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Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato If Juventus had Edinson Cavani, they would have almost won the Scudetto already With the prolific Partenopei forward in town tonight, the Bianconeri will get another chance to run the rule over a striker who would most likely solve their goalscoring problems. Apr 1, 2012 Speculation is mounting in Italy that Juventus will make a move for Napoli’s Edinson Cavani during the summer. Whether the Bianconeri are really capable of winning a likely bidding war with Manchester City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain for one of the most highly-rated forwards in Europe is debatable. What is beyond dispute, though, is that Antonio Conte’s team is in dire need of such a prolific forward. Juve are currently five points off top spot in Serie A but they can reduce their arrears to just two points if they overcome Napoli in Turin on Sunday night. The title race, it seems, is likely to go right to the wire. That Juventus have managed to sustain their Scudetto challenge, though, is quite remarkable given the conspicuous absence of a free-scoring striker amongst their frontline. Indeed, ahead of the visit of Napoli, it is difficult not to suspect that if Juventus had a frontman of the calibre of Cavani, the title race would already be run. Juve are, after all, just nine games away from becoming only the third side to go through an entire Serie A season undefeated. Yet, in spite of this, they are playing catch-up to a Milan side that has been bedevilled by injuries this season and that has also had to cope with the added burden of European competition. The reason for this is obvious from just a quick glance at the Serie A table: too many draws. Fourteen of the Bianconeri’s 29 games this season have finished level. Of course, in some instances, a point was a fine outcome for Juventus, most notably at the San Paolo in November when they twice came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Napoli, and in their San Siro showdown with Scudetto rivals Milan in February. However, Juventus have bossed countless games this season only to fail to turn their dominance into goals. In this regard, the Bianconeri have been badly let down by their forwards. Alessandro Matri is the club’s top scorer, having netted 10 times in the league, and it would be wrong to be overly critical of the former Cagliari man, particularly in light of his goals-to-shot ratio of 15.62 per cent, which compares reasonably with that of Cavani (20%). However, it is clear that he does not retain the full confidence of his coach, as evidenced by the fact that he was left on the bench for the crunch clash with Milan last month. That he subsequently came on to snatch a point for the visitors underlined his value to Juve. We are talking about a talented forward who works incredibly hard for his team – he chased back fully 50 metres to reclaim possession for his side during the recent win over Fiorentina – but Conte seems to share the commonly held view that Matri is not, and never will be, a truly world-class striker. It seems that in the coach’s eyes, he is merely the best of a bad bunch. Conte, of course, needs no reminding of how great a player Alessandro Del Piero once was, but judging by how little game time the legendary marksman has seen this season, the former Bianconeri midfielder clearly feels that ‘was’ is the key word. Such an opinion seems a tad harsh on Del Piero, particularly in light of his impressive performance in the Coppa Italia clash with Milan and the starring show against Inter which followed, but there is no denying that the 2006 World Cup winner is a fading force. At 28, Mirko Vucinic should be in his prime but the Montenegrin has only recently begun to show why Juventus paid Roma €15 million for his services last summer. As he proved in the 5-0 demolition of Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi and again in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Milan, he is a player of many attributes. However, as his return of five goals from 76 shots so far this season painfully underlines, ruthlessness in front of goal is not one of them. Fabio Quagliarella, meanwhile, has simply not been the same player since a knee ligament injury interrupted the most promising of starts to his Juventus career and there have been suggestions that while he has recovered physically, he is still struggling mentally. As for Marco Borriello, well, he has always been more prolific off the field than on it, but his regression is actually quite astonishing and having failed to score a single goal in his seven Serie A appearances to date, the former Milan forward is destined to be sent packing back to Roma when his loan deal expires at the end of the season. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that Juventus have begun the hunt for a new forward already. That they have reportedly set their sights on Cavani is hardly surprising. Unlike their other alleged transfer targets, Fernando Torres and Gonzalo Higuain, he has a proven track record in Serie A, having scored 45 goals in 62 league games for Napoli since arriving from Palermo in the summer of 2010. The Uruguay international has wonderful predatory instincts and a useful knack for getting in behind defences – skills that Juventus are currently crying out for. Of course, Napoli’s game is founded on their counterattacking prowess and on several occasions this term they have struggled to break down sides that have been content to sit deep and invite the Partenopei onto them. However, Cavani has proven time and time again that he can create space for himself in the most congested of penalty areas, with his recent equaliser against Udinese a wonderful case in point. It is difficult to foresee Juventus stumping up the alleged €80m transfer fee Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis will demand for his most prized asset but, as the old adage goes, sometimes one has to speculate in order to accumulate. Goals win games and Cavani guarantees them in abundance. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Conte considering Borriello or Quagliarella for Napoli clash The Bianconeri duo have managed just two goals between them this season but one or the other is set to earn a recall for a game that is vital in terms of the Scudetto race. Apr 1, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has revealed that he is considering starting either Marco Borriello or Fabio Quagliarella in Sunday night’s crunch Serie A clash with Napoli. Borriello has yet to score a single goal since joining the Bianconeri on loan from Roma in January, while Quagliarella has netted just twice this season after recovering from a serious knee injury last January. However, Conte has revealed that both are in the reckoning for a game that Juventus will be desperately hoping to win in order to reduce their deficit to league leaders AC Milan to just two points. “Either Borriello or Quagliarella could start,” the former Bianconeri midfielder told reporters on Saturday. “They’ve both got an extraordinary motivation to play. “Quagliarella has had to overcome the after effects of his injury and is now getting back to his level. “Things would have gone different for Borriello had he arrived in June, but he’s settling in and could be important.” While Milan’s surprise draw in Catania on Saturday underlines that Juve retain every chance of winning the Scudetto this year, Conte insists that his primary focus is on securing a return to the grandest stage in European football. “Winning tomorrow would be an important step towards qualifying for the Champions League,” he mused. “Securing direct qualification would be something extraordinary. "However, we know that we have a testing encounter ahead against a team who have done well in the Coppa Italia. “They’ve also done remarkable things in the Champions League and perhaps a bit more experience would have seen them in the semi-finals. “It’s a tough fixture, so we’ll focus on ourselves without looking at the others.” The Bianconeri's meeting with Napoli at Juventus Stadium gets underway at 20.45CET. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Juve and Napoli name squads Mar 31, 2012 Juventus welcome back Stephan Lichtsteiner, while Napoli have Christian Maggio in the squad going to Turin. Both Coaches named their sides for the big Sunday night showdown at the Juventus Stadium. Antonio Conte can once again count on Lichtsteiner, who missed last week’s win against Inter due to suspension. Napoli welcome Maggio back from injury, so only Marco Donadel is now on the treatment table. Juventus squad: Buffon, Chiellini, Caceres, Pepe, Marchisio, Del Piero, De Ceglie, Manninger, Vucinic, Barzagli, Quagliarella, Bonucci, Padoin, Pirlo, Vidal, Borriello, Giaccherini, Lichtsteiner, Estigarribia, Storari, Matri, Marrone Napoli squad: De Sanctis, Rosati, Colombo, Aronica, Britos, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Fernandez, Dossena, Dzemaili, Gargano, Hamsik, Inler, Maggio, Zuniga, Cavani, Lavezzi, Pandev, Vargas, Ammendola http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Conte: 'Juve eyes on Napoli and Milan' Mar 31, 2012 Juventus Coach Antonio Conte hopes Milan will “shoot themselves in the foot” and could start Marco Borriello against hometown club Napoli tomorrow. “After this game there will be another eight and I have to say this is going to be a probing test for us,” said Conte ahead of the Sunday evening showdown. “Napoli have done well to reach the Coppa Italia Final and went so close to the Champions League quarter-finals. In fact, seeing how Chelsea beat Benfica, I believe the Partenopei could’ve reached the semi. “This club has grown so much and it is thanks to President Aurelio De Laurentiis, who constructed a long-term project that improved year by year. Walter Mazzarri and his players also did something extraordinary and only paid a price for not having that much strength in depth. The Champions League takes a lot out of you, as I know from when I played in it. “Their strikers can be decisive when given space and are so dangerous. Mazzarri is a great Coach and I respect him. I believe that I am too and will be in years to come.” Juventus changed their system to mirror that of Napoli in their spectacular 3-3 draw at the San Paolo on November 6, an approach many sides have since taken. “Strangely, since we played with the 3-5-2 in Naples, everyone has adopted this system. Napoli are an atypical side, as they often over-run you. We will evaluate all options, as we can also play with a 4-3-3. “Borriello and Fabio Quagliarella could both start tomorrow and are highly motivated to play against their hometown club. Fabio is going through a difficult year, while Marco perhaps would’ve had a different season if he had arrived in June.” Juventus are in second place and hope to close the four-point gap from leaders Milan. “If we win tomorrow, then we put second place under lock and key. It would be extraordinary to reach the Champions League without a preliminary round, but we are also keeping an eye open to take advantage of any slip-ups... “The Scudetto is in Milan’s hands and only they can lose it. Our fixture list is tougher than theirs in the run-in, but if they were to shoot themselves in the foot...” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Mazzarri: 'Napoli can beat Juventus' Mar 31, 2012 Walter Mazzarri insists “Napoli can beat anyone – including Juventus” tomorrow evening, but laughs off links with the Lazio bench. The Bianconeri are still unbeaten this season and welcome the Partenopei to Turin on Sunday night. “We are now accustomed to playing games at a certain level and that is what is most enjoyable about this season,” said Mazzarri. “Teams consider us to be an important club and for us it has become the norm to push all the way in every match. When we play at our best, Napoli can beat anyone – including Juventus. We’ll give our all in Turin for this shirt and our fans.” It is a special occasion for Mazzarri, who marks his 400th match as a professional Coach. “Many years have passed, but I remember my first season at Bologna. It’s been a nice journey and I had many satisfactions along the way. I started from nothing and worked my way almost to the top, because playing in the Champions League is truly important for a tactician.” Their efforts in Europe could perhaps have cost Napoli the opportunity to fight for the Scudetto this term, but they will face Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final on May 20. “I try to drill into my lads the desire to always play 100 per cent, but objectively it was difficult to fight for the title when playing in the Champions League. Of course there are regrets for how we lost certain points, like the two we dropped against Catania last Sunday. “After that game, I sat down with my assistant manager and we focused on how to make our defending better from set plays. However, we shouldn’t get bogged down on that, as statistically we’re not that bad in these situations. “What we do have to work on is maintaining our concentration to the final whistle, as it’s never over until that moment. When we lower our concentration levels, we are simply not the same team. It happened with Catania, but also against Siena.” Mazzarri has been linked with a move away from Napoli at the end of the season, with the likes of Inter and Lazio on the cards. “I am just focused on the next few games, so you’d have to ask the President about these matters. It is pleasing to hear of interest from Lazio, but I have a contract to 2013 with Napoli and I intend to respect it.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Napoli: Campagnaro and Maggio OK Mar 31, 2012 Napoli preparations for facing Juventus this weekend have received a boost with the news that Christian Maggio and Hugo Campagnaro are fit. Alongside Gianluca Grava, Maggio and Campagnaro were hit with a virus in midweek that prevented their participation in training. However, all three men are believed fully recovered, having returned to training to take a full part in Friday’s work. Walter Mazzarri’s team travel north to Turin to take on second place Juventus on Sunday evening, keen to pick up three points to maintain momentum in the race for the third and final Champions League qualification slot. Probable Napoli team to face Juventus: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Sunday's Serie A Betting Preview: Juventus and Napoli to share the points The hosts are aiming to stretch their unbeaten run when they host Walter Mazzarri's side on Sunday. But Adam Bate is expecting an even contest between the two sides. Mar 31, 2012 It has the potential to be a thrilling game in Turin on Sunday when Juventus host Napoli – the two sides shared six goals when they met in November. Juventus scored two late goals that day to maintain their unbeaten record and they still haven’t tasted defeat more than four months on. The hosts are 4/5 (1.8) favourites with Bet365 to extend their record to 30 games for the season. Napoli are enjoying good form themselves having gone nine games without defeat in the league. With Champions League distractions behind them, Walter Mazzarri’s men are focused on securing a top three spot and are well set-up to cause an upset here. With the attacking trident of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani, Napoli can be a real threat on the counter-attack and have had joy on their travels this season - scoring three at Inter, Palermo and Fiorentina. Napoli can be backed at 7/2 (4.5) and the draw is available at 5/2 (3.5). Of the three Napoli stars, Lavezzi looks to be the best value to score first at 8/1 (9.0) with Bet365 – that’s an industry-best price. For Juventus, the romantic choice is the on-form Alessandro Del Piero. After scoring the opener against Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final the 37-year-old hit the net again versus Inter last weekend. Del Piero is 11/2 (6.5) to net the opener. In the other markets, the best bet is to back goals in this one. Napoli have scored in all but two of their last 19 matches – but they won’t shut out a Juventus side that have scored in all but one home game this season. Back both teams to score at 5/6 (1.83) with Bet365. That’s the bet of the day here but for the value bet it is worth considering both teams habit of drawing games. In fact, 1-1 has been the most common score for Juventus this season with seven such results. That’s also been the most popular result in Napoli’s away games in this campaign. You can back 1-1 at 11/2 (6.5) with Bet365. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Mazzarri: Napoli are used to big games now The San Paolo side travel to Turin on Sunday and the 50-year-old trainer believes his team can be the first to beat the Bianconeri this season. Mar 31, 2012 Walter Mazzarri has stated that Napoli are not afraid of playing in big matches, and are up to the challenge of facing Juventus on Sunday. The Partenopei played in some high-profile encounters during their exciting run in the Champions League this term and Mazzarri insists that the trip to Turin will not faze his side. "We are now used to playing matches of a high level. We are going to get the most out of our game against Juventus," he stated in a press conference. "I am sorry this match against Juve will not be a championship game for us. But we have done so much this year, taking into consideration the Champions League. "In the championship we have dropped points, but we have been a little unlucky. But now we are looking forward to Juve. "As long as we can still mathematically qualify for the Champions League we must aim for the maximum. After this complicated game that awaits us we will have a specific timetable that will allow us to decide our future," he clarified. Mazzarri’s achievements with Napoli have led to speculation that he could take over at Inter, however, he reiterated his commitment to the Partenopei. "I have a contract until 2013 and I intend to respect it," he concluded. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 30 - 1-4-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Daniele Orsato Video: Juventus-Napoli preview Mar 31, 2012 Get in the mood for this weekend’s big match between Juventus and Napoli at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Marotta: 'Forget Del Piero renewal' Mar 31, 2012 Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta said Gigi Buffon has a place at the club “for life,” but shot down Alessandro Del Piero’s renewal hopes. “The President was clear.” Recent performances have sparked a campaign from fans and teammates to get Del Piero’s contract renewed just two months before it expires. President Andrea Agnelli announced in a shareholder’s meeting early this season that it would be Del Piero’s final campaign in Turin. “What of Del Piero’s future? President Agnelli was clear on this issue,” Marotta told Tuttosport. “To be honest, there has been far too much talk about this. We will only sign quality players in the summer and decisions are made in absolute unity with Antonio Conte.” While Del Piero is not going to be offered a new contract, the same cannot be said of goalkeeper Buffon. “He will be here for a long time yet. All it takes is a glance to secure the renewal and he can stay at Juventus for life.” Marotta also commented on their failed bid to sign Carlos Tevez in January, battling Milan, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain. “With the current economic crisis, Italian football cannot afford to buy a player whose overall cost is €100m. Milan got a great bargain with Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he arrived on loan and was in a bitter row with Barcelona. “Tevez could end up in a similar situation and we are paying close attention. Of course, we’d have to ask Conte for his opinion. We certainly don’t want to aim low on the market, as we will improve in every area of the team. “We will sign players who perhaps might not hit headlines with their names, but who will be useful for the style of football our Coach plays.” On Sunday Juve go head-to-head with Napoli in a huge game and Marotta took the opportunity to discuss their strikers. “Napoli have many talented players and I definitely wouldn’t be disappointed to see Edinson Cavani playing for Juve. Lavezzi’s buy-out clause is €31m, which is the right price for Russian or English buyers. It is in any case premature for papers to focus attention on one or two transfer targets.”

Pirlo trying to persuade Nesta to join him at Juventus The centre-back is contemplating retirement but is said to be mulling over following in the footsteps of his one-time club colleague and making the move to Turin. Mar 30, 2012 Andrea Pirlo is reportedly trying to convince former AC Milan team-mate Alessandro Nesta to join him at Juventus. Nesta is out of contract at the end of the season and the former Italy international, who has been plagued by back problems in recent years, is said to be contemplating his future in the game. However, according to Il Corriere dello Sport, the legendary defender has now been persuaded by Pirlo to consider following in his footsteps by swapping Milan for Turin. The veteran playmaker, who has been a key component in Juve's resurgence this season, joined the Bianconeri on a free transfer from the Rossoneri last summer. However, Nesta's current situation is different to the one that Pirlo found himself in last season because Milan are keen to hold on to the centre-back and club CEO Adriano Galliani is already putting together a contract extension offer for the former Lazio captain. Juve, though, are willing to guarantee Nesta that he will only be used in Champions League games and important Serie A clashes, in light of his persistent back pain. The World Cup winner joined Milan from Lazio in 2002 and has won two Serie A titles and two Champions League crowns during his time at San Siro.

Real Madrid & Manchester City never made a concrete offer for me, says Chiellini The Italy international has revealed that he never received a serious offer from either side, while admitting that Juventus face a tough task to beat Milan to the Serie A title. Mar 30, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has revealed that he has never received a concrete offer from either Manchester City or Real Madrid. The Italy international has been linked with the Liga leaders and the Premier League side in the past, but Chiellini has stressed that he was never close to leaving the Bianconeri for an adventure abroad. "Real Madrid and Manchester City? Obviously when you're a footballer your name is going to be mentioned in a transfer story every six months," Chiellini stated to Il Giornale. "However, I have never received any concrete offers." The centre-back then went on to discuss his side's chances of overtaking AC Milan in the Serie A table, and echoed his coach Antonio Conte's sentiments about the Old Lady's fading title chances. "The Rossoneri are reigning champions and have a four-point lead. The coach is just being realistic when he says it will be difficult. "We are taking it one game at a time and are focusing on our next task against Napoli for now. We have to keep our feet on the ground.

Marchisio: Juventus can win the Scudetto The Italy international has underlined the importance of the next few games for the Bianconeri, and feels that that could go all the way to win the Serie A title. Mar 30, 2012 Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio believes that the Old Lady could win the Serie A title this term, and has stressed that the next few weeks will be crucial in the race for the Scudetto. The Bianconeri currently sit second in the league table, trailing leaders AC Milan by four points, and Marchisio feels that Juventus have what it takes to overtake their rivals in the remainder of the campaign. "We still believe in the title. We are still unbeaten, and Juve have never enjoyed a similar unbeaten run before. We have to believe in the Scudetto," Marchisio said to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "If we keep this up, we will be playing for the title right until the end. The next few games will be very important. "Regardless of what happens though, we all have a feeling that Juventus are at the start of an important cycle, worthy of the club Juve."

Chiellini: Milan virtually uncatchable Mar 30, 2012 Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini is well aware of how difficult it will be to beat Milan to the Scudetto. “It’s easier on the PlayStation…” The Old Lady are currently four points behind the leaders in the table and boss Antonio Conte considers the Diavolo as favourites. “I think the Coach is just being a realist,” the defender told Il Giornale. “The Rossoneri are reigning champions and have four more points than us. “It is certainly easier to beat them on the PlayStation than it is in real life,” the Italian international smiled. “We are just taking things one game at a time, keeping our feet on the ground and concentrating on our next task which is Napoli.” Chiellini, 27, is one of the club’s most influential players which has seen him linked with the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid in the past. “Well, if you are a footballer then it is inevitable that your name will be mentioned in a transfer story every six months,” he continued. “I have never received any concrete offers from anyone though.”

New Juve deals for Matri and Bonucci Mar 30, 2012 Juventus will offer Alessandro Matri and Leonardo Bonucci new contracts in Turin, claims the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. Although both players are presently committed to the club until June 2015, it is being claimed that they will be offered fresh terms until June 2017. Matri is Juventus’ top scorer in Serie A so far this term with 10 goals, while Bonucci has made 23 Serie A appearances for a side which has played with three centre-backs on occasions under Antonio Conte. The Turin giants, just four points off Serie A leaders Milan, are also set to offer new deals to Gigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and boss Conte in the near future.