Socrates

2-0 Inter annullato.

2-0 Inter annullato

I mafiosi sono a meno 4

Vuole tornare. Inter in vantaggio!

La prossima sará ininfluente ...

Giallo per Vidal.

Cominciamo bene. Ora continuiamo cosí.

MIRKO VUCINIC

Ariaudo scatenato

Conte scaramantico a inizio partita.

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Line-ups: Cagliari-Juventus May 6, 2012 Juventus have Alessandro Matri, Simone Pepe and Mirko Vucinic leading the way as they could clinch the Scudetto tonight against Cagliari. The Bianconeri will mathematically be crowned champions of Italy this evening if they win and Milan fail to beat Inter in the derby. Paolo De Ceglie is the only player on the treatment table, as Simone Pepe returns to the starting XI after his ankle problem. Matri faces his former teammates at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste, where Cagliari are now playing their home games due to restructuring work at the Stadio Sant’Elia. The Bianconeri are adopting a 3-5-2 system with Pepe, Matri and Vucinic. Cagliari are safely mid-table, but Alessandro Agostini is suspended with Daniele Dessena, Rui Sampaio, Sebastian Eriksson and Moustafa El Kabir injured. They too have an exciting trident with South Americans Victor Ibarbo, Mauricio Pinilla and Thiago Ribeiro. Many of the team worked under Milan Coach Massimiliano Allegri and are therefore eager to help him win the Scudetto. Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pepe, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Lichtsteiner; Matri, Vucinic Juventus bench: Storari, Caceres, Estigarribia, Giaccherini, Quagliarella, Del Piero, Borriello Cagliari: Agazzi; Ariaudo, Canini, Astori, Pisano; Ekdal, Conti, Nainggolan; Ibarbo, Pinilla, Thiago Ribeiro Cagliari bench: Avramov, Perico, Gozzi, Dessena, Larrivey, Cossu, Nene http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Vucinic: 'Juve are over Lecce draw' May 6, 2012 Mirko Vucinic spoke ahead of the crunch match with Cagliari and said tonight Juventus “gamble with everything.” The Bianconeri fumbled a three-point lead with their 1-1 draw against Lecce midweek and are now just one point in front of Milan. “We have already put that disappointment behind us,” assured the Montenegro international. “Tonight we are gambling with everything. We have to win without thinking about next Sunday or Milan’s result in the derby. “Our strength is in our squad, as with unity we are achieving great things.” Juve will secure the Scudetto tonight if they beat Cagliari and Milan fail to win against Inter. The 1-1 draw with Lecce was decided by a Gigi Buffon howler, but there are many banners at the Stadio Nereo Rocco cheering on the goalkeeper. One read ‘A mistake will not cancel out our love,’ while another stated ‘The greats are not those who never fall, they are those who fall and get back up.’ http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Juventus recall Matri for crucial Cagliari clash The former Rossoblu striker will line up alongside Mirko Vucinic and Simone Pepe in the Bianconeri's three-pronged attack, with Fabio Quagliarella the man to make way. May 6, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has recalled forward Alessandro Matri for Sunday night's crucial Serie A clash with Cagliari in Trieste. The Italy international has slipped down the pecking order in recent weeks but he will spearhead the Bianconeri attack against his old club, with Fabio Quagliarella having been dropped to the bench. Simone Pepe returns on the right wing as league leaders Juve revert to 4-3-3, with wing-back Paolo De Ceglie's season having been ended by injury. As for the Rossoblu, Thiago Ribeiro and Ibarbo have both been selected to start and will flank top scorer Mauricio Pinilla. Alessandro Agostini is suspended, while Daniele Dessena is only deemed fit enough for a seat on the bench. Juventus (4-3-3): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic. Subs: Storari, Caceres, Estigarribia, Giaccherini, Quagliarella, Del Piero, Borriello. Cagliari (4-3-3): Agazzi; Pisano, Canini, Astori, Ariaudo; Ekdal, Conti, Nainggolan; Ibarbo, Pinilla, Thiago Ribeiro. Subs: Avramov, Perico, Gozzi, Dessena, Cossu, Nene, Larrivey. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Non facciamo scherzi eh!

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Cagliari vs. Juventus PREVIEW: No More Errors May 6, 2012 It’s really difficult for me to write this. I’m not going to lie, I began to think and brainstorm during the game against Lecce. I’m not a superstitious man at all, so I won’t even go with the “I jinxed it”, “I spoke too soon” (etc.) self-absorbed, narcissistic diatribes attributable to far too many sports fans. (Yes, you’re right. I get it. YOU’RE so important, you… that one fan out of a million, that God, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the Soccer Gods, whoever it is that can influence and ultimately will determine these outcomes, cares about some stupid ritual you did or didn’t do, something you said or didn’t say, or worse, something you thought or didn’t think, like Zuul ‘The Gatekeeper’ is reading your thoughts and about to send the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man after you). But still, I can’t help but feel a slight twinge of remorse. Yet, I didn’t do anything wrong, certainly nothing to affect the game’s outcome. More so because the draw against Lecce was so unexpected and happened in such a heartbreaking, unnecessary manner. I facetiously told my colleagues that we should PhotoShop a picture of Buffon with a smartphone (or an iPad or something) while standing in goal. The joke, of course, would be that he’s bored and has nothing else to do. Now, it’s not that funny… But that was Wednesday. Now it’s time to move forward, travel to the Island of Sardinia pro-Juve ground Trieste, (still) in sole possession of the Serie A 1st place and everything ours to lose. Opponents tomorrow, teammates in the Fall? LE CHIAVI One criticism that I’ve heard about Juventus in recent weeks pertains to their pressing style. The obvious comparison people make to Conte’s tactics is, as much as I hate this comparison, of Barcelona (with caveats, of course). The players are obviously not the same, arguably of a different caliber, and the Blaugrana’s movement is far more fluid they say. Specifically, I’ve heard people argue that when the Catalans press, they either get the ball back right away, or step back after a few seconds, reorganize, and then win the ball back eventually – usually sooner, rather than later. But the key is that the entire time they remain organized. Juventus on the other hand, critics say, keep pressing – desperately – whether they can get the ball back right away or not. When they do step back, they’re often disorganized and sputtering, much like an old-school EPL team. Against Lecce, I didn’t see that at all. During the first half the Giallorossi split possession with Juve. Quite a feat, actually, considering the difference in caliber between the two teams. Despite that, the Bianconeri stayed organized and poured the pressure on. What is this to do with this weekend you say? Well, they are going to have to carry that type of mentality over against Cagliari, another provinciale who will be happy to absorb pressure. And, they are tough in the middle of the pitch where possession and ball-movement will be key. Unlike against Lecce however, our finishing needs to be more modeled on the Novara game and less our mid-Winter form. In January we played Cagliari at home, finishing in a 1-1 draw. In what would epitomize our mid-season struggles with putting away smaller sides for +3’s, an early, clinical show of ball-movement culminating into the TEAM GOAL OF THE SEASON would be negated by a second half Cossu strike. It is true that match would precede a run of two consecutive wins, the second of which dispatched Udinese and crowned us campioni d’inverno. Unfortunately, there is no silverware awarded for the ‘Winter Championship’ and, at such a critical stage into the season, we cannot afford any dropped points against Cagliari this time around. No Paolino on Sunday... but he made the trip! A PERSONNEL ISSUE For the away trip to Trieste, Antonio Conte has brought along the entire team roster (yes, even injured Paolo De Ceglie). Unlike Football Italia is claiming, we really don’t think this is in expectation of a team “party” (though it could very well be) but rather, showing everyone the team is UNITED after Gigi’s midweek blunder and also remains FOCUSED towards the common goal. If so, that is exactly the right kind of message il Mister should be sending. Bravo! As we said, Paolo De Ceglie had to come off the pitch after just a few minutes against Lecce, and is out for Sunday as well for the rest of the season probably (possibilities remain on him recuperating for the Coppa Italia final). While the normally right-sided & right-footed Martin Cáceres filled in okay, the question remains whether Conte uses him again or if he opts for Emanuele Giaccherini (or perhaps even (gulp) Marcelo Estigarribia) for that left wing. Though Simone Pepe has missed the past several games with an ankle injury he should be regularly available for this match (Conte said he’s “at 100%”), perhaps even from the start in lieu of De Ceglie. Meanwhile everyone’s favorite punching bag (not to mention Mike’s blow-up doll) Marco Borriello was likely to return to the starting 11 until yesterday (we debated whether to put this into “BAD NEWS” below) but now seems to have been overtaken by Alessandro Matri. The verdict on Conte’s final selection? A few hours from kick-off tomorrow… Looking to end his goal-drought and send Juve to 7th Heaven... BAD NEWS A razor-thin single point separates us from the team who currently has the tricolore shield stitched to their shirt. But you know what? Our fate is in our own hands. No team in Serie A would say no to the chance to switch places with us right now. Remember that. GOOD NEWS Aside from the aforementioned injuries, Juventus will still have a deep squad to choose from. Cagliari is a team with a solid defense and a good midfield. However, they are decidedly entrenched in the middle of the pack with very little else to play for in the penultimate match of the season. Meanwhile, despite the unfortunate turn of events, Juve’s defense has been as air-tight as ever, a trend I can see continuing into Sunday. Also AC Milan, just like Juventus, have the entire enchilada to play for. Only their opposition is their hated cross-town rivals, Internazionale, who are going into the Derby della Madonnina with a spot in Europe (and possibly the UEFA Champions League) on the line. Considering that Inter’s final match is against Lazio – who currently sit one point ahead of them and occupying the final UCL spot – you can be sure they (and their spry little new coach) will be motivated. Oh God. No. Jesus. No. Don’t make me have to root for Inter… THE BOTTOM LINE It’s easy for a neutral soothsayer to foresee a 1-1 draw for both Juventus and Milan on the horizon, pushing the Scudetto showdown into the final week of the season. But my heart would give you 95 to 100 reasons per minute to wish against that. We simply cannot rely on anyone else to do our job for us. Certainly not Inter. We still control our own destiny, and simply must, and certainly can, win the next two games. That’s the only way to guarantee what is rightfully ours. Avanti. CAGLIARI (4-3-1-2) Agazzi Perico, Canini, Astori, F.Pisano Ekdal, Conti, Nainggolan Cossu Pinilla, Thiago Ribeiro BENCH: Avramov, Ariaudo, Gozzi, Dessena, Larrivey, Ibarbo, Nené JUVENTUS (3-5-2) Buffon Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe Matri, Vucinic BENCH: Storari, Cáceres, Padoin, Giaccherini, Borriello, Del Piero, Quagliarella In Conte we trust! http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Conte: Juventus know what is needed to secure Serie A title May 6, 2012 Antonio Conte is sure that he and his players know exactly what is needed of them to come away from the final two games of the season with the Serie A title in their hands. Juventus lead AC Milan by just one point, although they also have the edge in head-to-head battles before their trip to Cagliari while the rossoneri tackle Inter in their city derby. However, Juve showed signs of nervousness in midweek when they gifted relegation threatened Lecce a point despite having led from the beginning and played most of the second half against 10-men. Before that blip, though, they were on an eight match winning run and Conte believes his side are not about to crack. "To win you need your head, heart and legs. With my players we have instant understanding and often all it takes is a look," he said. "I'm aware of everyone's feelings, emotions and state of mind and that's why I'm calm because this team have always given me belief from every point of view and will continue to do so." Conte claims there is no hangover from the Lecce disappointment. Had they held on to the three points -- they led for 76 minutes and created numerous chances to double their advantage -- they would have been able to secure the title with victory on Sunday. But Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made un uncharacteristic error, miscontrolling a backpass and handing Andrea Bertolacci a simple goal. "After Lecce we wanted to get straight back onto the pitch, it was a joke, now we have a great desire for revenge to wipe out the unthinkable thing that happened," said Conte. "This is a historic moment to enter into the annals (of history). "We have a thousand stimuli and maybe I'll even have to put the brakes on my lads. "Wednesday night after Lecce, none of us slept a lot and maybe there were even a few tears but we're still a point above Milan." But following two seventh placed finishes in a row, Conte insists everyone at the club is happy to have rediscovered the title pressure. "I must underline the positive aspect of this situation which is the fact that we've quickly returned to living through important and significant pre-match experiences," he said. "That's the fruit of the impressive work everyone's done. We're very satisfied to be fighting for the title two games from the end and it fills us with pride." And having spent 13 years as a player at Juve, winning five titles and the Champions League, Conte has been in these type of situations many times before. "I've had the good fortune and pleasure to find myself in such situations throughout my career and opposite ones such as being behind and chasing on the final day. "That's the beauty of football, it always presents you with new feelings and great emotion." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Cagliari vs Juventus – Preview: Can The Bianconeri Seal The Scudetto? May 6, 2012 Cagliari host leaders Juventus at the Nereo Rocco in a must win clash for the Bianconeri in Serie A’s penultimate game of the season. Antonio Conte has offered AC Milan a priceless lifeline after they drew at home to 10 man Lecce. The Rossoneri took full advantage and narrowed the gap down to just one point at the top of the table to make for a fascinating two more weeks of Italian Football and the race for the Scudetto. Cagliari have guaranteed themselves top-flight football for next season and have almost nothing to play for in the remaining two games. Now in 14th place in the league table, Cagliari have only the possibility of improving up on last season’s 13th place finish. Team News and Tactical Brief Cagliari The home side are ensured safety despite their loss to Genoa in midweek following results that went their way. Massimo Ficcadenti will remain loyal to his 4-3-1-2 formation. He does however miss a few key players in Eriksson, Dessena, Rui Sampaio and El Kabir who are all on the treatment table while left-back Alessandro Agostini has been suspended for this game. In midfield, which is Cagliari’s strongest area on the field, they have the trio of Ekdal-Conti-Nainggolan behind the playmaker Andrea Cossu. Nainggolan has been one of the revelations of the season on the left hand side of midfield and has been widely chased by top clubs in Europe including Juventus. He offers a lot of guile and energy to the Cagliari midfield. Andrea Cossu will move around ahead of the midfield and offer creativity in the final third. For a player who normally is right up-there amongst the leaders of the assists charts, it hasn’t been the best of campaigns for Cossu. The diminutive midfielder has just 3 assists and a single goal to his name, which incidentally came against Juventus. Mauricio Pinilla will spearhead the attack and is likely to be partnered by Thiago Ribiero. Pinilla, who is on loan from Palermo has 8 goals to his name so far and faces an uphill challenge as Cagliari try to breach Juventus’ strong defense. Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-1-2): Agazzi; Perico, Canini, Astori, Pisano; Ekdal, Conti, Nainggolan; Cossu; Pinilla, Thiago Ribeiro Juventus It was a rather uncharacteristic error by the ever reliable Gianluigi Buffon that saw Juventus throw away two points against Lecce. But with two games and a single point lead over rivals AC Milan, the Bianconeri’s fate is still resting firmly in their own hands – a situation in which they definitely would have liked to be in. Antonio Conte isn’t expected to make too many changes from the line-up he deployed against Lecce and will stick to his 3-5-2 formation. Paolo De Ceglie suffered an injury and is unavailable for the remaining Serie A games while Simone Pepe could make a return to the squad. One of either Emanuele Giaccherini or Martin Caceres could take De Ceglie’s spot as a left wing-back. Although reports emanating from Italy suggest Giaccherini will be given the nod over the Uruguayan international. Bonucci will be playing in the heart of the defense and expect him to spread play from deep as Juventus will be fancied to dominate possession like they have done so consistently throughout this incredible campaign. Marco Borriello could reclaim his position in the role of prima punta as Fabio Quagliarella is expected to be relegated to the bench. Borriello looks to be hitting form just when it mattered most having slotted past minnows Novara and Cesena in the past few weeks. Mirko Vucinic will partner his former Roma team-mate in attack. The midfield will line-up as expected. Stephan Lichtsteiner is expected to continue at right wing-back. The former Lazio man has been solid but not spectacular like he was in the first half of the season for Juventus. Nevertheless, expect him to bomb forward in support of the attack and give hard time to Pisano at left-back. Andrea Pirlo will control the tempo and offer the creativity from the centre of the park. He will be supported by Claudio Marchisio who scored the goal against Lecce and all rounder Arturo Vidal. Probable Starting Lineup (3-5-2):Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini; Borriello, Vucinic Key Match Facts Juventus are the only unbeaten team in the top five leagues in Europe. Juventus have the tightest defense in the league having conceded just 19 goals. Cagliari have two draws and one win at Trieste. TheHardTackle’s Players To Watch Out For Davide Astori (Cagliari) The young Italian has had a tremendous campaign so far and has already attracted the eyes of the bigger clubs in the peninsula. Another outstanding performance against Juventus could just help him make a late claim for a spot in Prandelli’s Euro 2012 squad and could also help his former team AC Milan in their quest for the title. Arturo Vidal (Juventus) Will Vidal Be The Difference Between The Two Sides? The charismatic Chilean International has been in breath-taking form this season and has firmly established himself as one of the best midfielders in Italy. The game against Lecce wasn’t his best of the season having fluffed two chances from which you would expect someone of his quality to score. Expect him to come up with the goods though in this crucial encounter for Juventus. TheHardTackle’s Prediction Cagliari 0-2 Juventus This could just turn out to be Juventus’ most important game of the season. The magnitude of the game cannot be understated and while the Bianconeri will be hoping for a favor from bitter enemies Inter in the Milan derby, they know that the direction the title will be heading is solely in their hands, despite Massimo Moratti’s claims. Expect Juventus to emerge victorious and grab all the three points in what will be a tough encounter for them. TheHardTackle’s Blast From The Past http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AMQ--Jwt2U&feature=player_embedded http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Cagliari's Ficcadenti targets Juventus scalp The coach has stressed that the Sardinians will do their utmost to cause an upset on Sunday even though they have nothing left to play for. May 6, 2012 Cagliari boss Massimo Ficcadenti is hopeful of getting a good result in Sunday's match against Juventus in order to frustrate the Old Lady's title bid. The Rossoblu sit in 15th position with only two more games to go and have already secured their Serie A status for next season. Nevertheless, Ficcadenti has insisted that his men will play to win against table-toppers Juventus. "It is great that we're already safe with two more games to go. However, our season isn't over just yet. We have to give our all in the last two games," Ficcadenti stated at a press conference. "Juve are very strong and are still unbeaten. However, we are in excellent shape and the team is motivated to get a good result. "We don't feel any pressure and that could prove to be a big advantage for us." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato AC Milan have been unfortunate with injuries but the table does not lie, argues Lippi The Rossoneri have been forced to make do without key players for large parts of the campaign but the ex-Italy boss still feels that the Bianconeri will make for worthy champions. May 6, 2012 Marcelo Lippi has acknowledged that AC Milan have been unfortunate with injuries this season but argues that the table does not lie and that Juventus deserve their place at the summit. The Bianconeri are currently one point clear of the Rossoneri with just two rounds remaining, with Antonio Conte's men set to tackle Cagliari in Trieste on Sunday night while their title rivals are facing Inter in the Derby della Madonnina at San Siro. Former Juve boss Lippi believes that his old side's surprise Scudetto challenge has been aided by the amount of injury problems Milan have had this season, but he is still of the opinion that the Old Lady are top of the table on merit. "Injuries have affected Milan, but the ranking is correct," the ex-Italy coach exlained to Tuttosport. "And now Milan will have the unknown quantity that is the derby, while it seems unlikely that Juve will allow victory against Cagliari to get away from them." Indeed, Lippi feels that the fact that sixth-placed Inter have so much to play for themselves is a huge boost for Juve. "The beauty of this derby on the penultimate day of the season is that in addition to the importance for city supremacy, it will inevitably influence the table," he told giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "At San Siro both the championship and third place, which brings with it qualification for the Champions League, come into play. "There will be major players on the field: Ibrahimovic and Diego Milito; the recovered Sneijder and Cassano, the experienced Javier Zanetti, Cambiasso, Gattuso, van Bommel, the reliable Julio Cesar and Abbiati, the great defensive stalwarts Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva and Walter Samuel. "As always there will be big and healthy competition and the desire to present their fans with a victory, the affect of which will last until the next derby. "In short, there are many reasons to consider this one of the most important games of the year, even if the team that enjoys it could be Juventus." Both the Milan derby and Juve's meeting with Cagliari kick off at 20.45CET. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato The destination of the Scudetto is in Inter’s hands, but would they rather Juventus or AC Milan win it? The Nerazzurri are in a unique position going into tonight's derby Della Madonnina as they could have the final word in the title race, or allow their neighbours to keep dreaming. May 6, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor It’s not exactly an enviable position Inter find themselves in. Trailing in the chase for Champions League football, tonight they will also be between a rock and a hard place as they take on neighbours AC Milan in the knowledge that a good result for the Nerazzurri could well also be a dream result for Juventus. A victory for the Bianconeri away to Cagliari in Trieste will leave them needing only a Milan slip-up to make them official champions of Italy for the 28th time, and that setback could well happen for the Rossoneri in the Derby della Madonnina. Of course, Inter themselves wake up with the ambition of reaching the Champions League still burning bright, but come kick-off time that may no longer be the case. If Napoli win in Bologna on Sunday afternoon, they will be six points clear of Inter, with Andrea Stramaccioni’s side having only two games to go. To make things worse, the Nerazzurri will be unable to leapfrog Walter Mazzarri’s men no matter what their results before the season’s end, with their head-to-head record being inferior regardless of the status of the tie for third. But with a historic rivalry between Juve and Inter which blew up some more as a result of Calciopoli, there is more to consider than their own seasonal targets. To many, the Bianconeri are now the most hated rivals possible, meaning a derby victory could well be soured by the knowledge that it has handed Juventus the Scudetto. With all that in mind, what are the opinions of Interisti heading into the derby? "Coming in to the game, Inter find themselves in an impossible situation," says Don Nerazzurri, of NerazzurriWorld.com. “With the result possibly deciding this season’s Scudetto between our two biggest rivals, obviously I would prefer neither to claim the title! But, as it will definitely be one of them I have to say my preference would be for the title to remain in Milan. "Saying that though, Inter still have their own targets of a European qualifying place to play for so even if it means that Juventus win their 28th Scudetto, the Nerazzurri must play for the win." But if Napoli win in the afternoon, prompting a relaxation of personal drive about the Nerazzurri’s season, will their fans mind quite so much if they are to go down to derby defeat? Matteo Leonardi, an Interista and Mediaset broadcaster, says there may be a split opinion about the destiny of the title, but there should be no thinking twice about the best derby outcome. "Nobody (at least, nobody with a brain) can think that it is better to lose in the derby. Unfortunately, there are some human beings without brains" - Matteo Leonardi, broadcaster and Interista "Interisti in Milan all hate Milan, yet Interisti across Italy – of which there are a lot – hate Juventus," explains Matteo. "This is logical. For those who live in the city, they hate whoever is closest, whereas for those who live across the country, they don’t just support Inter, but also any club anti-Juventus. "That said, nobody (at least, nobody in possession of a brain) can think that it is better to lose in the derby. Unfortunately, there are some human beings without brains!” So it would seem that no Inter fan would be willing to give up on the opportunity of winning the derby, even if it meant that their hated rivals Juventus walked away with the Scudetto as a result. It is a quandary summed up somewhat succinctly by the landlord of the Hall of Fame sports bistrot in Milan, Alessandro Polenghi, himself an Interista. "Juve are the evil empire," says Alessandro, "but we MUST win the derby!" http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Lippi: 'Juve won't get it wrong' May 6, 2012 Marcello Lippi is confident Juventus will clinch the Scudetto this season. “Milan have been unlucky, but the Bianconeri won’t get it wrong.” The title race will be over this evening if Juve beat Cagliari and Inter avoid defeat in the Derby della Madonnina. “In theory anything could still happen, but the derby is a big risk for Milan,” 2006 World Cup winner Lippi told Tuttosport. “On the other hand, I struggle to think that Juve, especially after dropping points to Lecce on Wednesday, will allow victory to get away from them against Cagliari. “I agree with Massimiliano Allegri, who said if both teams win tonight, then the final round will not change the table. “I don’t believe Juve are getting stingy with their efforts. This team has head, heart and the desire to finish this magnificent journey on a high. The draw with Lecce really was out of nowhere.” Antonio Conte was Lippi’s captain during his strongest Juventus era and could now start a new phase in the club’s history. “The first step is certainly to win the title. After that you must create a squad capable of surviving the double commitment of domestic and European competition, because that changes a great deal. “Juve are the positive face of this season, as they progressed much quicker than anyone expected and were aided by the end of the Inter era and the distraction of Napoli, who concentrated on the Champions League. “Milan’s myriad of injuries also contributed, as they were unlucky. However, if at the end of the day Juventus do win the Scudetto, then they will have deserved it by working very hard.” Lippi has been linked with a return to the bench for the first time since the ill-fated 2010 World Cup. “The next stadium I step into will not be an Italian one. Is an announcement imminent? No, but I am in contact with different federations.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 37 - 6-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Nereo Rocco Stadium - Trieste Referee: Daniele Orsato Ficcadenti's Juve rivalry May 6, 2012 Cagliari may be safe, but they have every reason to trip up Juventus. “I played for Torino, that says it all,” smiled Massimo Ficcadenti. The Bianconeri will mathematically be crowned champions tonight if they win and Milan fail to beat Inter. “What is our motivation? I played for Torino, that says it all,” grinned the Cagliari Coach. “Juventus will play with the determination of a side that knows it is top of the table. “It is undoubtedly pleasing to be safe with two rounds to go, as that was our objective for the season and we achieved it. “Having said that, our tournament is not over yet. There are still two games left to play and we have to give our all. “Juventus are very strong and still unbeaten, but we are in good shape and I saw the team training with enthusiasm. We have no pressure on our shoulders and playing with a clear head can be an advantage.” Once again this Cagliari home game is played at the Stadio Nereo Rocco in Trieste due to a dispute over restructuring work at the Stadio Sant’Elia. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Abbiati hands it to Buffon May 6, 2012 Christian Abbiati has an eye on Juventus and another on tonight’s opponents Inter, but also reassures Gigi Buffon. The Scudetto race was blown wide open midweek when Buffon’s howler allowed Lecce a 1-1 draw in Turin, closing the gap to just one point. “I made 100 more mistakes like that,” smiled Abbiati. “I show honest solidarity to a friend and a great person. He’ll be distraught at letting down his teammates, but I’m sure Gigi will make up for it in the next game. “It’s only normal that Milan should believe in the Scudetto and fight to the end. There are only two games to go and we have to approach them as best we can. All we can do is win and hope Juventus slip up.” The Rossoneri have a tougher fixture list, as tonight they face local rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. “I see a united Inter group with a new Coach who helped them climb back up the table. I fear their desire to prove a point, because they’ve struggled this season and want to target a Champions League spot.”