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Serie A Week 33 - 15-4-2012 (3:00 p.m.) - Dino Manuzzi Stadium - Cesena Referee: Marco Guida Serie A Preview - Basement boys lock horns with league leaders The Seahorses could become the first club to drop out of Serie A on Sunday, but will hope to delay confirmation of their relegation with a spirited display against the Old Lady. Apr 14, 2012 PROBABLE LINE-UPS CESENA Antonioli Comotto, Moras, Von Bergen, Lauro Guana, Colucci, Parolo Santana Malonga, Mutu JUVENTUS Buffon Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic Cesena are on course to become the first relegation casualty in Serie A this season, and their fate could be sealed as soon as the end of the weekend if they are defeated by Juventus and their rivals in the table fare better. Unfortunately for coach Mario Beretta, his task has not been helped by the news that Bianconeri loanees Jorge Martinez and Vincenzo Iaquinta have been ruled out with injury, while Alex Calderoni and Raphael Martinho are also sidelined. However, the former Chievo and Parma boss is ready to welcome back Gianluca Comotto, Steve von Bergen, Maurizio Lauro, Giuseppe Colucci and Mario Santana into the fold, at the expense of Luca Ceccarelli, Marco Rossi, Yohan Benalouane, Tommaso Arrigoni and Martinho, who all started in the Seahorses' 1-1 draw with Genoa on Wednesday. Juventus returned to the league summit with a 2-1 win against Lazio midweek, maintaining their unbeaten Serie A campaign in the process. Unsurprisingly, coach Antonio Conte is not expected to make any changes, with a full-strength team ready to take to the Dino Manuzzi. DID YOU KNOW? • The last time Cesena beat Juventus was 24 years ago - a 2-0 victory in November 1987. • In total, the Seahorses have won just one of their 11 home fixtures against the Old Lady. • However, their last three Serie A meetings have all ended in draws. • Juventus, meanwhile, have had the better of Cesena on 11 previous occasions. • They have failed to score more than a single goal against Cesena only twice in Serie A. • In just 73 minutes of football, stretching over four substitute appearances, Alessandro Del Piero has scored twice and laid off one assist. Head to Head Serie A - Dec 4, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Cesena 0 Serie A ‎- Mar 12, 2011 - Cesena 2 - Juventus 2 Serie A ‎- Nov 7, 2010 - Juventus 3 - Cesena 1 Serie B ‎- May 6, 2007 - Cesena 2 - Juventus 2 Serie B ‎- Jan 16, 2007 - Juventus 2 - Cesena 1 Last Five Matches Cesena Apr 11, 2012 - Genoa 1 - Cesena 1 - Serie A Apr 7, 2012 - Cesena 0 - Bologna 0 - Serie A Apr 1, 2012 - Lecce 0 - Cesena 0 - Serie A Mar 25, 2012 - Cesena 2 - Parma 2 - Serie A Mar 18, 2012 - Cagliari 3 - Cesena 0 - Serie A Juventus Apr 11, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Lazio 1 - Serie A Apr 7, 2012 - Palermo 0 - Juventus 2 - Serie A Apr 1, 2012 - Juventus 3 - SSC Napoli 0 - Serie A Mar 25, 2012 - Juventus 2 - FC Internazionale 0 - Serie A Mar 20, 2012 - Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2 - Coppa Italia Players to Watch Adrian Mutu The Romanian ended a run of five games without goal on Wednesday following his equaliser against Genoa to keep his side in Serie A on mathematics, but despite his frequent barren spells, he is still by far Cesena's biggest goal threat, with eight to his name this season. A former Juventus player, Mutu has also scored on two previous occasions against his one-time employers, so he will be sure to impress the Old Lady faithful. Fabio Quagliarella Quagliarella's Juventus career looked to be coming to a premature end after struggling to prove to coach Antonio Conte that he was a viable option in attack, having scored just twice in 17 matches. However, he has bagged that return in his last three outings, and it seems the attacker is slowly but surely regaining the form that made him hot property before his injury midway through last season, as his boss continues to show faith in his ability. Prediction Juventus are currently in a rich vein of form, having won their past four on the bounce with just one goal conceded during the sequence, and all systems are set to go once more against Cesena. Antonio Conte seems to have finally found his best XI and consequently is now getting the best out of his players, while the same cannot be said for the hosts, who despite their apparent quality on paper, have sorely lacked cohesion. Editor's Prediction Cesena 0 - 3 Juventus http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Zeman: 'Juve deserve Scudetto' Apr 14, 2012 Zdenek Zeman has always been one of their harshest critics, but says “Juventus deserve to be top of the table” ahead of Milan. The current Pescara Coach famously blasted the Bianconeri on numerous occasions and was asked to comment on the Scudetto race. “Juve are hungrier,” he told news agency ANSA. “Up until a few weeks ago I thought Milan were stronger, but the Bianconeri are doing very well. “Juventus are a younger team and perhaps have more desire to win this season. In recent games I saw Juve were hungrier for points. “They deserve to be top of the table. However, Milan have many injuries and they need to figure out why that is.” Only one point separates the two sides in the Serie A standings.

Prandelli: 'Scudetto is 50-50' Apr 14, 2012 Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli believes the Scudetto race is wide open. “Both Milan and Juventus have a 50 per cent chance of winning.” Just one point separates the sides at the top of the Serie A table and anything can still happen. “Both Milan and Juventus have a 50 per cent chance of winning the Scudetto,” said Prandelli today. He was paying visit to the Lecce training ground during his tour of various clubs in the lead-up to Euro 2012. “I applaud Cosmi for the great work he has done here.”

We are distracted by Coppa Italia final against Juventus, says Napoli's Cannavaro Walter Mazzarri's men have endured a setback in their quest for a Champions League spot over the last month, and the defender cited the cup's showpiece as the reason for this. Apr 14, 2012 Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro has admitted that the Partenopei have been distracted by the upcoming Coppa Italia final against Juventus. This season's Champions League quarter-finalists have been dealt a huge blow in the race for qualification for Europe's top club competition after three defeats in a row in Serie A. The central-half has said that the game against Antonio Conte's men is in the back of the players' minds, leading to inconsistency in the league. "I cannot deny that the mind wanders to May 20, but we have to stop it," he confessed to Radio Marte. "I won't deny that the thought of being able to lift a trophy with Napoli is wonderful. It would be a dream come true, but now we must think about Serie A; we want to finish the season strongly."

Marchisio: I'd like to stay at Juventus forever The 26-year-old has been a key component in the Bianconeri's midfield this season and he has confessed that he would like to end his career in Turin. Apr 13, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has admitted that he would like to stay at Juventus forever, revealing that he feels like one of the leaders within Antonio Conte's squad. The Italy international has drawn comparisons with Bianconeri legend Marco Tardelli because of his performances this season. Marchisio is reluctant to be drawn on such talk, but freely admits that he never wants to leave Turin. “Obviously, I’d like to play at Juve forever," the Bianconeri youth team product told Sky Tg24. "But for now I’m just thinking about the current season. "My personal goal is to help Juventus return to winning ways. I’m more focused on winning in the present than on my future." With the Old Lady currently just one point clear of AC Milan at the top of Serie A, Marchisio is not losing sight of what is important. “The challenge is still on," the midfielder said of the Scudetto race. "They’re a great side, their players can always be decisive, and being out of the Champions League, they can exclusively focus on the championship. "We lost some important points against those teams referred to as ‘minor sides’, and we regret that, but we’ve also been good in returning to lead the table. "Now we must continue on this path, planning every move in both the championship and the Coppa Italia." Up next for Juve in Serie A is a trip to Cesena. Mario Beretta's men are currently rock bottom but Marchisio is not taking the three points for granted. "In Cesena, we’ll have an important chance to remain at the top, but we should be very careful," he argued. "The game is easy on paper only, because in the last fixtures Cesena gave their opponents a rough ride.”

Serie A - 13^ Giornata - Ritorno - 11-4-2012 (ore 20:45) 2 - 1 Simone Pepe (30′) Stefano Mauri (45′) Alessandro Del Piero (82′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Antonio Damato Spettatori: 35000 Serie A - La Juve torna in testa grazie a Del Piero Bella partita allo Juventus Stadium. I bianconeri giocano una grande gara e battono la squadra di Reja per 2-1. In gol Pepe nel primo tempo, pareggio momentaneo di Mauri, nel secondo tempo la rete di Del Piero riporta in testa alla classifica i bianconeri. Eurosport - Mercoledí, 11 aprile 2012 Allo Juventus Stadium va in scena il big match della 32ma giornata tra Juventus e Lazio. I bianconeri vengono da quattro vittorie consecutive in campionato e vogliono continuare la striscia vincente, ma soprattutto la squadra di Conte vuole subito tornare in vetta alla classifica. Avversario di oggi è l'ottima Lazio di Reja, reduce dalla bella vittoria contro il Napoli. Ne viene fuori una partita molto accesa ed emozionante, dove la Juve ha sempre avuto in mano la partita, ma solo nel finale di gara è riuscita a portarsi a casa questi tre punti fondamentali in ottica scudetto. Ma passiamo all'analisi del match. CONTE SCEGLIE QUAGLIARELLA, REJA SENZA CINQUE GIOCATORI - I Bianconeri scendono in campo con il tandem offensivo Quagliarella-Vucinic, mentre a centrocampo trova posto Simone Pepe. La Lazio, senza i vari Klose, Radu e Konko, prova a frenare l'armata juventina con Rocchi supportato in attacco da Mauri. GRANDE JUVENTUS PER 40', POI LA LAZIO PAREGGIA - Bella, bellissima Juventus nel primo tempo: la squadra di Conte gioca bene e crea molte occasioni da rete, e solo un grande Marchetti riesce a tenere la Lazio in partita. Subito al 5' Pirlo illumina la manovra bianconera servendo sulla sinistra Chiellini che di prima intenzione calcia per Quagliarella in mezzo, ma l'ex di Udinese e Samp manda fuori a lato. Pochi minuti dopo ancora Quagliarella dalla distanza ci prova, la conclusione però trova la deviazione di un difensore della Lazio e i pallone colpisce in pieno volto Marchetti. Il portiere biancoceleste è ancora protagonista alla mezz'ora quando blocca il diagonale a botta sicura di Pepe, ma sull'azione seguente la Juve finalmente trova il meritato vantaggio: un Pirlo in giornata di grazia mette in mezzo uno straordinario pallone per l'inserimento ancora di Pepe che stoppa di petto e da solo rovescia ed infila Marchetti. Bianconeri in vantaggio e di nuovo in testa alla classifica, ma la squadra di casa non abbassa affatto il ritmo di gioco e un minuto dopo Vidal vede l'estremo difensore laziale fuori dai pali, e da 60 metri si inventa un tiro che per poco non fa venire giù lo stadio intero. Al 34' ancora Quagliarella si gira benissimo in area e di sinistro cerca il secondo palo, ma ancora Marchetti ci mette la mano e respinge il tiro. Tre minuti dopo è Vucinic ad avere sul destro il pallone del raddoppio, quando da centro area colpisce liberissimo a botta sicura, ma Diakitè si immola e devia in angolo. La Juve allora si rilassa qualche minuto e la Lazio ne approfitta subito: cross di Scaloni dalla fascia destra, Mauri di testa stacca benissimo ed infila Buffon. 1-1 a Torino e il primo tempo si conclude qui. SUPER DEL PIERO RIPORTA LA JUVE IN TESTA ALLA CLASSIFICA - Ripresa meno spettacolare della prima frazione, ma è sempre la Juventus ad avere in mano il pallino del gioco. La Lazio non crea pericoli in attacco e Buffon nel secondo tempo è uno dei tanti spettatori di questa partita. Al 52' Vucinic si mangia il gol del vantaggio con un preciso diagonale di sinistro che esce di un soffio. Poi per un po' non succede nulla e così inizia la girandola di cambi: Conte ci crede nella vittoria e rischia il 4-2-4 facendo entrare Giaccherini e, soprattutto, Alex Del Piero. Il capitano della Juve si fa notare subito al 77' con un tiro dal limite dell'area, ma Marchetti blocca sicuro, mentre cinque minuti dopo mette a segno la rete della vittoria: punizione non irresistibile del numero 10, ma tanto basta per spiazzare il portiere della Lazio e far diventare lo Juventus Stadium una vera e propria bolgia. 2-1 quindi e Juve di nuovo a +1 sul Milan. La Lazio reagisce per lo più di nervi e prima Reja, poi Kozak, vengono espulsi per proteste. Dopo 6 minuti di recupero l'arbitro mette fine all'incontro. Juventus batte Lazio 2-1. PARTITA PERFETTA DEI BIANCONERI, LAZIO ANCORA TERZA - La Juventus centra la quinta vittoria consecutiva, ma il come è stata ottenuta è ancora più importante: la squadra ha dimostrato di avere un grande cuore e di crederci fino all'ultimo; e poi non poteva esserci marcatore migliore di Del Piero, capitano di tantissime battaglie, precisamente 700 in maglia bianconera, festeggiate proprio stasera. I bianconeri tornano prepotentemente in testa alla classifica, pronto alla sfida col Cesena di domenica. Per la Lazio questo è un passaggio a vuoto, ma Reja può comunque essere contento, date le contemporanee sconfitte di Udinese e Napoli. Fabio Psoroulas - Eurosport Juventus - Lazio 2-1

Bonucci undergoes surgery on broken nose The defender has undergone an operation on the facial injury he sustained in the 2-1 Serie A win over Lazio, and could miss this weekend's match against Cesena. Apr 13, 2012 Juventus have announced on their official website that defender Leonardo Bonucci has undergone surgery on his broken nose. The centre-back sustained the facial injury in the dying minutes of the 2-1 win over Lazio in Serie A on Wednesday. Juve were initially unsure whether Bonucci had to go under the knife, but the defender eventually opted for surgery after consulting with the club's medical staff. "Leonardo Bonucci has undergone surgery on a fractured nose sustained during the closing stages of Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Lazio," a club statement reads. "Doctor Libero Tubino carried out the operation at the Santa Caterina da Siena clinic in Turin. The player was discharged on Thursday afternoon, with his condition to be monitored on a daily basis." The 24-year-old is unlikely to feature in Sunday's Serie A match away against Cesena as a result of the operation.

Moratti: No one expected Juventus success The Nerazzurri chief says that the Turin-based club are performing better than anyone had expected, while saying that his side can still finish third in the league. Apr 12, 2012 Inter president Massimo Moratti has admitted that he did not expect Juventus to fare so well this season. The Bianconeri are en route to winning their first Scudetto since 2002-03 after finishing seventh in the league in each of the past two campaigns. "I am admired Juventus, who are doing very well," Moratti told reporters at the inauguration of the restaurant of Nerazzurri players Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso. "They play well, a very efficient game. They are something new; no one expected this to happen. "AC Milan? They still have a strong structure." Inter currently sit seventh in the Serie A table, and Moratti believes that his side can still finish third, despite the six-point difference between that place and the Nerazzurri.

Bonucci suffers broken nose against Lazio The Italy international has picked up a facial injury in Wednesday's victory, and will possibly have to go under the knife in the upcoming days to correct the broken bone. Apr 12, 2012 Antonio Conte has received some disturbing news from the treatment table in the aftermath of Juventus' 2-1 Serie A win over Lazio on Wednesday as he will possibly have to make do without the services of Leonardo Bonucci for a while due to a facial injury. The centre-back went to the ground in the closing stages of the match after a duel with Libor Kozak, and although he stayed on until the final whistle, it was later confirmed that the 24-year-old has suffered a broken nose. Juventus have announced on their official website that a decision will be made on Thursday morning about whether Bonucci will have to undergo surgery. It is not yet known how long the defender will be out of action, but he could miss the upcoming league game against Cesena on Sunday due to the injury.

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Simone Pepe (30′) Stefano Mauri (45′) Alessandro Del Piero (82′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Antonio Damato Attendance: 35000 Del Piero: Dropping points would have been 'football suicide' for Juventus The experienced attacker has expressed his delight with his strike against Edy Reja's side, and added that it would have been "suicide" had the Old Lady spilled points. Apr 12, 2012 Alessandro Del Piero hopes that his goal in the 2-1 Serie A win over Lazio will be decisive in the title race, and added that it would have been a huge blow for Juventus had they dropped points on Wednesday. After Stefano Mauri's strike had cancelled out Simone Pepe's opener, it looked as though the Bianconeri would have to settle for a draw against the Stadio Olimpico side, until Del Piero helped Juventus to the three points with his winner in the 82nd minute. The 37-year-old is hoping that his effort will be the goal that will deliver his side the Scudetto at the end of the season, but assured that Juventus will keep fighting for the title. "I hope that this goal will be the one that eventually proves crucial in the race for the Scudetto," Del Piero said to reporters. "It would have been football suicide if we had drawn or lost this game after our superb first half. We will keep fighting till the end. Milan won't give up, but neither will we. "It's all about holding your nerves and fighting fatigue now. We're feeling great and are focussing on our next game." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Marchisio has Juventus dream Apr 13, 2012 Claudio Marchisio has underlined that he’d like to end his playing days with Juventus. “I now feel like a leader.” The 26-year-old is a stable member of the starting XI after graduating through the youth ranks at the Italian club. “I want to remain at Juventus for life,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “However, for now, I’m just thinking about this season and helping the club get back on to the stage that it deserves. “I’m more worried about winning during the present rather than thinking about the future.” The Italian international is now one of the most experienced players at the club after a few summers of big squad changes. “I feel like a leader because I’ve acquired experience in these years,” he added. “The club have allowed players like myself and Giorgio Chiellini to grow in the right way. “We are now in the position to teach others in the side about what it means to wear this shirt…” Marchisio, who spent the 2007-08 season on loan at Empoli, is the fourth highest appearance maker [167] and goalscorer [18] in the present squad. Only Alex Del Piero, Gigi Buffon and Chiellini have played in more game for Juve than him. Only Del Piero, Chiellini and Alessandro Matri have more goals.

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Simone Pepe (30′) Stefano Mauri (45′) Alessandro Del Piero (82′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Antonio Damato Attendance: 35000 Chiellini thanks Del Piero but warns Juventus must be more clinical The towering defender has stressed that the Bianconeri cannot afford to keep missing chances and relying on their veteran talisman to bail them out in the Scudetto race. Apr 12, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini feels that Juventus made things unnecessarily difficult for themselves in Wednesday's 2-1 Serie A win over Lazio, and expressed his gratitude to match-winner Alessandro Del Piero. The Old Lady created numerous chances to decide the match in their favour, but eventually needed a late Del Piero strike to bag the full three points and move back to the top of the league table. "We made life difficult for ourselves. At the end of the first half, we should have been two goals in front, but instead we conceded Lazio’s equaliser. The final minutes usually are the worst moment to be caught up, because you have no time to react," Chiellini stated on the club's official website. "Tension was high, because a draw in such a match was inconceivable, considering that we clearly dominated. We all thank Alex [Del Piero] for his wonderful goal, but we must learn to decide our games earlier on." Chiellini then urged his team-mates to turn their focus to the upcoming match against Cesena. "These games are often tricky: we’ll play on a synthetic pitch, against a team who will have the chance to write an important page of their history, seeing that we’re unbeaten. Therefore, we must pay the utmost attention." Sunday's match kicks off at 15.00CET. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Bonucci to miss Cesena Apr 12, 2012 Leonardo Bonucci is unlikely to be available for the Cesena game after the Juventus man had surgery on his nose. The defender suffered a fracture during last night’s 2-1 win over Lazio following a late clash with Libor Kozak. The former Bari man underwent tests this morning which revealed the need for a minor operation. The procedure took place at around 1pm Italian time. Bonucci will be released from hospital later today and his fitness will then be assessed on a daily basis at Vinovo. The Italian international is set to miss out on this weekend’s game at Cesena, but he could feature against Roma with the aid of a mask.

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Simone Pepe (30′) Stefano Mauri (45′) Alessandro Del Piero (82′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Antonio Damato Attendance: 35000 Pepe: Hard work paying off Apr 12, 2012 Juventus’ lead at the top of the table is down to boss Antonio Conte’s work in training, says Simone Pepe. The Old Lady went one point clear of Milan again last night after Pepe and Alessandro Del Piero netted the goals in the 2-1 win over Lazio. “It’s no surprise we’re in form with all the work we do during the week,” the former Udinese man noted after a fifth straight win. “The vast majority of us have played for many years and when we speak about it, the opinion is unanimous – we’ve never worked so hard.” The wide attacker grabbed his sixth League goal of the campaign with a stunning bicycle-kick in the first half. “I missed a good opportunity shortly before, partly due to [Lazio ‘keeper Federico] Marchetti’s good work and partly due to my error. “I soon made amends though, thankfully…” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 32 - 11-4-2012 (20:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Simone Pepe (30′) Stefano Mauri (45′) Alessandro Del Piero (82′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Antonio Damato Attendance: 35000 Chiellini asks for sharper Juventus Apr 12, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini has again underlined that Juventus need to start taking their chances in front of goal after almost being held to a draw by Lazio. The Old Lady dominated the tie at the Juve Stadium on Wednesday, but they needed a late piece of magic by Alessandro Del Piero to seal a 2-1 win. “We all thank Alex for his wonderful goal, but we must learn to seal games in advance,” the international stopper noted. “We made life difficult for ourselves. At the end of the first half, we should have been two goals in front, instead we conceded Lazio’s equaliser. “After the break, our way of playing was quite fragmented. Tension was high because a draw in such a match was unconceivable considering that we clearly dominated.” Juve returned to the top of the table with victory and the defender, who played at left-back last night, has called for focus ahead of the Cesena trip. “These games are often tricky,” he added. “We’ll play on a synthetic pitch, against a team which will have the chance to write an important page of their history, seeing that we’re unbeaten. “Therefore, we must be fully alert.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/