Socrates

Marchisio’s double vision Apr 27, 2012 Claudio Marchisio is confident of Juventus’ ability to win a League and Cup double this term, because of their togetherness as a group of players. The Bianconeri are three League games and one Cup final away from running through the 2011-12 campaign unbeaten. Ahead of the first of these final games this weekend, Marchisio has taken time to reflect on what could be achieved, as well as hint at what he thinks is the reason behind the side’s turnaround this year. “We have already achieved Champions League qualification and this is a very important milestone,” expressed the 26-year-old on Juventus Channel today. “But, we are now fighting for the Scudetto and we want to win it, and then the Coppa Italia too. “We must stay focused, but even in the most difficult times, this team has already proven to have nerves of steel and to be a united group. “This is perhaps precisely the reason behind the leap in progress from previous years.” The midfielder also reflected on the impact the club’s new stadium has had on generating momentum for the team. “From the first game against Parma there has been a great feeling established with the audience. It is a relationship that has never been seen at other stadiums that Juve have played in. “‘Our house’ as President [Andrea] Agnelli says, has certainly given us something extra.”

Serie A - 14^ Giornata - Ritorno - 25-4-2012 (ore 18:00) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Stadio Dino Manuzzi - Cesena Arbitro: Marco Guida Spettatori: 16000 Serie A - Borriello decisivo, Cesena retrocesso E' il primo gol in maglia bianconera di Marco Borriello e tenere in alto la Juventus. Un Cesena coriaceo tiene in scacco la Juventus per 80 minuti poi, il sinistro al volo di Borriello, condanna i romagnoli alla retrocessione. Juventus che resta a +3 sul Milan a quattro partite dalla fine. Eurosport - Mercoledí, 25 aprile 2012 Marco Borriello sceglie l'occasione migliore per sbloccare la sua stagione in bianconero. Un suo gol a 10 minuti dalla fine di quella che era diventata una sfida complicatissima permette alla Juventus di mantenere il vantaggio sul Milan invariato e, contemporaneamente, condanna il Cesena alla Serie B. E' uno 0-1 decisivo infatti quello che gli uomini di Conte infliggono a una squadra che, se avesse mostrato questa intensità per tutta la stagione, probabilmente ora non si ritroverebbe a quota 22 punti in classifica. Ancora una volta decisivi gli inserimenti di Conte dalla panchina che con Del Piero - suo il cross per il gol e l'angolo da cui nasce il vantaggio - e Borriello sono riusciti a raddrizzare una partita che sembrava ormai destinata al pareggio. Nel primo tempo Pirlo aveva anche sbagliato un calcio di rigore. PICCOLE INDIGESTE - I pericoli, quest'anno, per la Juventus, non si chiamano Inter, Napoli, Roma o Milan. Ma bensì Genoa, Bologna, Parma, Cagliari o Cesena. Come spesso mostrato in stagione infatti i bianconeri di Conte faticano a sfondare il muro delle squadre più preoccupate a coprirsi che a giocare a calcio e, alla fine, si ritrovano a dover sudare più delle previsioni della vigilia. Sarà che Andrea Pirlo ci mette del suo calciando sul palo un rigore dubbio - il fallo di mano di Moras é leggermente fuori dall'area -, sarà che Matri e Vucinic di professione non fanno certo i cecchini - al 18' il primo non aggancia un gran pallone di Pirlo, al 27' il montenegrino non centra la porta (indisturbato) di testa da dentro l'area piccola -, ma a Cesena gli uomini di Conte vanno al riposo sullo 0-0 nonostante la solita grande mole di lavoro mostrata in campo. CESENA VIVISSIMO - Il Cesena dal canto suo, nonostante l'ultimo posto, mostra l'orgoglio di chi non vuole fare la vittima sacrificale a tutti i costi e la difesa "rinforzata" di mister Beretta, unita naturalmente al filtro e l'intensità del centrocampo, garantiscono ai romagnoli quella confusione al limite dell'area che impedisce a Marchisio e Vidal di inserirsi e portare quei gol che per tutta la stagione gli avanti bianconeri non sono riusciti a garantire alla squadra: l'unica occasione capitata al 24' proprio a Marchisio finisce ben sopra la porta difesa da Antonioli. Emblematico. TANTO POSSESSO, ZERO OCCASIONI - Per bucare la porta del Cesena servirebbe quindi un'invenzione ma in avvio di ripresa la Juventus sembra ricominciare da dove aveva lasciato. Tanto, tantissimo possesso palla ma di vere e proprie occasioni da rete nemmeno a pagare. Caceres dalla destra fatica a sfondare, Vucinic sembra giocare la solita partita svogliata e Matri, anche quando riesce a trovare il guizzo, viene fermato dall'intervento di Antonioli che dopo essersi fatto sfuggire il pallone su un suo diagonale riesce con un balzo felino ad allontanare la sfera sulla linea di porta. Alla Juventus sembra di vivere un dejavù della sfida contro il Genoa. I CAMBI DI CONTE - La pressione della Juventus si fa di minuto in minuto più costante e il Cesena, sulle gambe - Del Nero e Djokovic al 60' con i crampi -, non riesce più a uscire dai propri 35 metri. Il problema per i bianconeri, come già sottolineato, è però la zona rete non riuscendo con i suoi avanti a trovare il guizzo decisivo per abbattere la roccaforte romagnola. Conte capisce che Matri e in giornata no e insieme a lui richiama De Ceglie per fare spazio a Borriello e Del Piero. Bingo. LA PRIMA GIOIA DI BORRIELLO - Come contro la Lazio il numero 10 juventino trova una punizione dal limite: la battuta è perfetta ma Antonioli si supera e devia in corner. Del Piero non ci sta e, dagli sviluppi della battuta dalla bandierina, crossa al centro dove Vucinic sponda di testa e Borriello trova il colpo al volo che beffa Antonioli. E' il gol partita. IL FINALE NON E' SCONTATO - La Juventus resta così a +3 sul Milan - che negli stessi minuti trovava i 3 punti con il gol di Boateng - e a 4 giornate dalla fine continua la sua corsa al sogno Scudetto. La sfortuna di Conte però, se così possiamo definirla, è che da qui al 13 maggio non troverà nessun'altra big sul proprio cammino. Novara, Lecce, Cagliari e Atalanta infatti potrebbero proporre schieramenti sulla falsa riga di quelli visti oggi al Manuzzi. E per la Juventus questo sembra essere un problema ben più grande di ciò che comunemente si pensi. Simone Eterno - Eurosport Cesena - Juventus 0-1

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Vucinic: Four more battles Apr 26, 2012 Mirko Vucinic is aware that Juventus will still have to fight for the title. “We have four battles ahead of us to win the war.” The Old Lady are in pole position to lift the Scudetto seeing as they have a three-point lead over Milan with just four games of the championship left. “We are aware of our strength, but the most important thing is that four tough games now await us,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “I’ve gone close to winning the title on two or three occasions. However, as Coach Antonio Conte says, nobody remembers when you don’t succeed. “We’re in front and now it just depends on us. We have four battles ahead of us to win the war.” Juventus were trailing Milan in the standings until the Old Lady started to put together a string of wins. The 1-0 at Cesena last night was their seventh in a row. “We played great against Inter, then again against Lazio. We have understood, with the passing of time, that we were getting stronger,” he added. Vucinic, 28, has only scored six goals in 29 League games for the club, but he’s been a vital cog in the plans of Conte. “The Coach is an important figure for all and for everything in the changing room. “He’s made me feel important, like he has with my teammates, and we are getting what our hard work deserves. Thanks to him, I’ve learned how to run like a madman. “My position doesn’t matter, the important thing is to be first. I sacrifice myself because we breathe and live as a team. We’re a fantastic squad.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Pirlo won’t pay the penalty Apr 26, 2012 Juventus boss Antonio Conte insists that Andrea Pirlo will continue to take penalties for Juventus. The summer signing from Milan has missed both of his spot-kicks this term. Last night’s error at Cesena came just days after he was also denied versus Roma – even if he slotted home the rebound against the latter. “Pirlo was our penalty taker,” Conte stated. “If Alessandro Del Piero is on the pitch then he’ll take them. If he isn’t then it is down to Andrea. “They are two champions and it will be up to them.” The Turin giants have only been awarded three penalties in Serie A this season. Their other spot-kick was converted by Arturo Vidal in the 2-0 win over Cesena in Week 14.

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Borriello: I owe Conte Apr 26, 2012 Marco Borriello has thanked Juventus boss Antonio Conte for the faith he has shown in him this season. The Italian joined the Old Lady in January on a loan deal from Roma, but only scored his first goal for the club in last night’s 1-0 win at Cesena. “I owe everything to Conte,” the former Milan man continued. “My physical condition wasn’t great when I arrived, but I’m good now and I want to prove my worth. “In the meantime, I’m just enjoying being part of a fantastic squad of players, a group who have always loved me. “The way they all celebrated with me at the end of the game filled my heart.” Borriello’s goal was crucial as it allowed the Bianconeri to maintain their three-point lead over Milan with four games left. “It’s too soon to celebrate,” he added. “We now have to face Novara in a difficult game. They have just beaten Lazio and they certainly won’t be demotivated.” The centre-forward added that Wednesday’s strike wasn’t just for the club’s title bid. “The goal is dedicated to Andrea Fortunato,” he added in reference to the former Juve defender who died 17 years ago yesterday. “I knew that I would score and I said that to my teammates on the bench. But there is no time to celebrate as Novara are next.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Marchisio applauds Borriello efforts Apr 26, 2012 Marco Borriello deserved his goal in Juventus’ key 1-0 win over Cesena, says midfielder Claudio Marchisio. The 29-year-old joined the Turin giants in January on loan from Roma, but he was only able to celebrate his first goal on Wednesday after 10 League appearances for the Old Lady. “Marco has always put in a great effort and he’s given us the three points,” the Italian international noted. “We’re a united group made up of those who want to reverse the two bad seasons we’ve had, along with those who want to demonstrate their value.” Juventus maintained their three-point lead at the top of the table, but they were made to work hard by a Cesena side who have now been relegated. “The Cesena game showed that you must never underestimate any team,” Marchisio continued. “The Roma match seemed difficult yet we saw them off in half an hour. “On the contrary, Cesena should have been more straightforward, at least on paper, and we struggled more. “But we’re still first and now we’ll regain our strength to play another game on a synthetic pitch, a type of surface that drains your energy.” Juve will travel to Novara this weekend. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Marchisio: Juventus reaping the rewards of hard work The midfielder feels that the Turin giants' extraordinary fitness levels are starting to pay off, and added that they cannot afford to underestimate any team. Apr 26, 2012 Claudio Marchisio feels that Juventus' hard work throughout the season is starting to pay off as their impressive fitness has given them the advantage over their opponents more than once this term. The Bianconeri beat Cesena 1-0 on Wednesday courtesy of a late Marco Borriello strike to stay three points clear of AC Milan in the Serie A table, and Marchisio stressed that they cannot afford to underestimate any opponent. "Our excellent fitness is thanks to the work we do on a daily basis. Perhaps not all of us accepted it at the start, because we were used to different methods. However, we’ve taken on board how much it pays off and we’re reaping the rewards," Marchisio stated to the official Juve website. "The match against Cesena showed that you must never underestimate any team. The Roma game seemed difficult yet we saw them off in half an hour. Wednesday’s game should have been more straightforward, at least on paper, and we struggled more. "But we’re still first and now we’ll regain our strength to play another game on a synthetic pitch, a type of surface that drains your energy." Juventus resume Serie A action on Sunday when they travel to Novara. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Borriello scores! Italy's laughing stock finally finds the net to edge Juventus closer to Scudetto The Bianconeri left it late to move nearer to a first title since Calciopoli, with Kevin-Prince Boateng's late winner unable to put a dent in their charge for glory. Apr 26, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor It finally happened on Wednesday. More than three months after his signing from Roma had drawn so much negative attention, Marco Borriello scored his first goal for Juventus. But the man who has become something of a laughing stock around Turin couldn’t have picked a better moment to open his account, putting to an end to a frustrating evening for the Bianconeri as they came within 11 minutes of throwing AC Milan right back into the title picture. Their clash with Cesena at the Dino Manuzzi didn’t get off to a great start. After Mirko Vucinic’s path to goal was halted by the hand of Vangelis Moras, Andrea Pirlo hit the foot of the post with the resulting penalty. With still 81 minutes to go and Juve dominant, it shouldn’t have turned out to be so costly but very nearly did. Like so many previous games this season, they were commanding but wasteful. Chances came and went, while all the while the Seahorses offered nothing. There wasn’t quite the fluency of movement at times as there has been during their current seven-match winning run, and it appeared that they may pay the price. As with most clashes between top and bottom, there was only ever likely to be one winner, but by the time Borriello entered the fray in the 74th minute it appeared as though Cesena may have managed to hold out for a sixth straight draw. With time running out, fellow substitute Alessandro Del Piero crossed from the right, Vucinic headed back across goal, and Borriello lashed home left-footed. The relief was palpable, and while the home fans faced up to the certainty of Serie B football next season, Juve more than comfortably closed out the win to put themselves alongside Fabio Capello’s Milan in the annals on 34 unbeaten games in a single season. And while they sit on a par with a previous incarnation of the Rossoneri, they have maintained their three-point lead over the current crop, after Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit also left it late to beat Genoa at San Siro. The Rossoneri may have got back to winning ways, but Juve are one game nearer to glory. Antonio Conte’s men could be the champions of Italy by this time next week, with clashes against sides in the bottom three to be rounded out with a weekend trip to Novara and next Wednesday’s encounter with Lecce. They were far from their best at Cesena, but they will surely have to turn in even worse performances not to pick up two more wins in the next seven days. Whether they leave it late or not, they’re getting the job done. They may have rescued a late win of their own, but Milan’s task continues to become steeper as Juve roll on. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Conte: "We're in front of a laid table and we're hungry" The Bianconeri are now just four three wins away from the title after Marco Borriello's strike earned them a 1-0 victory over Cesena at the Dino Manuzzi on Wednesday evening. Apr 25, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has explained that the club's desire to reclaim the Scudetto has only intensified in recent years by having to watch their rivals pick up silverware while they floundered. The Bianconeri maintained their three-point advantage at the summit of Serie A standings with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cesena on Wednesday evening and the former Italy international explained that his players are driven by the prospect of claiming their first legitimate title since 2003. “We’re in front of a laid table, and after having attended other sides’ banquets, our hunger has grown," Conte is quoted as saying by his club's official website after the game at the Dino Manuzzi. "Today we’ve shown our maturity: a tough game and a desired victory, against a team which battled until the final whistle. "We gave our all. Inevitably, when our opponents are closed in, we struggle a little more." Andrea Pirlo missed an early spot-kick against Cesena but Marco Borriello spared the midfielder's blushes by coming off the bench to net a late winner for the visitors. “The missed penalty didn't affect the game, because the match had just started," Conte mused. "Certainly, if we had scored on that occasion, Cesena would have opened more, exactly like they did when we went in front." The former Bianconeri midfielder admitted that he was delighted by the fact that Borriello had popped up with the game's only goal given he had yet to score since joining on loan from Roma during the January transfer window. "I’m happy for Borriello," Conte enthused. "When he arrived in Turin he wasn’t in shape, and he had to work hard. "Now he’s fine, I spoke with him about it and now that he’s achieved his teammates’ form. He’s been decisive in today’s clash. He deserves all our praise." Up next for undefeated Juventus is a trip to the Silvio Piola to take on Novara. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Borriello dedicates winner at Cesena to former Juventus player Andrea Fortunato The 29-year-old forward, who is on loan from Roma, scored the only goal of a game which coincided with the anniversary of the former Italy international's death. Apr 25, 2012 Juventus forward Marco Borriello dedicated his crucial strike in Wednesday evening's 1-0 victory over Cesena to former player Andrea Fortunato. The game at the Dino Manuzzi took place on the anniversary of Fortunato's death, the once-capped Italy international passing away on April 25, 1995 at the age of 23 after contracting pneumonia. Consequently, while Borriello was delighted at finally having got off the mark for Juve after arriving in Turin on loan from Roma in January, as well as helping the Bianconeri take another major step towards the Scudetto, the significance of the occasion was not lost on him or his team-mates. "It is an important goal, which we are dedicating to Andrea Fortunato," the striker told Sky Sport Italia after the game. "It's a goal that is worth three points, but there are still four games left and it will not be easy, as we have seen today against a Cesena side that were almost relegated going into the game. "But there's no time to celebrate because in a few days we must face Novara." Borriello admitted, though, that he was delighted to have broken his duck for the Bianconeri. "Today I felt I was going to score and I had said it to the guys on the bench," he revealed. "I arrived in poor condition, but I'm now hoping that the goal will give me more confidence." While Juve triumphed at Cesena, title rivals AC Milan also saw off Genoa at San Siro, meaning Antonio Conte's men remain three points above the Rossoneri in the standings. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 We thought Cesena had drawn with Juventus, admits AC Milan's Boateng A huge roar rang out around the Giuseppe Meazza which convinced the attacking midfielder and his colleagues that the Bianconeri had conceded a late equaliser at the Dino Manuzzi. Apr 25, 2012 Kevin-Prince Boateng admitted that AC Milan's players had momentarily believed that Cesena had snatched a dramatic late equaliser against Serie A title rivals Juventus while they were battling their way to a 1-0 victory over Genoa at San Siro. The Rossoneri looked set to drop more points on home soil but the attacking midfielder, on as a substitute, popped up with a precious winner with just four minutes of normal time remaining and their spirits were lifted even higher when a massive roar rang out around the Giuseppe Meazza moments later. "We thought that Cesena had got a draw against Juventus when we heard the stadium cheer, but then the coach told me that nothing had happened [and Juventus won 1-0]," Boateng explained to Sky Sport Italia. With Juventus having defeated Cesena at the Dino Manuzzi, Milan remain three points behind the Bianconeri at the summit of the standings. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Player Ratings Goal.com evaluates the performances of those involved in the game at the Dino Manuzzi, which was settled by Bianconeri replacement Marco Borriello. Apr 25, 2012 Cesena Francesco Antonioli 6.5 - Was helped out by the woodwork twice in the first half, first when Pirlo struck the base of the post with his early penalty attempt and then again when he managed to push De Ceglie's header onto the same upright. However, he did extremely well to palm a shot from Matri off the line and produced a terrific save from a Pirlo free kick. In the end, he was unlucky not to earn a clean sheet after being left with no chance by Borriello. Guillermo Rodriguez 6.5 - Won a lot of important headers and was also on hand to make several timely interceptions. A fairly commanding display. Yohan Benalouane 6.5 - Like everyone else in white, gave his all and defended impressively, managing to maintain both his discipline and his composure throughout. Vangelis Moras 6.0 - Gave away a penalty eight minutes in, though it's difficult to be too critical of him given it appeared to be more a case of ball to hand than hand to ball. In addition, the contact was outside the area. In addition, he also deal wonderfully well with Marchisio when the midfielder ran straight at the heart of the Cesena defence. Mario Alberto Santana 5.5 - Worked tirelessly but offered nothing by way of an attacking threat. Marco Parolo 6.0 - Back in the starting lineup and while he put in a serious shift on the left-hand side of Cesena's midfield three, he was unable to really influence the game. Damjan Djokovic 5.5 - Another man who could not be faulted for effort but, like the majority of his team-mates, he disappointed offensively and he eventually ran out of steam with 13 minutes remaining. Simone Del Nero 5.5 - Put himself about and was full of running but he never really got a sniff of goal and did not look remotely capable of making something happen. Luca Ceccarelli 6.0 - Spent most of the game on the back foot but he coped reasonably well with De Ceglie, who pushed forward at every opportunity. Giuseppe Colucci 6.0 - Began brightly, firing wide with the first shot of the game before only just failing to connect with an attempted overhead kick in the six-yard box. However, he was then booked for accosting referee Marco Guida and ended up limping off just 32 minutes in after picking up an injury. Vincenzo Rennella 6.0 - Looked very dangerous when allowed to run at the Juventus defence, though he did take too much out of the ball on occasion. However, he was starved of possession and quality ball for most of the evening and his frustration manifested itself in a booking. • Substitutions Marco Rossi 5.5 - Thrown on in place of Djokovic in the closing stages but had no impact on the game. Roberto Guana 6.0 - Came on just over half an hour into the game for the injured Colucci and worked hard without really managing to catch the eye. Tommaso Arrigoni 5.5 - Introduced into the action 20 minutes into the second half but proved just as ineffective as the man he had replaced, Del Nero. Juventus Gianluigi Buffon 6.0 - Looked a little vulnerable from set-pieces early on but was pretty comfortable thereafter, with his back three restricting Cesena to nothing more than pot shots from distance. Giorgio Chiellini 6.0 - Was a little ruffled at times but, for the most part, he was his usual reliable self. Also played a wonderful ball in behind the Cesena backline which Vucinic managed to get on the end of only to shoot tamely at goal. Martín Cáceres 5.5 - Got the nod on the right-hand side ahead of Lichtsteiner and was always a willing runner. However, he did not make much happen from an offensive perspective and his delivery was poor at times. Unsurprisingly replaced 20 minutes before the end. Paolo De Ceglie 6.5 - Always a willing outlet down the left-hand side and very nearly broke the deadlock on 37 minutes but Antonioli kept out his far-post header with the aid of a post. He then squandered a similar chance in the second half, shouldering a corner from Pirlo wide after failing to make contact with his head. Andrea Barzagli 6.5 - Was given very little to do defensively and tried to step forward now and then, albeit to little effect. Didn't really put a foot wrong all evening, though. Leonardo Bonucci 6.5 - Was pretty composed from start to finish and made a couple of tidy challenges but, in truth, not much was asked of him. Claudio Marchisio 6.5 - Did his best to drive his side forward in the first half but he fired wide after creating some space for himself before then being dispossessed by Moras after surging into the area. Put Matri in on goal with a delightful chip in behind but the forward's shot was saved by Antonioli - at the second attempt. Andrea Pirlo 6.0 - Missed a penalty for the second game in succession, only this time he was unable to convert the rebound, his ninth-minute spot-kick coming back off the post and away to safety. However, he later put the ball on a plate for Vucinic but the forward headed the playmaker's pintpoint corner over the bar. Indeed, his set-piece deliveries were Juve's principal attacking weapon. Arturo Vidal Pardo 6.0 - Was nowhere near as influential as he had been against Roma. Indeed, his most notable contribution in the first half was a desperate lunge on Del Nero which earned him a deserved booking. Mirko Vučinić 6.5 - Picked up where he left off against Roma, causing Cesena all sorts of problems with his movement and it was the Montenegrin who earned Juve an early penalty, the ball striking Moras' hand as Vucinic attempted to lift it past the defender. However, he missed a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring, nodding over from close range after being left unmarked at a corner. Made amends, though, by teeing up Borriello for the winner. Alessandro Matri 6.0 - Recalled to the starting lineup because of the suspension of Fabio Quagliarella and he looked lively early on, linking well with Vucinic and always willing to drift out to the flanks to make room for himself. Was pretty unlucky to see Antonioli claw his second-half strike off the line but, in truth, the Italy international probably should have left the keeper with no chance after being put through by Marchisio. • Substitutions Emanuele Giaccherini 6.0 - Throw on in place of Caceres with just over 20 minutes remaining and got forward well down the flank. Alessandro Del Piero 6.5 - Replaced De Ceglie in the 74th minute and very nearly proved Juve's saviour again but his fine free-kick attempt was saved by Antonioli. Another lively cameo, though. Marco Borriello 6.5 - Came on for Matri with just 16 minutes to go and came to his side's rescue by netting the winner, firing home after pouncing on Vucinic's knockdown. A long overdue goal for the on-loan forward. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Cesena relegated from Serie A following defeat to Juventus Mario Beretta's Seahorses have become the first side this season to drop out of the Italian top flight due to their inability to earn a winning result against the table-toppers. Apr 25, 2012 Cesena have been relegated from Serie A after their 1-0 home defeat to Juventus on Wednesday. The Emilia-Romagna outfit went into the clash at the Dino Manuzzi in the knowledge that only a victory would be enough to keep their unlikely hopes of staging a miraculous survival alive. But, despite their valiant efforts to keep the scoreline at a stalemate, it is now mathematically impossible for Cesena to extend their stay in Italy's top flight into a third consecutive season. It has been a turbulent campaign for the Seahorses, who have overseen an alarmingly high turnover of players on their books and have made three managerial changes but to no avail. The likes of Antonio Candreva, Adrian Mutu, Jorge Martinez and Gianluca Comotto were ambitiously snapped up last summer, while they also successfully kept want-away talisman Marco Parolo at the club. However, the surprise decision not to retain coach Massimo Ficcadenti, who guided the side to 15th place in their first season back in Serie A since 1991, led to further unrest as three more trainers succeeded him. Former Catania and Siena boss Marco Giampaolo was appointed as his immediate replacement, but he was sacked in October having led the team to just three points in the first nine games of 2011-12. Daniele Arrigoni, once of Cagliari and Torino, oversaw a promising revival with four wins in his first six games at the helm, but they returned to their winless ways and he was dismissed in February. Current incumbent Mario Beretta subsequently took charge, but he still remains without a win in 11 matches, with Marco Borriello's late winner at the Dino Manuzzi on Wednesday ending a run of five successive draws. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Chiellini expected Cesena battle Apr 25, 2012 Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini expects Novara to be as tough to break down as Cesena were on Wednesday evening. The Old Lady netted three crucial points last night, but they left it late as substitute Marco Borriello grabbed the only goal of the game. “I’ve always maintained that the toughest ties would be the ones against Cesena and Novara,” stated the defender. “They’re two teams with nothing to lose, both are looking to redeem themselves and both play on synthetic pitches. You can never take anything for granted in this League. “Now we’ve won the first of these two games, but there’s still an important crossroad that lies ahead. We certainly didn’t underestimate Cesena, but it becomes tough when you’re not able to break the deadlock.” Juve - who play Novara next - did have an opportunity to open the scoring after being handed a penalty, but Andrea Pirlo missed his second spot-kick in two games. “The penalty could have changed the game, but we remained clear-headed,” the 27-year-old continued. “We attacked and believed we could do it right until the end. Perhaps we didn’t create clear-cut chances, but we were always on the attack.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Beretta's goodbye to Serie A Apr 25, 2012 Mario Beretta and Cesena say goodbye to Serie A after defeat to Juventus sealed their relegation. The Sea Horses are mathematically unable to avoid the drop, as Marco Borriello got a last-gasp strike at the Stadio Manuzzi. “We put in a great performance and it’s a shame, as we were holding on to Juventus despite the strong pressure,” said the Coach. “We had to use up two substitutions due to injury and that weighed on us. I must compliment my side on their approach. “The fans asked us to show great character and that is what we did, so we were pleased at their applause at the end of the game. We are happy that we’ve fixed that rapport with the supporters. “It was already a complicated situation before I got here. We went unbeaten for five in a row, but in my view that was the pride of the players who realised they wanted to end the campaign on a high. We will aim to keep that going.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 33 - 25-4-2012 (6:00 p.m.) 0 - 1 Marco Borriello (80') Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Attendance: 16000 Conte: 'Let's write history!' Apr 25, 2012 Antonio Conte can practically taste the Juventus title after winning in Cesena. “The pen is on the table and we can write history.” The Bianconeri maintained their three-point lead at the top of the table after Marco Borriello’s late strike for a 1-0 victory that doomed Cesena to relegation, but it started badly with Andrea Pirlo missing a penalty. “The spot-kick had zero influence on the game. It was after just nine minutes and we had the whole match ahead of us. Of course, scoring immediately would’ve forced Cesena to open up and made it a different encounter,” said Conte. “Will Arturo Vidal take the next penalty? Probably! The great thing is that in this campaign we’ve had very few penalties, but at the end of the training sessions the players still stay back to practice and I told them it was pointless, as we wouldn’t receive any... Now we have missed two in as many games, but won anyway, so that’s fine with us!” Borriello has been criticised by fans since the moment he arrived on loan from Roma in January, but got his first goal in a Juve jersey and rushed to hug his Coach. “I will be honest, he deserved this so much. He arrived in not great shape, worked hard to get on the same level as his teammates and it’s a shame that he has been treated badly. Today we talked and I know the quality he possesses. He deserves this joy for all the work he does. “It was really difficult for us today with 11 men behind the ball, but this is a great sign of maturity and we passed the test. We sweat buckets against a team that did everything possible to stop us.” Milan also won late on against Genoa, but the three-point gap remains and Juve have the advantage in head-to-head results. “I told the lads we have to focus only on our own results, give everything and that way have no regrets,” continued Conte. “A year ago there was practically nothing here. We are sitting around a packed dinner table, were not used to it and now we want to eat. We saw others banquet in previous years, so now my lads are starved. “We have an extraordinary opportunity, you could even say unique. The pen is on the table and we can write history.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/