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Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava Colantuono is Juve party pooper May 13, 2012 Stefano Colantuono reassures Atalanta fans they are prepared to spoil the Juventus Scudetto party. “We’re here to play our game.” There will be a spectacular atmosphere in Turin this afternoon, as after the final whistle Juve will be presented with the Serie A trophy and then tour the city streets on an open-top bus. “Knowing Antonio Conte, he will really want to end the campaign on a high,” said Colantuono. “He is a Coach with the right mentality and has been decisive in their ascent to this level. He is also a friend who I admire and can see how his work earned the Scudetto. “However, we are here to play our game, aware it won’t be a walk in the park.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava Atalanta boss Colantuono plays down spoiling Juventus' unbeaten campaign The 49-year-old believes Sunday's match will be a celebratory occasion for both clubs involved, but is refusing to be drawn on the prospect of ruining the Old Lady's run. May 12, 2012 Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono has insisted that ending Juventus' unbeaten run is not his main priority when the two sides lock horns at Juventus Stadium on Sunday. The Bianconeri could go the entire league season unbeaten by avoiding defeat to the Orobici on Sunday, but the visitors have also enjoyed a successful return to Serie A, with the team set to finish comfortably in mid-table. However, the newly-crowned Italian champions also have a Coppa Italia final with Napoli on May 20 to prepare for, and Colantuono is expecting an intense encounter amid the celebratory mood in Turin. "Let's just play the game, we know it will not be a walk in the park," said Colantuono at a press conference. "It will be a celebration, yes, but Juventus still have the Coppa Italia final [to look forward to], and therefore Conte will keep everyone grounded. "For them it will be a first test before their match with Napoli." Colantuono then turned his attentions to Juve coach Antonio Conte, who he was full of praise for after leading the Turin side to their first official Serie A title in nine years. "Conte has a lot to offer. In addition to having technical qualities, he has the right attitude," he stated. "A great team cannot win only because of the quality of the individuals, but also with the hunger from their coach. "He's won the league title. He's a friend of mine and a coach that I admire. "We both started from scratch [in coaching], and Conte has been given the honour of joining a great club. Thanks to his work came the Scudetto." Kick-off is scheduled for 15.00CET. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava Conte: An unbeaten season would be a record nobody can ever surpass us The former Siena trainer is hoping his team can finish their Serie A campaign on a high by beating Stefano Colantuono's men while stating Alessandro Del Piero will start the match. May 12, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has urged his men to avoid losing against Atalanta on Sunday as he feels ending the season unbeaten will be a record nobody will ever surpass. The Turin-based side were crowned Serie A champions last weekend with victory over Cagliari and are yet to lose a fixture this term. Speaking ahead of this weekend's final round of games in Serie A, Conte told reporters at his press conference: “Against Atalanta our objective is to maintain our unbeaten record to the end of the season, as that really would be something extraordinary.” “I told the lads that if we were to do that, in future they can only match us, but nobody can ever surpass us.” The coach also revealed that Alessandro Del Piero will start the game in what will be the veteran forward's final league game for the Bianconeri. “Del Piero was in the starting XI as captain in the first game in this stadium against Notts County, in the first Serie A one here with Parma and will be tomorrow against Atalanta. “It seemed only right for him and his career, but also everything he has given us this year. He must do well both on Sunday and next week in the Coppa Italia final with Napoli.” The former Siena trainer concluded his press conference by thanking his backroom staff for their efforts during Juve's highly-successful campaign. “I had already worked with Cristian Stellini and Angelo Alessio at Siena, where we won the Serie B title. I played with Angelo at Juventus in the Giovanni Trapattoni era. He is a great man with excellent human and professional qualities. “The same is true of Massimo Carrera, as we played together for many years. I had Stellini for a year and a half as a player at Bari, so as soon as I heard he was hanging up his boots, I proposed he come to work because I needed someone who knew my ideas.” Juventus also have a Coppa Italia final to contend and they will face Napoli in their attempts to claim the double on May 20. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava Juventus vs. Atalanta PREVIEW: Seeking Cherry on Proverbial Cake May 13, 2012 This season has been a very good one for fans of Turin’s Old Lady: the turnaround from the previous two campaigns is there for all to see, along with the multitude of #30 signs proudly displayed not just by fans but by the own club as well. But what awaits at Juventus Stadium this Sunday isn’t merely a match against Atalanta, it is a date with destiny. As if an encounter with a team which sacked Antonio Conte (the one failure of his fledgling coaching career) was not motivation enough, the Bianconeri can become the first team to ever negotiate a 38-game season undefeated. From the very tone of Conte’s press conference on Saturday lunchtime, the richly-deserved Scudetto triumph has been filed away in a drawer even before the winner’s medal is placed around Juve’s necks. The coach is firmly focused on the next obstacle, the next challenge and the hurdles ahead, rather than those already in the rear-view mirror. While the game – and both pre and post game entertainment – will undoubtedly be a celebration of the 30th league title, the opportunity to become only the third Serie A team to emerge unbeaten throughout an entire season is firmly within the grasp of the newly crowned Champions. Adding the Coppa Italia by beating Napoli in Rome next weekend would be the cherry on top, but first come an Atalanta side whose season ended sometime ago, once they had amassed enough points to preserve their Serie A status. That task was made more difficult by the six-point penalty following the uncovering of the CalcioScommesse betting ring, which not only eliminated iconic captain Cristiano Doni out of the picture but threatens to be far more decisive in the current Serie B campaign than the league table ever will be. Atalanta Known in Italy as the ‘Queen of the Provinces’, the northern club would – in normal circumstances – provide a stern test for Juve but, with the season effectively over, this game is difficult to get a genuine perspective on. A match with the Bianconeri is often enough to draw the best from teams visiting Turin but coach Stefano Colantuono may find it hard to drum up that enthusiasm in what will undoubtedly be a carnival atmosphere, as the trophy presentation at full time draws ever nearer. A meaningless end of season run around feeling will permeate both camps and it would be no surprise to see numerous changes in both line-ups, particularly the away side who are not only missing Matteo Brighi, Guido Marilungo, Daniele Capelli, Andrea Consigli through injury but also have doubts over the fitness of Simone Tiribocchi and Carlos Carmona. With defender Guglielmo Stendardo suspended, it will be an uphill battle for a side who have historically struggled in Turin. Only four times have maximum points been taken back to Bergamo and Juve can claim to have won 32 of the last 50 home games against the same opponents with the last loss coming over twenty years ago when Emiliano Mondonico coached the visitors to a 1-0 triumph. Conte’s men will have to guard against Germán Denis who has been in superb form as well as being wary of being caught on the break by one of Serie A’s most impressive counter-attacking sides. ATALANTA (4-4-1-1) Frezzolini Bellini, Lucchini, Manfredini, Peluso E.Schelotto, Carmona, Cazzola, Bonaventura Moralez Denis Juventus Antonio Conte, speaking at his Saturday press conference, made sure to stress the importance of the next game as he has each and every time this season. After taking time to praise his backroom staff, the coach went on to emphasize not letting one’s guard down one last time in 2011-12. He told reporters: Against Atalanta our objective is to maintain our unbeaten record to the end of the season, as that really would be something extraordinary. I told the lads that if we were to do that, in future people can only match us, but nobody can ever surpass us. Conte also told those gathered that, much like the wonderful opening ceremony against Notts County, Alessandro Del Piero would be in the starting eleven for perhaps one last time. Seeing the clubs all-time leading scorer and appearance-maker lead the team out, wearing the captain’s armband passed on to him from the man now sitting on the Bianconeri bench, will be an emotional moment for all those in attendance and the millions watching on television across the globe. It is unsure who of Mirko Vucinic or Alessandro Matri will partner ADP in attack but, without a goal since February, Matri has much to prove if he is to convince Conte he is deserving of a starting berth for next week’s Cup Final. Further back Arturo Vidal will be absent through suspension while Paolo De Ceglie’s injury will see him also miss out. Stephan Lichtsteiner should recover but is only expected to take a place on the bench as Marco Storari should get a rare start in place of Gigi Buffon in goal as history beckons. JUVENTUS (3-5-2) Storari Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Cáceres, Giaccherini, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe Del Piero, Vucinic In Conte we trust! http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava Juventus v Atalanta Preview: History Awaits The Newly Crowned Serie A Champions May 12, 2012 JUVENTUS v ATALANTA Juventus Stadium, Turin May 13th 2012, 13:00 GMTKick-off **** It will be a night of celebration for newly anointed Serie A champions Juventus as they host Atalanta at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. It also could just be Alessandro Del Piero’s farewell home game in what will definitely be an emotional night for one of Italian Football’s all time greats. Having secured the Scudetto with an insurmountable four point lead at the top table, Sunday will be a time for celebration in Turin. For Atalanta, it’s been an excellent season as well. Having started off the campaign with a six point deduction and the loss of inspirational captain Cristiano Doni, following the match-fixing charges levied on them, the Nerazzurri have defied all odds and sit in a respectable 11th place currently. Team News and Tactical Brief Juventus Antonio Conte will stick with his successful 3-5-2 formation. The manager has managed to bring out the best in Leo Bonucci of late in this formation. The former Bari defender initially struggled during this campaign but found his feet during the crucial latter stages of the season. He provided a wonderful lobbed assist for Mirko Vucinic against Cagliari last weekend showcasing his ball playing skills from deep. Alongside him will be the ever present and sturdy duo of Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. Simone Padoin is expected to face his old side for the first time since joining Juventus in the January transfer window. He will reportedly replace midfield machine Arturo Vidal who is suspended for this game. Andrea Pirlo will dictate the tempo from the centre of midfield like he has done so consistently well this season. Simone Pepe is expected to retain his spot at left wing-back. The former Roma midfielder put in a good shift against Cagliari and bombed forward in support of the attack whenever he was given the opportunity to do so. The attack is expected to comprise of Mirko Vucinic and Alex Del Piero. Il Pinturicchio is expected to play his last game for Juventus after Andrea Agnelli announced earlier in the season that the captain won’t be given an extension. Del Piero has played his part during Juventus’ success this season with vital goals after coming off the bench. Expect him to be at the heart of everything good Juventus do in attack as they try to breach the Atalanta defense. Probable Starting Lineup (3-5-2):Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe; Del Piero, Vucinic Atalanta After going through the turmoil of the whole match-fixing scandal, Atalanta fans will be more than content with how their season has progressed. Having overcome a 6 point deduction, the Nerazzurri now have the chance to finish in the top half of the table, which is no mean feat given that pundits out there jotted them down as potential relegation contenders. Boss Colantuono has gained plaudits for the way he has managed his side this campaign. His 4-4-1-1 formation has served him well and managed to bring out the best in a very close group of players. Scheotto on the right wing has caught the eye of many top clubs and has already won him comparisons with former Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi due to their similar looks and Argentine heritage. Serie A’s forgotten play-maker Luca Cigarini once hailed as the next Andrea Pirlo (like many others) has re-emerged this campaign in the middle of the Atalanta midfield. His partner in crime Matteo Brighi though is out for this game through injury. Diminutive playmaker Maxi Moralez will play in the hole just behind hit-man German Denis in attack. Moralez too has been central to Atalanta’s success, especially early on in the season when he looked in menacing form. The onus will fall on his shoulders to try and conjure up something for his fellow attackers to feed on during the course of the game. Of course trying to break through an almost impenetrable Juventus defense remains an uphill task. Colantuno does have a few injury concerns to contend with as Carmona, Marilungo, Capelli, Consigli are all on the treatment table while Stendardo and Doni remain suspended. Probable Starting Line-up (4-4-1-1): Frezzolini; Bellini, Lucchini, Manfredini, Peluso; Schelotto, Cigarini, Cazzola, Bonaventura; Moralez; Denis Key Match Facts Juventus are the only unbeaten team (in domestic league) in the top five leagues in Europe. Juventus have the tightest defense in the league having conceded just 19 goals. Atalanta are winless in their last two games. TheHardTackle’s Players To Watch Out For Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus) Can he turn on the magic again? It will be a highly emotional game as Alex Del Piero is expected to play the last Serie A game of his extraordinary career. All eyes will be on Juventus’ most beloved son as he steps on the field for possibly the last time at home. German Denis (Atalanta) With 16 goals to his name this Serie A campaign, Atalanta’s powerful striker German Denis has been a huge part of their success this season. He looks the most likely candidate to ruin Juventus’ Scudetto party. TheHardTackle’s Prediction Juventus 2-0 Atalanta Despite having the Scudetto in their bag, Juventus will look to finish off this outstanding season, unbeaten. A win for the home side does look probable and a goal from Alessandro Del Piero would just be the icing on the cake. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

I grandi campioni fanno cosí. La vita scorre via ma la grandezza resta.

LA LEGGENDA IN GOAL!

Serie A - 19^ Giornata - Ritorno - 13-5-2012 (ore 15:00) - Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Gabriele Gava La 'Signora' vuol mettere la ciliegina del record di imbattibilità sulla torta Scudetto. Nessuna squadra di Serie A ha chiuso senza sconfitte un campionato a 20 squadre. Riuscirà la Juventus di Conte a compiere l'impresa? L'ultimo ostacolo che ha di fronte è l'Atalanta. May 13, 2012 QUI JUVENTUS E' tempo di festa Scudetto in casa Juventus, che contro l'Atalanta, allo 'Juventus Stadium' porrà fine a una stagione straordinaria, coronata da un'inattesa, ad inizio stagione, vittoria del titolo. La partita contro i bergamaschi, comunque, non sarà una semplice passerella per gli uomini di Conte, visto che in ballo c'è ancora la ciliegina da mettere sulla torta: chiudere il campionato imbattuti. QUI ATALANTA Chiudere il campionato in casa della capolista, partecipando in qualche modo alla festa per la vittoria dello Scudetto dei bianconeri è, in un certo senso, il giusto epilogo del campionato per la squadra di Colantuono, che può far festa anche lei per una incredibile stagione che l'ha vista partire con 6 punti di penalizzazione ma, nonostante questo pesante fardello, conquistare la salvezza addirittura con qualche giornata d'anticipo. L'ULTIMA SFIDA 21/1/2012, Atalanta-Juventus 0-2: Madama campione d'inverno IL MOMENTO C'è poco da dire sul momento che stanno attraversando le due squadre: felice! La Juventus ha appena vinto lo Scudetto e quella contro i bergamaschi sarà la partita della festa nel suo stadio, anche se c'è anche il record di imbattibilità ancora in ballo (nessuna squadra, infatti, in Serie A ha finora concluso senza sconfitte un campionato a 20 squadre) che Conte e i suoi giocatori non vogliono mancare. Per l'Atalanta la festa è altrettanto grande, visto che ha conquistato con giornate d'anticipo una salvezza su cui probabilmente nessuno ad inizio stagione avrebbe scommesso un euro, visti i 6 punti di penalizzazione con cui erano partiti Denis e compagni. PERCHE' GUARDARLA Quella fra Juventus e Atalanta è una sfida che può essere interessante anche per chi juventino non è. Il motivo d'interesse, oltre al fatto che veder giocare la Juve di quest'anno è sempre un piacere per gli occhi e non c'è mai da annoiarsi, è il record di imbattibilità, che è ormai ad un passo. Ma di mezzo c'è un'Atalanta che giocherà serena e, conoscendo Colantuono, senza alcuna voglia di fare da arrendevole sparring partner. Insomma, riuscirà la 'Dea' ad infliggere la prima sconfitta in questo campionato alla 'Vecchia Signora'? Testa a Testa Serie A - 21/gen/2012 - Atalanta 0 - Juventus 2 Serie A - 28/mar/2010 - Juventus 2 - Atalanta 1 Serie A - 07/nov/2009 - Atalanta 2 - Juventus 5 ‎Serie A - 17/mag/2009 - Juventus 2 - Atalanta 2 Serie A - 21/dic/2008 - Atalanta 1 - Juventus 3 Ultime 5 Partite Juventus 06/mag/2012 Cagliari 0 - Juventus 2 Serie A 02/mag/2012 Juventus 1 - Lecce 1 Serie A 29/apr/2012 Novara 0 - Juventus 4 Serie A 25/apr/2012 Cesena 0 - Juventus 1 Serie A 22/apr/2012 Juventus 4 - Roma 0 Serie A Atalanta 06/mag/2012 Atalanta 0 - Lazio 2 Serie A 02/mag/2012 Milan 2 - Atalanta 0 Serie A 29/apr/2012 Atalanta 2 - Fiorentina 0 Serie A 24/apr/2012 Atalanta 1 - Chievo 0 Serie A 21/apr/2012 Catania 2 - Atalanta 0 Serie A Previsione La Juve é al settimo cielo e spazzerá via facilmente l'Atalanta che non ha piú motivazioni nella sua ultima partita della stagione. Juventus 2 - 0 Atalanta http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A - 19^ Giornata - Ritorno - 13-5-2012 (ore 15:00) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Arbitro: Gabriele Gava Confronti ufficiali 113 - 99 (Serie A) - 12 (Coppa Italia) - 2 (Campionato a gironi) Vittorie Juventus 57 - 53 (Serie A) - 3 (Coppa Italia) - 1 (Campionato a gironi) Pareggi 42 - 35 (Serie A) - 6 (Coppa Italia) - 1 (Campionato a gironi) Vittorie Atalanta 14 - 11 (Serie A) - 3 (Coppa Italia) Goals Juventus 204 - 178 (Serie A) - 23 (Coppa Italia) - 3 (Campionato a gironi) Goals Atalanta 99 - 81 (Serie A) - 17 (Coppa Italia) - 1 (Campionato a gironi) Juventus-Atalanta Serie A a Torino Confronti ufficiali 49 Vittorie Juventus 31 (L'ultima il 28.03.2010, 2-1) Pareggi 14 (L'ultimo il 17.05.2009, 2-2) Vittorie Atalanta 4 (L'ultima il 08.10.1989, 0-1) Goals Juventus 97 Goals Atalanta 33 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro l'Atalanta a Torino 12 presenze Boniperti Giampiero 9 Del Piero Alessandro 8 Leoncini Gianfranco 8 Parola Carlo 8 Viola Giovanni 7 Del Sol Luis 7 Manente Sergio 7 Muccinelli Ermes 7 Salvadore Sandro 7 Tacconi Stefano 6 goals Boniperti Giampiero 5 Hansen John 5 Trezeguet David Sergio 4 Montico Antonio 3 Baggio Roberto 3 Charles John William 3 Del Piero Alessandro 3 Gabetto Guglielmo 3 Moeller Andreas 3 Muccinelli Ermes Ultimi confronti diretti 19.11.2004 Coppa Italia Atalanta-Juventus 2-0 13.01.2005 Coppa Italia Juventus-Atalanta 3-3 30.01.2005 Serie A Atalanta-Juventus 1-2 09.12.2007 Serie A Juventus-Atalanta 1-0 20.04.2008 Serie A Atalanta-Juventus 0-4 21.12.2008 Serie A Atalanta-Juventus 1-3 17.05.2009 Serie A Juventus-Atalanta 2-2 07.11.2009 Serie A Atalanta-Juventus 2-5 28.03.2010 Serie A Juventus-Atalanta 2-1 21.01.2012 Serie A Atalanta-Juventus 0-2 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 7 - Pareggi 2 - Vittorie Atalanta 1 - Goals Juventus 24 - Goals Atalanta 12

Barzagli: Juventus want to end the season unbeaten The Bianconeri have already wrapped up the Scudetto, but with a home fixture against Atalanta and the Coppa Italia final against Napoli to play, the defender wants to finish well. May 12, 2012 Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli has admitted his delight at winning Serie A, but is now eager to end the season unbeaten. The Bianconeri won the Scudetto last weekend with a 2-0 win over Cagliari, but with a home fixture against Atalanta and the Coppa Italia final against Napoli still to play, the Italy international wants to avoid defeat this term. "Winning the Scudetto feels great. There are still two weeks until the end of the season, so we must remain focused," he told Juventus Channel. "Sunday's game will be a chance to celebrate with the fans, and we want to look good and remain unbeaten. "Few people expected us to win the league, but we wanted to get back to our best and be protagonists from the first day. "Juve did not deserve a low league finish last year and we have turned it around. Then, during the season we started to believe more and more," he confessed. Antonio Conte's men will look to make a domestic double when they take on Napoli in the Coppa Italia final on May 20, but Barzagli is expecting a tough game. "In a final anything can happen. When we played Napoli in Naples we had great difficulty, while at home it was a great match and we drew. "They are a solid team that has played with the same side for two or three years, with virtually the same players, and up front they are really strong. We will definitely have to be careful and prepare for the match well."

Cavani: Coppa Italia final against Juventus the most important game of the season The Uruguayan hitman is ready to do all he can to help Napoli to glory, and feels that his team have the right mentality to beat the Scudetto winners next Sunday. May 12, 2012 Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has stated that the Coppa Italia final against Juventus is the most important game of the season for his club. Walter Mazzarri's men have had a rollercoaster season, excelling in the Champions League before a painful elimination at the hands of Chelsea, but stumbling on the road to a third place in Serie A on numerous occaisons. However, the Uruguay international believes that the game against Antonio Conte's men is more crucial than any other during this campaign. "We will give our all in these final games of the season and at the end of it all we’ll see where we are," Cavani told Radio Marte. "The final against Juventus will be the most important game of the season and we are slowly preparing our mentality to win it."

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava Conte: 'Let's stay unbeaten' May 12, 2012 Antonio Conte has won the Scudetto, but urges Juventus to remain unbeaten for the whole season. “That way nobody can ever surpass us.” The Bianconeri have already set a new Serie A record by going unbeaten for the first 37 rounds of the campaign and aim to avoid defeat against Atalanta on Sunday. “Against Atalanta our objective is to maintain our unbeaten record to the end of the season, as that really would be something extraordinary,” said Conte in his press conference. “I told the lads that if we were to do that, in future they can only match us, but nobody can ever surpass us.” The Coach also announced that Alessandro Del Piero will start tomorrow’s game at the Juventus Stadium. “Del Piero was in the starting XI as captain in the first game in this stadium against Notts County, in the first Serie A one here with Parma and will be tomorrow against Atalanta. “It seemed only right for him and his career, but also everything he has given us this year. He must do well both on Sunday and next week in the Coppa Italia Final with Napoli.” Conte also took time to thank his staff for their efforts in the title-winning campaign. “I had already worked with Cristian Stellini and Angelo Alessio at Siena, where we won the Serie B title. I played with Angelo at Juventus in the Giovanni Trapattoni era. He is a great man with excellent human and professional qualities. “The same is true of Massimo Carrera, as we played together for many years. I had Stellini for a year and a half as a player at Bari, so as soon as I heard he was hanging up his boots, I proposed he come to work because I needed someone who knew my ideas.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Barzagli: 'Juve Scudetto is different' May 12, 2012 Andrea Barzagli admits the joy of winning the Scudetto with Juventus is “a stronger sensation” than his title at Wolfsburg. The defender conquered the Bundesliga in 2009, but insists it cannot compare with the current celebrations in Turin. “Having won the title is a wonderful sensation,” he told Juventus Channel. “There are still two games to the end of the season and we must remain concentrated, even if we are enjoying this moment to the full. On Sunday it’ll be a party for the fans, but we want to impress and remain unbeaten. “I cannot compare winning the World Cup with anything else, but winning the Scudetto with Juve is certainly a much stronger sensation than the one I had at Wolfsburg. “Few expected this success, but we wanted to be protagonists again and from the first day of pre-season training that’s what we worked towards. Over the course of the campaign we started believing, each day a little more...” The Bianconeri welcome Atalanta to the Juventus Stadium on Sunday, then conclude their campaign with the Coppa Italia Final against Napoli on May 20. “Anything can happen in a Final and you cannot afford a single mistake,” continued Barzagli. “We had huge problems in Naples, while at home we played a great game and must take inspiration from that performance. “Napoli are a solid side who have been playing the same system for two to three years, practically with the same players, and are really strong in attack. We’ll certainly have to be concentrated and prepare well for this match.”

Serie A Week 38 - 13-5-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Gabriele Gava MATCH PREVIEW May 11, 2012 Newly crowned champions Juventus seek to sign off in style – and remain undefeated – as they host mid-table Atalanta. Juve travelled to Trieste to take on Cagliari with the chance to seal the Scudetto. A Mirko Vucinic opener gave the Old Lady one hand on the trophy and an own goal 20 minutes from time – coupled with Milan’s derby disaster – meant it was time to celebrate. Juve’s win ensured an unassailable four-point margin over the Rossoneri. They can complete what would be just the third ever unbeaten Serie A season by avoiding defeat on Sunday. It would take the unbeaten streak to 38 matches and would be a first in the 20-team era. There will be cause for celebration with the Scudetto presentation, but also sadness with Alessandro Del Piero in the squad for the final time at home. Antonio Conte is not expected to make excessive changes with the Coppa Italia final on the horizon. However, Paolo De Ceglie is injured and Arturo Vidal suspended. Stephan Lichtsteiner is ok to feature after being stretchered off in Trieste. Atalanta fell out of the top half of the table with a defeat last weekend at the hands of Lazio – their second successive defeat. Coach Stefano Colantuono was not overly disappointed with the performance as the Bergamo side lost to a deflected goal then a Lorik Cana screamer. The Nerazzurri will aim to end the season on a high and striker Manolo Gabbiadini says they will be going to the Juventus Stadium to win. Atalanta could finish in the top half with a victory - all the more remarkable when considering their points deduction. However, they travel to Turin without a number of players. Matteo Brighi, Guido Marilungo, Daniele Capelli, Andrea Consigli and Simone Tiribocchi are all injured, while former Juve defender Guglielmo Stendardo is suspended. Carlos Carmona is seeking to prove his fitness. The Bianconeri have historically dominated, winning 32 out of their previous 50 meetings, including the last two seasons ago. Atalanta have won just four times in Turin, the last occurring in 1989-90. Keep an eye on: Alessandro Matri (Juventus) – The striker has been in and out of the starting line-up recently and is without a goal since February. Matri will be looking for a positive performance to book a spot from the opening whistle in the Coppa Italia final. Form guide: Juventus (W W W D W) Atalanta (L W W L L) Last season: Not played Stat fact: If Alessandro Del Piero features, it will be his 478th appearance in Serie A and likely to be his last. JUVENTUS: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe; Matri, Vucinic ATALANTA: Frezzolini; Bellini, Lucchini, Manfredini, Peluso; Schelotto, Cigarini, Cazzola, Bonaventura; Moralez; Denis http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Team Focus: Serie A Champions Juventus May 11, 2012 Well, there it is. The Old Lady of Turin is back at the summit of Serie A, Champions of Italy for the first time in five years. After the hell of Calciopoli and the purgatory of a season spent in Serie B, Andrea Agnelli, Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici delivered the ingredients for a successful team and the intensity, drive and intelligence of Antonio Conte moulded them into exactly that. In winning the Scudetto in his debut season on the Juventus bench the 42 year-old coach has followed in the footsteps of some true greats of the modern era, matching the feat accomplished by Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi and Giovanni Trapattoni. It seems almost laughable that less than a year ago many were sceptical of his appointment, wondering how he would rise to the challenge of leading one of European football’s truly giant clubs and how his beloved 4-2-4 would cope with the complexities of one of the most tactically astute leagues in the world. Simply put, he passed with flying colours. Instilling a belief in his players that they were always good enough to clinch victory and a desire to never lose, Conte abandoned his trademark formation almost before the season began. A quick look at the Formations Summary here on WhoScored.com shows he has deployed his team in five different formations this season, utilising 4-3-3 and 3-5-2 most regularly (14 and 13 matches respectively) but it is the ease with which they have switched that most impresses. Almost to a man it has made no difference which framework they are asked to line up in, the players have given their all to ensure Conte’s orders are carried out. That they have been so successful in doing so is mostly attributable to one factor; whatever formation they were asked to play, the tactical system remained the same. Conte has made his players value possession and they enjoyed an average of 61.1%, comfortably the best in Italy and only bettered by Barcelona (69.5%) and Bayern Munich (63.6%) anywhere in Europe. By playing a pressing game and condensing the field they were able to retrieve the ball quickly and, once they had it, their passing was superb, again topping all Serie A clubs with 85.4%, a total good enough for fifth place on the continent. At the centre of that passing game – far more direct and patient than the tiqui-taca of Barcelona – is the man responsible for the shelving of the 4-2-4, Andrea Pirlo. Placed back in the middle of a midfield trio after being shunted out to the left hand side by Massimiliano Allegri in his final injury plagued season at Milan, the 32 year-old has been perhaps the sides’ best player this term. His 3134 completed passes (made at an average of 87.1 per game) is a higher total than anyone in Europe’s top five leagues and is over 800 passes more than his nearest domestic rival, Lazio’s Cristian Ledesma (2321). That he has done so at a completion rate of 86.9% is similarly impressive while his league highs of 13 assists and 3.5 key passes per game is simply stunning from a man written off less than twelve months ago. Yet he is far from alone with Andrea Barzagli (89.1%), Leonardo Bonucci (88.7%) and Giorgio Chiellini (87.3%) all completing at least 1500 passes at a more accurate rate than their team-mate. Of course Pirlo attempts more difficult passes than that defensive trio but they have contributed to that eye-catching team figure as no fewer than six first team regulars made over fifty accurate passes per match. One criticism of the team has been the lack of a regular goal-scorer and seeing that fifteen players have topped Alessandro Matri’s team high of 10 goals is perhaps concerning until noting that no less than eighteen different players have found the back of the net during the campaign. With five of those registering at least six goals, Juventus have lead the way with 46 strikes from open play for yet another league best with only Milan scoring more total goals. All those numbers have been impressive but, when it comes to this Juventus, never has the old maxim that defence wins championships been more appropriate. The Bianconeri have been positively miserly, not only conceding just 19 goals but allowing a meagre 9.2 shots per game, a total again only bettered by Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Gigi Buffon has been reduced to a watching brief in most games, making just 79 saves on his way to a jaw-dropping 21 clean sheets. Writing for The Guardian in 2003, James Richardson famously called their 27th triumph ‘every bit as startling as snow in Siberia’ and, when looking at their dominance throughout this campaign, it is hard not to draw the same conclusion here. Antonio Conte and this Juventus have certainly started off a new era in impressive fashion and all that remains is to see whether they can win trophies with the regularity which prompted that comment eight years ago. With the Coppa Italia Final against Napoli less than two weeks away they will have the opportunity even before next season begins.

Pirlo: Allegri didn’t want me May 11, 2012 Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he left Milan because he was no longer in the first team plans of boss Massimiliano Allegri. The playmaker quit the Rossoneri on a Bosman last summer to join Juventus and he subsequently inspired their Scudetto success. “Milan offered me a one-year extension, but I wanted three years because I was younger than the other players whose contracts were expiring,” he told the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “But the real reason behind why I left Milan was because Allegri wanted to use Massimo Ambrosini or Mark Van Bommel in front of the defence instead of me. “That meant that I had to change position on the pitch. So I said ‘no thanks’ to Milan and chose Juventus. “Milan decided that I was no longer useful to them. I understood that immediately during our meeting.” Some were surprised by Pirlo’s decision to leave champions Milan for a team who had finished the previous two seasons in seventh place. “When I was at Gigi Buffon’s wedding in June last year, people asked me if I was crazy because I had left,” he added. “I then replied that when I decide to join another club, I do it because I want to win. And I also said that we would win the Italian championship. “And now those same people thank me because they went and put money on us winning the Scudetto…” While Juventus enjoyed the assists of Pirlo, Milan did struggle at times without his calmness and vision. “A lot of my former teammates told me that they missed me during the campaign,” he added. “But I’m happy as I won. “Almost all of my former teammates at Milan sent me text messages congratulating me on winning the Scudetto.” The 32-year-old has fond memories of his time with the Diavolo, but he admits that their attempt to get him suspended for a Cup game after an alleged elbow on Van Bommel was uncalled for. “That annoyed me,” he continued. “I played there for 10 years and they know that I don’t do certain things…” The experienced Italian international also took advantage of the interview to praise ‘rookie’ Coach Antonio Conte. “Conte is a great. I’ve had a lot of Coaches in my career, but never one who has been so prepared, so meticulous in his work and who explains things so well. “We watch videos of our opponents three or four times a week and it's difficult for them to surprise us as a result. “In terms of tactics and the way he teaches, he’s better than Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi.” With the Scudetto won, Pirlo now believes that his side can be a force in next season’s Champions League. “This Juve is one of the strongest ever in terms of mentality and pride,” he commented. “We can make a bid for the Champions League as we are now by playing in the same way. “But we’ll need a few signings to complete the squad, even if we would have done well in the competition this season.”

Buffon: 'Juventus butterfly' May 11, 2012 Gigi Buffon describes how he felt when giving away that Lecce goal and how Juventus “transformed from caterpillar to butterfly” for the Scudetto. The title was thrown back into doubt in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Lecce when the goalkeeper’s howler handed Andrea Bertolacci an open goal. “From the ground I could see Bertolacci running towards the goal and I said to myself… relax, it’s just a film, now something will happen. He might faint before he gets there,” Buffon told Tuttosport. “It’s not a good sensation, even if with Antonio Conte and my teammates at the start of the season we had taken into account something horrible could happen. “I remember the silence straight after that idiotic thing I did. It kills you. At that point you have to ask yourself: will they massacre me or hold me up by the shoulders?” He and Juve recovered to celebrate the Scudetto six years after going into Serie B due to the Calciopoli scandal. “It was worth it. In many moments over the past six years I reached some conclusions, working things over in my mind. Not always, but some certainties did waver. It can happen. But then I meditated on my successes. The fans helped me in many moments. “We had realised from the start of the season that we’d be able to put together something extraordinary. Talking about it in August or September would’ve been madness… It was a victory of the squad, just as for Italy in the 2006 World Cup. During this journey we transformed from caterpillar to butterfly.” There was also controversy, most notably with Milan’s complaints about the Sulley Ali Muntari shot that Buffon batted away after it had crossed the line. “Unfortunately, in Italy winning and being applauded by your opponents is unlikely. It’s a concept that sits uneasily with most people here,” sighed the goalkeeper. “Objectively, I see no other solution for myself, at least as long as I remain an important player. When I am not crucial any more, it’s legitimate for me to take that into consideration. In any case, I am ready to sign a contract extension. “Alessandro Del Piero won’t be here next year, but I am sure our rapport and his relationship with Juventus will continue. I advise him to stay relaxed and be proud: he’ll be number one for eternity. “I want to be competitive and that must be our objective in the Champions League. Our last success in this tournament was 16 years ago and even the stellar Juventus I was part of could not repeat that. After all, Real Madrid have spent €800m and still can’t lift that trophy again. “With two or three careful signings, our team can be solid and important. If we faced Barcelona? I don’t know how that would end, as it’d still be a game of football…”

Hamsik makes Coppa promise May 11, 2012 Marek Hamsik has promised to restyle his hair should Napoli beat Juventus in the Italian Cup Final on May 20. The midfielder’s Mohawk cut has developed into something of a trademark for him, but he could be set for a trip to the barbers later this month. “If we win the Coppa Italia then I’ll cut it,” the Slovakian international commented. “I can’t wait to play that game…” While the Stadio Olimpico clash could signal the end of Hamsik’s distinctive hair, it may also be the last game at the club for Ezequiel Lavezzi. “I have no idea what he will do,” Hamsik responded when asked about his attacking colleague. “You’ll have to ask him.” Reports are suggesting that the Argentine could leave the Stadio San Paolo this summer for a switch to Inter. Anzhi and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen.

Buffon: Champions League is Juventus' next objective The goalkeeper is already looking forward to the 2012-13 campaign, but realises that it will not be easy to emerge triumphant in Europe so soon after domestic success. May 11, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon believes Juventus must now start focussing on becoming a Champions League contender after securing the Serie A title in 2011-12. The Bianconeri have not won European club football's elite competition since 1996, and Buffon is desperate to help Juventus claim the prestigious title for the third time in their history. However, he acknowledged that it will be impossible for the team to lift the trophy next year. "I want us to be competitive in the Champions League next season. That has to be our goal," Buffon stated to Tuttosport. "We haven't won it in 16 years, but I don't think that the current team have what it takes to win it yet. That would be too much to ask from a team that have just accomplished a miracle. "The team needs two or three editions in order to become great again in Europe. At this point, I would be happy just to win back Europe's respect. "After all, a team like Real Madrid have spent some €800 million or so, and haven't won the Champions League yet either."

Pirlo: Allegri preferred Ambrosini & Van Bommel in my position so I left for Juventus The Juventus playmaker has taken a dig at the Rossoneri coach, while he has nothing but positive words for his current boss at the Bianconeri after his move in 2011. May 11, 2012 Andrea Pirlo has revealed that head coach Massimiliano Allegri's preference for Mark van Bommel and Massimo Ambrosini was one of the main reasons for him to leave AC Milan for Juventus in the summer of 2011. The Italy international opted not to renew his expiring contract with the Rossoneri last season and eventually left them for Juventus, where he has immediately won the Serie A title in his first year. "Allegri wanted to play Van Bommel or Ambrosini in front of the defence. I would have to change position, but I was not interested in doing that, so I joined Juventus instead," Pirlo stated to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. The 32-year-old then went on discuss Antonio Conte, and had nothing but praise for the successful Juventus coach. "He’s a great coach. I’ve had many coaches over the years, but no one is as meticulous in his work and as good at explaining things as him. "From a tactical and instructive point of view he’s even better than [Carlo] Ancelotti and [Marcello] Lippi in my opinion."