Socrates

Serie A - 10^ Giornata - Ritorno - 25-3-2012 (ore 20:45) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Andrea De Marco Spettatori: 34000‎ Serie A - Caceres e Del Piero stendono l'Inter La Juventus vince 2-0 nel posticipo della 29esima giornata e torna a -4 dal Milan: dopo un primo tempo di sofferenza e quattro parate straordinarie di Buffon, la partita si decide con un'incornata dell'uruguaiano (53') e la prima rete in campionato di Del Piero (71'). Eurosport - Domenica, 25 marzo 2012 L'orgoglio ha retto un tempo. Poi è venuta fuori tutta la forza, tutto il carattere, di una Juventus che merita di lottare sino all'ultimo per la vittoria dello scudetto. Il posticipo della 29esima giornata di Serie A finisce 2-0 per i bianconeri, che soffrono sino al 53', quando Caceres sblocca il risultato con un colpo di testa sugli sviluppi di un corner. Prima c'era stata soltanto l'Inter e un grandissimo Buffon. Dopo è stata soltanto festa, con Del Piero che entra e segna il raddoppio (71') e tiene la Juventus a -4 dal Milan capolista. L'Inter resta a quota 41, nonostante i segnali di risveglio. Un'annata storta si vede anche da partite come questa. BARZAGLI RECUPERA, FORLAN TITOLARE - Antonio Conte torna alla formazione tipo, recuperando in extremis Barzagli che parte titolare in mezzo alla difesa con Chiellini. Sulla fascia sinistra va De Ceglie, con il conseguente spostamento in panchina di Bonucci. L'unico assente è lo squalificato Lichtsteiner, rimpiazzato da Caceres a destra. Per il resto, il 4-3-3 bianconero si completa con centrocampo e attacco tradizionali. E Matri si prende il posto di prima punta. Claudio Ranieri sceglie invece un 4-3-2-1 con la novità di Forlan che dopo le polemiche di domenica scorsa torna titolare al fianco di Milito. A centrocampo il trio è composto da Zanetti, Stankovic e Obi, mentre Poli va sulla trequarti in pressing su Pirlo. In difesa, Maicon, Lucio e Samuel sono coadiuvati da Nagatomo. In panchina vanno Ranocchia, Chivu, Cambiasso, Pazzini e Guarin, alla prima convocazione in nerazzurro. Fuori per infortunio Sneijder e Alvarez. BUFFON DICE NO A UNA GRANDE INTER - Inizia la partita e subito si capisce che è un'Inter disposta a tutto pur di non sfigurare. I nerazzurri sembrano molto reattivi fisicamente, grazie soprattutto a due giovani come Obi e Poli, bravi in copertura e pronti a ribaltare l'azione a centrocampo. Al 14' arriva la prima occasione del match ed è nerazzurra: Vucinic perde palla sulla propria trequarti, Maicon recupera e serve Milito. L'argentino però strozza la conclusione dal cuore dell'area e così Buffon mette a referto la prima parata decisiva della serata. Non l'ultima del primo tempo, perché il portiere della Juventus, per distacco il migliore dei suoi, salva il risultato in altre due riprese. Al 29' compie un miracolo su Forlan che spizza di testa un corner di Maicon, mentre al 32' dice no a Milito lanciato in profondità e autore una pericolosissima conclusione di collo. Finita qui? No, perché al 35' e al 40' Buffon smanaccia ancora alla grande due botte da fuori di Obi e Stankovic. La Juventus c'è, ma si vede soltanto nella fase centrale, quando riesce a rilanciare in transizione. Peccato per i bianconeri che Matri sprechi due ottime chance. La prima è concessa da Lucio su un cross di Caceres (17'), ma l'attaccante di casa non angola di testa e facilita l'intervento di Julio Cesar. La seconda arriva al 25', un rigore in movimento servito ancora da Caceres e sprecato con palla altissima. I bianconeri si fermano qui e rischiano grosso nel finale. Lo 0-0 con cui si va all'intervallo sta stretto all'Inter. CONTE CAMBIA: CACERES E DEL PIERO FANNO 2-0 - Quanto può durare l'Inter a livello fisico? L'interrogativo dell'intervallo è questo. E la risposta arriva in avvio di secondo tempo. I nerazzurri ripartono bene, ma Conte azzecca la mossa con un colpo da rischiatutto. Al 53' toglie sia Pepe che Matri inserendo Bonucci e Del Piero. Il modulo diventa un 3-5-2, l'Inter fatica a prendere le misure e concede una discesa a Marchisio che conquista così un corner. Pirlo batte bene, la difesa nerazzurra difende malissimo. E Caceres di testa insacca l'1-0, alla prima vera occasione della ripresa. La partita finisce qui, perché l'Inter non reagisce, nonostante al 67' Ranieri provi a rispondere a Conte con un altro doppio cambio, decisamente meno azzeccato di quello del collega. Escono Obi e Poli, i due migliori del centrocampo, per Faraoni e Pazzini. Il modulo diventa un 4-3-1-2 con Forlan dietro alle due punte, ma non c'è la scossa. La difesa va in sofferenza, Vucinic ne potrebbe approfittare al 70', ma il montenegrino si divora un gol fatto solo davanti a Julio Cesar. Fortuna per Conte che Del Piero è di un'altra pasta e lo dimostra un minuto dopo. Palla dentro di Vidal, difesa a vuoto e il capitano bianconero insacca il primo gol in campionato, quello che fa esplodere lo stadio e chiude definitivamente la partita. Conte mette Quagliarella al posto di Vucinic (73') e preme ancora sull'acceleratore. Al 77' proprio il nuovo entrato conclude da un passo su imbeccata di Chiellini, Maicon però salva sulla linea. E all'85' Chiellini va ancora vicino al terzo gol con una splendida incornata messa in corner da un miracolo di Julio Cesar. Finisce così, 2-0 in fondo può bastare. Un risultato giusto a metà, per un gran secondo tempo di una grande squadra come la Juventus. Il cuore dell'Inter, però, avrebbe forse meritato di più. CONTE DA SCUDETTO, INTER SFORTUNATA - L'imbattibilità continua per la Juventus, che tiene il passo del Milan e resta a -4 dalla vetta. Uno scoglio importante è alle spalle, soprattutto alla luce di un primo tempo difficilissimo. La notizia migliore viene dalla panchina. Perché Conte per la prima volta ha dato spazio a Del Piero in una partita decisiva e bloccata, dimostrando di non essere bravo soltanto a impostare un incontro ma anche a cambiarlo a gara in corso. Un fattore importantissimo nella lotta scudetto, soprattutto se ad essere gettato nella mischia è uno dell'esperienza di Del Piero, al secondo gol in una settimana dopo quello al Milan. Che dire, invece, di un'Inter che per una volta gioca anche bene? Non è annata. E, da stasera, i nerazzurri sono addirittura noni in campionato, scavalcati di una lunghezza dal Catania. Meglio che queste nove giornate passino in fretta. Mattia Fontana - Eurosport Juventus - Internazionale 2-0

Lazio’s Hernanes not worth €30m Mar 28, 2012 Former Juventus director general Luciano Moggi has warned the Old Lady of making a move for Lazio midfielder Hernanes. The Brazilian international has been paired with the Turin giants in recent weeks, but the ex-transfer guru is not convinced. “Hernanes is not worth €30m,” Moggi said in an interview with Radio Mana Mana Sport on Wednesday afternoon. “He still has to prove himself. Sometimes he does good things, but then the light goes out and you don’t see him. “He’s too inconsistent.” Some reports were claiming that Juve could tempt Lazio into releasing him by offering cash, as well as the services of Milos Krasic and Fabio Quagliarella. “That seems to be fantasy,” Moggi continued. “If there was any truth in that then Juventus would be crazy…” Moggi left Juventus in the summer of 2006, just before he was banned from the game for his involvement in Calciopoli. Hernanes, 26, has scored eight goals in 27 League games so far this season.

Buffon didn’t expect title bid Mar 28, 2012 Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that he is surprised that Juventus are fighting for the Scudetto this season. The Old Lady are currently second in the table after finishing the last two campaigns in a lowly seventh place. “I thought we had little chance, no chance actually, of reaching these heights,” he told the Corriere dello Sport. “I hoped we would, but I didn’t believe. “The Scudetto race is still not over. Milan have a four-point lead over us, but we certainly won’t give up. We’ll have to give everything until the very end.” Juventus are actually unbeaten this season and will face Napoli in the Coppa Italia Final on May 20. Buffon has highlighted boss Antonio Conte as the inspiration. “The secret was the ambition of our Coach from the very first day, supported by hard work and on field instructions,” he stated. “Our sweat, our strength and our sacrifices pushed us forward, as did the new stadium and the desire to cancel out two bad seasons.” Buffon, now 34, has returned to his highest levels after some struggles last term. He’s also keen on an extension to his contract which currently runs until 2013. “You can take criticism, but only up to a certain point,” he noted. “I know that the first six months following injury were not my best, but I had undergone an operation and I think I could have been allowed two or three mistakes. “I played well in a few of those games, but the situation was different as Juve were struggling. “My future? I’ll stay at Juventus for as long as I still feel useful. I don’t want to steal money from them.” Juventus currently have the best defensive record in the Division and that is also down to the individual brilliance of the Italian international. “My most important save was at Udine against Isla, then against Boateng in the home game against Milan. “At San Siro too, against Mexes and Muntari. Everyone talked about the ghost-goal, but forgot that my two saves were not so bad.” Juventus are next in action on Sunday when they take on Napoli in a dress rehearsal of the Italian Cup finale. “Napoli are the Italian side that I most admire,” Buffon continued. “I think that they, along with us, play the most entertaining football and you can see the hand of the Coach in their play. “But we want to lift that trophy. We need to start winning again to trigger an important mechanism. If we do then we’ll have the Italian Super Cup to play for three months later.”

Buffon credits Conte for Juventus revival The Italy captain has been taken aback by the club's remarkable transformation since the arrival of the former Bianconeri midfielder from Siena last summer. Mar 28, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes that coach Antonio Conte deserves all of the credit for the club's resurgence this season. Little was expected of the Bianconeri after successive seventh-placed finishes in Serie A but they are currently battling it out with AC Milan for the Scudetto and have already secured their place in May's Coppa Italia final. And Buffon believes that Conte's arrival from Siena last summer served as the catalyst for the club's rapid transformation from also-rans to title contenders. "The secret of our success is the ambition our coach has," the Italy captain explained to the Il Corriere dello Sport. "He has shown that ambition since day one and has combined that with hard work. "Conte has brought a new mentality to the club. He has pushed us to sweat, to find strength and to undergo hard work in order to cancel out the last two disappointing campaigns. "He brings that winning mindset to the club every day based on his own hard-working, committed character." However, Buffon admitted that he did not envisage Conte turning things around in such a short period of time. "I certainly didn't expect us to have the campaign we have had so far, although I did hope we could do well," the former Parma man revealed. "Now we have a Coppa Italia final to look forward to and we will not give up in the Scudetto race."

Chiellini hopes AC Milan defeat Barcelona The Italian stopper is hopeful that the Rossoneri can eliminate Barca and progress in the Champions League, while urging Juve to focus on their own Serie A title race. Mar 27, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has admitted that he will support AC Milan in their upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Barcelona. Milan host the Catalan giants on Wednesday in the first leg, and with the Rossoneri being the only Italian club left in Europe, Chiellini is hoping that they will be able to progress in the competition. "Every fan will be watching the match on Wednesday," Chiellini is quoted as saying by ANSA. "For us Italians, it would be good that Milan could go as far as possible, especially at a moment when the deficit in the Uefa club ranking is so big." The 27-year-old then urged Juventus not to obsess with Milan's results in the Serie A title race despite the Bianconeri sitting four points adrift with nine matches left to play. "We have to think about winning our games, which will not be easy," Chiellini added. "The rest will depend on what Milan do, because if they continue like this, they will win."

Buffon closes in on new Juventus deal The experienced shot-stopper is expected to ink a new deal with the Bianconeri at the end of the season, with a three-year extension in the pipeline for the Italian. Mar 27, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is close to signing a contract extension, Tuttosport reports. The 34 -year-old's current term with the Bianconeri expires in 2013 and his agent had previously cast doubt over the custodian's interest in ending his career at the Turin-based club. However, it is believed that over the next few weeks, Buffon and Juventus will engage in talks over a contract extension, with the Old Lady expected to formalise the renewal in May. Buffon will reportedly sign a new deal with Juventus until 2015 which will also improve his current €6 million-a-year salary as the Bianconeri seek to reward the player for his important role in the squad. The Italy captain has been at Juventus since 2001, when he completed a €54.2m move from Parma.

Chiellini: Winning only Juve option Mar 27, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini has admitted that Juventus may have to win every game they have left this season in order to lift the Scudetto. Despite convincing triumphs over Fiorentina and Inter in recent weeks, the Bianconeri are still trailing leaders Milan by four points. “It won’t be easy to win the championship,” the defender commented. “We just have to think about winning our games. “The rest will be up to Milan because if they continue doing what they are doing then the maths won’t help us.” Although Juve are unbeaten in Serie A, the Diavolo have collected more victories. Following the loss at Lazio, the Rossoneri have managed two draws and six wins. While Chiellini is hoping Milan lose the title, he’s supporting the Rossoneri in their Champions League quest. “Every football fan will be watching Milan-Barcelona,” he continued. “It will benefit all of Italian football that they progress as far as possible given the current rankings.”

Juve line-up new Buffon deal Mar 27, 2012 Gigi Buffon will sign a new contract with Juventus by the end of May, a report in Italy on Tuesday is suggesting. The Italian international is currently only committed to the Old Lady until June 2013, but both parties want to extend their relationship. According to Tuttosport, talks are imminent and a deal should be signed and sealed within the next nine weeks. The former Parma ‘keeper, signed at a cost of £32m in 2001, will allegedly put pen to paper on a three-year agreement. The 34-year-old, who currently earns €6m a season after tax, is set to accept a cut in salary in exchange for new terms.

Chiellini would keep Del Piero Mar 26, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini hopes that Alessandro Del Piero and Juventus can reconsider the captain’s impending departure this summer. Del Piero, who has won 15 major honours in his 19 seasons with the Bianconeri, is set to leave the Turin club in the summer when his contract expires. However, Chiellini, who has seen his 37-year-old teammate net against Milan and Inter inside a few days this week, reflects that if it were up to him, Del Piero would be staying. “You never can tell if the decision is right or not,” the defender said on RTL. “Alex is a great champion and always will be, and we as players can only observe and accept these choices. “For us, the champion and the man would remain with us always - I believe that until the end of the season there is time for him and the club to talk and reach a decision together. “Ale was one of the first to think only of the field and help us out through the year, and we hope more and more through these two months. Then, any other discussion is best left out, so as to avoid controversy.” Earlier today, Del Piero was less than clear on what will happen this summer.

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Del Piero: I never felt useless at Juventus The veteran attacker has stressed that he has always felt he still had a role to play at the Old Lady, and was delighted with the 'important' win over Inter. Mar 26, 2012 Juventus attacker Alessandro Del Piero has stressed that he never considered leaving the Bianconeri in the January transfer window, and added that he has always felt useful at the Turin giants this season. The veteran forward has been struggling to secure regular first team action in the 2011-12 campaign. However, he played a vital role in Juventus' 2-2 Coppa Italia draw after extra-time against AC Milan last week, while netting in the Old Lady's 2-0 Serie A win over Inter on Sunday as well, and Del Piero is determined to continue his career. "I have never felt useless this year, and I am not thinking about quitting. I never even thought about leaving in January," Del Piero stated to Rai 2. The 37-year-old then went on to underline the importance of the Bianconeri's 2-0 Serie A win at home over Inter on Sunday evening, and stressed it was a crucial result in the race for the Scudetto. The forward netted his side's second goal to effectively put the match to bed, and made it clear that the Old Lady have to keep pushing on in order to be successful in 2011-12. "Today’s win was fundamental in order to keep Milan in our sights. Now we have to continue with our foot firmly on the gas," he said to Sky Sport. "We’re in the Coppa Italia final and are four points adrift of Milan. We mustn’t give up if we want to be champions." Del Piero then went on to express his delight with his individual success in Juve's last two games, and highlighted that he is not thinking about his long-term future. "I’m happy that I scored in both games, it fills me with pride because they were very important as far as we are concerned. "My future? The game against Napoli is next up. I want to enjoy this moment and continue to fight in every game." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Are you watching Agnelli & Conte? Ageless Del Piero shoots down Inter to show Juventus what they've been missing all season The club captain came off the bench to help see off the Nerazzurri. Now there needs to be some serious consideration given to keeping him on for another year. Mar 26, 2012 COMMENT By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor After showering and changing, Alessandro Del Piero went off to do interviews for Italy's various media outlets. He talked of the result coming first, and of the countless reasons why the victory was so important. He thanked all of the pundits for their kind words when they praised him for his performance. He even neatly sidestepped a question from the studio floor on Antonio Conte's hair-piece. He remained the perfect professional until the end. He could have stuck two fingers up to Conte and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, but he'd already done that on the pitch. In his 40-minute cameo, Del Piero scored one goal and created plenty more trouble for Inter as he gave the greatest example yet as to just why he should be kept on for another year by the Bianconeri. When the No. 10 entered the fray in the 53rd minute, the Derby d’Italia was still largely there for the taking. While Juve had undoubtedly had the better of the game to that point, Inter were looking threatening on the break, particularly through Diego Milito. But that was all to change. Conte switched to a 3-5-2, as Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe were both replaced, with Leonardo Bonucci also joining the proceedings. And within four minutes, with Claudio Ranieri’s men still trying to adjust to the extra aerial threat that Bonucci provided from deep, Martin Caceres had been allowed a free header from an Andrea Pirlo corner, and the Uruguayan made no mistake in giving the home side the lead. Enter Del Piero. As a side who had been failing to kill off teams all season, Juve now needed to bury their greatest rivals in order to move back to within four points of the Serie A summit. And it was their skipper who would lead the way. First, a classy turn in the box forced Lucio to clear, then he linked with Pirlo in providing the silky skills which showed his threat. But his crowning moment was still to come. On 71 minutes, Arturo Vidal, a colossus again in midfield, picked up the ball in Inter territory. With no angle to pass, he feinted one way, saw a gap, and played Del Piero into it. ‘Il Capitano’ read the through-ball perfectly, drifting unchallenged into the space the Chilean had opened up to meet the pass with a first-time strike across Julio Cesar. Game over. It was the skipper’s first league goal of the season, but his second in five days, following on from his opportunist effort against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg in midweek. Almost more than that, it was a reminder that he still has something to offer. At a club he loves as much as anyone else in the world, his talent is still needed. He may well be 37 years of age, but, just as Javier Zanetti has something at 38 that no younger Inter player can provide, the same can be said of Del Piero. Yes, it is a very different type of something to the Argentine, and it may well come in shorter bursts, but Conte’s tendency to ignore his skipper when Juve have needed that little extra has got the coach nowhere so far this season. Agnelli celebrates derby win | But is it time to reconsider Del Piero's future? Not since he started against Novara in December had the former Padova man been entrusted with such a long run-out in Serie A, but he proved in the second half that he can still trump what many of the Bianconeri strikeforce have been producing this term. The country’s most profligate forward line has needed the surefootedness in front of goal that Del Piero provides, but he has been given far too few opportunities to contribute. But what now for Del Piero? It is more than five months since Agnelli announced that this would be the striker’s last season in Turin, but the past five days should have him and Conte thinking again. New additions could well be brought in this summer to render a further 12 months for the skipper rather excessive, but why take the risk? When Mirko Vucinic was signed at the start of the present campaign, many suggested Del Piero would be all but forgotten. He wasn’t. And with other recent additions such as Marco Borriello and Matri having done little to diminish the captain’s status at the club, who is to say that Juve won’t find themselves in exactly the same position again this time next year? It would make such a small dent into the coffers to keep Del Piero at the club, but it could prove hugely costly to let him go. The attitude, the passion and the professional approach would be missed, but above all, so would the ability to strike just when a goal is needed. It is time Agnelli and Conte invited Alex in for a chat. The past week has been a reminder of just who Alessandro Del Piero is and what he provides. Now the spotlight falls on those who decided Juventus didn’t need it anymore. Do they have the balls to admit they were wrong? http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Del Piero made the difference, says Chiellini The powerful defender has hailed the experienced attacker, and was very pleased with the Old Lady's defensive display in what he feels was a "fundamental" win. Mar 26, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has taken time to praise team-mate Alessandro Del Piero in the wake of the Bianconeri's 2-0 home win over Inter in Sunday's Serie A encounter. The veteran attacker scored his side's second goal of the evening to effectively put the match to bed after Martin Caceres had given the Bianconeri the lead, and Chiellini feels that Del Piero made the difference for the Turin giants when he came on as a 53rd-minute substitute. "Del Piero deserves this recognition, along with our other team-mates who don't feature in every single game," Chiellini stated to the official Juventus website. "Whenever they come off the bench, they manage to make the difference for us. These players give us something extra that can help us to a successful season." The Italy international then went on to underline the importance of Sunday's victory, and expressed his delight with Juve's defensive display. "It was important to win in a fundamental game. We barely concede goals because we all do a great job defensively. "When we all press high, we run a lot and hold our positions, which makes everything easier." Juventus remain second in the Serie A table, trailing leaders AC Milan by four points. They host Napoli in their next league encounter. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Ranieri frustrated by brilliance of 'super' Buffon after Derby d'Italia defeat The Italy captain was in inspired form during the first half of the game in Turin, playing a key role in a result which leaves the Nerazzurri 10 points behind third-placed Lazio. Mar 26, 2012 Inter coach Claudio Ranieri felt that Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was the difference between the two sides in Sunday night's 2-0 Derby d'Italia defeat in Turin. The struggling Nerazzurri had the better of a scrappy first half and forced the Italy captain into a string of fine saves. The hosts then took over in the second period and opened the scoring when an unmarked Martin Caceres headed home Andrea Pirlo's corner, before sealing three precious points through substitute Alessandro Del Piero, leaving Ranieri cursing the brilliance of Buffon and a fatal lapse in concentration from his defence. "That set-piece changed everything," the Inter boss said of the opening goal during his post-game interview with Premium Calcio. "Until that, we had created so much and only a super goalkeeper like Buffon denied us a goal." Ranieri elaborated on his frustration over Caceres' opener on Sky Sport Italia: "There is regret at having wasted a good hour of play by again conceding a goal after switching off for a set-piece. "There was only a few in the penalty area but we were drawn to [Mirko] Vucinic at the front post, leaving only Caceres in the middle. Then we didn't react. "I'm sorry because we could have come away from here with a different scoreline after that first half." Inter's loss at Juventus Stadium leaves them eighth in Serie A, 10 points adrift of third-placed Lazio. However, while Ranieri concedes that the Nerazzurri now have it all to do if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League, he refused to throw in the towel just yet. "We must fight and take it one game at a time," the Roman reasoned. "Then we'll see where we are. "Sure, to win here would have given us a big push but this year we have not been able to get on the right track. "Ten points to make up on Lazio is a lot, it is true, but we will not give up." http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Conte hails 'decisive' Del Piero after win over Inter The Bianconeri coach had nothing but praise for the former Italy international, and also had words of encouragement for the Giuseppe Meazza outfit. Mar 26, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has expressed his satisfaction with Alessandro Del Piero's form in recent weeks in the aftermath of the Old Lady's 2-0 Serie A win at home over arch-rivals Inter. The veteran attacker netted once in Juve's important victory after previously finding the net in the Bianconeri's Coppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan in midweek, and Conte understandably feels Del Piero is currently a key player for the Turin giants. "Del Piero? He’s in excellent form at the moment, and he was absolutely decisive in these last two important matches. His experience and character are fundamental in this crucial stage of the season," Conte was quoted as saying on the club's official website. The Juventus trainer then went on to reflect on the win over Inter, and had words of encouragement for the Giuseppe Meazza side. "We faced a great team, and it’s really hard to understand their current position in the table. "In the first half, they caused us some difficulties. During the break I told my lads that we would revert to a three-man defence. I don’t know whether this change was decisive, but it helped turning the game around." Juventus remain second in the Serie A table, whereas Inter have dropped to eighth spot following this weekend's results. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ 'I relish the pressure of a title run-in' - Buffon after Derby d'Italia win The veteran keeper has spoken of his joy at winning Sunday night's clash against Inter, and how he's looking forward to challenging the Rossoneri for the Serie A title. Mar 26, 2012 Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has said that AC Milan's 2-1 win over Roma on Saturday spurred his side on to win in the Derby d'Italia against Inter on Sunday. The veteran keeper performed heroics to keep the Bianconeri in the game in the first half, and conceded that the added pressure of the tie made him perform at his best. “I like it when we play later, especially when the other team [Milan] has won, because it adds that little spark of anxiety that I enjoy,” the 34-year-old told the club's official website. “Historically the Derby d’Italia is a special game, but we were also playing to win so we could keep our hopes alive of troubling the side ahead of us. If we had failed to win tonight, those hopes would’ve been wiped out. “This way we can still push to end the season on a high.” Buffon also took time to praise his team mate Alessandro Del Piero, after the Italian striker bagged his first league goal of the season. “I am very happy for Del Piero, who obviously deserves this goal. “He is a great champion, but I’d like to point out how wonderfully professional Ale has been this year. He accepted this role and never made any trouble or controversy, working hard in training and repaying the coach when called upon.” Juventus remain in second place in Serie A, four points behind league leaders AC Milan. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Zanetti: Inter were unlucky to lose versus Juventus The experienced Argentine feels the Nerazzurri put in an outstanding performance in the opening 45 minutes, but stated that Juve's goal ended their good spell. Mar 26, 2012 Inter skipper Javier Zanetti has expressed his disappointment with the Giuseppe Meazza side's 2-0 Serie A loss away against Juventus, as he feels they deserved better after an 'excellent' first half. The Nerazzurri caused their opponents plenty of problems in the opening 45 minutes, but failed to break the deadlock and were made to pay for their inability to score after the break as Martin Caceres and Alessandro Del Piero helped Juventus to the full three points. "Inter put in an excellent performance in the first half. We managed to do this in Juventus' own stadium, in a place where they are still unbeaten," Zanetti stated to Sky Sport. "We knew that we could cause them problems, but we were unfortunately unable to capitalise. We also started the second half pretty well, but then Juventus' goal affected us badly." Inter have dropped to eighth in the Serie A table following this weekend's results. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Chiellini on Juventus defensive Mar 26, 2012 Giorgio Chiellini has revealed why high-flying Juventus are so difficult to break down. “It’s not just the defence.” The Old Lady have the best defensive record in Serie A given that they have conceded just 17 goals in 29 League games. Their clean sheet in last night’s 2-0 win over Inter was also their 15th of the Serie A campaign this term. “We don’t concede a lot of goals because we all do a great amount of work,” the Italian international centre-back noted. “Players show how good they are individually when they play in an organised side. When we all press high, run and hold our positions, it all becomes easier for us.” Chiellini, partnered by Andrea Barzagli and then Leonardo Bonucci against Inter, also nearly made a difference at the other end. He had a header well saved by Julio Cesar and then he opted to assist Fabio Quagliarella rather than shoot when through on goal. “Maicon did really well to clear Quagliarella’s effort,” the former Fiorentina man continued. “I would have wanted to score, but I saw that Quagliarella was free and he was in a better position. “It would have been nice to score, but the most important thing was to win this fundamental game.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Conte explains Juve tears Mar 25, 2012 Antonio Conte explains why he shed a tear at the final whistle of Juventus-Inter ad adds “we wanted to give our fans this moment of joy in the Derby d’Italia.” The Coach was visibly moved at the end of the 2-0 victory this evening, although it had little to do with football. “My aunt died recently and she was like a second mother to me,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “We had to win tonight and it’s a wonderful campaign. We also wanted to give our fans this moment of satisfaction in the Derby d’Italia. “To be honest, I am struggling to understand why Inter are so low down the standings. They are full of champions and in a one-off game can beat anyone. “We knew it would be a struggle, especially as we played 120 minutes in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday. Inter had nothing to lose, while the pressure was on us, but we held out well.” Alessandro Del Piero scored his first Serie A goal of the season after a Martin Caceres opener, but Gigi Buffon required heroics in the first half to deny Inter. “In my view Del Piero and Buffon are our extra weapons. At this moment Ale is in good shape and therefore he’s playing. He also played in the Coppa and he repaid me with an excellent performance. “When he gets the ball between his feet, it’s difficult for him to not get it in the net. We have a very honest rapport and he knows what I think.” The victory keeps Juve within four points of Serie A leaders Milan in a thrilling Scudetto race. “How much do we believe in the title? It is in Milan’s hands. I don’t want to upset anyone, but I am objective. The Rossoneri are proving they have such strength in depth that they can continue to do well even through injuries. “As of today Milan are the strongest side in Italy and I hope they do well against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Ranieri: 'Inter crumbled after goal' Mar 25, 2012 Claudio Ranieri admits Inter made the same mistakes with Juventus and after the opening goal “the game was over for us.” The Nerazzurri had numerous great chances in the first half and were kept out by Gigi Buffon’s heroics, but Martin Caceres’ free header and an Alessandro Del Piero strike sealed Juve’s 2-0 victory. “There are regrets about this game, as for an hour we did very well, but the goal was down to yet another distraction on set plays. There were only four of them in our box, but we were drawn away by Mirko Vucinic,” said Ranieri. “Andrea Poli was meant to be marking Vucinic, but Maicon lost Caceres because he was drawn to the Montenegrin. From there the game was over for us, as we lost in terms of intensity and determination on every ball. “I am bitter at the result, because we held out very well against Juventus who deserve to be up there. We had studied this game and interpreted it very well, but only up until the Caceres goal. After that Juve legitimised the result with at least three scoring opportunities. “Our defect is that we tend to lose sharpness at the first setback. It had all gone so well up until the goal and Buffon was man of the match. We’ve got to fight to the end and we’ll see where we are when the games have been played. “It’s true the gap is widening from the European places and there are fewer games left to catch up, but we will not give in. “My future? I feel relaxed, you know how it is... We are doing everything we possibly can, the President knows that and we have to end the season well.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 29 - 25-3-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 0 Martín Cáceres (57′) Alessandro Del Piero (71′) Juventus Stadium - Turin Referee: Andrea De Marco Attendance: 34000‎ Buffon hails Del Piero Mar 25, 2012 Gigi Buffon admits Milan’s victory spurred Juventus on to beat Inter and praised Alessandro Del Piero. The Bianconeri needed a win to maintain the four-point gap from leaders Milan, who won 2-1 against Roma on Saturday. “I like it when we play later, especially when the other team has won, because it adds that little spark of anxiety that I enjoy,” said Buffon after a 2-0 win over Inter. “Historically the Derby d’Italia is a special game, but we were also playing to win so we could keep our hopes alive of troubling the side ahead of us. If we had failed to win tonight, those hopes would’ve been wiped out. “This way we can still push to end the season on a high.” Buffon performed heroics in the first half before Martin Caceres and Del Piero scored the winning goals. “Inter played very well for 60 minutes and Claudio Ranieri put us under a lot of pressure. I am very happy for Del Piero, who obviously deserves this goal. “He is a great champion, but I’d like to point out how wonderfully professional Ale has been this year. He accepted this role and never made any trouble or controversy, working hard in training and repaying the Coach when called upon.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/