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Serie A Week 2 - 2-9-2012 (6:00 p.m.) - Friuli Stadium - Udine Referee: Paolo Valeri Udinese pose the biggest of challenges, warns Carrera The caretaker boss is expecting a backlash from their forthcoming opponents on Sunday, while also commenting on his side's activity in the transfer market. Sep 1, 2012 Juventus interim coach Massimo Carrera has warned his players of the challenge that awaits them when they face Udinese on Sunday. The Zebrette recently failed to secure a place in the Champions League group stage at the final hurdle, crashing out on penalties to Braga in the last round of qualification. Carrera, deputising for the suspended Antonio Conte, has gone on to urge his side to expect a backlash when they travel to the Friuli for matchday two of the new Serie A season. "We will encounter a team with wounded pride," the former Italy defender said at a press conference ahead of the tie. "These are the most serious of challenges and will not be be easy. Juve will have to give 110 per cent." http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 2 - 2-9-2012 (6:00 p.m.) - Friuli Stadium - Udine Referee: Paolo Valeri Serie A Preview - Wounded Zebrette look to bounce back against Bianconeri Francesco Guidolin is reeling at the moment, having seen his side lose their Serie A opener before once again failing to qualify for the Champions League group stages. Sep 1, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS UDINESE Brkic Heurtaux, Danilo, Coda Basta, Faraoni, Willians, Pereyra, Pasquale Maicosuel Di Natale JUVENTUS Buffon Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Lichsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah Matri, Vucinic Udinese will be desperate to kickstart their 2012/13 campaign when they face Italian champions Juventus at the Friuli on Sunday evening. After slumping to a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina on the opening day of the new Serie A season last weekend, the Zebrette then saw their hopes of qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League dashed in agonising fashion, Francesco Guidolin's men suffering a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Braga. Antonio Di Natale will make his first league appearance of the season, after being forced to sit out the trip to Florence, and will be supported by Maicosuel, who is expected to be promoted to the starting lineup in spite of his decisive missed penalty in midweek. Elsewhere, Giampiero Pinzi has been ruled out by injury, while Thomas Heurtaux, Andrea Coda and Marco Faraoni are all set to be recalled. As for Juve, Sebastian Giovinco misses out with a minor knock, so Alessandro Matri is likely to start up front alongside Mirko Vucinic, and the former Cagliari man will no doubt be keen to prove his worth with Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner having arrived in Turin on transfer deadline day. The Bianconeri are also buoyed by the return of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Giorgio Chiellini, both of whom were sidelined for last weekend's 2-0 victory over Parma. Aside from those changes, it's expected to be a case of as you were for the champions, with Kwadwo Asamoah poised to make his first appearance against his former club. DID YOU KNOW? • Udinese also fell at the final qualifying round of the Champions League last season, losing 3-1 on aggregate to English outfit Arsenal. • The Zebrette did make it through in 2005 but they failed to make it out of a group containing Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and FC Barcelona. • Kwadwo Asamoah, who arrived at Juventus Stadium during the summer, made 114 appearances for Udinese in Serie A, scoring eight goals. • Chile international Mauricio Isla also swapped Udine for Turin this summer but he misses the game against his former employers through injury. • Juventus have now gone 40 games undefeated in Serie A, following last weekend's victory over Parma. • Italy and Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon is embarking upon his 12th campaign with the Bianconeri. • Alessandro Matri was Juve's top scorer in Serie A last season, despite managing to find the net just 10 times in 31 appearances. Head to Head Serie A ‎- Jan 28, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Udinese 1 Serie A ‎- Dec 21, 2011 - Udinese 0 - Juventus 0 Serie A - Jan 30, 2011 - Juventus 1 - Udinese 2 Serie A ‎- Sep 19, 2010 - Udinese 0 - Juventus 4 Serie A ‎- Apr 3, 2010 - Udinese 3 - Juventus 0 Last Five Matches Udinese Aug 28, 2012 - Udinese 1 - Sporting Braga 1 - C.L. Aug 25, 2012 - Fiorentina 2 - Udinese 1 - Serie A Aug 22, 2012 - Sporting Braga 1 - Udinese 1 - C.L. Aug 11, 2012 - Southampton 0 - Udinese 4 - FR Aug 5, 2012 - Udinese 0 - Schalke 04 0 - FR Juventus Aug 25, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Parma 0 - Serie A Aug 11, 2012 - Juventus 4 - SSC Napoli 2 - Italian Supercup Aug 4, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Malaga 0 - FR Aug 1, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Benfica 1 - FR Jul 28, 2012 - Hertha BSC 0 - Juventus 2 - FR Players to Watch Maicosuel It's been a hell of a week for the Brazilian, who marked his Serie A debut with a goal before then missing the crucial spot-kick in Udinese's shoot-out defeat against Braga. Maicosuel only featured as a substitute against the Portuguese but he is expected to be restored to the starting lineup on Sunday evening so it will be fascinating to see how he responds to Guidolin's show of faith. Alessandro Matri While Juventus fans everywhere were left distinctly underwhelmed by the signing of Nicklas Bendtner on Friday, Alessandro Matri must have breathed a sigh of relief. The Dane's arrival obviously means more competition for places but it is not quite the level of competition Matri would have been expecting, with Juve having previously been linked with Robin van Persie and Edinson Cavani. Regardless, the onus is now on Matri to prove to Antonio Conte that he is good enough to lead the Juve attack. Prediction It's impossible not to feel anything but sympathy for miracle worker Guidolin and his fine Zebrette side in light of their Champions League heartbreak but the reality is that they only have themselves to blame after a substandard performance against Braga. Juventus are also a ruthless outfit who have mastered the art of winning without playing well, as they underlined against Parma last weekend, so expect the champions to edge a predictably tight affair. Editor's Prediction Udinese 0 - 1 Juventus http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Marchisio focused on Udinese clash The Old Lady's return amongst Europe elite saw them land exciting matches against Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk, but the midfielder has his sights solely on Serie A for now. Aug 31, 2012 Juventus' Claudio Marchisio has not let the draw for the Champions League group stage affect his focus on a stern test against Udinese on Sunday. The Bianconeri have not played in European competition for two seasons, but the Italy midfielder has eyes only for their Serie A clash with Francesco Guidolin's side, who were recently dumped out of the elite club tournament by Braga. “Udinese have been a competitive side for a number of years,” the Euro 2012 finalist told Filo Diretto. “It’s a shame they’ve gone out of the Champions League, they played well against Braga and only just missed out. “They’ll try and convert their disappointment into motivation, and we’re aware that it won’t be easy to go and win at the Stadio Friuli.” Juve were paired with Shakhtar Donetsk, Chelsea and Nordsjaelland in Group E of the 2012-13 Champions League on Thursday. They opened the new league season with a 2-0 victory over Parma, while Udinese fell 2-1 to Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi.

Marchisio: Juve focus on Udine Aug 31, 2012 Claudio Marchisio says Juventus 'can't wait' for the Champions League, but insists they aren't looking beyond Sunday's opponents Udinese. The Bianconeri, returning to Europe's premier club competition after three years away, have been drawn with Chelsea, Shaktar Donetsk and FC Nordsjaelland in Group F. “On paper we can say its gone well, even though we can't underestimate any of our opponents,” an optimistic Marchisio told Filo Diretto. “We're most familiar with Chelsea, but the others are all quality sides. “We respect everyone but fear no one. We want to give our all in the Champions League and and we can't wait to get going.” First of all however, the reigning champions must travel to Udine, for a Sunday teatime kick off against an opponent hurting from their own failure to reach the Champions League. “Udinese have been a competitive side for a number of years,” the midfield dynamo stated. “It’s a shame they’ve gone out of the Champions League, they played well against Braga and only missed out due to several incidents. “They’ll try and convert their disappointment into motivation, and we’re aware that it won’t be easy to go and win at the Stadio Friuli.” Marchisio made a point of praising Juve youngsters Luca Marrone and Paul Pogba. The former has acquitted himself well in an unfamiliar defensive role, whilst the latter has made quick progress since arriving from Manchester United. “Pogba and Marrone have both done well. Pogba’s had an important football education at Manchester United and has a real future ahead of him. “He’s got quality, personality and a great physique that reminds me of Vieira. He just needs to get used to our way of playing. “Luca’s developed greatly working alongside Andrea Pirlo.”

Padoin picks up thigh strain Aug 31, 2012 Juventus will be without Simone Padoin for at least the next three weeks because of injury. http://markting10.nl/ The midfielder limped out of training yesterday with a problem and tests have confirmed a left thigh strain. The Italian champions have noted that the January signing from Atalanta will be sidelined for about three to four weeks.

Marotta: 'Juve fair on Berbatov' Aug 29, 2012 Juventus director general Beppe Marotta insists they “acted fairly” towards Fiorentina, but have lost Dimitar Berbatov to Fulham. The Manchester United striker had agreed terms with the Viola and flown out for a medical today, but never turned up, instead flying to Munich. That transfer was hijacked by Juve, but this evening he changed his mind again and chose Fulham. “These are very normal things that happen in the transfer market, especially in the last few days,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. Fiorentina had accused Juve of arrogance and lacking sporting ethics in their interception of negotiations. “We only approached Manchester United and got close to the player after discovering he had turned down Fiorentina. There was an offer from Fulham, but he wanted to evaluate our proposal too and give a definitive response tonight. “He wants to stay in the Premier League. Why was he in Munich? His wife is from there.” Now both Juve and Fiorentina are thought to be turning towards Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner instead. “Bendtner is an available player and we have evaluated him, but we cannot say that we’re about to conclude the deal,” continued Marotta. “Fernando Llorente could remain an objective, seeing as his contract expires in 2013. When the rules allow us to make an approach, then we’ll see how it ends. At the moment it is a utopia to think he’ll play for us.”

Al termine della stessa gara contro il Portogallo, Bendtner viene multato dalla UEFA per 100.000€ a causa di comportamento lesivo rispetto alle regole del torneo. Il giocatore, infatti, dopo aver segnato una delle sue due reti, avrebbe festeggiato mostrando alle telecamere dei boxer con stampato il nome di Paddy Power - un bookmaker irlandese - infrangendo quanto deciso dalla UEFA rispetto alla pubblicità ad Euro2012. da Wikipedia. Ma questo sempre in mutande sta?

Serie A - 1^ Giornata - Andata - 25-8-2012 (ore 20:45) 2 - 0 Stephan Lichtsteiner (54′) Andrea Pirlo (58′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Andrea Romeo Spettatori: 37771‎ La Juve ricomincia vincendo: Parma ko 2-0 Di Lichtsteiner e Pirlo le reti decisive. Subito protagonisti anche i giudici di porta che nel primo tempo segnalano un rigore alla Juve e nella ripresa concendo ai bianconeri il gol "fantasma" del 2-0. Nel primo tempo Vidal fallisce un calcio di rigore sullo 0-0. Eurosport - Sabato, 25 agosto 2012 Con o senza il suo "vero" allenatore, poco cambia per la Juventus che sul campo ricomincia la nuova stagione da dove aveva lasciato: vincendo. Quel che è stato differente però, almeno prima dei gol di Lichtsteiner e Pirlo arrivati ad inizio ripresa a sbloccare la situazione, è che la Juventus è apparsa meno brillante del solito. Sarà che, di fatto, questo è ancora calcio d'agosto; saranno i carichi di lavoro, ma per i primi 45 minuti di gara un bel Parma ha imbrigliato - e non poco - il reparto che l'anno scorso aveva fatto l'autentica differenza per la squadra che sarebbe diventata poi campione d'Italia: il centrocampo. Una prima partita che ha lasciato molteplici spunti, dal punto di vista del campo e non. Sì perché se da un lato ci sono da sottolineare le splendide prove di Asamoah e Marrone, dall'altra non si potrà non parlare dei giudici di porta. La novità dell'ultimo minuto del calcio italiano, infatti, è da subito protagonista: un rigore e un gol arrivano direttamente dalle decisioni del "quinto" uomo. PARMA GAGLIARDO - Ma andiamo con ordine. Come detto il primo tempo - e in particolare la prima mezz'ora - sono tutt'altro che una passeggiata per i campioni d'Italia. Donadoni mette infatti in campo un centrocampo tecnico e con la voglia di giocare a calcio più che pensare solo a difendersi e l'intensità, insieme a una scarsa condizione della Juventus, dà i suoi frutti impedendo ai bianconeri di creare una singola occasione da rete. GIUDICE SUBITO PROTAGONISTA - Ci vuole dunque il primo episodio dubbio dell'anno per infiammare la gara. Al 32' Lichsteiner entra in area e anticipa Mirante che in uscita lo stende. L'arbitro non vede, ma il giudice di porta segnala immediatamente il fallo da rigore. Romeo ammonisce quindi Mirante ma la partenza di Lichtsteiner, c'è da dirlo, veniva da una netta posizione di fuorigioco non rilevata dal guardalinee. Dal dischetto - dopo un mini-litigio con Vucinic - va Vidal ma un detto milanese, che poco c'entra con questa partita, dice che "San Giovanni non fa inganni" ed il cileno si fa ipnotizzare da Mirante. Nulla di fatto. Il Parma si salva e va all'intervallo su un pareggio più che mai meritato a fronte di una Juventus ben lontana dagli standard di corsa della passata stagione. UNA JUVE DIVERSA - Conte non può essere negli spogliatoi, ma vista la reazione dei suoi ad inizio ripresa c'è da giurare che abbia istruito a dovere Carrera. La Juventus infatti entra in campo completamente rivoluzionata nello spirito, aggredendo il Parma e alzando il ritmo e nel giro di un quarto d'ora decide la gara. Prima Vidal sfiora il gol su un pregevole pallone di Asamoah; due minuti dopo Vucinic pecca d'egoismo sul filtrante geniale di Vidal tirando anziché servire Marchisio libero a centroarea; ma al terzo tentativo la Juve passa: Asamoah scappa ancora a sinistra e mette al centro un cross rasoterra, Lichtsteiner brucia la difesa gialloblù e come nella passata stagione inaugura lo Juventus Stadium con una rete. GIUDICE PROTAGONISTA, CAPITOLO 2 - La Juve non è paga. Dopo 5 minuti - 59' -, Vidal si conquista una punizione dal limite dell'area; Pirlo va sul pallone e lascia partire un velenoso colpo rasoterra: Mirante, poco oltre la linea di porta, è incerto nella trattenuta; l'arbitro fa giocare ma il giudice di porta richiama l'attenzione segnalando il gol. Pur essendoci la sensazione di una palla effettivamente dentro, nessun replay televisivo conferma con sicurezza l'accaduto lasciando così alla figura del giudice di porta da subito il "beneficio" di entrare in tutte le discussioni da bar (e non solo): servono o non servono? Creano confusione o no? Come sono stati formati? Eccetera eccetera. LA GESTIONE - Da quel momento, però, la partita cambia radicalmente. La Juve inizia una gestione del gioco che in più di una occasione la porta a rischiare - Biabiany, Valdes, ma anche il subentrato Belfodil avranno più di una chance di accorciare le distanze - ma nonostante questo i bianconeri chiudono il match sul 2-0, non prima però di perdere Giovinco per un infortunio alla caviglia (allarme rientrato immediatamente nel dopo gara). I SINGOLI - Insomma, se quella che da tutti è considerata la grande favorita per la vittoria finale ha convinto solo in parte nella sua prima uscita, il lato positivo per i tifosi bianconeri - e per Conte - sono le prestazioni di due dei tre nuovi innesti in formazione titolare rispetto alla passata stagione. Asamoah, in un ruolo da lui mai coperto a Udine, dopo aver convinto a Pechino contro il Napoli l'ha fatto di nuovo anche stasera, correndo per la fascia durante tutti i 90 minuti e dimostrandosi eccezionale sia in fase propositiva (suo l'assist che sblocca la gara), sia in fase difensiva (una paio di splendide chiusure in ripiegamento degne di un terzino puro). Marrone invece, reinventato da Conte difensore centrale con compiti d'avvio di manovra, ha di nuovo stupito tutti adattandosi a un ruolo che col tempo potrebbe definitivamente fargli cambiare idea riguardo ai suoi propositi da vice-Pirlo. Per quanto riguarda il Parma di Donadoni, invece, poco da dire (nel senso buono): se riuscirà infatti a riproporre per il resto del campionato il calcio dei primi 45 minuti, agli emiliani toccherà qualcosa in più di una salvezza tranquilla. Simone Eterno - Eurosport Juventus - Parma 2-0

Conte lawyers start new appeal Aug 29, 2012 Juventus have lodged their new appeal against Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban in the betting scandal, hoping to reduce it by at least four months. The Coach lost his first appeal, but is going to the TNAS court run by the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee). It is reported the appeal folder has 70 pages and around 10 additional documents, including medical records, video of interviews and newspaper articles on the match in question. Former Siena boss Conte was cleared of the first charge of failing to report a potential fix to authorities in another Serie B game against Novara, as ex-player Filippo Carobbio’s testimony was not considered to be reliable. Carobbio’s testimony is the only evidence against Conte, so his legal team are aiming to work on that fact and discredit the player.

Marrone at home in defence Aug 29, 2012 Luca Marrone has thanked his teammates for helping him settle into a new defensive role for Italian champions Juventus. The midfielder, 22, was used in the middle of a back-three against Parma because of fitness issues to Giorgio Chiellini, Lucio and Martin Caceres. “The most important thing is that I felt at home thanks to the help of my more experienced colleagues,” the Italian Under-21 international told Juventus Channel. “The toughest thing to take on board as a defender is the tactical aspect. You need to maintain your concentration at all times and make the right movements when covering. “On the other hand I feel at ease when setting up the play. I operate practically 10 metres behind Andrea Pirlo and have to act as a sweeper. “In any case there’s a lot to work on during the week and I’m helped by the advice from both staff and fellow teammates.” Marrone was rarely used by boss Antonio Conte last term, but he is hoping to make more of an impact this time around. “I’m happy with how everything’s going,” he commented. “I want to show even more and establish myself as a Juventus player.”

Juve reject €60m for Vidal & Marchisio Aug 28, 2012 Juventus reportedly rejected a €60m offer from Bayern Munich for Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. According to Tuttosport, the German club made contact with their Turin counterparts earlier this summer and they were ready to dig deep to net the duo. Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes is understood to have been the architect behind the failed bid for the midfield two. Juventus already rejected approaches from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for Vidal at the end of last season. It’s also not the first time that Bayern have gone for the Chilean given that Juve pipped them to his signature in 2011 when Bayer Leverkusen made him available for transfer. Marchisio, an Italian international, is a youth-team product and is considered as a future captain of the side.

Marrone delighted to be 'living a dream' at Juventus The 22-year-old has been making a name for himself in the reigning Serie A champions' first team and has revealed his extreme pride in wearing the Bianconeri shirt. Aug 28, 2012 Luca Marrone has declared himself ecstatic at his increased reponsibilities at Juventus this season, despite playing in an unfamiliar role. The 22-year-old ended last season by setting the Bianconeri on their way to a 3-1 win over Atalanta and he could not hide his pleasure at figuring in the starting line-up for this term's first game against Parma. "I was in the starting line-up for the first championship game of the season, in front of our own supporters and - just as it is every time I pull on this shirt - it felt like I was living a dream," Marrone said to Juventus' official website. "I'm happy with how everything's going. I want to show even more and establish myself as a Juventus player." Marrone has undergone a switch from his usual midfield position to an unfamiliar defensive role, after impressing as a central-defender during the club's pre-season, and the former Italy Under-21 international praised everyone at the club for their help during his adjustment. "The toughest thing to take on board is the tactical aspect. You need to maintain your concentration at all times and make the right movements when covering. "On the other hand I feel at ease when setting the play. I operate practically 10 metres behind Pirlo and have to act as a sweeper. "In any case there’s a lot to work on during the week and I’m helped by advice from both staff and fellow team-mates. "Having the Scudetto on our chests gives us strength, but it also brings responsibility. We must show our worth every time we cross that white line."