Socrates

Verratti: I'm not at Pirlo's level yet The promising youngster is honoured to be compared to the influential midfielder. Sep 22, 2012 Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has expressed his pride at being compared to Juventus star Andrea Pirlo. The 19-year-old has been in impressive form this season and has been likened to the Italy international for his style of play, with PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti the latest to make the link earlier this week. Nevertheless, Verratti remains humble and has stressed that he still has work to do in order to reach Pirlo's level. "The comparisons with Pirlo do me a lot of good as he is one of the best players in the world," the youngster told L'Equipe. "I am still far from his level. I will have to work very hard if I am to become as good a player as him and achieve the same success."

Serie A Week 4 - 22-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Carmine Russo Carrera: Bendtner is ready to play for Juventus The stand-in Bianconeri coach has confirmed that there are no injury concerns ahead of their next Serie A fixture, and says the Denmark international could feature. Sep 21, 2012 Massimo Carrera has revealed that Juventus will have a full squad to pick from for Saturday's tie with Chievo at the Juventus Stadium, and suggested Arsenal's on-loan striker Nicklas Bendtner could feature. The Bianconeri currently lie first in the early Serie A standings, ahead of Napoli and Lazio on goal difference. "Everyone is available," the former Juve defender told reporters. "We'll work out our best starting line-up over the next two training sessions. "We have many important players here and I'm confident that whoever is selected for Chievo will fit into our system well." The 48-year-old also spoke of the encouragement his players could take from their 2-2 draw away to Chelsea in the Champions League. "We'll take heart from the performance in London," said the once-capped Italy international. "We saw the aggressive, determined Juventus from last year." Carrera also suggested that summer signing Bendtner could be in line to make his debut. "Bendtner has been training with the squad and is ready," said the caretaker coach. "We'll see if he has a part to play." http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 4 - 22-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Carmine Russo Vidal in Juve squad Sep 21, 2012 Arturo Vidal is in the Juventus squad for tomorrow night’s match with Chievo despite his ankle injury. The midfielder was limping heavily in Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw against Chelsea, although he managed to score a goal. There were suggestions Vidal would be rested for the Saturday Serie A encounter, especially as they face a trip to Fiorentina on Tuesday. However, he is in the squad named by Antonio Conte and stand-in Coach Massimo Carrera. Juventus squad: 1 Gianluigi Buffon, 2 Lucio, 3 Giorgio Chiellini, 4 Martin Caceres, 6 Paul Pogba, 8 Claudio Marchisio, 9 Mirko Vucinic, 11 Paolo De Ceglie, 12 Sebastian Giovinco, 15 Andrea Barzagli, 17 Nicklas Bendtner, 19 Leonardo Bonucci, 21 Andrea Pirlo, 22 Kwadwo Asamoah, 23 Arturo Vidal, 24 Emanuele Giaccherini, 26 Stephan Lichtsteiner, 27 Fabio Quagliarella, 30 Marco Storari, 32 Alessandro Matri, 33 Mauricio Isla, 34 Rubinho, 39 Luca Marrone http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 4 - 22-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Carmine Russo Di Carlo: 'Chievo can upset Juve' Sep 21, 2012 Chievo Coach Domenico Di Carlo hopes being the undoubted underdogs can help his side cause an “upset” against Juventus tomorrow night. The two teams come face to face in Turin on Saturday evening and the Flying Donkeys have drawn four of their last five meetings with Juve. “Juve are charging forward in Serie A and fresh from a great Champions League performance against Chelsea,” said Di Carlo in his Press conference. “It is clear for all to see that Juventus are the stronger team. Tomorrow we will require the perfect performance, but I believe my team has already proved it can do that. I believe this upset is not impossible. “We must use our grit, work-rate, determination and hunger. The important thing will be not to repeat the mistakes we made against Lazio, which were due to a lack of concentration. “With a little luck and all those qualities, we can do this. I believe in my team.” Luciano, Boukary Dramè, Alberto Paloschi and Lorenzo Squizzi are out injured. Chievo squad for Juventus: Puggioni, Sorrentino, Viotti, Andreolli, Cesar, Frey, Jokic, Sardo, Papp, Dainelli, M Rigoni, Cruzado, Hetemaj, Cofie, L Rigoni, Guana, Vacek, Di Michele, Moscardelli, Pellissier, Thereau, Stoian, Samassa http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 4 - 22-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Carmine Russo Carrera: Bendtner could feature Sep 21, 2012 Stand-in Juventus Coach Massimo Carrera has confirmed the Bianconeri have a full squad to pick from for tomorrow's game against Chievo. The former Juve defender also congratulated the side for their 2-2 draw with defending European champions Chelsea on Wednesday. “Everyone is available,” he told a press conference today. “We'll work out our best starting line-up over the next two training sessions. “We have many important players here, and I'm confident that whoever is selected for Chievo will fit well into our system. “We'll take heart from the performance in London. We saw the aggressive, determined Juventus from last year.” Carrera then gave an update on the progress made by deadline day signing Nicklas Bendtner, who could make his debut in the game at the Juventus Stadium. “Bendtner has been training with the squad and is ready. We'll see if he'll have a part to play.” http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 4 - 22-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Carmine Russo Quagliarella to face Chievo? Sep 20, 2012 Fabio Quagliarella may have earned himself a starting place in the Juventus side this weekend with his goal at Chelsea. The forward came off the bench at Stamford Bridge to net the equaliser, before shaving the bar with a late effort in the 2-2 draw. According to Sky Sport Italia, the former Napoli player is now in pole position for a place in the first XI against Chievo on Saturday. Quagliarella has been given just 17 minutes in Serie A so far this season as a substitute in the 4-1 win at Udinese. Quagliarella, it is being claimed, could replace Sebastian Giovinco and partner Mirko Vucinic against the Flying Donkeys. Boss Antonio Conte could also rest Stephan Lichtsteiner and Andrea Pirlo ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Fiorentina. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

Serie A Week 4 - 22-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Carmine Russo Sorrentino plots Juventus upset Sep 20, 2012 Chievo Verona ‘keeper Stefano Sorrentino is hoping to bring Juventus’ unbeaten League streak to a shock ending. The Bianconeri have now gone 42 games in Serie A without defeat and they’ll host the Flying Donkeys on Saturday. Although the football odds will be heavily stacked in favour of the Old Lady, Sorrentino fancies his side’s chances. “Sooner or later Juventus will have to lose a game in the championship,” he stated. “We want to make history on Saturday night!” La Signora last lost in the Italian top flight on May 15, 2011, when Gigi Del Neri’s side were defeated 1-0 at Parma. http://www.soccerway.com/national/italy/serie-a/20122013/regular-season/

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1^ giornata - Andata) - 19-9-2012 (ore 20:45) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - Londra Arbitro: Pedro Proenca (Portogallo) Spettatori: 40918‎ Juve, cuore da Champions: Chelsea rimontato Vidal nel primo tempo e Quagliarella nel finale di gara rimontanto il doppio vantaggio dei Blues arrivato grazie alla doppietta lampo di Oscar: 2-2 il finale. Un punto importante per i bianconeri nella tana dei campioni d'Europa. Shakhtar in testa al girone. Eurosport - Mercoledí, 19 settembre 2012 Diciamoci la verità, dopo un campionato vinto rimanendo imbattuta, la Juventus di Antonio Conte era attesa alla prova di maturità della Champions League, per un esame nella tanta dei campioni d'Europa che non si prospettava certamente come la partenza che ogni "studente" vorrebbe affrontare . E proprio per questo il 2-2 finale con cui i bianconeri, in rimonta, sono riusciti ad evitare una sconfitta, vale probabilmente più di una semplice promozione. Sì perché la Juventus doveva provare a imporre il ritmo, fare la partita e controllare il Chelsea mantenendo il pallone tra i piedi e, per buona parte della gara, ci è riuscita. Nonostante infatti il doppio vantaggio dei Blues firmato da uno straordinario Oscar - in 2 minuti 2 gol - i bianconeri hanno saputo reagire trovando il gol della speranza sul finale di primo tempo con Vidal e pareggiando la gara, a dieci minuti dalla fine, proprio nel momento in cui la spinta offensiva - e le forze - degli uomini di Conte sembrano essere venuti meno. E' stato Fabio Quagliarella a fissare il pareggio finale levando le castagne dal fuoco a quel reparto - l'attacco - che come nella passata stagione era stato l'unico a non convincere. Detto questo, la Juve ha dimostrato di essere già matura. LA MOSSA - Che il tema tattico per la Juventus fosse scritto - provare a tenere in mano la partita con il possesso palla - era un diktat imposto da Conte in maniera piuttosto chiara ma, tra il dire e il fare, c'è di mezzo il mare. O in questo caso sempre qualcosa di blu, ma che risponde al nome di Chelsea, la squadra campione d'Europa in carica. I bianconeri provano infatti il consueto possesso palla ma, poco dopo il centrocampo, iniziano i veri problemi. I Blues sono attenti a chiudere tutti gli spazi e presentare un pressing asfissiante che, nel caso di Andrea Pirlo, si ritraduce addirittura in una marcatura a uomo. La mossa tattica a sorpresa di Di Matteo - Oscar al posto di Mata - è infatti un trappolone "all'italiana" in cui il registra bresciano ci casca con entrambi i piedi. MARCHISIO E VUCINIC SPRECANO.... - Il Chelsea, una volta prese le misure, trova così il suo gioco fatto di ripartenze e, soprattutto con i palloni aerei, prova a fare male a una Juventus un pochino impacciata nella gestione dei corner. Torres per due volte, grazie anche "all'aiuto di Asamoah", spaventa Buffon, ma parlare di vera occasione da rete è azzardato. Sì perché ad avere la chance per passare avanti, in ben due occasioni, è la Juventus. Al 22' Barzagli pesca sul filo del fuorigioco Marchisio ma il numero 8 della Juventus, lanciato solo verso Cech, sbaglia il primo controllo agevolando l'uscita bassa del portiere del Chelsea. Otto minuti più tardi e Vidal, per la prima volta, riesce a prendere in ripartenza i Blues fornendo a Vucinic un pallone in area che il montenegrino, da ottima posizione, spara sul fondo. E' il preludio alla punizione divina. ... OSCAR PUNISCE - La legge non scritta del calcio "gol sbagliato, gol subito" si avvera infatti ancora una volta e nel giro di un minuto la Juve subisce lo schiaffone. Al 31', Oscar, si libera al limite dell'area e lascia partire un destro teso che la deviazione di Bonucci rende imprendibile per Buffon. Passano 120 secondi e ancora il brasiliano, fin lì più impegnato a tenere Pirlo che a giocare a calcio, fa vedere a tutta l'Europa il suo valore liberandosi con il controllo di Pirlo e lasciando partire un destro a giro d'antologia. In 3 minuti la Juve passa così dal potenziale vantaggio al 2-0 Blues. CUORE VIDAL - La mazzata psicologica è una di quelle da ko tecnico, ma la Juventus dimostra cuore e testa. La reazione e infatti immediata e arriva proprio con l'uomo più rappresentativo dal punto di vista dello spirito: Arturo Vidal. Il cileno, visibilmente dolorante alla caviglia dopo un contrasto con Ivanovic, al 38' si libera in dribbling dal limite dell'area e con il sinistro lascia partire una rasoiata incrociata che fulmina Cech. E' il gol che risveglia la Juve e la manda a riposo "ancora in partita". L'INTENSITA' NON BASTA - La Juventus, infatti, inizia la ripresa con ancor più cattiveria della fase centrale del primo tempo e per un quarto d'ora abbondante chiude il Chelsea nella sua metà campo. Di Matteo e i Blues, però, sono abituati a compiti del genere avendo supportato anche pressioni ben maggiori (Barcellona vi dice qualcosa?) e pur dando l'impressione di pensare solo alla difesa, di fatto non concedono ai bianconeri reali occasioni da rete. Se la Juventus infatti continua a girare bene - Vidal sontuoso, Marchisio rigenerato nell'intervallo - le note dolenti arrivano come al solito dal fronte d'attacco. Giovinco fatica ad entrare negli scambi e Vucinic, come spesso gli accade, pecca di leziosità in troppe giocate. CHELSEA SICURO - Ne viene fuori quindi un match controllato, povero di reali occasioni da rete e che il Chelsea sembra poter gestire fino alla fine. Anche perché a un quarto d'ora dalla fine, dopo aver tenuto ritmi ben superiori a quelli del campionato italiano, la Vecchia Signora pare non averne più e il baricentro avanzato di 15 metri da parte dei Blues di Di Matteo ne è prova tangibile. IL JOLLY - Carrera è però bravo nel crederci fino alla fine e al 75' pesca il jolly: fuori Giovinco dentro Quagliarella. L'attaccante napoletano, al "vero" esordio stagionale con i bianconeri (un paio di minuti nel finale a Udine), ci mette solo 5 minuti per creare ulteriore confusione nelle già precarie gerarchie avanzate della Juventus: Marchisio trova un assist geniale e Quagliarella beffa la retroguardia del Chelsea - non c'è fuorigioco - lanciandosi solo davanti a Cech e punendolo con un pallone sotto le gambe. Il Chelsea risente del colpo psicologico e, a tre minuti dalla fine, rischia addirittura di capitolare: Quagliarella - sì, ancora lui - è indiavolato e dal limite dell'area lascia partire un sinistro a giro improvviso che scheggia la parte superiore della traversa. E' l'ultima emozione prima del fischio finale. RISPOSTE - Insomma, se la Juventus cercava risposte dall'Europa ne ha certamente trovate. La più positiva, tanto per cambiare, arriva ancora una volta dall'atteggiamento costruttivo e dalla conferma della caratura internazionale del suo centrocampo (Vidal e Marchisio su tutti). Quella più "preoccupante", invece, è un leitmotiv della scorsa stagione: la scarsa vena degli attaccanti. Ma se la soluzione arrivasse proprio dalla panchina?... Simone Eterno - Eurosport Chelsea - Juventus 2-2

Conte appeal verdict postponed Sep 21, 2012 Antonio Conte’s touchline suspension continues after an appeal court opted to postpone making a judgment on the Juventus tactician. The Coach is currently serving a 10-month ban after he was found guilty of failing to report an alleged attempt to fix a game which he was in charge at Siena. Conte has taken his case to the TNAS in Rome in a bid to get his ban overturned – or at least reduced. A decision was expected today, but after hearing from Conte’s lawyers for around 30 minutes, the panel decided to postpone the hearing until October 2. It’s understood that the decision was taken in order to give Conte’s legal team more time to gather evidence.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Bonucci: Scare factor Juventus Sep 21, 2012 Juventus are working to become one of Europe’s most feared sides, says centre-back Leonardo Bonucci. The Old Lady returned to the Champions League on Wednesday when they collected a 2-2 draw at holders Chelsea. “We’re back in Europe with our heads held high and need to keep showing this hunger to make us feared by everyone,” the Italian told Sky Sport Italia. The game started badly for the Bianconeri as they went 2-0 down, but they kept their cool to hit back against the London outfit. “We’re satisfied at gaining an important draw from a tough venue,” he added. “We again displayed that we’re a team with great values. “We have drive, the desire to never give up and can hold our own wherever we play. “The two goals conceded in quick succession were certainly a blow, but we didn’t drop our heads. We did well to get back into the game in the first half and then we drew level through Fabio Quagliarella.” The striker came off the bench to seal a point after he broke the offside trap. “It was a move prepared on the training ground and demonstrates that our work during the week pays dividends,” Bonucci explained. “Our preparations with Coach Antonio Conte enable us to be calm when we take to the field and we know that whoever is on the bench will stick to his game plan.”

‘Barzagli the best in Italy’ Sep 21, 2012 Juventus stopper Andrea Barzagli is the best defender in Italian football, says fellow 2006 World Cup winner Simone Barone. Barzagli has become something of a rock at the back for the Old Lady in recent seasons and Barone thinks he doesn’t get enough credit. “I played with him for two years at Palermo and I have to be honest, Barzagli is a really strong defender,” the free agent midfielder told Tutto Juve. “Not enough people talk about him. It’s right that people speak of Mirko Vucinic, Andrea Pirlo and Gigi Buffon who are top players, but Barzagli is doing some extraordinary things. “He never gets a game wrong. Andrea is a really important player whose strength is his concentration and consistency.” The Old Lady netted the 31-year-old in January 2011 from German club Wolfsburg for just €600,000. “Barzagli arrived quietly as he tiptoed amongst the sceptics who had forgotten him after his experience at Wolfsburg. But Andrea has done really well and he is today the best defender in Italy!”

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 Cartoon of the Day: Juventus ruin Chelsea's big Oscar night Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day. Sep 20, 2012 It was a performance worthy of an award, but not quite enough for three points - Oscar dazzled fans at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with two first-half goals to give Chelsea a commanding lead over Juventus. But the Italian side would soon pull the red carpet out from underneath the Blues as Arturo Vidal struck before the interval. And, 10 minutes from time, Fabio Quagliarella clinched a valuable Champions League point to put a dampener on what would have been a perfect night for the competition holders.

Marrone to get new four-year deal at Juventus After impressing in his brief appearances this season, the midfielder is set to be offered a new four-year deal by the Turin outfit as they see him as a possible successor to Pirlo. Sep 20, 2012 Midfielder Luca Marrone is set to be offered a new deal by Juventus after impressing for the Italian champions in his appearances as a substitute in the early weeks of the season. The Bianconeri are looking to tie down the 22-year-old for a further four years after putting in some eye-catching displays in different positions. The Italy Under-21 international has played both as a central midfielder and central defender so far this campaign, and manager Antonio Conte has been impressed with the performances of the former Siena loanee. Prior to this season the youngster had only made six senior appearances for the Turin outfit, but it would now seem that he will be seen on a much more regular basis for the Italian giants. Marrone is viewed as a possible successor to Andrea Pirlo, who is the current first choice central midfielder, and has been tipped to form a dynamic pairing with new signing Paul Pogba in years to come.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (1st leg) - 19-9-2012 (8:45 p.m.) ................ CHELSEA 2 - 2 JUVENTUS Oscar (31′) Oscar (33') Arturo Vidal (38′) Fabio Quagliarella (80′) Stamford bridge stadium - London Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Attendance: 40918 'It's nice to be a part of a great goal like that' - Buffon reserves special praise for Oscar The veteran goalkeeper acclaimed the Brazilian prodigy for his second strike of the evening, while he was delighted with the Old Lady's performance in west London. Sep 20, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has lavished praise on Chelsea midfielder Oscar following his wonder strike against Juventus in Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. The Serie A champions fell two goals behind following a double from the Brazilian, but it was his second of the night which caught the imagination of the Bianconeri No.1, as while he did not approve of his net being breached, he was impressed by the quality of the finish. "Oscar turned on a sixpence and put the ball under the bar," Buffon told Uefa.com after the game. "I won’t say it’s nice to concede a goal, but it’s still nice to be a part of a great goal like that. Compliments to him." The goalkeeper then went onto express his satisfaction with Juve's second-half comeback, as Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella scored late on to rescue their side a point on their return to European competition. "We played a good match and deserved to draw and as such we are very happy," the goakeeper added. "They also had chances to score, but in the end we played well, attacked and tried to win. A draw isn't a bad result. "We are happy to be here. It is two years since we've been in this tournament and two years of disappointment, but last year we had a great season and we deserved to be here this evening."