Socrates

Juve reveal Bouy move Jan 31, 2012 Italian giants Juventus say that they have done a deal for Ajax teenager Ouasim Bouy. Bianconeri director general Beppe Marotta held talks with the player’s agent Mino Raiola in Milan this afternoon. “We’ve concluded the operation with Raiola for Ouasim Bouy,” stated the Turin official. “Our transfer campaign ends here.” Bouy, born in 1993, came through the ranks of the Ajax academy and is a highly rated midfielder. He is expected to start his Juventus career with their Primavera squad.

Serie A Week 21 - 31-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Ennio Tardini Stadium - Parma Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Donadoni wants positive Parma Jan 30, 2012 Roberto Donadoni is eagerly anticipating the visit of table-topping Juventus on Tuesday night and warns his players not to be afraid. Parma won three consecutive League meetings against the Bianconeri before last September’s 4-1 defeat and Donadoni is keen that the players’ mentality is correct for the return fixture. “We must not only limit the opponents, we must effectively hurt Juventus by playing our own game,” he told the Press on Monday. “We will only get trouble throughout the game if we are at the mercy of our opponents. It is one thing I do not like. “We know what we have to do. I want the guys to just interpret the game, with great care and great determination. “The evening will be special, it will be fun to play this game. I would like to play every week at this level because it gives you great enthusiasm and stimulus.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 21 - 31-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Ennio Tardini Stadium - Parma Referee: Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni Giorgio Chiellini wary of threat posed by Sebastian Giovinco The Italy international believes that the Bianconeri will have to pay special attention to the Gialloblu's influential playmaker, who only left Turin last year. Jan 30, 2012 Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is very wary of the threat posed by former team-mate Sebastian Giovinco ahead of Tuesday night's Serie A clash with Parma. The Bianconeri will arrive at the Ennio Tardini full of confidence on the back of their hard-fought victory over third-placed Udinese on Saturday night, but the Italy international knows that their title challenge could be derailed by the Gialloblu playmaker, who only left Turin last year. “Parma are a great team at home,” Chiellini told his club's official website. “Giovinco is the star and we know him well. "It will be important to be able to regain our energy levels, because we’re playing every three days and this will continue until the [Coppa Italia] clash with AC Milan.” Chiellini admitted, though, that confidence within the club is sky high at the moment, admitting that even the players have been taken aback by the way in which they have gone from also-rans for the past two seasons to Scudetto contenders under the guidance of new coach Antonio Conte. "We’re performing beyond the best possible expectations," the makeshift left-back enthused. "We were convinced that we’d be able to enjoy a great season, but we were also coming off the back of two difficult years and a lot changed in the summer. "We’ve done well to find an immediate balance and an identity of playing. Now we’re continuing to develop. "It’s a process that hasn’t stopped yet and must continue if we want to be able to achieve a dream." Juve go into the midweek round of games one point clear of Milan, who travel to Rome to face Lazio on Wednesday night. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

La penso alla stessa maniera.

Serie A - 1^ Giornata - Ritorno - 28-1-2012 (ore 20:45) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Stadium - Torino Arbitro: Paolo Valeri Spettatori: 39625 Serie A - Juventus più forte di neve e Udinese La marcia della Juventus non si ferma: la formazione di Conte supera anche l'Udinese e sale a 44 punti. La capolista vince 2-1 grazie alla doppietta di Matri; non basta agli uomini di Guidolin il gol del parziale 1-1 di Floro Flores. Per la Juve è il 20° risultato utile consecutivo. Eurosport - Sabato, 28 gennaio 2012 Questa Juventus non ha nessuna intenzione di fermare il proprio cammino. Sotto la neve di Torino, i ragazzi di Antonio Conte hanno dimostrato ancora una volta di meritare il primo posto in classifica con una prova dagli alti contenuti fisici e tattici. La Juve sa andare in vantaggio, sa soffrire quando c'è da farlo e sa cambiare pelle quando bisogna invertire la tendenza di una partita. Esattamente quello che è successo contro l'Udinese, bravissima in ripartenza ma non abbastanza cinica da sfruttare le poche palle concesse dall'attenta difesa torinese. Matri, con la sua doppietta, spinge la Juventus a quota 44 punti, inutile il bel gol di Floro Flores, che aveva ristabilito la parità. Per battere questa Juventus ci vuole qualcosa di più: il fatto è che nessuno ha ancora capito esattamente cosa... LE SCELTE DEI MISTER - Conte dribbla i giornalisti e in attacco si affida alla coppia Quagliarella-Matri. I cronisti invece avevano creduto all'accoppiata di Coppa Del Piero-Borriello. Il modulo è un 3-5-2 molto variabile. Guidolin deve fare a meno di tanti centrocampisti e punta sul 4-5-1, con Abdi a supporto dell'unico attaccante Di Natale. BUFFON E HANDANOVIC, CHE NUMERI 1 - Gara subito a ritmi alti, bisogna scaldarsi causa gelo: già dalle prime azioni si capisce che le emozioni arriveranno a iosa. Dopo nemmeno 3' infatti, Handanovic è già costretto a rimboccarsi le maniche per ovviare a un buco concesso dalla sua difesa: Estigarribia corre a mille all'ora, il portiere è bravo in uscita a evitare il gol "a freddo". Notevole l'assistenza di Quagliarella. L'Udinese sembra in difficoltà, ma dopo i primi tentennamenti, rialza la testa e al quarto d'ora crea due grossi problemi al neo-34enne Buffon, bravo a deviare in corner prima sul destro di Abdi e poi sul mancinaccio di Armero. La gara è un saliscendi d'emozioni: al 24' l'Udinese cede un'altra volta il fianco al contropiede juventino, ma anche questa volta Handanovic fa vedere di essere un signor portiere. MATRI PIAZZA LA ZAMPATA, 1-0 - La partita a questo punto conosce una flessione quasi inevitabile, visti i ritmi mantenuti per la prima mezzora. Purtroppo per l'Udinese, però, appena la gara si risveglia è la Juve a sorridere: al minuto 42 buon lavoro di Estigarribia in fascia, palla dentro per Quagliarella che gira di testa; Handanovic para ma non può evitare che Matri ribadisca in rete. La Juve è in vantaggio e così si chiude la prima frazione di gioco. FLORO FLORES ENTRA E SEGNA - Nella ripresa, Abdi, sempre fuori dai giochi, viene rilevato da Floro Flores, e Guidolin passa a un più "normale" 4-4-2. Il cambio di modulo non sembra interessare molto la Juventus, che parte subito a spron battuto: la squadra di casa però si espone un po' troppo ai contropiede ospiti. Al 53' Di Natale spreca una buona chance tirando un siluro leggermente troppo laterale: Buffon si tuffa ma la palla finisce a lato. Tre minuti dopo però arriva il pareggio: Isla scappa via, Di Natale si allarga, ma il servizio è per Floro Flores che piazza un bel destro a giro sul palo lungo. TIMBRA ANCORA MITRA-MATRI - La gara sembra mettersi male per la Juve, Conte corre ai ripari: dentro Marchisio per Quagliarella. Il minuto dopo, è il 63', il gol del nuovo vantaggio casalingo: Marchisio sfiora la palla che arriva a Matri. Quest'ultimo si inventa un movimento che manda al bar Ferronetti e piazza la zampata mancina sul secondo palo. Handanovic non ci arriva, è il 2-1. BARZAGLI CHIUDE LA PORTA - A questo punto, la Juve si può permettere di abbassare i ritmi: la squadra ha dato tanto e la Coppa infrasettimanale si fa sentire. Per dare ulteriore equilibrio, Conte si affida a Pepe e torna alla difesa a quattro. L'Udinese prova a fare la partita, ma la squadra di casa si chiude a riccio. Barzagli firma un "gol in difesa" fermando un assist al bacio di Basta indirizzato a Di Natale. Gli ospiti però si fanno un po' prendere dalla fretta e non riescono a pungere a dovere; la Juve invece guadagna secondi preziosi, con l'esperienza e sotto l'incitamento del pubblico di casa. A parte un po' di "corrida", non succede più nulla. La Juve saluta tutti e se ne va a quota 44. E adesso chi la prende? Davide Bighiani - Eurosport Juventus - Udinese 2-1

Nocerino: Milan-Juve will be key Jan 30, 2012 The February meeting between Milan and Juventus could decide the destination of the Scudetto, says Diavolo ace Antonio Nocerino. The former Bianconeri midfielder was again on the scoresheet last night as his side beat Cagliari 3-0 to move back to within a point of leaders Juve. “The championship is still long,” the Italian international told Sky Sport Italia. “However, ourselves and Juve are going strong. “Let’s hope we can continue on this road until our game against each other. I think that tie will be decisive for both teams in the Scudetto race if we keep up this pace.” The Italian giants are breaking away at the top of the table after Juve beat third-placed Udinese this weekend, while Inter dropped from fourth to fifth following defeat at Lecce. Juventus beat Milan 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium earlier this season. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Allegri: "I don't regret letting Andrea Pirlo leave last summer" AC Milan have been rocked by a number of injuries in midfield but the coach is adamant that the club were right to let the Italy playmaker go. Jan 29, 2012 AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insists that he still does not regret allowing Andrea Pirlo to leave for Juventus last summer. The Rossoneri are currently desperately short on bodies in the middle of the park, with the club having confirmed on Sunday evening that Alexander Merkel will be unavailable for two months and has joined Alberto Aquilani, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Gennaro Gattuso on the sidelines. The injury crisis has prompted many to once again question the wisdom of the decision to part company with Pirlo, who has played a key role in Juve's revival this term. However, Allegri, speaking after Sunday night's 3-0 victory over Cagliari, told Sky Sport Italia that the club had made the right call. "Pirlo is a champion and is having a great season," he acknowledged. "It was a choice, which included economic factors, for us to part. "Teams win with champions but some teams also win after they're sold." And while the transfer window does not close for another two days, Allegri claimed that Milan do not need strengthen in midfield. Meanwhile, Allegri admitted that it was vital for Milan to have picked up three points against Cagliari, with Juventus having defeated third-placed Udinese on Saturday night. "At this time the table has stretched out and it was it was important for us to win to stay in Juve's slipstream and now allow them to pull clear," he reasoned. Milan remain second in Serie A, one point behind the Bianconeri but five clear of Udinese.

Allegri: 'No Pirlo regrets' Jan 29, 2012 Massimiliano Allegri says it was crucial for Milan to stay within a point of Juventus and insists he has no regrets about letting Andrea Pirlo go. “At this moment the table has stretched out a ban, so it was important for us to win tonight,” he said of the 3-0 victory against Cagliari. “We’re still close to Juve and have broken away from the chasing pack, as both Udinese and Inter lost this weekend. The Rossoneri are struggling with an injury crisis in midfield that has deteriorated with news Alexander Merkel will be out for eight weeks. Some are claiming this just shows Milan were wrong to let Pirlo’s contract expire in the summer, especially as he is doing such sterling work for leaders Juventus. “Last season I had already decided that the tactics would change. Pirlo is a champion and is having a great campaign, but the split was a mutual decision and also good for us economically. “It’s true that teams win with champions, but some continue to win even after selling them.”

Serie A Week 20 - 28-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 39625 Juve mimic Udinese’s tactics but remain an all-round attacking threat Jan 28, 2012 Alessandro Matri scored a classic centre-forward’s goal to strengthen Juve’s position at the top. Antonio Conte switched to three at the back, as he did in the previous meeting between the sides. Simone Pepe and Claudio Marchisio were only fit enough for the bench. Udinese lined up largely as expected – Francesco Guidolin was without various players because of the Africa Cup of Nations, plus Giampiero Pinzi through injury. The sides played in a similar fashion but Juve were clearly the better side, able to offer a threat after long spells of possession, whereas Udinese were too reliant upon counter-attacking. Early stages Nevertheless, this was a game dominated by playing on the break, as Marcelo Estigarribia, Matri and Di Natale all had one-on-one chances on the counter. Both sides played three at the back with five midfielders ahead, though there were differences in the way they played upfront. Udinese were 3-1-4-1-1, with Gelson Fernandes sitting deep as a spare man in front of the defence, and Almen Abdi playing as the attacking midfielder. Juve were roughly the same, with the first key difference being the use of Fabio Quagliarella, a second striker rather than an attacking midfielder. The second key difference was more important. Andrea Pirlo played in roughly the same position as Fernandes, but is clearly a different type of player – he’s a deep-lying regista who controls the game and prompts attacking moves. As a result, the main impact of his presence was to force Abdi deeper to pick him up without the ball, leaving Antonio Di Natale against three defenders by himself. He spent the game, as usual, drawing wide to find space, but Juve’s outside centre-backs were happy to follow him out there. Juventus possession The knock-on effect of the 3 v 1 situation, especially with Di Natale moving to the left, was that Giorgio Chiellini could move forward on the ball. He probably didn’t do this enough early on, but gradually started to force Udinese – particularly Mauricio Isla – forward to close him down, leaving space between the lines, especially when Fernandes then had to step forward to close down Emanuele Giaccherini. This gave Juve more fluidity when in possession. The key tactical decision was a poor one from Guidolin. Abdi hadn’t been very effective going forward, so Guidolin decided to switch him and Pablo Armero after 25 minutes, presumably to give more drive on the break – Armero is a great runner with the ball. But the Colombian wasn’t as good as Abdi at tracking Pirlo – in fact, it looked like he either couldn’t be bothered or had been told not to. As a result, for the final 15 minutes of the first half Juve were dominant in terms of possession and clever on the ball too, with Pirlo instrumental in their spell of pressure. They went ahead on the stroke of half time. Second half Guidolin then changed things again, removing Abdi completely with Antonio Floro Flores on in his place. Armero moved back to his starting position. This was better – Floro Flores tracked Pirlo when out of possession, but also sprinted past him when Udinese won the ball. This worked out perfectly for the goal – Floro Flores first prevented a pass into Pirlo, and then when the alternative pass went astray and Isla intercepted, he got himself into a goalscoring position to equalise. But that was the only way Udinese were going to score – their players, even Di Natale, all specialise on the break. Juve had Matri, who created a goal from nothing by getting the ball with his back to goal, rolling the defender then steering the ball into the far corner. Juve could be a threat, even with the opposition defence all in position. The goal also owed much to a clever flick from Marchisio, who had just replaced Quagliarella. Marchisio is clearly a deeper player naturally, and so this worked very well for Juventus – as soon as they re-took the lead, they could use Marchisio as a number ten ahead of the midfield to retain possession. The sides had essentially switched formations – Udinese started with a forward and a number ten but went to two forwards, Juve had done the opposite. Juve shut the match down And with Marchisio playing deeper, Juve retained the ball excellently. Udinese aren’t accustomed to closing down and winning the ball high up, and seemed confused about how they were meant to do it. Pirlo was being left free more and more, which meant either Isla or Armero moved towards him. That left their man (Giaccherini or Arturo Vidal) free, which forced Fernandes higher up, which then left Marchisio free and the back three were reluctant to come out. Eventually Guidolin sacrificed the back three, bringing on midfielder Cristian Battochio for Domizzi. They switched to more of a 4-4-2 – Giovanni Pasquale and Dusan Basta dropped in, with Armero and Isla wide in midfield, and Battochio joining Fernandes in the middle. It was numerically the right approach, but Pasquale and Basta moved too deep – really they needed to continue the pressure in midfield and leave 2 v 1 at the back – almost line up in a 2-6-2 formation. Instead they stood off, let Juve play and never looked likely to come back. Yet again, it was an example of a counter-attacking side looking lost when they had to chase the game. Conclusion Two main factors here – first, the fact that Juve were more capable in possession, which basically comes down to having both a better playmaker (Pirlo) and more of an all-round striker (Matri). Second, the battle concerning Pirlo – Abdi, Armero and Floro Flores all had a go, with varying levels of success. Juventus were highly impressive yet again – Conte changed his shape, but Juventus looked comfortable. In a battle of similar systems, it was Juve, rather than Udinese, who looked as if they’d been playing this way all season. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 20 - 28-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 39625 Alessandro Matri: We showed great character to beat Udinese The attacker netted a brace to help his side to the full three points, and was very satisfied with the team's performance. Jan 29, 2012 Juventus attacker Alessandro Matri has expressed his satisfaction with his side's performance in their 2-1 home win over Udinese in Saturday evening's Serie A encounter. Matri gifted the Old Lady the lead shortly before the break, but the guests restored parity in the second half via Antonio Floro Flores. Nevertheless, the forward netted a second to help Juventus to the full three points. "It was an important test, in which we showed great character for the way in which we managed to react to Udinese's equaliser," Matri explained on the club's official website. "It's been a year packed full of emotions. Last year didn't end as we'd hoped, but now things are going well. The manager's doing a great job and even when we change our formation we're able to express ourselves to our best." Juventus' next Serie A match is an away game versus Parma on Tuesday. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 20 - 28-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 39625 Guidolin stands by choices Jan 28, 2012 Francesco Guidolin is disappointed at defeat to Juventus, as Udinese “could’ve done better. We got it wrong in the last five minutes of the first half.” The Friulani were beaten 2-1 by an Alessandro Matri brace around Antonio Floro Flores’ temporary equaliser. “A defeat can never be satisfying, although my lads gave their all. I just know we could’ve done better, as the team is capable of more,” said the Coach. “We had the chances to equalise, but unfortunately we got it wrong in the last five minutes of the first half, when we were pegged back in defence.” Substitute Floro Flores scored straight after coming off the bench, so some might suggest Udinese should’ve started with two strikers. “I think I made the right choices to make it difficult for Juventus, even if in the first half we left Antonio Di Natale a little isolated. After the break I wanted to risk something by introducing Floro Flores, because I knew what he could give. “Maybe with our first choice midfield available then we could’ve left less space for Andrea Pirlo, but many of my players had to be out of position tonight. I have to thank my squad for their hard work in difficult circumstances.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 20 - 28-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 39625 Conte: 'Juve have to do better' Jan 28, 2012 Antonio Conte admits he “really feared” the meeting with Udinese and listed ways in which Juventus need to improve. The Bianconeri won 2-1 under the snow in Turin thanks to an Alessandro Matri brace. “I really feared this game, because Udinese play interesting football and have many quality players who are worthy of a top club,” said the Coach. “At the end we felt the fatigue of our midweek Coppa Italia test, but we controlled the field and earned an important victory. “We’ve got to improve the way we control the result. We lost the ball too many times in the middle of the park, allowing counter-attacks to Udinese. “I got very angry at our sterile possession, which was just playing into Udinese’s hands. Emanuele Giaccherini did well in this new role and he is a great example that clubs can search out talent in the lower leagues. “It’s not necessarily true that spending millions on a well-known player is really best for the team.” http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 20 - 28-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 39625 Andrea Barzagli urges Juventus to avoid complacency following Udinese win The stopper is of the opinion that, despite an important victory over their league rivals on Saturday, the Old Lady have not achieved anything yet of note and must remain focussed. Jan 28, 2012 Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli has challenged his side to hold their nerve for the remainder of the season, following a 2-1 win over Serie A rivals Udinese on Saturday. The Italy international praised the Bianconeri for their resolve after managing to find the all-important winning goal deep in the second half, but reminded supporters that nothing has yet been achieved in regards to adding another Scudetto to their trophy cabinet. "It was a tough match, but in the end we managed to win," Barzagli told Sky Sport Italia after the match. "It is an important victory against a team fighting for the title, but we have not achieved anything yet so we must stay focused." Juventus have restored their four-point lead over AC Milan in the Serie A table following the victory, though the Rossoneri have a game in hand. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Serie A Week 20 - 28-1-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 2 - 1 Alessandro Matri (42′) Antonio Floro Flores (56′) Alessandro Matri (62′) Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Paolo Valeri Attendance: 39625 Antonio Conte: We didn't keep the ball well against Udinese The Bianconeri boss was frustrated at his side's failure to retain possession against the Zebrette, but praised the in-form Emanuele Giaccherini for impressing once more. Jan 28, 2012 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has admitted that his side's ball retention during the 2-1 victory against Udinese in Serie A on Saturday was not good enough. The 42-year-old aired his relief at seeing the Old Lady eventually edge out their league rivals, whom he feels posed a potentially dangerous threat to his team, but called on his players to improve their possession of the football against similarly ranked outfits in the future. "I was very concerned about this match because Udinese are a team that play attractive football and have a lot of quality players who function as a great team," Conte told Sky Sport Italia. "In the end we paid a small price of fatigue from the Coppa Italia, but still earned a major victory. "We need to improve our grip on a match, as today we lost too many balls in midfield, leaving too much space for Udinese to hit us on the counterattack." However, Conte had far kinder words for forward Emanuele Giaccherini, who has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks after initially struggling for minutes at Juventus Stadium since his summer arrival from Cesena. "Giaccherini is a player who has strength and technique, fits in between the lines well and times his runs superbly," continued Conte. "He is the example that even in the minor leagues you can fish for important players, who can benefit clubs like Juventus." Juventus have moved four points clear of AC Milan once again after their win over Udinese, though the Rossoneri have a game in hand. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/