Socrates

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Conte plays down Del Piero exit talk to focus on Genoa clash Speculation over the captain's future is being kept at bay so as not to spoil the fun in Turin as the former midfielder demands effort for the weekend game. Oct 21, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte is trying to divert the focus away from Alessandro Del Piero's exit plans and onto Saturday's Serie A encounter against Genoa. Del Piero was told this week it would be his final season at the club as president Andrea Agnelli made it clear that his services are no longer required after almost 19 years in Turin. "Del Piero is fine. He trained all week and I have seen him serene, motivated and eager," Conte told the press. "But we have to think about other things. Juventus are coming off the back of two poor seasons, and we cannot let ourselves become distracted. "The good of Juventus comes before any other personal interest and so we have to work with this in mind." The 42-year-old coach went on to say that he is expecting a difficult clash against Genoa on Saturday. "We are playing against a technically strong side with great players. They will want to face us with great determination," Conte said. Kick-off at the Juventus Stadium is at 2045 CET.

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Malesani: I have a good record against Juventus A game against the league leaders is just what the coach believes his side need following a run of poor results as he targets an upset in Turin. Oct 21, 2011 Genoa coach Alberto Malesani believes his team can beat Serie A leaders Juventus when they meet in Turin on Saturday night. Genoa have struggled recently with two defeats and a draw in their last three league games, but Malesani believes his men are ready to meet the Juventus threat head-on following a week of hard training. "The match against Juventus is important for us, like the rest. But for me playing against Juventus is always special as I have a good record against them," Malesani told the press. "I hope the fact that I have been able to do well against them helps Genoa as Juventus are one of the three teams that represents Italian football around the world. "We will be playing an open game in Turin as we have been working hard all week." Juventus lead the league on 12 points alongside Udinese, while Genoa are 11th with eight points. Kick-off at the Juventus stadium is at 2045 CET.

Juventus have not struggled against smaller sides - Lichtsteiner The Switzerland international has voiced his opinion that the Turin side deserved to win against Bologna and Chievo and were simply unlucky not to bag the full three points. Oct 21, 2011 Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner insists that the Turin giants have not struggled against smaller teams this campaign, but feels they were just unlucky not to win their games against them. The Serie A table toppers were held to draws by Catania, Bologna and Chievo in their first six matches, but the Swiss full-back is of the opinion that they deserved the full three points in at least two of those meetings. "I disagree with all the people who say that we struggle against smaller teams," Lichtsteiner told Sky Sport Italia. "We created a lot of chances against Bologna and Chievo and deserved to win both games in my opinion. The only thing that was missing in those matches was a goal. "Obviously, it's never going to be easy against the lesser teams as they often defend with 11 men behind the ball."

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Buffon has shoulder injury Oct 20, 2011 Gianluigi Buffon is in doubt to face Genoa on Saturday after the Juventus goalkeeper hurt his shoulder in training. The official club website released a note confirming Buffon

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Preziosi backs Genoa and Malesani Oct 20, 2011 Genoa President Enrico Preziosi criticises the media, backs Coach Alberto Malesani but also hints that the team's 'difficulties' need to be resolved. Speaking in an interview with TeleNord on Wednesday evening, the 63-year-old fielded questions on a number of issues, starting with the uncertain future of Malesani.

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Frey: Genoa will impress at Juve Oct 20, 2011 Sebastien Frey has warned Juventus that Genoa will surprise them in Serie A on Saturday night. The Rossoblu have had a mixed start to the campaign, but the goalkeeper is confident that his boys will impress at the Juventus Stadium.

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Juventus are destined for great things - Stephan Lichtsteiner Antonio Conte's men are preparing ahead of the weekend round of action in Italy and the former Lazio defender is feeling confident. Oct 20, 2011 Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner believes the club are in for a success-filled season in Serie A as he looks ahead to their next match at home against Genoa. The league leaders failed to breach Chievo's backline last weekend and had to be content with a 0-0 stalemate in Verona and Lichtsteiner believes Juve need to be at their best in the coming weeks. "We have difficult games coming up [Genoa, Fiorentina, Inter and Napoli] and so we cannot really speak about the Scudetto now," Lichtsteiner told Sky Sport Italia. "But if we can continue along this path then I am sure we will achieve great things." Genoa have failed to pick up a win in their past three games, however, Lichtsteiner has warned his team-mates not to take Alberto Malesani's men lightly on Saturday. "We will have to be careful against Genoa as they have good strikers, but we are preparing well and I have faith," concluded the defender. Juventus lead Serie A alongside Udinese on 12 points, while Genoa are currently in 11th place with eight points from six games.

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Antonio Conte ready to implement attacking trident Despite the success of their 4-2-4 and 4-1-4-1 systems, the Turin club's coach had his men try out a further alternative in their quest for Scudetto glory. Oct 20, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte had his players test out a third new playing formation as he continues to look for ways to improve his side, according to Tuttosport. Despite the Turin giants setting the pace in Serie A to rave reviews, the form of wingers Milos Krasic and Eljero Elia has come under the spotlight. His recently implemented 4-2-4 and 4-1-4-1 systems have seen his team race to the top of the league, nonetheless, Conte was testing out a third formation in training. According to the publication, the 42-year-old had his squad line up in a 4-3-3 set-up, with an attacking trident consisting of Mirko Vucinic, Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri being considered. It is believed that Conte is hoping to make it a possible solution should the likes of Krasic and Elia not regain form in the long term, and with Emanuele Giaccherini having picked up an injury at Chievo on Sunday, the need for extra options has been considered by the coach. Juventus are set to face Genoa in Serie A action on Saturday in Turin.

Serie A Week 8 - 22/10/2011 (08:45 p.m.) - Juventus Arena - Turin Arturo Vidal doubtful for Genoa clash The Chile international has picked up a muscular problem and could miss this weekend's Serie A match due to the knock. Oct 20, 2011 Juventus coach Antonio Conte has received some disappointing news in the build-up to Saturday's Serie A match at home against Genoa as he may have to make do without the services of Arturo Vidal due to injury. The Chile international picked up a thigh problem in Wednesday's practice session and was forced to leave the training ground due to the injury. Vidal consequently missed Thursday morning's session, and the former Bayer Leverkusen ace could now miss Saturday evening's league match versus Genoa. Juventus have released a statement saying that the 24-year-old's injury is not serious, but they will continue to monitor the situation over the next few days before making a final decision about his availability early on Saturday. The Turin side currently sit top of the Serie A table with 12 points from six games. Their upcoming opponents, Genoa, have collected eight points so far.

Buffon has shoulder injury Oct 20, 2011 Gianluigi Buffon is in doubt to face Genoa on Saturday after the Juventus goalkeeper hurt his shoulder in training. The official club website released a note confirming Buffon

Tribunal to rule on Calciopoli Oct 20, 2011 The Arbitration Tribunal for Sport has set a November 3 date to rule on the contested 2006

Juventus are destined for great things - Stephan Lichtsteiner Antonio Conte's men are preparing ahead of the weekend round of action in Italy and the former Lazio defender is feeling confident. Oct 20, 2011 Juventus full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner believes the club are in for a success-filled season in Serie A as he looks ahead to their next match at home against Genoa. The league leaders failed to breach Chievo's backline last weekend and had to be content with a 0-0 stalemate in Verona and Lichtsteiner believes Juve need to be at their best in the coming weeks. "We have difficult games coming up [Genoa, Fiorentina, Inter and Napoli] and so we cannot really speak about the Scudetto now," Lichtsteiner told Sky Sport Italia. "But if we can continue along this path then I am sure we will achieve great things." Genoa have failed to pick up a win in their past three games, however, Lichtsteiner has warned his team-mates not to take Alberto Malesani's men lightly on Saturday. "We will have to be careful against Genoa as they have good strikers, but we are preparing well and I have faith," concluded the defender.

Moggi hits out at Juventus over timing of Del Piero statement The club's former general director has expressed his surprise that the Turin side did not wait until the end of the season to announce the long-serving forward would be leaving. Oct 19, 2011 Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi has voiced his opinion that the current Serie A leaders were wrong to announce Alessandro Del Piero's departure at this stage of the season. The Turin side's president, Andrea Agnelli, revealed on Tuesday that the experienced attacker will leave the club at the end of the current campaign. And Moggi feels that the announcement could have a negative effect on the 36-year-old. "I don't really understand Agnelli's statement. I think it's quite dangerous as this could demotivate Alessandro. This was the wrong way to deal with a player who has done so much for the club," Moggi told Radio Mana Mana. "I don't know who advised Agnelli on this matter, but they've made a mistake. It makes no sense to make this statement right now. They should have waited until March or April. "Alessandro is still Juventus' best player in terms of technique, and he still causes any defence a lot of trouble. I'm convinced that he can still give a lot to Juventus."