Socrates

Serie A Week 23 - 12-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) - Renato Dall’Ara Stadium - Bologna Referee: Luca Banti Simone Pepe unlikely to return for Bologna-Juventus Antonio Conte's men may have to face Bologna this weekend without the Italian winger, who has yet to fully recover from an ankle injury. Feb 9, 2012 Juventus winger Simone Pepe is unlikely to return for his side's Serie A clash away to Bologna this weekend. The Italy international was substituted in last weekend's match against Siena after just 37 minutes with an ankle injury and has not yet made a full recovery. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, this weekend's upcoming clash may be one game too soon for Pepe to return, despite Juventus coach Antonio Conte's desire to have the player make his comeback. Pepe has proven to be one of the more important players in Conte's side, starting 19 of Juventus' 21 matches this season- the same number as goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and midfielder Claudio Marchisio. At this point in time, the report indicates that Pepe is more likely to return next Wednesday for his side's match against Parma. http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

Coppa Italia - Semifinale - Andata - 8-2-2012 (ore 20:45) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) - Milano Arbitro: Paolo Mazzoleni Coppa Italia - Super Caceres, la Juve sbanca San Siro Il primo round delle semifinali di Coppa Italia va alla Juve che espugna con merito San Siro grazie ad una doppietta del neo acquisto Martin Caceres. Al primo gol dell'uruguaiano aveva risposto El Shaarawy, poi il raddoppio con un pregevole pallonetto. Male la difesa rossonera. Eurosport - Mercoledí, 8 febbraio 2012 Il primo round della semifinale di Coppa Italia tra Milan e Juventus va alla Vecchia Signora. La capolista del campionato, ancora imbattuta in questa stagione, espugna San Siro con un atto di forza molto significativo anche in relazione alle gerarchie della Serie A. Conte insiste nel voler vedere il Milan come favorito, ma la supremazia del gioco dei suoi ragazzi induce a fare qualche riflessione di più in merito ai reali valori delle due squadre, comunque minati dalle numerose assenze. Poco turn-over per gli uomini di Allegri che di fatto concedono riposo solamente ad Abate (rilevato da Bonera), Nesta (al suo posto Mexes) e allo squalificato Nocerino, ma che 'sfruttano' la squalifica di tre turni inflitta a Ibrahimovic in campionato dopo lo schiaffo ad Aronica per utilizzare lo svedese in Coppa Italia. Più cambi nelle scelte di Conte: Storari fra i pali Padoin, Giaccherini, Estigarribia, il neoacquisto Caceres in compagnia di Pirlo (alla sua prima da ex a San Siro) sulla mediana alle spalle dell'inedita coppia Del Piero-Borriello. I bianconeri sono più aggressivi fin dai primi minuti di gioco. Per espresso volere di Conte pressano alti sul portatore di palla rossonero provocando qualche grattacapo ai difensori del Milan. La squadra di Allegri appare timida e poco intraprendente, ma crea il primo sussulto: grande lancio di Bonera per El Shaarawy che stoppa, supera Barzagli con un tunnel e calcia da posizione defilatissima e quasi impossibile. Palla fuori con Ibrahimovic solo a reclamare palla in mezzo all'area. Nel complesso è un primo tempo equilibrato, durante il quale sono però gli ospiti ad esprimere le migliori idee di gioco. Facendo perno su una difesa molto attenta e collaudata, i bianconeri ripartono sempre bene, trovano l'ispirazione in Pirlo e sfondano sempre più sulla fascia. In un paio di occasioni si rende pericoloso Estigarribia, ma a sfiorare il gol è Giaccherini, autore di una conclusione al volo dalla distanza che, deviata, obbliga Amelia al grande intervento: toglie la palla da sotto la traversa con la mano di richiamo. Nelle primissime battute della ripresa il Milan sembra voler cambiare l'inerzia della gara, ma presto le iniziative si affievoliscono, così la Juventus riprende il comando, risultando ancor più graffiante che nella prima fase di gioco. Al 52' arriva il vantaggio bianconero: palla in profondità per Padoin che perde lo 'spalla contro spalla' con un difensore rossonero ma di fatto apre gli spazi a favore dell'ex Borriello, il cui tiro non viene trattenuto da Amelia che con il suo errore spalanca la porta all'accorrente Caceres. Il colpo inferto provoca qualche reazione del Diavolo che, ferito, tenta subito di trovare il pareggio. Con confusione, estrema lentezza e poche idee i rossoneri cercano di arrivare un po' più spesso alla conclusione, ma i (necessari) cambi dalla panchina tardano ad arrivare. Esattamente dieci minuti dopo il rossonero più vivace coglie il momentano pareggio. Si tratta di El Shaarawy: il piccolo 'Faraone' raccoglie l'assist di testa di Ambrosini successivo al traversone di Antonini e riaccende le speranze della curva. Robinho entra a dar manforte ai suoi, ma ancora una volta non si rende protagonista di azioni degne di nota. Al 68' Ibrahimovic segna dopo un'azione insistita, ma è colpevole di un tocco di mano nel controllo per cui Mazzoleni giustamente annulla. Tre minuti più tardi Chiellini compie una miracolosa scivolata a fermare una nuova iniziativa dell'ariete svedese in area e, passato lo sfogo rossonero, la Vecchia Signora torna a controllare il ritmo della gara. La difesa rossonera si comporta molto male: Mexes pecca di sicurezza e commette errori banali, gli esterni (specialmente Bonera) subiscono eccessivamente le avanzate in contropiede. Una di queste prende in controtempo il terzino del Milan che si fa superare da Giaccherini, cross nel mezzo, Ambrosini effettua una respinta difettosa sulla quale si precipita Caceres che con uno splendido tocco sotto batte per la seconda volta Amelia e fa esplodere Conte in panchina. Un grande ritorno. Matteo Marceddu - Eurosport Milan - Juventus 1-2

Padoin: Conte quieter now Feb 10, 2012 Simone Padoin believes that Antonio Conte is a quieter and more flexible Coach at Juventus, in comparison to his days in charge at Atalanta. http://markting10.nl/ Padoin, a January transfer deadline day signing from the Orobici, worked with Conte the for the first half of the 2009-10 season at the Bergamo club, before 42-year-old Coach resigned with the club struggling in a relegation battle. Now in his squad at an unbeaten Juventus, Padoin reflects that he has seen a lot of changes in his Coach in those two years since. “He seems quieter now as compared to the time spent in Bergamo, especially in the training sessions,” began the midfielder on Juventus Channel. http://markting10.nl/ “I think he has deeply changed from the tactical point of view, because before he was always loyal to his 4-2-4 system, and now he’s shown to be able to change it according to the rivals, and I believe this can be appreciated. “However, he’s still a ‘hammer’, he hasn’t changed from this point of view. I think that Juventus needed this kind of Coach, also beloved by the public. “When fans see a man like him leading their side, who gave his all for this shirt, it is an added boost.” http://markting10.nl/ Padoin also reflected on the differences he is experiencing between life at Atalanta and at Juve. “It is a complete change as far as my life is concerned, but in connection to my mentality I think that I won’t have such difficulties considering that playing to win is the greatest thing. “I’ve noticed the difference when we’ve prepared ourselves for the game against Milan - with my former side, we’d have focused ourselves on the defensive movements, while here at Juve we always try to impose our way of playing.” http://markting10.nl/ Speaking to the club’s official television channel, the 27-year-old relived the day he found out he was moving to the Turin side. “I had just finished the training in Bergamo. It was Monday, and on Wednesday we’d have had a game. “I went home and I found my agent who asked me if I’d have liked to join Juventus. I thought he was joking… http://markting10.nl/ “Since then, I’ve had no other thought. I was rushed because everything happened in a couple of hours and I went to Milan in order to sign the contract…” Padoin made his debut in the midweek Coppa Italia semi-final first leg win over Milan at San Siro. “I was very excited, I’ve been so lucky, and I’m not able to imagine a better debut with this shirt. http://markting10.nl/ “It doesn’t seem real - just one week ago I was at Atalanta. When I was a child, I had ambitions to achieve, but I never had these expectations. “I wasn’t thinking of signing with Juventus, also because I recently renewed with Atalanta, and when you’re 27, receiving this kind of important opportunity isn’t common.”

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Juventus stand by Chiellini Feb 10, 2012 Juventus have defended Giorgio Chiellini after he was attacked by Milan for his comments about Zlatan Ibrahimovic in midweek. The Italian international claimed that Ibra had slapped goalkeeper Marco Storari after Juve’s 2-1 Italian Cup semi-final win at San Siro on Wednesday. Although television replays seem to suggest that is what happened, Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani, plus players Massimo Ambrosini and Marco Amelia, have criticised Chiellini. “Chiellini wasn’t telling tales,” Juventus director general Beppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. “He is a great player and a man with great principles. “All he did was respond to the questions of the journalists after the game,” Marotta underlined amid suggestions that Chiellini was trying to get Ibra banned for the return leg in Turin. “Neither he nor Juventus intend to judge what occurred and what the TV images show. We won’t be lodging any sort of complaint. “We know that Milan are a strong side, with or without Ibrahimovic, and the Coppa Italia tie is still open to any result.” Juve are unbeaten so far this season and the League leaders have defeated the Rossoneri twice in two games. “What we have done so far is beyond our expectations,” the former Sampdoria official continued. “We radically renewed the club and the technical staff, including the players, when Andrea Agnelli became President 18 months ago. “There are only five players left from the 2009-10 season. “Today we are up there thanks to boss Antonio Conte and his players, thanks to the work culture of all the club. “We are happy with what we have done so far and we look to the future with serenity.”

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Caceres notes new Juve spirit Feb 10, 2012 Martin Caceres has instantly recognised a difference between this Juventus and the one he previously played for in 2009-10. The Uruguayan spent a season on loan at the club while he was with Barcelona and he returned to Turin last month after a deal was done with Sevilla. “This is a different Juventus,” the stopper told Tuttosport. “There is an alternative spirit within the camp. “Juve today are very strong and the squad has changed a lot given that there are just five players left from that spell. “It’s really satisfying to be able to play alongside people like Alex Del Piero, Andrea Pirlo and Marco Borriello. “We are ready to achieve great things this season.” Juve have finished seventh in Serie A over the last two campaigns, but they are currently unbeaten so far this term. They are top of Serie A and have a 2-1 first leg advantage in the semi-finals of their Coppa Italia tie with Milan. Caceres scored both in that San Siro win.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Galliani slaps down Chiellini Feb 10, 2012 Adriano Galliani is the latest man from the Milan camp to criticise Giorgio Chiellini of Juventus after he called for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be banned. Chiellini used the post match interviews after Juve’s 2-1 Coppa Italia win at Milan on Wednesday to claim that Ibra had slapped Marco Storari at the end of the game. Milan players Massimo Ambrosini and Marco Amelia yesterday hit out at the stopper for his words and Galliani has now joined them in condemning the Bianconero. “I’ve seen the images and there was nothing there,” the Vice-President told Milan Channel. “Storari behaved a thousand times better than Chiellini. “It’s a shame as I know Chiellini and I admire him, he’s an intelligent guy. “However, I can’t understand why such an important player, an international, needs to hope that TV evidence will be used to ban Ibrahimovic from the second leg. “It seemed like he was a kid at school who goes to the teacher to tell tales. It’s not nice and I didn’t like it.” Ibra was handed a three-match Serie A ban this week after he was dismissed in the game against Napoli on Sunday – for slapping Salvatore Aronica. A video of the Ibrahimovic-Storari incident can be seen here.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Marotta: Chiellini is a great player and a man of principle The director of the Serie A leaders backed the Italy international and refuted the notion his side want to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic banned. Feb 10, 2012 Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has leapt to the defence of Giorgio Chiellini following the defender's comments about AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Chiellini accused the Sweden international of slapping Marco Storari during the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final at San Siro, which Juve won 2-1. Milan duo Massimo Ambrosini and Marco Amelia have since slammed Chiellini for his remarks, but Marotta believes that the defender's character is unquestionable. "Chiellini is a great player and a man with great principles," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. "He did nothing except answer questions from the reporters. "Neither he, nor Juventus, want to pass judgement on what happened. Milan are strong with or without Ibra. "The Coppa Italia tie is still an open affair." The return league is scheduled for March 21 at Juventus Stadium.

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Marco Amelia: Everyone is afraid of Ibrahimovic because he is so big and has a scary look in his eyes The 29-year-old custodian has played down the latest incident involving the Sweden international and stated the striker has become a target for other clubs. Feb 9, 2012 AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia has hit out at Juventus for their 'childish reaction' to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's row with Marco Storari. After Juventus' 2-1 victory at San Siro in the first leg of the their Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday, Giorgio Chiellini accused Ibrahimovic of slapping Storari. The incident comes just days after Ibrahimovic was handed a three-match ban for slapping Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica in the face, but Amelia says that the Sweden international did nothing wrong. "After looking at the footage, I would say that it is less of a slap than Ibra telling Storari that what he did was wrong when he said he had not touched a shot for a corner, only to admit he had done it after the game," Amelia told Radio Sportiva. "Ibra only placed a finger on him to say he was wrong and it turned out to be a huge mess out of nothing, followed by Juventus' childish reaction. "Everyone is afraid of Ibra because he is so big and he has this scary look in his eyes, but if they think they will provoke him, they are wrong. "Against Napoli he certainly made a mistake, but he has apologised to everyone for it."

Coppa Italia - Semi-final (First Leg) - 8-2-2012 (8:45 p.m.) 1 - 2 Martin Cáceres (53′) Stephan El Shaarawy (62') Martin Cáceres (83') Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) Stadium - Milan Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni Ambrosini slams Chiellini for Ibrahimovic slap remarks The veteran midfielder has expressed his distaste at the accusations made by the Juve defender, claiming they are 'unpleasant and out of place'. Zlatan is innocent like Berlusconi Feb 9, 2012 AC Milan's Massimo Ambrosini has hit back at Giorgio Chiellini after the Juventus defender accused Zlatan Ibrahimovic of slapping Marco Storari during the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final at San Siro. The Sweden international, who was recently handed a three-game ban for slapping Napoli's Salvatore Aronica, has now been accused of striking the Bianconeri goalkeeper at the end of Wednesday's game, but Ambrosini believes that Chiellini should stay out of the matter. "I think Chiellini should avoid taking this stance because it is unpleasant and out of place," Ambrosini told Sky. "If an incident took place, then fine. But going to spy on him or searching for a culprit almost forcibly in the press room is something that should not happen." The return leg will be played on March 21 at Juventus Stadium, as Milan aim to overturn a 2-1 deficit away from home.