Socrates

Serie A - 17^ Giornata - Ritorno - 2-5-2012 (ore 20:45) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Paolo Valeri Spettatori: 32000 Serie A - Disastro Buffon, il Lecce ringrazia Un incredibile errore del portiere della Nazionale, a 6 minuti dalla fine, consente al Lecce - rimasto in 10 per l'espulsione di Cuadrado - di strappare un pareggio dopo aver subito nel primo tempo un gol da Marchisio. Il Milan torna così a -1 dalla Juventus e riaccende il finale di campionato. Eurosport - Mercoledí, 2 maggio 2012 Gigi Buffon non è mai banale. Nella buona e nella cattiva - per i tifosi Juventini - sorte. E' infatti un suo clamoroso errore - dopo una stagione praticamente perfetta - a riaprire il campionato a pochi minuti dal termine di una gara che la Juventus aveva praticamente già vinto. I bianconeri infatti, contro il Lecce, erano andati subito avanti grazie al gol di testa di Claudio Marchisio che sembra dover indirizzare la gara su ben altri binari. Tanti errori sottoporta però, uniti a una superiorità numerica non sfruttata dal 10' della ripresa (espulso per doppio giallo Cuadrado), alla fine hanno premiato un Lecce coriaceo, attento, equilibrato e mai arrendevole. Sul clamoroso controllo sbagliato di Buffon è infatti Bertolacci il più lesto di tutti, regalando al suo Lecce un punto che tiene aperta ogni speranza per Cosmi... e non solo. IL PRIMO VERO MATCH POINT - La Juventus doveva affrontare, forse per la prima volta in stagione, il peso di un pronostico che a 270 minuti dalla fine la vedeva davanti all'ultimo "vero" ostacolo verso il sogno Scudetto. Il Lecce infatti, con l'acqua alla gola, è squadra in piena lotta salvezza e per i primi 45 minuti mantiene un ordine nelle idee, nel gioco ma soprattutto nella fase difensiva che gli permette di chiudere il primo tempo "solamente" sotto 1-0. PIRLO ILLUMINA, MARCHISIO CONCLUDE - La Juventus infatti, a differenza della gara con il Novara, parte leggermente più contratta per merito soprattutto degli uomini di Cosmi che non rinunciano a priori a giocare a calcio ma nemmeno decidono di scoprirsi concedendo spazi letali. E' una fortuna infatti per Conte che a sbloccare la partita ci pensi il solito illuminate lancio di Andrea Pirlo che, in collaborazione decisiva con la testa di Claudio Marchisio (e la scarsa reattività di Benassi), permette alla Juventus di passare dopo solo 9 minuti e gestire il resto del primo tempo con più tranquillità. COLPO DEL KO? MACCHE'... - Non fraintendeteci, la Juventus gestisce per larghi tratti tutto il possesso palla e dalle parti di Buffon non passa nemmeno una minaccia, ma le occasioni non sfruttate da Vidal - al 11' e al 27' - e la poca potenza della conclusione di Marchisio costringono i bianconeri a mantenere alta la tensione anche per tutto il secondo tempo. LECCE IN 10 - E la ripresa, per la Juventus, sembra aprirsi nel migliore dei modi. Valeri grazia Obodo sventolandogli un giallo per un'entrataccia su Quagliarella ma, due minuti più tardi, non fa lo stesso con l'intervento di Cuadrado - già ammonito - su Caceres lasciando il Lecce in 10 per i restanti 36 minuti. GOL SBAGLIATO... - Gli uomini di Cosmi però hanno il merito di non mollare mai le redini continuando a giocare attenti in tutte le zone del campo e approfittando di una Juventus a corrente alternata: accelerazioni improvvise intervallate da lunghi, lunghissimi tratti di sterile possesso palla. Occasioni, per gli uomini di Conte, ne arriverebbero anche ma ancora la scarsa vena di Vidal - ben trovato da un prolungamento aereo di Vucinic - e un bell'intervento di Benassi su Quagliarella a 20 minuti dalla fine, negano alla Juventus il gol della sicurezza. ...GOL SUBITO - Nonostante questo la Juventus sembra poter tranquillamente gestire il risultato e il Lecce, dalle parti di Buffon, si fa vedere soltanto sui calci da fermo quando i centrali salentini salgono per provare a dar fastidio sulle palle aeree. La più grande, a un quarto d'ora dalla fine, dà addirittura il là al contropiede di Matri su cui Benassi, ancora una volta, è chiamata a dire la sua. La beffa prendere quindi i tratti di un'autentica doccia fredda: al minuto 84' un normale retropassaggio di Barzagli è controllato malamente da Buffon e il pallone, schizzato sui piedi di un incredulo Bertolacci, è un regalo tanto gradito quanto inaspettato. Il forcing finale della Juventus è infatti confuso e non porta nessun pericolo alla retroguardia salentina. Come disse un famoso ex allenatore bianconero: "don't say cat if it's not in the sac". Simone Eterno - Eurosport Juventus - Lecce 1-1

Salihamidzic shows Buffon support May 4, 2012 Hasan Salihamidzic sent former Juventus teammate Gigi Buffon a message of encouragement after his error against Lecce. “All of the world are now talking about that mistake,” the Bosnian told Sky Port Italia. “I’ve already sent Gigi a text message about it. “It is true that he made an error, but how many times as he saved Juventus?” Buffon was responsible for Lecce’s equaliser in midweek which has allowed Milan to close to within one point of leaders Juve with two games to play. “It’s great to see my old mates in first place while playing football so well,” added the man who spent four years in Turin before his 2011 move to Wolfsburg. “I speak with people like Giorgio Chiellini, Buffon and Alex Del Piero quite often. It’ll be lovely to see them win the League.” Brazzo also paid tribute to Del Piero, the club captain who will leave the Old Lady this summer after almost 20 years in Turin. “He’s a great guy, a friend, a champion. You can’t say everything with words though. Everyone knows what Alex has done for Italian football and the world game. “He’s a great guy, a great player and I don’t think he’ll retire. He’ll play on for a few more years.”

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Juventus use up their Get Out of Jail Free card as Buffon gifts AC Milan Scudetto lifeline The Bianconeri's hold on the title race was loosened thanks to the goalkeeper's bizarre late mistake, allowing the reigning champions to close the gap to a single point. May 3, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor That wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. On the night Juventus could have left the field as champions, they instead allowed the current holders of the Serie A title to believe again. And it was one of their most flawless, unflustered individuals who gave AC Milan hope. Of all people, it was Gianluigi Buffon who gifted Lecce a late equaliser at Juventus Stadium to allow the Rossoneri to close the gap at the top to a single point. In a squad of players many of whom have not tasted the experience of a title run-in before, it was the likes of Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Del Piero who were expected to just get on with business. If a season-changing error was to be made, it would surely come from a younger, less savvy player … right? Wrong! With Juve still holding just the narrow lead given to them by Claudio Marchisio’s early header which escaped the clutches of Massimiliano Benassi, they remained vulnerable to a sucker punch. And, with Lecce having not previously troubled Buffon in the entire game, the keeper took a heavy touch on his left foot from Andrea Barzagli’s simple back pass, allowing Andrea Bertolacci to steal in and grab a point for the Salentini. It hadn’t been a vintage Juve showing, but they had done enough to get into several good positions to grab a second goal. This time around, they couldn’t do it. It was a return to the profligate side of the first three-quarters of the season, but more than that it was a nervy showing of sorts. Against a Lecce outfit battling for survival, they gave up more possession and more space than they generally have this term. Their penalty area remained practically unbreached, but mainly thanks to their having camped out in their own half at times in a way they simply hadn’t done before in 2011-12. It was a huge result for Serse Cosmi’s side in their quest to stay in the heavyweight division, especially with relegation rivals Genoa winning against Cagliari, but that wasn’t really the story. Instead, Buffon had made all the headlines. The Italy captain, the man who followed a World Cup win with a trip to Serie B with the Bianconeri, the second-highest caps holder for the national team, one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the world, he was suddenly the failure. His inability to deal with Barzagli’s pass has blown open the race, not simply due to the gap being reduced, but also because of the new pressure it will induce. There is no margin for error anymore. Gone is the knowledge that they can slip up once and get away with it. Every clearance, every shot, every crucial tackle that needs to be made, could now be a title-defining one. The ‘Get out of jail free’ card has been used. Juve now need to at least match Milan’s results in the final two games in order to claim a 28th official title. It can still be done, and they are still favourites, but it’s no longer the foregone conclusion it appeared. They still could be champions by Sunday night, but that’s not under their control anymore. Milan entered the field against Atalanta knowing it could be for the last time as champions, but left with a renewed spring in their step. Marchisio’s goal in Turin had been almost immediately mirrored by Sulley Muntari’s opener at San Siro. Replays suggested he may have been offside by about a stud’s length, but one could forgive the referee’s assistant for not have a magnifying glass on him to make the call. The pass to the Ghanaian had come from Kevin-Prince Boateng, and he was the architect for what was little less than an onslaught on Andrea Consigli’s goal early on. Like Juve, Milan held on to their slender lead until late, with even Zlatan Ibrahimovic miscuing wildly at one point. But then, having heard news of Lecce’s equaliser, the Rossoneri grabbed a late clincher, with Robinho superbly following in to turn home Consigli’s parry from Ibrahimovic’s long-range blast. Belief and momentum. Two things that can be supremely vital in a title race are suddenly with Milan, if only for a few days. Juve remain ahead, and with the more simple run-in to negotiate, but the cafe debates and message-board threads will all be about their ability to hang on now, rather than planning Sunday afternoon celebrations in Sardinia. Where once it was a carefree march to the crown, now it is a test of nerve for players young and old. Meanwhile, Milanisti will head to the derby clash with Inter that evening believing they can pull off Mission Impossible. It’s game on again. ELSEWHERE… • Delio Rossi ended the 2010-11 season waving a fond farewell to the 40,000 Palermo fans who had travelled to Rome to see their side compete in the Coppa Italia final. Twelve months on, he finishes the campaign jobless after one of the craziest moments witnessed in calcio for some time … and that’s saying something! Rossi was forced into an early rethink after his Fiorentina side fell 2-0 behind to relegation-threatened Novara at the Artemio Franchi, and he made the decision to withdraw the under-performing Adem Ljajic just after the half-hour mark. The young Serb’s response was to sarcastically applaud his coach, which led the 51-year-old to gesticulate wildly at his player before launching himself into the dugout swinging punches at the winger. While many have quickly defended Rossi by rightly proclaiming that the behaviour wasn’t indicative of his usual manner, the extraordinary scenes were always likely to lose him his job. Two Riccardo Montolivo goals would eventually be enough for the Viola to save face and relegate Novara, but the real damage had already been done. • Inter’s much-improved run under Andrea Stramaccioni came to an abrupt halt four days before the derby with a 3-1 defeat to Parma at the Ennio Tardini. After Wesley Sneijder grabbed the opening goal, it appeared that the Nerazzurri’s Champions League charge would continue unabated. But a disappointing second-half display saw the home side eventually run away with the points, leaving Inter to dust themselves off ahead of their clash with Milan at the end of a five-game fortnight. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Zoff backs Buffon to put Lecce error behind him The former Bianconeri No.1 does not believe that the Azzurri captain will be affected by the poor touch which cost his side two precious points in their bid to land the Scudetto. May 3, 2012 Italy legend Dino Zoff suspects that Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has already put his crucial error in Wednesday's Serie A draw with Lecce behind him. The Bianconeri looked poised to claim a 1-0 victory in Turin, which would have put them one win away from clinching this season's title. However, a desperately poor touch from Buffon allowed Andrea Bertolacci to snatch a draw for the visitors and that result, coupled with AC Milan's 2-0 success over Atalanta, means that Juve's lead over the Rossoneri has been cut to a single point with two games remaining. "These things happen," Zoff told ANSA. "I would not make a drama out of it. I think that Buffon would have already, if not forgotten about it, at least put it behind him. "It was just an oversight, a mistake that anyone who plays the game can understand. Everyone in football, and indeed every profession, makes mistakes. "Certainly, when it happens to a goalkeeper, it's different, more obvious. But it's not more serious, especially when such episodes are rare. "Of course, at the time, it's a real blow, but you must look ahead and I'm sure that this weekend Buffon will not have any further setbacks."

Marchisio: Juventus must remain calm The influential midfielder has urged his side not to start panicking after Wednesday's draw, and stressed that the Old Lady still have everything in their own hands. May 3, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has urged Juventus to remain calm despite their unexpected 1-1 draw against Lecce on Wednesday. The Turin giants saw their lead over rivals AC Milan shrink to one point following Wednesday's results, but the midfielder has stressed there's no reason for negativism as the Bianconeri still have everything in their own hands. "We’re still at the top of the table. Now we must play and show our strength and calmness, especially because we must remember that at the beginning of the season, we didn’t expect to be one point in front of the second side in the table with two games to go," Marchisio stated to the official Juventus website. The midfielder then reflected on Gianluigi Buffon's error which led to Lecce's equaliser, and he's confident the experienced goalkeeper will bounce back with a strong performance at the weekend. "Buffon's mistake? He was obviously upset, because he absolutely wants to clinch the title. However, he’s a strong character, and he will be back to his usual best again versus Cagliari."

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Juventus are still in control of Serie A, says Allegri AC Milan boss has stressed that the Old Lady still have everything in their own hands, but added that anything's possible in the last two games. May 3, 2012 AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has stated that Juventus are still in control in the race for the Scudetto, despite their slip-up against Lecce on Wednesday evening. The Serie A leaders had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home, while Milan beat Atalanta 2-0 in their Serie A fixture at the Giuseppe Meazza. Nevertheless, Allegri has pointed out that Juventus still hold a one-point lead over the Rossoneri with two more games to go. "Juventus still have everything in their own hands. We just have to do our best to keep the race open and hope for another slip-up but that’s tough to see," Allegri stated at a press conference. "We’ll see now what happens on Sunday. This is why football is beautiful; anything can happen in a game. "This is the proof that the most impossible things to achieve are always the most beautiful and you always have to believe." Milan resume league action on Sunday when they take on rivals Inter. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Zoff: Buffon will recover May 3, 2012 Legendary Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff doesn’t think that Gigi Buffon will be psychologically affected by his howler for Juventus last night. Buffon lost possession of the ball late in the game against Lecce which allowed the visitors to grab a 1-1 draw. That result subsequently saw Juve’s lead over Milan at the top of the table cut to just one point. “These things happen,” Zoff told ANSA. “There is no reason to make a drama out of it. I think that Buffon, even if he hasn’t forgotten about it, has put it behind him. “It was just an error, a mistake that can happen in the game. “It would certainly have affected him at the time, but I don’t expect it to cause any problems for him on Sunday. “Everyone in football, in all professions, make mistakes. It is only different for a goalkeeper because it is more evident, but not more serious.” Juve and Buffon will face Cagliari on Sunday before playing host to Atalanta on the last day of the campaign. Zoff, captain of Italy’s 1982 World Cup winning side, was a star for Juventus and the Azzurri. Buffon recently surpassed Zoff’s tally of 112 caps for his country.

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Bertolacci feels for Buffon May 3, 2012 Andrea Bertolacci may have benefited from Gigi Buffon’s mistake, but the Lecce man is hoping it doesn’t cost Juventus the Scudetto. The 21-year-old dispossessed the goalkeeper late in the game to score Lecce’s equaliser in their unexpected 1-1 draw in Turin. “Buffon gave me a high-five at the end of the game,” stated the Roman. “There was disappointment there and I hope that what has happened won’t compromise their campaign. “We were down to 10-men and I just attacked him. “We looked to give it our all and there is great satisfaction that we got a point. We are fighting for survival and we’ll keep working hard until the very end.” The Old Lady are now just one point ahead of Milan at the top of the table with two games left this season. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Marchisio stands by Buffon May 3, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has backed teammate Gigi Buffon to bounce back after his error cost Juventus victory against Lecce. The goalkeeper’s late mistake gifted the relegation threatened side a goal which netted them a 1-1 draw in Turin. “Gigi was obviously upset because he absolutely wants to clinch the title,” stated Marchisio who had given his side the lead. “However, he’s a strong character and against Cagliari he will immediately be our certainty again. “In Trieste we’ll give our all in order to win. And if good news come from Milan, it will be better, however we just have to think about ourselves.” Juventus are now just a point ahead of Milan following the Old Lady’s failure to see off a Lecce side who had gone down to 10 men. “We should have sealed the victory against Lecce, also considering that they were one man down,” continued the midfielder. “We tried to manage the ball possession, because perhaps we were a bit tired having played three days ago. “Moreover, there was that mistake. Unfortunately, these circumstances can happen, but we can set it right.” Juve will face Cagliari on Sunday, while the Rossoneri will play their city rivals in the San Siro derby. “We’re still at the top of the table,” added Marchisio, the scorer of nine League goals during this campaign. “Now, we must play and show our strength and calmness, especially because we must remember that at the beginning of the season, we didn’t expect to be one point in front of the second side in the table with two games to go.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Conte: 'Juve wasted a bonus' May 2, 2012 Antonio Conte admits Juventus “wasted a bonus,” but defended Gigi Buffon for his howler and continued to target the Scudetto. The Bianconeri’s three-point lead at the top of the table has been reduced to just one after tonight’s shock 1-1 draw with Lecce, as Buffon tried to dribble Andrea Bertolacci and was caught out. “This is football,” said Conte. “It was a chaotic draw, but it’s not the first time this has happened. Today it was our turn to concede a strange goal. “It is another reason we need to grow, but obviously there are regrets, as we could’ve put a real marker on the Scudetto. “If in the last two games we do well, then we will win the title, otherwise the other team will be better. “We wasted a bonus and now are forced to win the next two matches. At the start of the season we’d all have been super-excited to be one point clear at the top of the table with two rounds to go. “We are achieving extraordinary things and don’t forget we were coming off two seventh-place finishes in recent years. “Buffon had an accident, as can happen when strikers miss goals. He is strong and experienced enough to react positively, seeing as so many times this season he has been decisive for us. “We had several chances to double our lead, but were not precise. Drawing a game like this was totally unexpected. Probably the importance of the match took away some of our sharpness and put extra pressure on our shoulders. “We’re unbeaten in 36 Serie A games and must do well to control our advantage in the next two weeks to make a dream come true.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Conte: Juventus must win remaining two games now to clinch the title The Bianconeri coach has stressed that his side cannot afford to spill any more points in the remainder of the season following Wednesday's draw. May 2, 2012 Antonio Conte has made it clear that Juventus must win their remaining two Serie A games if they are to clinch their 28th Serie A title in history. The Old Lady were somewhat surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Lecce on Wednesday after a Gianluigi Buffon howler, and consequently saw their lead over second-placed AC Milan shrink to a single point. Conte believes that Juventus can still win the Scudetto, despite the setback against Lecce, but insisted that they cannot afford to spill any more points. "It's clear that this is a setback for us. We must win our remaining two games now. However, I'd have happily signed for this situation if you'd told me we'd be here earlier this year," Conte stated to Sky Sport Italia. "It was an unfortunate incident with Gigi, but these things happen. He's still had a great season. This is football, and it's something in the past now." Juventus resume Serie A action on Sunday when they travel to Cagliari. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Hello Borderline, I think Milan are not going to win against Inter. I am not scared we can lose the scudetto.

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Player Ratings Gianluigi Buffon's late error stole the headlines as the Salentini grabbed a vital point which gives AC Milan new hope in the Scudetto race. May 2, 2012 Juventus Gianluigi Buffon 4.5 - Amazed everybody watching when he failed to deal with Barzagli’s straight-forward backpass to hand Muriel a simple equaliser. Giorgio Chiellini 6.5 - Very nearly struck when making an excellent run to meet Pirlo’s cut-back, and was a strong presence at the back to boot. Paolo De Ceglie 5.0 - Substituted almost before the game had even begun so early did he pick up a knock. Andrea Barzagli 6.0 - His biggest impact on the game came through little fault of his own as Buffon failed to deal with his simple backpass. Other than that, he’d given Lecce no look-in. Leonardo Bonucci 6.0 - Looked a little more stretched than in recent weeks, but was still reasonably comfortable but for when earning a booking for a mistimed tackle. Had a long-running row with Delvecchio throughout. Stephan Lichtsteiner 6.0 - Patrolled the wing with great force, but Lecce were occasionally allowed to get forward down his flank a little too easily. Claudio Marchisio 7.5 - Headed home a shot through Benassi’s dive from Pirlo’s exquisite chip over the top, then almost became provider when lofting forward for Vidal but the Chilean shot just wide. Couldn't reproduce an excellent first-half display after the break. Andrea Pirlo 6.5 - His assist for Marchisio’s early goal was sheer class, and he fed through a couple more real testers for the Lecce back line, but he wasn’t at the very top of his game. Arturo Vidal Pardo 7.0 -Made a magnificent run to meet Marchisio’s chipped pass, but after good chest control his left-foot shot went just wide. One magnificent tackle foiled Brivio in full flight, but another chance to kill the game was squandered before Lecce equalised. Mirko Vučinić 7.0 - His movement and touch was too good for the Lecce defence for long spells of the game, and on another night he may have racked up a number of assists. Fabio Quagliarella 6.5 - Got into some nice positions as Juve stretched the opposition, and very nearly made it 2-0 when just clearing the bar after an excellent team move. • Substitutions Martín Cáceres 6.5 - Replaced De Ceglie in the early throes, and was a regular threat down the wing. He was the man who forced one tackle too many from Cuadrado to reduce the visitors to 10 men. Alessandro Del Piero 6.0 - Given 15 minutes of play in his penultimate home game as a Juventus player. Alessandro Matri 6.0 - Came on for Quagliarella 20 minutes from time but couldn't grab that vital second goal. Lecce Massimiliano Benassi 6.5 - Gifted one goal to Marchisio, then almost did the same again as Vucinic followed in shortly before half-time. Looked more stable after the break despite Juve's regular pressure. Leonardo Martin Miglionico 6.0 - Stood firm under Juve’s regular pressure, but could have been punished a couple of times when Vidal was allowed to ghost in behind in his defensive channel. Davide Brivio 7.0 - Ran with some willing as Lecce looked to cause Juve some rare problems with a concerted period of possession. Provided shape and intelligence for the Salentini, but one free kick was incredibly badly delivered. Nenad Tomovic 6.5 - Stayed strong at the back and looked to make runs in whatever fashion he could in order to help the Salentini back into the game. Moris Carrozzieri 6.5 - Matched Vucinic for height but not for pace in their running battle. Still, his determination helped to ensure that the game never ran away from the away side. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado 5.0 - Booked for a foul on Vidal, then shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Caceres for which he might well feel himself a touch unfortunate. Christian Obodo 6.0 - The ex-Torino man’s tough nature was always likely to see him have running battles all over the pitch, and he was booked for getting into one dust-up too many. Manuele Blasi 6.0 - Stuck to his task well, providing a real presence in the midfield as Lecce eventually reined some spells of possession off their hosts. Gennaro Delvecchio 6.5 - His early face-off with Chiellini had tempers rising, but that was no surprise. The uncompromising midfielder added some real toughness to the centre of Lecce’s side. Haris Seferovic 5.5 - Chased down a number of hopeful passes, but he was no real threat to the Juve goal before being replaced by Muriel early in the second period. David Di Michele 5.5 - Didn’t make much of an impact as Juve stayed tight at the back, and was eventually substituted after the Salentini had been reduced to 10 men. • Substitutions Guillermo Gonzalo Giacomazzi 6.5 - Replaced Di Michele for the final quarter as Serse Cosmi looked for his side to cause a late shock. Andrea Bertolacci 6.5 - After replacing Obodo, the midfielder very nearly teed up Muriel for an equaliser, but the striker went down in the box. Handed a simple equaliser at the end after Buffon's error. Luis Fernando Muriel Fruto 6.0 - Brought into the action for Seferovic soon after the break and when he got into his best position of the game, he ended up going to ground and being shown a yellow card for diving. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Buffon’s mistake gifts Lecce late equaliser against Juventus May 2, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte refused to blame keeper Gianluigi Buffon despite his error costing the Bianconeri two points at Lecce. Lecce, reduced to 10 men, threw a spanner in the Serie A title works as they held Juventus to a 1-1 draw, allowing AC Milan to close the gap at the top to just one point. Juve seemed to be cruising to victory after an early goal while their relegation-threatened opponents were reduced to 10 men early in the second period. But Andrea Bertolacci’s goal five minutes from time snatched a draw and allowed Milan, 2-0 winners over Atalanta, to reduce the arrears. It was a horror mistake from Buffon that gifted Lecce the equaliser, the veteran Italian international miscontrolling a back pass to lose possession. “There was a moment of slackness, we missed a bonus and now we have to win the last two games,” he said. “But if you’d have offered me this at the beginning of the year, I’d have signed on a thousand times. “That’s football, it was incredible what happened. A mistake can happen, Gigi’s having an amazing year.” Juve were off to a dream start and it came from their fabled midfield. The incomparable Andrea Pirlo was given too much time on the edge of the box and he put in a delightful chip over the defence for Claudio Marchisio to run onto and although his header looked tame, goalkeeper Massimiliano Benassi seemed to slip and the ball crept in. Any chance Lecce had of dragging themselves back into the contest seemed to die when Juan Cuadrado was harshly sent off for a second booking. Juve missed a hatful of chances but then Buffon’s first touch from Andrea Barzagli’s back-pass was horribly heavy and Bertolucci nipped in to rob him and score. Milan coach Massimiliano All-egri admitted that he thought the title was over until the late drama in Turin. “With five minutes to go the title seemed over but then Lecce scored and at the end I felt like I was at the theatre waiting for the end of an opera,” he said. Milan started brightly and efforts from Kevin-Prince Boateng and one from Zlatan Ibrahimovic tested goalkeeper Andrea Consigli. On nine minutes, Boateng found Muntari in the box, although the Ghana midfielder was perhaps offside, to poke in from close range. Milan enjoyed the lion’s share of chances but they had to wait until injury time to wrap up the points through Robinho. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Juventus 1-1 Lecce: A Moment of Madness Narrows Serie A Gap to +1 May 2, 2012 Shock and disbelief. Such was the feeling at Juventus Stadium Wednesday night, after Juventus welcomed 3rd-from-bottom Lecce in a match many described as pure formality for the Bianconeri. Juve could truly not have asked for more favorable circumstances: an early goal, an opponent a man down for nearly an entire half, another dominating performance from its team. Then out of nowhere came the kick-in-the-nuts, the sledgehammer to the Juve fan’s gonads wielded by the person we least expected. Aaron and Marco bring you the after-action report of a frustrating night and two seconds of folly. MATCH ANALYSIS (by Aaron Giambattista) Juventus has had a fairly tough run-in to the end of the league. Starting back in March, fans eyed a string of games against the likes of Napoli, Fiorentina, Roma, Inter, Milan, Lazio and Palermo with trepidation. A home match against Lecce was probably the last thing on fans’ minds when considering possible obstacles, yet at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday evening, the plucky Salentini pulled an upsetting 1-1 draw. The match certainly seemed to start on the right foot. Despite De Ceglie having to leave the field very early on (thigh strain), Claudio Marchisio headed in a delightful Andrea Pirlo cross to open the scoring in the 8th minute: a very quick 1-0, and Juventus with the opportunity to put on ‘cruise control’ radically early into the match. Things turned far from easy however. The game became very similar to the Parma and Bologna-type fixtures the team played earlier this season: a sub-par midfield performance with attempts to outrun our opponents and strikers not cynical enough in converting chances. Yet in most of these matches where the Bianconeri sweat against Provinciali teams, the defense remained secure. Lecce made Juventus earn every minute of possession today: the Old Lady only chalked up 58% despite being at home with an extra man for almost an entire half, following Juan Cuadrado’s second yellow card in the 54th. Despite the numerical advantage (and despite the gulf in technical ability between the two teams), Juventus were unable to double the precious lead delivered by Marchisio: decent efforts by Quagliarella, Matri, and a golden chance for Vidal went unused. Unfortunately, as has often been the case against opponents this season, Lecce converted on their one single opportunity. Buffon has had very little to do the past month, and today Lecce had barely forced out a single save out of him, but a moment of madness from Juve’s #1 cost the team the victory. Already in the first half, Buffon had dribbled a rushing opponent inside his box with a move that caused both shock & admiration, but also perhaps foreshadowed the uncertainty (or excessive confidence, depending on the points-of-view) from the iconic goalkeeper. In the 85th minute, Gigi received a backpass from Andrea Barzagli and instead of booting it up the field, decided (as Juve have done pretty much all season) to control the ball and pass it short to a nearby teammate. Unfortunately he was let down by a very heavy first touch, allowing Lecce forward Andrea Bertolacci to rush forward, steal the ball, and convert a very much unexpected 1-1 tally for Lecce. It’s certainly true that Antonio Conte’s playing style contributed in Buffon’s error: the coach has encouraged his team to never let the ball go to waste, and minimize the panicky clearances that usually result in gifting the ball straight back to the opponent. Given that Lecce was already down to 10 men however and the overriding more important task of clinching a capital victory for Juve, Gigi’s decision-making must be put under a heavy lens here, particularly also because Lecce’s forwards were pressing hard at that exact moment… At the end of 90 minutes, Juventus registered 17 total shots (7 on target), yet only managed to convert one. The Giallorossi, had only 3 shots: one wide, one blocked by Barzagli, one finding the back of the net after a senseless blunder by a club legend. Even heroes make mistakes. They are only human. LE PAGELLE (by Aaron Giambattista) Buffon 4 – Forever a Juventus colossus and with an excellent season under his belt, Gigi nevertheless made a behemothic mistake today perhaps due to nonchalance or excessive confidence (recall the dribble on Di Michele early in the first half). Let’s pray the Lord that this moment of madness hasn’t hurt the team’s morale & momentum too much. Barzagli 6.5 – Calm and assured. Muriel gave him a bit of difficulty when he came on, but Lecce had trouble creating concrete chances. Great reading of the game as usual. Bonucci 6.5 – A pretty “typical” Bonucci performance: a tidy match with a mistake or two. Excellent in possession otherwise. Chiellini 6.5 – Seemed less “at ease” than he should have. Keyser Giorgio would know best of all the problems that Lecce’s caused us in the past. That said, he won plenty of tackles and helped Cáceres control Juve’s left side in defense. Lichtsteiner 5.5 – Another match that seemed to confirm his relative ineffectiveness in a 3-5-2. Never struggled defensively, but also had a limited impact up front. Vidal 6 – A bit of a quiet game compared to the sensational form the Chilean has displayed recently. Won plenty of tackles left & right, but had a diminished offensive output. With that said, he did get those two great chances that would’ve put Juve’s victory on ice. Wastefulness or bad luck? You be the judge. Pirlo 6.5 – A great assist to Marchisio for the opening goal, and a myriad of killer through balls throughout the game. His passing dropped a bit as the match wore on, but L’Architetto was once again the infallible metronome of Juve’s game.. Marchisio 6.5 – Great forward run and header to open the scoring in the 8th minute. An efficient performance in midfield, replete with penetrations, runs, and shots on target. The heart of the Juve midfield today. De Ceglie s.v – Unfortunately left the pitch early on with a muscular injury. Juve certainly could have used his natural left-footedness. (6′) Cáceres 6 – Energetically got up & down his flank (more than Lichtsteiner on the opposite side), but as a clearly right-footed player that he is, his multitude of crosses left something to be desired. Quagliarella 6 – Less involved than he should have been. Two decent efforts on goal (a volley and a curling shot), a lot of heart & energy, but not a lot of efficiency to go with it. (72′) Matri 6 – Only on for 20 minutes, but still managed to nearly score after a well-executed counterattack and dribble on Carrozzieri. Vucinic 5.5 – A drop in performance. Good runs, a few nice passes here & there (the most notable of which the reverse header to put Vidal clean on goal), but not a single shot on target. (78′) Del Piero s.v. – Came on to save his Old Lady again, but was unable to. Conte 5 – It’s hard to blame Conte for the draw- a freak mistake from Gigi Buffon late in the match could not be planned for. That said, at home against 10-men Lecce, the team should really have taken advantage of their superior numbers. Also, given the Uruguayan’s performance to replace the injured De Ceglie, it is difficult to justify Cáceres’s utilization as left-mid instead of, for example, Emanuele Giaccherini in the same role. ANALYSIS WRAP-UP (by Marco Pantanella) First things first: let’s avoid throwing Gigi under the bus here. Like millions of fans, I too am angry and shocked at the incredible mistake that has cost us two points Wednesday evening. But Buffon has saved Juve’s hide so many times before, kept balls out of the net where other shot-stoppers would have easily capitulated, that we can let a mistake, as important as it may be, slide. Secondly, let’s not forget that all things considered, Juventus are still very much masters of their own destiny. Conquering the S… crown just might take them an extra victory and the Serie A race might not be over till the very last matchday, but this team has worked too damn hard and come too damn far to let its confidence be shattered by a home draw against Lecce. Granted, the fashion in which we conceded this draw is the elephant in the room at the moment, but I am pretty effing certain the thoughts going through our players’ minds at the moment, are rage and desire for instant redemption rather than sorrow & despair. ‘Get straight back to work’ in other words, with the team still undefeated and still having to face two very moderate opponents, all the while AC Milan have got the Derby della Madonnina to contend with. Ah right. I know what’s making you uncomfortable. It’s the very uneasy feeling of having to cheer for Inter this week-end, albeit for a very short moment of time. Worse yet, the possibility that the Nerazzurri might contribute to Juve clinching the 30th Scudetto of their history. Don’t worry my friends, that feeling of vomit and disgust will pass. And for the naysayers among you (who might say Inter may want to lose on purpose just to spite us), remember than if there’s anything an Interista will hate more than a Juventus Scudetto is an AC Milan Scudetto. That, and Inter still have an infinitesimal chance of qualifying for the Champions League, so not all is lost for them. So let’s swallow our pride, and for 90 minutes Sunday cry FORZA STRAMACCIONI!! (* cough * cough * bleah*) Allegri declared he was thoroughly entertained by today’s events, but in Italy we have a saying: “ride bene chi ride ultimo”. At the end of the season, there will be those who cry their sorrows into a bottle of whiskey and talk about phantom goals over the line, and there will be those celebrating in the streets, magnificent and proud of their club’s historic achievement. Let the Allegris laugh now and cry to their mama later. That is lo Stile Juve. In Conte We Trust! http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Juve slip up May 2, 2012 Juventus saw their Serie A lead over AC Milan cut to a single point with two games to go after substitute Andrea Bertolacci struck a dramatic late equaliser for 10-man Lecce at the Juventus Arena. Claudio Marchisio's early header looked to have set Antonio Conte's men on their way to retaining their three-point advantage and the points looked secure when Juan Cuadrado was sent off in the 54th minute. But the relegation-threatened visitors drew level when Bertolacci fired home five minutes from time to maintain his side's slim hope of avoiding relegation. The home side had pressed from the start and grabbed the lead in the eighth minute when Marchisio headed home from an Andrea Pirlo cross. Juventus pressed for a second goal, with Lecce keeper Massimiliano Benassi saving an Arturo Vidal effort in the 11th minute and also holding a long-range effort from Fabio Quagliarella. Vidal and Giorgio Chiellini both came close and Marchisio brought another long-range save out of Benassi, before Cuadrado had a rare chance for Lecce when he fired a long-range free-kick over the bar. Cuadrado was dismissed for a professional foul early in the second half but after Benassi saved from Vidal on the hour, the Colombian's dismissal appeared to spark the visitors into life. Davide Brivio shot just wide and Manuel Blasi fired a left-foot effort just over the bar before Juventus substitute Alessandro Matri almost sealed victory with a shot from a tight angle which was saved by Benassi. The nervous hosts were finally made to pay five minutes from time when veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon blundered with the ball at his feet and allowed Bertolacci to roll the ball into an empty net. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000 Juventus Scudetto suicide! Juventus have shot themselves in the foot with a Gianluigi Buffon howler that allowed 10-man Lecce a draw in Turin! May 2, 2012 The Bianconeri hoped to move closer to the Scudetto, having already set a new all-time Serie A record by going 35 games unbeaten in the same season. On the hunt for a ninth consecutive victory, only Simone Pepe was absent due to an ankle problem, as Alessandro Matri returned from suspension to sit on the bench. Serse Cosmi won his appeal against a touchline ban, so was on the bench cheering on a Lecce side desperately trying to avoid relegation. Massimo Oddo, Daniele Corvia and Julio Sergio were sidelined with Andrea Esposito suspended, but 20-year-old Haris Seferovic was surprisingly picked ahead of Luis Muriel. Bad news for Juve straight away, as Paolo De Ceglie pulled up with a muscular problem and had to make way for the versatile Martin Caceres. Gigi Buffon showed his confidence by dribbling to avoid a David Di Michele challenge. Juventus opened the scoring with Claudio Marchisio’s ninth goal of the season. The midfielder got his cushioned header on to an Andrea Pirlo cross and steered it across the goalkeeper into the far bottom corner. Massimiliano Benassi flapped at a cross, but Arturo Vidal’s follow-up was charged down. Moris Carrozzieri almost scored an own goal by deflecting Vucinic’s cross inches past the far post. Fabio Quagliarella was stopped for an incorrect offside flag when running clear into the final third, then Marchisio set up Vidal for an angled drive that shaved a coat of paint off the base of the upright. Benassi fingertipped a Marchisio blockbuster round the post. After the restart Christian Obodo risked a red card for a crunching tackle on Quagliarella and Lecce introduced Muriel for Seferovic. However, the dismissal did come soon after, as Cuadrado received a second yellow for a late tackle on Caceres. Vidal should’ve doubled their lead from a Vucinic assist, but scuffed his finish with only the goalkeeper to beat, as it was on his weaker left foot. A magnificent Quagliarella volley from a short clearance skimmed the bar. Another Quagliarella curler was deflected inches past the far post and from the corner the ex-Napoli striker just failed to get the final touch. 10-man Lecce threatened to equalise on 74 minutes when a corner was not cleared effectively and Gigi Buffon smothered at the feet of Muriel. Juve immediately went on the counter-attack with Matri’s angled drive palmed away by Benassi. Muriel also had penalty appeals waved away. However, Lecce equalised thanks to a complete Buffon howler! In the first half he had dribbled past a striker and he tried it again, but this time his first touch was heavy and Andrea Bertolacci pounced on the error to deposit into the empty net! Alessandro Del Piero ran all the way back to his own box to reassure Buffon, but the goalkeeper was understandably apologetic. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie (Caceres 7); Quagliarella (Matri 73), Vucinic (Del Piero 78) Lecce: Benassi; Tomovic, Carrozzieri, Miglionico; Cuadrado, Blasi, Obodo (Bertolacci 71), Delvecchio, Brivio; Di Michele (Giacomazzi 61), Seferovic (Muriel 52) Ref: Valeri Sent off: Cuadrado 54 (L) http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 36 - 2-5-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 1 Claudio Marchisio (9′) Andrea Bertolacci (85′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 32000‎ Bizarre Buffon error surrenders victory and blows Scudetto race wide open Antonio Conte's champions-elect fail to find killer second goal against ten men and drop two vital points after horror moment from Italy international . May 2, 2012 A late error from Gianluigi Buffon handed Lecce a 1-1 draw versus Juventus and ensured that the Serie A title race will continue for another week. Claudio Marchisio had given Antonio Conte's side an early advantage, but Buffon took a poor touch to allow Bertolacci to slide into an empty net. Coupled with AC Milan's win over Atalanta, the gap at the top is now back to just a single point. Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte will be furious at his troops, who failed to take advantage of their obvious superiority and have handed rivals Milan some momentum in the title race. An end-to-end opening suited the hosts who got off to a great start on eight minutes when Marchisio got on the end of a drifting Andrea Pirlo cross to nod past the flat-footed Massimiliano Benassi in the visitors' goal. The visitors nearly found themselves two down on 26 minutes. A lovely passage of play saw the influential Marchisio dance through the middle and flight a pass to Arturo Vidal, but the Chilean fired wide of the upright from 12 yards out. Marchisio then went close himself, Benassi turning the Italy international's bouncing 25-yard effort round the post. The visiting Giallorossi started to knock a few passes around before the break, but entered the dressing room without mustering a shot on target. Juventus emerged for the second period seemingly content to protect their one-goal cushion and their task was made easier on 54 minutes when Lecce striker Juan Cuadrado earned a second yellow card for a rash tackle on Uruguayan Martin Caceres. Vidal almost exploited the extra man immediately, the Juve midfielder striding onto a Vucinic header only to hit a tame effort at Benassi. Nearing the 70 minute mark, a comfortable Bianconeri nearly doubled their lead, Fabio Quagliarella hitting a delightful left foot volley just over from the edge of the area before testing a sprawling Benassi moments later with a low curling strike. Juventus were struggling to put the visitors to the sword, however, and nearly paid the price when Luis Muriel almost latched onto a partially cleared free kick only to be denied by Buffon. Muriel's half-chance stung the hosts into action and substitute Alessandro Matri crowned a fine run down the left flank with a firm angled shot - only to see Benassi palm the effort to safety. Then Buffon's calamitous moment came with five minutes left on the clock. The keeper seemingly had acres of space, but took a shocking touch to allow Bertolacci to nip in and gleefully pass home into an empty net. Marchisio went close for the hosts in a desperate finale, but the visitors hung on to gain an unlikely draw, which will go some way to soothing their relegation fears. Juventus, meanwhile, will enter their final game of the season just one point ahead of AC Milan. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Siamo stati molto superficiali.

Marchisio non va

Che hai fatto Gigi.

Muriel e Cuadrado fuori contro la Fiorentina.

Muriel cerca di fare il furbo ...