Socrates

Krasic o é indisciplinato tatticamente o non capisce niente di quello che deve fare.

Come gioca Del Piero!

Alex di poco fuori

Quagliarella ... para Agliardi.

Alex quasi goal, Quagliarella non riesce a deviare.

Molto bravo Perez del Bologna

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo The Champions League Continues; More Bologna for Juve Dec 8, 2011 It’s time for the Coppa Italia — otherwise known as our very own personal Champions League — to begin. Or rather, it’s time for the Coppa Italia to finally get to us, with Bologna traveling to Turin to christen the Coppa in the new stadium. Chiellini tested - Bonucci approved! The real Champions League raged on today in completely dramatic and unpredictable fashion, we can take solace in the fact that Napoli, Milan and Sfinter will all continue to remain preoccupied and tired. Both Machester teams are out, while Villareal didn’t win a single game and Valencia has been out of it for slightly less time. Despite the little-Udinese-that-could fizzling out early to Arsenal, Serie A has more teams remaining at this point than any other league. This, in the midst of the most dramatic decline of Italian football in the history of football ever. Are you paying attention, UEFA? Still think that Europa League results should count as much as Champions League? Of course you do, an admission otherwise would be an admission of what everyone else already knows — that the Europa League is a poor man’s Champions League, a consolation prize that no practical Italian team would choose to waste their time on with so much at stake based on league table position. Then again, what do I really care anymore? No, I haven’t lost the chip on my shoulder. Long gone are the days of my sunny disposition, and well, Italian teams advancing in Europe is nothing but good for the sport in the country as a hole, me swears, guys, shine ya’ shoes for ya, Govnah?! There is only Juventus for me. Meanwhile, we might be able to finally start seeing what our reserve players can do in actual competitive matches (DeCeglie, Elia — I’m looking at you). Conte is expected to make changes, but unlike last week, he will actually have do it in some cases. My personal sage predicted early on that Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Matri and Pirlo would all be rested. None of them have been called. Meanwhile, Frederik “Don’t-Call-Me-Freddy” Sorenson has been playing right back during training, Luca Marrone (!) has been playing center back (again, !), and perhaps most interestingly, Emanuele Giaccherini was experimented in Pirlo’s regista role during training today (!, or more appropriately, ?, or better yet wtf?). I’m not sure which would be a stranger move — Marrone at CB or Giacch as a regista. Although, I would prefer to see Marrone remain in the midfield so that Sorenson could get some minutes in his natural CB role, a position he’s practically born to play. I know that leaves Marco Motta as the only other likely option at right back, but hey — it’s the Coppa. Oh wait, sorry, our Champions League. I keep forgetting. Whatever happens, I really can’t wait to see what it is. Le chiavi: Last time Bologna came to town for a midweek match in September, where Mirko Vucinic scored (yay, Mirko!), then got tried to single handedly resurrect Stoopid Yooventis all by himself with an unnecessary red card (no, Mirko !), and ended up with one of the gutsiest man-down performances of the season (before last week’s Napoli match, at least). Conte, meanwhile, has not hidden his Coppa Italia ambitions, despite most other teams’ indifference. Clearly, his motivation has been one of, if not the, biggest factor in the team’s undefeated streak (and that whole “we’re not playing in Europe” thing, as alluded to above). The question is if he can have the same impact on a group of players who have remained largely sedentary in Serie A thus far. Bad news: The aforementioned Mirko is out for 20 days with a thigh strain. Sigh. This is why deep squads are built. Good news: Bologna showed up to play back in September, but the return is a Coppa, not league game, on the eve of them having to prepare for Sunday’s match against Milan. Bologna, in other words, is sandwiched for Juve and Milan (with the latter match far more important than the former). Too easy. My 5-year-old niece would love these. My starting XI: (4-3-3) Storari; De Ceglie, Bonucci, Sorenson, Motta; Marrone, Giaccherini, Pazienza; Elia, Del Piero, Krasic. I’m not, for the record, advocating for Marco Motta at all, please do not get me wrong. But hey, it’s the Coppa Italia. He’s shown signs in the past that he *could* be a very good player, and the brass (who has shown they could put together a good team) picked up his option for a reason. Now’s as good a time as any. If anything, it allows us a chance to showcase him before we ship him off to say, Stuttgart, in another month. Honestly, as I look at that lineup, I don’t even really like it, nor is it remotely likely. But I’m about to leave the office and I want to get this uploaded before I hit the road. I just don’t really know what Conte will do. All I do know is one simple mantra — In Conte we trust.

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Conte calls for full Juve focus Dec 8, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has warned his players not to be distracted by next week's game at Roma when they host Bologna in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia on Thursday night. The Turin giants take on Roma in the Eternal City on Monday looking to maintain their unbeaten run this season and hold on to top spot in Serie A. Conte is aware of the attraction of the game at Roma but insists his side's only focus must be on Bologna. "We have to think only about Thursday's game," Conte said. "The Coppa Italia is an important competition and we want to do well. Only after the game against Bologna will we be thinking of Roma." Juventus have not won the Italian Cup since 1995 and were ousted from the competition by Roma in the quarter-final stages last season. Moreover, should Juve progress to the next round, they will face either Roma or Fiorentina in the last eight. The Bianconeri will have to do without attacking pair Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Del Piero after both players were injured in Sunday's 2-0 win over Cesena. Vucinic sustained a muscular injury and will be sidelined until the new year, while Del Piero needed eight stitches in a cut to his eyebrow after a boot in the face and spent Sunday night in hospital as a precautionary measure before being sent home 24 hours later. Rivals Bologna travel to Turin in buoyant mood. Last weekend's 1-0 triumph over Siena, courtesy of Marco Di Vaio's goal - his 200th in Serie A - was Bologna's first league win since October 30. The result lifted the Rossoblu four points clear of the relegation zone. "The victory is important not just for the standings but for the morale of the team," Bologna coach Stefano Pioli said. Pioli is set to make some changes to his squad with an eye on Sunday's game against AC Milan. However, the visitors will be without injured midfielder Mikael Antonsson and suspended defender Cesare Rickler.

Secondo me é Marrone.

Peccato, Del Piero non aggancia il lancio di Quagliarella.

Marrone é davvero molto bravo!

Krasic deludente anche stasera.

Krasic deludente anche stasera.

Ottimo Storari

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Juve-Bologna probable line-ups Dec 8, 2011 Juventus boss Antonio Conte will make changes to his preferred starting XI when the Old Lady host Bologna in the Coppa Italia on Thursday. The tactician confirmed in a Press conference on Wednesday that he would use the tie to give some of his fringe players the chance to impress. Marco Storari will start in goal, Frederik Sorensen is expected to come into defence and Milos Krasic will return to the team after being dropped. Fabio Quagliarella is being tipped to start in attack after being used as a substitute so far in Serie A this term. Conte will make a late decision on the potential use of Alex Del Piero after he was given the green light to play after a cut to the face at the weekend. Juventus (probable): Storari; Sorensen, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Marrone, Pazienza, Giaccherini; Krasic, Quagliarella, Estigarribia. Bologna (probable): Agliardi; Garics, Crespo, Raggi, Portanova; Pulzetti, Perez, Taider; Gimenez, Paponi; Acquafresca. Ref: Peruzzo

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Mirko Vucinic to miss Coppa Italia clash against Bologna with thigh injury The Montenegro star is being plagued by a thigh problem and will be unavailable for a while due to the knock. Dec 8, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has received some disappointing news from the treatment rom in the build-up to Thursday's Coppa Italia game at home against Bologna as forward Mirko Vucinic will be unavailable due to a thigh injury. The attacker picked up the knock in his side's 2-0 Serie A win over Cesena last weekend and was initially expected to be match fit in time for Thursday's cup game. However, the Turin side have now confirmed on their official website that Vucinic won't play against Bologna due to the knock. It's not yet known exactly how long the Montenegro international will be out of action for due to the thigh problem, but Juve fear that the 28-year-old could be out of action until Christmas. Vucinic joined Juventus from Roma in the summer transfer window and has since developed into an important first team member for the Bianconeri. The striker has so far scored twice in 12 Serie A appearances for the Old Lady. The Coppa Italia game in Juventus Stadium kicks off at 21.00CET.

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Conte vows to take Italian Cup seriously Dec 7, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte said Wednesday he will be taking the Italian Cup seriously ahead of Thursday's last 16 clash against Bologna. The Cup has a poor reputation in Italy where traditionally teams often fielded weakened sides, despite the possibility of qualifying for Europe. That has started to change recently with Inter Milan in particular winning it four times in the last seven years. In fact the last time a team outside of the Milanese (Inter and AC Milan) and Roman (Roma and Lazio) giants won the competition was back in 2002 when Parma triumphed. "The Italian Cup is an objective which we must honour," said Conte. "I expect great concentration and determination from everyone and I want to see if we know how to maintain the same intensity and tempo that we have in the league." However, he admitted he will be using his fringe players. "It's an important opportunity for those who haven't played much so far but who have been working professionally every month. "I expect a significant response." Although the league leaders, alongside Roma, have won this competition more times than anyone else, nine, Juve have not lifted the trophy since 1995. Bologna for their part have won the Cup twice, in 1970 and 1974.

Marotta already in talks with Chelsea's Kalou Dec 7, 2011 Juventus are eyeing unsettled Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou. Kalou has been put up for sale by Chelsea ahead of the January market and Tuttosport says Juve are ready to make an offer. Juve GM Beppe Marotta has already sounded out Kalou's camp about the prospect of playing in Italy next year. Kalou's arrival would suit coach Antonio Conte, who wants 'outside attackers' to suit his 4-3-3 system.

Unsung Heroes for Juventus: Arturo Vidal and Simone Pepe Dec 7, 2011 The return of Juventus as a force in Italian football has coincided with the arrival of Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer and with former club captain Antonio Conte assuming control of coaching duties. Both Pirlo and Conte have been influential in Juve’s rise with the former Milan midfielder proving indispensable in several matches while coach Antonio has helped revive the squad’s damaged spirit. Conte has been able to create a sense of belief amongst his players while not only boosting their confidence but also instilling the values normally associated the famous kit of the Old Lady. It would be unfair to exclude a number of other players from praise after the club’s impressive start to the season, but there are two starters who deserve a lot of credit for Juve’s position at the table of the Serie A table. The two aforementioned players are former Udinese winger Simone Pepe and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal. Pepe was signed on a permanent basis this season after a one-year loan spell which could be deemed as above average but not too impressive. During the summer there were reports Juve were going to cash-in on the player they signed from Udinese but coach Conte convinced Pepe to stay in Turin. This might prove as one of the summer’s best moves as Pepe has become integral to the coach’s plans with his dynamic, non-stop running as well as his versatility. Pepe can operate on both flanks and can even revert to a full-back position when needed. Pepe has already managed to score four goals this season to match his total from the previous year. His movement and his tireless running have been crucial factors in sustaining the impressive start to Juve’s season through the intense energy level in midfield provided by Pepe along with Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. The energetic trio compensate for Pirlo’s inability to cover much space in midfield as a result of his age and decline in stamina. The hard work of the three players allows Pirlo to move freely and to operate at a pace most convenient to his declining physical attributes. Besides freeing the influential Pirlo, Pepe and Vidal have been able to contribute on the offensive end as well. While Pepe tends to struggle with his crossing at times, Vidal is relied upon to drive the Juve team forward while ensuring the Bianconeri retrieve the ball quick when it is lost. Vidal, like Pepe, deserves credit for his tireless running but what he adds to the equation is his ability to force opponents to make quick decisions while challenging them for possession. Vidal also provides impetus with his runs towards the opposing penalty box and has proven to be a successful passer of the ball in small space. Vidal might not be renowned for his long-range or pinpoint passing but his short-range passing is definitely an upgrade on former Juve anchorman Felipe Melo. Vidal has contributed three assists and scored on two occasions in 12 matches, including nine starts and three substitute appearances in Serie A. His performances this season have given the Bianconeri fans something to smile about after a few years plagued by defensive midfielders incapable of retaining possession or properly passing the ball, in particular Christian Poulsen, Momo Sissoko and Melo who all failed to win the fans while wearing the Bianconeri’s famous shirt. Together Vidal and Pepe have formed the dynamic half of an impressive partnership in midfield with Marchisio and Pirlo. While the experienced Pirlo control the match’s tempo and provides incisive passes for the attackers, Marchisio has become well accustomed to popping up inside the opponent’s penalty box to score goals or create scoring opportunities. The four players have been instrumental in Juve’s rise but Pepe often receives less praise than he deserves. Pepe might not get the praise usually reserved for the likes of Pirlo and Marchisio, but he has certainly been as decisive for the club. No one can forget his late equaliser against Napoli which helped the Bianconeri achieve a precious draw and maintain their unbeaten record since the beginning of the season. Against Cesena, Pirlo was suspended but Pepe, Marchisio and Vidal all compensated for his absence by scoring, in the case of the latter two, and through their tremendous effort, particularly Pepe who did not stop running. When the season is over, the Bianconeri’s final position will be heavily influenced by the performances of the midfield quartet. Pepe in particular must be applauded because he has allowed the Bianconeri fans to forget about Milos Krasic who has struggled for form in this early stretch of the season after a positive start to his Juve career during the 2010-11 season. If the Bianconeri do win Serie A, then much of the credit deserves to go the midfield with special attention reserved to the likes of Pepe and Vidal as well as Marchisio and Pirlo ofcourse. Conte, a midfielder during his playing days, must be proud to be coaching such a productive group and must have no qualms if any of the four had partnered him when he was still an active player.

The humility of Juventus' homegrown hero Dec 7, 2011 When a footballer of only 25 makes a fuss of himself to the extent of going into print, it is wise to pose the question: has he really done enough to justify 126 pages? To which Claudio Marchisio could legitimately answer that the work is mainly of photographs. What is more, Marchisio's unassuming off-the-field demeanour easily dispels any suspicion he may have become too full of himself. The book should sell well in the lead-up to Christmas. Juventus are top of Serie A, happily installed in their new stadium, and they have warmed over the last four months to an authentic home-grown hero. Marchisio, who comes from the Turin area and has been attached to Juve since he was seven, is the leading goal-scorer, with six strikes in a dozen games from his position in midfield. He is also off the mark for Italy, for whom he scored his first goal in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Serbia in October. There is an eagerness, among the Juventus supporters, to make Marchisio the emblem of a bright-looking future after two seasons of dashed hopes. A persistent label stuck on him is that he is the Marco Tardelli of his generation. Tardelli was the dynamic midfielder who was the galvanising force of the strong Juventus teams of the 1970s and 1980s, installed in the national Hall of Fame above all for his goal in the 1982 World Cup final, and the open-mouthed, sinews-stretched celebration after it, with the Azzurri on their way to victory. Tardelli sees something in the comparison: "It's true we have some of the same physicality, similar roles in the team and the same club jersey. "But you can't compare too much across different eras." Tardelli's was a glittering one. Apart from a World Cup, he accumulated six scudetti - Serie A titles - and gold medals in each of the four different European club competitions of the time. Marchisio's immediate ambitions are more circumspect. The Coppa Italia, in which Juve meet Bologna tonight for a place in the quarter-finals - "is our Champions League this season," he says. Competing in the real European Cup must wait until next season, at least. As for the league title, had he become the talisman Juve needed to carry them through to May at the summit for the first time in five years? "I'm not a player who will win titles on my own," he said, "and Milan have a player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who can almost do that. They will be a big threat."

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Pioli has Juve plan Dec 7, 2011 Bologna boss Stefano Pioli has every intention of spoiling Juventus’ party in the Coppa Italia tomorrow night. The Bianconeri are unbeaten this season, but were held to a 1-1 draw in Turin by Bologna when Pierpaolo Bisoli was still on the bench. “Juventus will step on to the field to win and we will be on exactly the same level,” assured ex-Juve player Pioli, who wore their jersey from 1984 to '87. “Our priority is Serie A, but we will be highly motivated in the Coppa Italia. The team is in good shape and will play with the right spirit. I want to see the conviction we can overcome a difficult opponent.” Bologna take on Juventus on Thursday evening, then Milan in Serie A this weekend. “We’ll be facing two stratospheric sides, not just in terms of results, but also performance. It will be important to maintain a very high physical and mental level in both games,” concluded Pioli.

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Conte will make Juve changes Dec 7, 2011 Juventus boss Antonio Conte has confirmed that he’ll rest numerous first team players in Thursday’s Coppa Italia tie against Bologna. Although the tactician has admitted that winning the trophy is important, he will give some of Juve’s reserves a chance to shine at Juventus Stadium. “It’s inevitable that I have some decisions to make,” Conte stated in a media conference this afternoon. “I want to give some space to those who haven’t had a lot of opportunities to play so far. I want some positive responses from those players who are training hard. “There are some roles where I will need to decide which alternatives to use – especially on the flanks. “A few of the squad haven’t had the pleasure to play and this will be an opportunity for them.” Milos Krasic is expected to return to the team, while Emanuele Giaccherini and Marcelo Estigarribia could be used in more central midfield positions. Marco Storari will replace Gigi Buffon in goal, but it’s unclear whether Alex Del Piero will be allowed to feature after his eight stitches at the weekend. “Storari will start the game,” continued the former Siena boss. “He’ll be the first choice goalkeeper in the Coppa Italia this season. “I saw Del Piero yesterday. He has quite an important cut on his face and I don’t know if he could play tomorrow. He wants to, but it will be up to the doctors.” Juve, despite the expected changes, will start the Cup game as favourites, but Conte isn’t expecting an easy tie. “The objective is to get through. I want the maximum effort from everybody. I want to see if we can have the same rhythm as we have in the championship. “Our aim is to win every competition that we enter, but Bologna won’t be coming to Turin to become a sacrificial lamb. “They will come here with the intention of going through. We’ll see who is the best.”

Coppa Italia - Round of 16 - 8-12-2011 (9:00 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo Juve-Bologna Coppa record Dec 7, 2011 History favours Juventus in their home Coppa Italia ties with Bologna, but it is not all bad news for the Rossoblu. The two teams meet in the Italian Cup on Thursday night for the seventh time in a Turin Coppa clash. The Old Lady have the upper hand with three wins, two draws and one defeat – but that loss came in the last of those clashes in January 1999. Simone Perrotta gave Juve the lead on that night, but Mauro Boselli and Klas Ingesson responded for the Dall’Ara outfit. In the six Juventus-Bologna Cup games, the Old Lady have scored 13 goals and conceded nine times. The overall record between these two top-flight sides in Italian Cup meetings is of five Juve wins, six draws and two Rossoblu victories.

Coppa Italia - Ottavi di finale - 8-12-2011 (ore 21:00) - Juventus Arena - Torino Arbitro: Sebastiano Peruzzo Confronti ufficiali 165 - 131 (Serie A) - 13 (Coppa Italia) - 19 (Campionato a gironi) - 2 (Serie B) Vittorie Juventus 74 - 62 (Serie A) - 5 (Coppa Italia) - 5 (Campionato a gironi) - 2 (Serie B) Pareggi 61 - 46 (Serie A) - 6 (Coppa Italia) - 9 (Campionato a gironi) Vittorie Bologna 30 - 23 (Serie A) - 2 (Coppa Italia) - 5 (Campionato a gironi) Goals Juventus 236 - 192 (Serie A) - 20 (Coppa Italia) - 20 (Campionato a gironi) - 4 (Serie B) Goals Bologna 157 - 123 (Serie A) - 11 (Coppa Italia) - 22 (Campionato a gironi) - 1 (Serie B) Juventus - Bologna a Torino - Coppa Italia Confronti ufficiali 6 Vittorie Juventus 3 (L'ultima il 15.06.1975, 1-0) Pareggi 2 (L'ultimo il 14.01.1970, 0-0) Vittorie Bologna 1 (Il 13.01.1999, 1-2) Goals Juventus 13 Goals Bologna 9 Giocatori con più presenze e goals contro il Bologna - Coppa Italia a Torino 3 presenze Anastasi Pietro 3 Cuccureddu Antonello 3 Salvadore Sandro 2 Altafini Josè João 2 Anzolin Roberto 2 Bettega Roberto 2 Del Sol Luis Cascajares 2 Furino Giuseppe 2 Sivori Omar Enrique 2 Spinosi Luciano 3 goals Sivori Omar Enrique 2 Haller Helmut 2 Menichelli Giampaolo 1 Bercellino II Silvino 1 Bettega Roberto 1 Capello Fabio 1 Nicolè Bruno 1 Perrotta Simone 1 Savoldi Gianluigi Ultimi confronti diretti 01.05.2005 Serie A Juventus-Bologna 2-1 19.12.2006 Serie B Bologna-Juventus 0-1 12.05.2007 Serie B Juventus-Bologna 3-1 29.10.2008 Serie A Bologna-Juventus 1-2 14.03.2009 Serie A Juventus-Bologna 4-1 27.09.2009 Serie A Juventus-Bologna 1-1 21.02.2010 Serie A Bologna-Juventus 1-2 24.10.2010 Serie A Bologna-Juventus 0-0 26.02.2011 Serie A Juventus-Bologna 0-2 21.09.2011 Serie A Juventus-Bologna 1-1 Giocate 10 - Vittorie Juventus 6 - Pareggi 3 - Vittorie Bologna 1 - Goals Juventus 16 - Goals Bologna 9