Socrates

Matri and Bonucci renew to 2017 Apr 2, 2012 Juventus have been handed a double-boost on Monday with the news that Alessandro Matri and Leonardo Bonucci have both signed new contracts. A few days after teammate Paolo De Ceglie put pen to paper on a new deal with the Turin giants, so too have Matri and Bonucci, both agreeing deals to stay with the club until June 2017. Both players were signed during the 2010-11 season, defender Bonucci arriving from Bari in the summer, whilst forward Matri came in during January from Cagliari. Bonucci opened the scoring this weekend for his side during their 3-0 win over Napoli and even though Matri sat that out, he remains the club’s top scorer in the League with 10 goals this term.

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Hamsik: I wasn’t good Apr 2, 2012 Marek Hamsik has criticised his own performance from Napoli’s 3-0 defeat away to Juventus on Sunday night. The Vesuviani failed to record a single shot on target in a defeat that saw Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi kept quiet for a majority of the match. Reflecting on the game on Monday via his own website, Hamsik revealed that he wasn’t 100 per cent fit going into the encounter and that he felt he underperformed as a result. “The first half of the game was balanced. Both teams had created several opportunities. Unfortunately, in the second half, Juventus took the lead and then managed to find two further goals. “I was not on top of my game, the night before I had had a fever, but still, before the match I did feel better.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Vidal: Win more vital than goal Apr 2, 2012 Juventus’ Arturo Vidal admits he scored a special goal against Napoli – but underlined that the win was what mattered most. The Chilean capped off an immense individual display in Turin last night by netting the second in the 3-0 victory. “It was a spectacular goal, but the only thing that interested me was that it helped the side to win the game,” said the summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen. “At this point in the season we are in good physical shape and that is not just down to the winter work in Dubai, but our daily training.” Unbeaten Juventus are just two points behind leaders Milan and have also reached the Coppa Italia Final. “We still hope that we can become Italian champions,” added the 24-year-old. “In order to achieve that goal we need to continue on this path.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Bonucci’s special goal dedication Apr 2, 2012 Juventus stopper Leonardo Bonucci dedicated his goal in last night’s 3-0 win over Napoli to his soon-to-be-born son. The defender opened the scoring in somewhat fortunate circumstances before the Old Lady took complete control of the tie. “My little boy, Lorenzo, will be born in July,” he stated after the game. “I dedicate this goal to him and also my wife.” Bonucci has featured heavily this term under boss Antonio Conte even if mistakes have led to some jeers. “The faith of the Coach is at the base of everything,” continued the former Bari player. “I also feel the belief of the club and the side in me. “The whistles directed towards me? They have certainly made me stronger in character,” continued the centre-back. “I like to play football with the ball on the ground and that happened at Bari as it does here. This makes things easier for me.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Quagliarella shows Napoli respect Apr 2, 2012 Fabio Quagliarella of Juventus has defended his decision to not celebrate his goal in last night’s 3-0 victory over Napoli. The Neapolitan came off the bench to score the Old Lady’s third against his former club in a convincing second half display from the Old Lady. “I’ve always had a good relationship with the Napoli fans,” noted the Italian international. “I contained my joy out of respect for them.” Quagliarella, 28, has now only scored three goals in 18 League games this term but he and his club shined in Sunday’s victory. “It’s never easy to take to the field knowing that you have to win,” he continued. “We showed maturity and cynicism.” Leaders Milan are now just two points clear of the Old Lady and the former Udinese man insists he still believes in the title. “It will be tough as Milan have great individuality,” Quagliarella continued. “However, we’ll look to stay in the fight until the very end.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Chiellini: Champions League is ours Apr 2, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is already celebrating Juventus’ return to the Champions League – even though it is not yet certain. Juve moved 11 points clear of third place Lazio and 14 ahead of the fourth placed sides last night with a 3-0 win over Napoli. Although there are still 24 points on offer this season, Chiellini is expecting Champions League football next term. “We’ve booked our ticket to travel around Europe,” stated the defender. “I don’t want to be conceited, but I don’t think that in the next eight games left we’ll lose all the points we have over the third-placed side in the table. “It’s a very good result, because even if we obviously look ahead, we mustn’t forget that just two or three games ago, people said that we should be careful and cast a glance over our shoulders…” Juve have won their last three League games – against Fiorentina, Inter and Napoli – and are now just two points behind leaders Milan. “We must continue on this path,” stated the Italian international. “We’ve reached this position just because we’ve confidence in our ability.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Conte: 'It's Milan's title to lose' Apr 1, 2012 Antonio Conte is very proud of Juventus for crushing Napoli and going within two points of the leaders, but warns “only Milan can lose the Scudetto now.” The Bianconeri took full advantage of Milan’s draw in Catania to close the gap at the top of the table to just two points after hammering the Partenopei 3-0 this evening. “In the last two weeks we clearly beat Inter and Napoli, two teams who most assumed would be ahead of us at this stage of the season. The victory over Napoli must be a source of pride, because they are an excellent side who did very well in the Champions League and are growing under Walter Mazzarri. “I am proud of what my lads achieved tonight. We are also maturing in psychological terms and this result is crucial to put second place under lock and key, which is already beyond our expectations for the season. “Of course we are glancing in front of us, because it is only right to do so, and we will try to take advantage of Milan slip-ups. Only they can lose the Scudetto now, because no-one else has the strength in depth at their disposal. “The Rossoneri are a very strong side who won the Scudetto last year and remain top despite their many injuries. On top of that, they’re still in the Champions League after drawing with Barcelona, the best team in the world.” Conte changed his tactics again for this match, adopting a 3-5-2 that mirrored Napoli’s system, although he counted the wing-backs as part of the defence. He also defended his decision to start with Marco Borriello. “We have one certainty and that is the three-man midfield. Therefore we can play 4-3-3 or 5-3-2. As for Borriello, he has quality and I feel if he had arrived in June to work with us pre-season, then he’d have a different experience here. He is growing and gave us a big hand today. “I think a Coach needs to be complete, so focus on both the tactical and motivational aspects. Of course, a Coach is nothing without players who share his vision and support him. I have the added good fortune of having a group of players eager to make up for two disappointing seasons and write club history.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juventus impress Mazzarri Apr 1, 2012 Walter Mazzarri feels Napoli “suffered against the physicality of Juventus” and lost their heads in the final stages. “It is entirely possible to lose in Turin against this Juve side, but it depends on how,” said the Coach after a 3-0 defeat. “We played on a par with Juve until the second goal, then we lost our shape and got too irritable. After so many games in a season, we have lost a bit of sharpness, while Juventus are defensively solid and we suffered against their physicality. “Giorgio Chiellini can mark three men all by himself, as he’s just impossible to get past. We were also unlucky on the first goal, but reacted well and looked for the equaliser. After Arturo Vidal’s stunning goal we visibly fell away and were no longer able to get into the game.” The Three Tenors barely made an impact on the match and Napoli did not get a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes. “It is possible our strikers have lost that sharpness, but I doubt they’ve become arrogant. Edi Cavani ran so much today to help out in defence. A Coach looks at balance and if you can’t get the strikers to help the midfield, then you’re in trouble. “We did not create much today and were unable to play as we usually do because Juve were perfect at the back. I am happy with the way they played until the second goal. “Will Goran Pandev get more playing time? He is in good shape and I always keep him in mind. It’s difficult to take Cavani and Lavezzi off the pitch, but Goran does deserve space, especially as I’ll be missing a few wingers against Lazio and must therefore reconsider the system.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ De Laurentiis blames Napoli fatigue Apr 1, 2012 Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis blames the strain of the Champions League for their 3-0 defeat at Juventus. Although the Partenopei are now out of the competition, they have struggled to use squad rotation this season. “Third place is still up for grabs, seeing as Udinese and Lazio also lost. Now we have to keep an eye behind us for Roma’s comeback,” said the patron. “I was worried from the very start this evening, as the team was visibly tired and we lost Christian Maggio after 25 minutes. “Juventus have the determination of a team fighting to the end for the Scudetto, plus they are compact and efficient in midfield and not tired from Champions League efforts. “We’ve got to scrape what remaining energy we have and rediscover the sharpness that all the teams who competed in Europe are struggling with now. We have strength in depth and not just a first choice XI, so we should give room to those who haven’t played as much, are younger and have fresh legs.” Some would suggest this fatigue means Napoli need a bigger squad with summer reinforcements. “I do not agree, because if it were up to me I would promote our teenagers from the youth team,” continued De Laurentiis. “There is a problem of mentality in Italy that does not allow youngsters to go straight into Serie A. We have to play those who have the talent, regardless of whether they are 18 or 27. I’d like a whole team under 27. “Walter Mazzarri is doing very well, because with the responsibility of playing on three fronts at the top level, he naturally trusts some players more than the new ones. I cannot blame the Coach for this situation. “I’d have liked to see tonight’s game if we had not played the Champions League this season and Juve had European competition in their legs.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Vidal: 'Juve believe in Scudetto' Apr 1, 2012 Arturo Vidal enjoyed his wonder strike to defeat Napoli 3-0 and confirmed Juventus “believe in the Scudetto.” Tonight’s victory put the Bianconeri within two points of leaders Milan and Vidal scored the fierce second. “It was a spectacular goal and one the team needed at that moment. After the second goal we were able to do everything much more easily. “We had to win tonight so we could stay close to the leaders. I think Antonio Conte is doing a fantastic job and, after a dip in form, the team is giving a strong response. “We believe in the Scudetto and want to continue like this until the end. We hope to be the champions.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Conte 'proud' of Juventus' after victory over Napoli The 42-year-old coach praised the team's display against the Partenopei and insisted that AC Milan remain favourites for the Serie A title despite reducing the gap at the top. Apr 1, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte was overjoyed with his side's display in the 3-0 victory against Napoli. Second-half goals from Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella saw the Bianconeri ease past Napoli to become just two points behind leaders AC Milan in the race for the Serie A title. "In the last two weeks, we clearly beat Inter and Napoli, two sides who were ahead of us before the start of the season, in terms of quality and organisation," Conte told Sky Sport Italia. "The victory against Napoli must be a source of pride because they are a great side who played very well in the Champions League and who are growing a lot under [coach] Walter Mazzarri. "I am proud of my players and of what they did tonight. We are improving a lot from a psychological point of view." Despite Juventus getting within touching distance of leaders AC Milan, who drew against Catania on Saturday, Conte was coy about his side's chances of winning the Scudetto. "We will try to take advantage of any slip-ups that Milan make," Conte noted. "The title is Milan's to lose, because no one else has the same personnel than they do. "The Rossoneri are a very strong side, who won the title last season and who are first despite having had so many players injured. "They are also in the race for the Champions League trophy after drawing against Barcelona, the strongest side in the world." Marco Borriello produced yet another lacklustre display for Juventus, but Conte refused to criticise the 29-year-old striker, who is on loan from Roma. "Borriello has a lot of quality, and if he had arrived in June and had worked with us in the pre-season, his story would be much different," Conte said. "He is growing now and he gave us a helping hand tonight." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Arturo Vidal: We believe we can win the Scudetto The Chilean star hailed the importance of his goal and says that his team remain confident in the Italian title race after closing the cap to rivals AC Milan on Sunday. Apr 1, 2012 Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is hopeful that his side can finish the season at the top of the Serie A table following the 3-0 victory over Napoli. After an uneventful first half from both clubs, Leonardo Bonucci, Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella gave the Bianconeri a comfortable win over the Partenopei. The result sees Juventus close the gap to leaders AC Milan to just two points, and Vidal trusts his side's chances to go all the way in the competition. "The goal I scored was spectacular and the team needed it at that time," he told Sky Sport Italia. "After the second goal, everything became easier for us. We needed this victory to get within touching distance of the top. "I think that coach Antonio Conte is doing a great job and the team has bounced back from a difficult moment. "We believe we can win the Scudetto and we want to stay on this track until the end. We hope we can be champions." Juventus will travel to Palermo on Saturday in their next Serie A fixture. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Player Ratings Goal.com evaluates the performances of everyone involved in what proved a surprisingly straightforward victory for the Scudetto-chasing Bianconeri at Juventus Stadium. Apr 1, 2012 Juventus Gianluigi Buffon 6.0 - Was alive to the danger after Hamsik's neat one-two with Lavezzi and did well to force the Slovak wide. However, that minor scare aside, Buffon pretty much had nothing to do thereafter. Giorgio Chiellini 6.5 - Made an important block on a shot from Lavezzi early on but, in truth, he was not exactly overworked by Napoli's much-vaunted attacking triumvirate. Indeed, Cavani looked particularly frustrated by just how comfortable an evening Chiellini enjoyed. Paolo De Ceglie 6.0 - Defensively solid but he failed to make the most of the time and possession he was afforded in Napoli territory. Time and time again, he failed to beat the first man with his attempted crosses. Andrea Barzagli 6.5 - Another Juve defender who did not really put a foot wrong, Barzagli also played a part in Bonucci's goal by firing the loose ball in the direction of Vucinic. Leonardo Bonucci 6.5 - Enjoyed a fine return to the Juventus starting lineup, playing his part in a well-deserved clean sheet, while being in the right place at the right time to deflect a shot from Vucinic past De Sanctis. Stephan Lichtsteiner 6.0 - Back in the starting lineup after missing the win over Inter through suspension, the Swiss got himself on the front foot right from the off and whipped in a terrific cross ten minutes in which Borriello headed just wide. However, he became less of a threat as the half wore on and, having grown increasingly frustrated, he talked himself into a booking shortly before the break. Claudio Marchisio 6.0 - Linked well with Pirlo and Vidal at times but, for the most part, the Italy international was anonymous during the first half. Improved slightly after the break and tested De Sanctis with a strike from distance but then got himself booked for a cynical foul midfield. Andrea Pirlo 7.0 - Started impressively, putting in the most inviting of crosses after just three minutes of play only to see Borriello fail to get his head on the end of it. Also sent in a terrific free-kick from the right-hand side which Vidal was unable to direct on target. Was a constant threat with his set-pieces. Arturo Vidal Pardo 8.0 - Was tremendously neat and tidy in everything he did in the opening quarter and instigated the attack which should have seen Borriello give the hosts an early lead with a perfectly-weighted ball out to Pirlo on the left flank. Was unlucky with a header from a Pirlo free-kick which flashed wide but later doubled the home side's lead with a superb strike after bewitching Campagnaro with his footwork. Mirko Vučinić 5.5 - Ridiculously lethargic and horribly sloppy in the early exchanges, Vucinic repeatedly gave the ball away and was robbed of possession by Maggio with embarrassing ease at one point. Improved after the interval, though, and it was his shot which deflected off Bonucci and into the Napoli goal. Marco Borriello 5.0 - Surprisingly recalled to the Bianconeri attack, Borriello squandered an excellent opportunity to repay his coach’s faith in him by failing to get on the most wonderful in-swinging cross from Pirlo just four minutes in. Nodded wide soon after but he proved utterly incapable of holding the ball up whenever it was played into his feet in the first half. • Substitutions Martín Cáceres 5.5 - Perhaps harshly dropped from the starting lineup in light of his heroics against Inter last weekend, Caceres was thrown on in place of Lichtsteiner midway through the second half but was unable to make a big impact on the game. Alessandro Del Piero 6.0 - Came on in closing stages and again made an impact, laying on an assist for Quagliarella. Fabio Quagliarella 6.5 - Replaced Borriello for the final quarter and liked lively right from the off. De Sanctis was clearly at fault for his goal but Quagliarella's strike was clean and he won't be in the least bit concerned by just how it managed to sneak inside the near post. SSC Napoli Morgan De Sanctis 5.5 - Was not actually given much to do in the first half and could do little about either Juve's opener or Vidal's second. However, he was badly at fault for Quagliarella's goal by getting caught out at his near post. Salvatore Aronica 5.5 - Did not actually perform too badly for hour but, just like those around him, he looked horribly vulnerable in the final stages. Hugo Armando Campagnaro 5.0 - Played well in the first period, making several timely interceptions, but the overriding memory of his game will be the humiliating way in which he was turned inside out by Vidal before the Chilean struck Juve's second goal. Juan Camilo Zúñiga 5.0 - Deserves credit for keeping Lichtsteiner quite for an hour and he also put over a few inviting crosses. However, his sending off for lashing out at Chiellini was the height of stupidity. Paolo Cannavaro 6.0 - Slotted back seamlessly into the Napoli defence, leaving the ineffective Borriello floundering on numerous occasions before the forward was replaced by Quagliarella. Christian Maggio 5.5 - Made an encouraging start to the game, stripping Vucinic of the ball as the Montenegrin shaped to shoot just outside the area. However, disaster struck on 26 minutes as he appeared to suffer a recurrence of the muscular problem which he suffered in the Coppa Italia win over Siena and was forced to leave the field. Marek Hamsik 5.5 - Opened up the Juventus defence 14 minutes with a brilliant one-two with Lavezzi but in trying to round the onrushing Buffon, he knocked the ball just too far ahead of himself. Tried his luck from distance late in the half but his strike was high, wide and not so handsome. Faded badly as the game wore on and was replaced by Pandev on 71 minutes. Walter Gargano 6.0 - Industrious as ever and frustrated Juve's creative midfield trio for long periods. However, he eventually ran out of steam. Gökhan Inler 5.5 - Presented Hamsik with a clear sight of goal on 36 minutes after winning the ball in the middle of the park but his colleague fired over the bar but, in truth, he was not his usual dynamic self and he was withdrawn midway through the second half. Edinson Cavani 5.5 - Impossible not to feel sorry for 'El Matador', who was horribly starved of possession and quality ball. Did not get his first sight of goal until deep into the second period - and even that was a long-range effort. Ezequiel Lavezzi 5.5 - Put Hamsik in on goal just 15 minutes in with a nicely weighted through-ball only to see his team-mate run the ball out of play. Never stopped running but in spite of his best efforts, he was unable to make anything happen from an offensive perspective. • Substitutions Andrea Dossena 5.5 - Came on in the first half for Maggio and was unable to offer the same attacking prowess or indeed the defensive stability of the man he replaced. Blerim Dzemaili 5.5 - Replaced the ineffective Hamsik but did manage to turn the tide in the Partenopei's favour. Goran Pandev 5.5 - Thrown on in place of Inler and though he proved a willing runner, Pandev failed to provide the spark that Napoli were so badly lacking. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juventus overcome Napoli to close gap at top of Serie A to two points Apr 1, 2012 Juventus closed the gap on Milan, the Serie A leaders, to two points with a 3-0 victory over Napoli. An enthralling weekend of Italian action ended with second-placed Juve prevailing in Turin thanks to the defender Leonardo Bonucci using his knee to divert Mirko Vucinic's shot into the net. Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella ended Napoli's resolve. After a shaky few weeks Juve can again smell a first title since their 2006 match-fixing demotion. The champions, Milan, drew 1-1 at Catania on Saturday amid more goal-line controversy when a Robinho effort was wrongly ruled not to have gone in. "Over the last two weeks we've solidly beaten Inter and Napoli, two squads that began the season ahead of us," said the Juventus coach, Antonio Conte. "I keep thanking my players because they're doing something beautiful and extraordinary." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juventus 3-0 Napoli: 3-5-2 v 3-4-3 Apr 1, 2012 The starting line-ups Juventus were by far the better side – they move two points behind leaders Milan. Antonio Conte, as expected, moved to 3-5-2 with Paolo De Ceglie the left wing-back. There was a surprise upfront, where Alessandro Matri was left out, and Marco Borriello partnered Mirko Vucinic. Walter Mazzarri’s first XI is always easy to predict, and there were no surprises in the usual 3-4-3 shape. The reverse fixture was goal-crazy (although a fascinating tactical battle too) – this was much tighter, and less interesting than it should have been. It’s rare to get a formation battle like this – although Conte has generally played a three-man defence against a three-man defence – having done so twice against Udinese, and now twice against Napoli. Battlegrounds Perhaps the players were prepared for the situation, because the battle in the first half was lacking in excitement. We had a very straightforward situation – see below-right. Napoli had a spare man at the back, there was a 2 v 2 in the middle, and a wing-back battle on the flanks. The only issue was the battle at the other end, although this was the same situation as in the first meeting between the sides. Marek Hamsik dropped back and played around Andrea Pirlo (opposition coaches have worked out that you simply can’t leave Pirlo free) rather than playing high up in a natural front three. Therefore, rather than a 3 v 3 at the back and Pirlo free (which would have made goals more likely, at either end), both sides had a spare man at the back, and it was even in midfield. Movement So where were the attacking moves going to come from? A decent bet would have been down the flanks, but none of the four wing-backs significantly got the better of their opponent. Stephane Lichtsteiner was more conservative than usual despite one good early cross for Borriello at the near post, and Christian Maggio didn’t last long before being replaced by Andrea Dossena, with Juan Zuniga moving to the other side. Instead, the focus turned to how one side could outfox the other at the back, and try and void their opponent’s spare man. In theory, Napoli could have done this (especially on the break) with Hamsik moving past Pirlo and high up the pitch. But their transitions were poor – they usually intercept the ball on the edge of their own third and motor forward brilliantly, but here they barely constructed a break in the entire game. Therefore, Hamsik was playing as a midfielder, and Juve remained comfortable. The four battlezones At the other end, Napoli’s man-marking system meant their back three was being dragged around. In theory, Paolo Cannavaro was the spare man behind Hugo Campagnaro and Salvatore Aronica, but the movement of Borriello and Vucinic was decent (even if their all-round game and workrate without the ball was poor). Therefore, The Napoli defenders weren’t quite sure of who was picking up who, with Cannavaro often being drawn high up the pitch and leaving a big gap between the two remaining centre-backs. Other times, Aronica was drawn into the centre as Vucinic drifted laterally, but Arturo Vidal was often too deep to take advantage of this – he should have been motoring past Walter Gargano more. Set-piece goal, Napoli respond poorly The crucial goal was always going to be the opening goal, and Juve got it after half-time, thanks to a free-kick. The way the goal went in – off Cannavaro – was comical and fortunate, but Napoli had conceded far too many free-kicks within their own third, especially when you consider their previous problems in this area (and Pirlo’s brilliance). Mazzarri then had to move to a more attacking approach, and he brought on Goran Pandev for Gokhan Inler. Hamsik moved a little deeper, but Napoli now seemed more like a front four than a front three, and they pressed Juve 4 v 4 high up the pitch at goal-kicks. This left Gargano on his own against Vidal and Claudio Marchisio, and when the Uruguyan picked up a booking soon after this change, you wondered how much Juve would attempt to attack towards him on the break, and how much longer he would remain on the pitch. As it happens, Juve didn’t look to break too much – they focused on keeping the ball (which is, of course, also where their midfield advantage came into play). Mazzarri then brought on Blerim Džemaili for Hamsik and reverted to something more like the 3-4-3, albeit with Džemaili playing much higher up than Inler had been (his position was essentially between Inler’s and Hamsik’s, the two departed players). Still, he was too high up the pitch to do much defensively, and Marchisio and Vidal promptly combined for a quick attack at the Napoli defence and Vidal fired in. Substitute Fabio Quagliarella rounded it off with a good third. Conclusion This was very tight and tense in the first half, and it seemed as if a clever change from either coach (probably Conte, the man more likely to switch formation midway through the season) would decide the game. It didn’t take that – Conte’s decision not to change his forwards at half-time was odd – and it was a set-piece that helped get the breakthrough. The use of Borriello (and three centre-backs) helped the set-piece threat, not that there was any great design behind the goal. Juve were much the better side, however. They had more strength and more guile, and Napoli’s counter-attacking threat was never apparent. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juventus moves within 2 points of AC Milan Apr 1, 2012 Juventus beat Napoli 3-0 Sunday to move within two points of Serie A leader AC Milan and set up an enticing battle for the Italian league title with eight rounds remaining. Leonardo Bonucci scored from the center of the area in the 53rd minute at the Juventus Stadium, Arturo Vidal found the target in the 75th with an impressive solo effort, and Fabio Quagliarella finished off a counterattack in the 83rd as Juventus dominated from start to finish in a preview of the Italian Cup final. Napoli was reduced to 10 men for the final five minutes after Juan Zuniga was sent off for elbowing Giorgio Chiellini in the face. Milan was held to a 1-1 draw at Catania on Sunday and faces a tough test at Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, following a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the San Siro. Juventus, which remained undefeated in all competitions this season, holds the tiebreaker over Milan, with a win and a draw head-to-head. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juventus ease past Napoli to close gap on leaders AC Milan Apr 1, 2012 Undefeated Juventus closed the gap to AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table to just two points with a 3-0 win over Napoli in Turin on Sunday. Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella scored the goals as Juve capitalised on Milan's 1-1 draw at Catania the day before. It also maintained their unbeaten run this season, which now stands at 34 games in all competitions. "It's a crucial victory because it all but wraps up second place and that's already amazing given where we started," said Juve coach Antonio Conte. "We'll keep an eye above us because that's only right as should Milan slip up we have to try to be ready. But it's Milan's to lose." Napoli's defeat means they stay fourth, three points behind Lazio in the final Champions League qualification position. They also had Juan Zuniga sent off late on for elbowing Giorgio Chiellini. Their main problem, though, was being guilty of giving away too many free-kicks in potentially dangerous positions. The opening goal came early in the second period and was due in no small part to luck, although Napoli were finally made to pay for their ill-discipline. Andrea Pirlo swung over another free-kick that Andrea Barzagli mishit, the ball falling to Mirko Vucinic, who crashed a shot off Bonucci's chest and past a stranded Morgan De Sanctis. Now able to hit Napoli on the counter, Juve made their visitors pay as Vidal turned Hugo Campagnaro inside out and smashed a shot across De Sanctis. Quagliarella then beat the goalkeeper at his near post with a fierce shot seven minutes from time. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juve close gap at summit Apr 1, 2012 Juventus reduced the arrears on AC Milan at the top of Serie A to two points thanks to a 3-0 win over fourth-placed Napoli at the Juventus Stadium. Goals from Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella provided the perfect response to Milan's draw with Catania yesterday as the two-team battle for the Scudetto intensified. Napoli ended the game with 10 men after losing Juan Zuniga in the second half, and they joined fellow Champions League-chasing sides Udinese and Lazio in losing this weekend, leaving Roma as the real benefactors with a win over Novara today bringing them back into contention for third spot. Andrea Pirlo was the dangerman in a bright opening for the home side. Napoli simply did not learn their lesson as they kept committing fouls around their own penalty area, and each time, the Italy international posed a threat. In the fifth minute Marco Borriello was only an inch away from heading in his teasing free-kick from close range. After half an hour, another Pirlo free-kick was headed wide of the far post by Vidal before another free-kick was almost diverted in by a Napoli defender, but Morgan de Sanctis got his fingertips to the ball to push it away. Napoli gave away another free-kick in the 53rd minute which Pirlo again sent the ball into the danger area, where it broke loose to Mirko Vucinic. His shot deflected in off the knee of Bonucci, who took credit for a goal he knew little about. Vucinic was on target five minutes later, but the goal was ruled out for what seemed like an incorrect offside decision. Juve deservedly doubled their lead in the 75th minute when Vidal did a few stepovers during which it was not clear whether even he knew where he was going, but he took the ball forward with his left foot and shot across De Sanctis into the far corner, showing he was indeed in full control. A minute later, Vucinic spotted De Sanctis off his goal line and tried his luck from the halfway line with the Napoli goalkeeper scampering back and diving despairingly only to see the ball land just wide. Alessandro del Piero's first touch after coming on as a substitute was to set up his fellow sub Quagliarella for the third in the 83rd minute. The former Napoli striker beat De Sanctis inside his near post, but did not celebrate his goal. Zuniga let off steam three minutes later, receiving his marching orders for elbowing Giorgio Chiellini just in front of the linesman. It was a fitting end to a frustrating night for Napoli, who remain three points behind third-placed Lazio. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Juve sweep Napoli aside! Juventus stepped on the accelerator in the second half and swept Napoli aside 3-0 to take themselves within two points of leaders Milan. Apr 1, 2012 This has always been a huge battle in Serie A, but this time they were going head-to-head for Champions League places. Juve needed to take advantage of Milan’s slip-up to close the gap at the top of the table, while Napoli had to do the same after Lazio and Udinese were beaten in the race for third this weekend. Both sides essentially had full squads to choose from and Antonio Conte mirrored their 3-5-2 system with Stephan Lichtsteiner returning from suspension as a wing-back. Marco Borriello and Mirko Vucinic were picked in attack, hoping to make the most of Napoli’s weakness at defending in the air. Christian Maggio returned from injury to start with the Three Tenors. Andrea Pirlo’s cross to the back post from the left flashed across the face of goal, but Borriello only glanced the header wide from under six yards. Another Borriello header was well off target from Lichtsteiner’s cross. The first Napoli chance was on 13 minutes, but Marek Hamsik’s touch let him down when going past Gigi Buffon and gave away a goal kick. A Pirlo free kick sailed over the bar from distance, but at the other end Leonardo Bonucci was at full stretch to intercept a dangerous Camilo Zuniga cross into the six-yard box. Bad news for Napoli, as Maggio’s comeback lasted only 25 minutes before he limped off again in favour of Andrea Dossena. Arturo Vidal’s glancing header flicked a Pirlo free kick across the face of goal to skim the far post. Hamsik blasted over the bar from distance and the tension got to Lichtsteiner, who was booked for dissent. The first actual shot on target was a Pirlo free kick that Morgan De Sanctis rather comfortably smothered at the near post. Vidal picked up a yellow card for going straight through Hamsik outside the box, but Lavezzi curled the free kick over the bar. Dossena charged down a Vidal volley in the area, but Juve went closer on 44 minutes when De Sanctis got down to palm a curling Pirlo free kick out for a corner at the base of the near post. After the restart Napoli risked an own goal, as Hugo Campagnaro’s header to clear a Pirlo free kick was palmed off the line by De Sanctis. Juventus were piling on the pressure at the dawn of the second half and broke the deadlock from a Pirlo free kick that ricocheted around the box until Mirko Vucinic’s strike from 12 yards took a decisive deflection off Leonardo Bonucci to wrong-foot De Sanctis. Vucinic did get the ball in the net soon after, but was flagged offside in a very tight decision. Goran Pandev replaced Gokhan Inler, moving Hamsik into a deeper role. Fabio Quagliarella replaced the disappointing Borriello to face his former club. De Sanctis parried a long-range Claudio Marchisio strike to spark a Pandev counter, when Marchisio brought him down for a yellow card. Juve doubled their lead with a sensational solo effort from Vidal, who confused Campagnaro with a series of step-overs and smashed it across De Sanctis into the far top corner of the net. It was almost 3-0 moments later, as Vucinic spotted the Napoli goalkeeper off his line and attempted an audacious lob that was just wide. Cavani’s long-range daisy-cutter was off target, while Martin Caceres tested De Sanctis at the near post. Quagliarella got a third and refused to celebrate against his hometown club. Alessandro Del Piero created an assist with practically his first touch, rolling across to Quagliarella for a powerful strike between De Sanctis and the near post. More bad news for Napoli, as Zuniga was sent off for lashing out with an elbow to free himself from Giorgio Chiellini’s embrace. It was right in front of the linesman, who could not fail to see the gesture. Del Piero aimed a couple of efforts off target with solo runs, then a third attempt was well beaten away by De Sanctis. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Juventus: Buffon; Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner (Caceres 65), Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Borriello (Quagliarella 70), Vucinic (Del Piero 82) Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio (Dossena 25), Gargano, Inler (Pandev 61), Zuniga; Hamsik (Dzemaili 71), Lavezzi; Cavani Ref: Orsato Sent off: Zuniga 86 (N) http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 3 - 0 Mirko Vučinić (53′) Arturo Vidal Pardo (75′) Fabio Quagliarella (83′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Attendance: 34000‎ Turin giants produce strong second-half display and close gap to leaders AC Milan to two points Leonardo Bonucci, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella were all on target as the in-form Bianconeri cranked up the pressure on the Rossoneri at the top of the table. Apr 1, 2012 Juventus underlined their title credentials with an ultimately facile 3-0 victory over Napoli in Turin on Sunday night. After a dour first half, the Bianconeri opened the scoring midway through the second period when Leonardo Bonucci deflected a short from Mirko Vucinic past a helpless Morgan De Sanctis. Arturo Vidal scored a sublime second before substitute Fabio Quagliarella completed the rout with a late third. Both sides initially appeared intent on picking up where they left off at the San Paolo in November, treating us to a wonderfully open start to the game. The hosts looked particularly menacing and really should have taken the lead just four minutes in but Marco Borriello – surprisingly recalled to the Juventus starting lineup – inexplicably failed to get his head on the end of the most delicious delivery from Pirlo. Borriello did manage to connect with a Stephan Lichtsteiner cross moments later but the on-loan forward’s header flashed wide. The Partenopei then gave Juve an almighty scare on 13 minutes when Hamsik found himself in on goal after a delightful one-two with Ezequiel Lavezzi but in trying to take the ball around the onrushing Gianluigi Buffon, the Slovakian knocked it too far ahead of himself and it rolled harmlessly out of play. After such a promising opening, the game deteriorated rapidly thereafter, with Juve only threatening sporadically through set-pieces from Pirlo, while Napoli were restricted to nothing more than long-range strikes from the likes of Hamsik. The second half continued in the same vain so the source of the game’s opening goal came as no surprise, Napoli failing to deal with a free-kick from Pirlo from the right-hand side which bobbled around in the box before Bonucci diverted a hopeful effort from Vucinic into the back of the net. The visitors tried to rally but to absolutely no avail and Vidal deservedly doubled the home side’s advantage when he fired home after turning Hugo Campagnaro inside out. The Bianconeri put the seal on a victory which draws them to within points of Serie A leaders AC Milan when De Sanctis somehow allowed a shot from Quagliarella to beat him at his near post. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

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