. “We knew Fiorentina would put in the performance of a lifetime, so it was a show of strength for us to keep them quiet and maintain the clean sheet. “We had to block David Pizarro, although we didn’t manage it that often.” Surprisingly, Andrea Pirlo was substituted in the second half to make way for Paul Pogba just days after he was rested against Chievo. “We need to find a way he can work more than rest. Playing every three days means Pirlo doesn’t have much time to train, but he is always very important to our team. “Leonardo Bonucci had a muscular problem in the warm-up, but his performance was excellent.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/