Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Pazienza in for Marchisio

Nov 28, 2011

Michele Pazienza is set to make his first start for Juventus on Tuesday night against former cub Napoli.

The 29-year-old joined the Old Lady in the summer from the Naples outfit once his contract at the San Paolo expired.

Pazienza has so far made five substitute appearances for the Turin giants this season, totalling 57 minutes.

However, Claudio Marchisio is suspended for tomorrow’s Serie A tie and Sky Sport Italia insist that Pazienza will be brought into the team.

The central midfielder, formerly of Udinese, joined the Azzurri in January of 2008 from Fiorentina for just under €5m.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Hamsik demands ‘big game Napoli’

Nov 28, 2011

Marek Hamsik has warned Juventus that his Napoli side know how to topple Europe’s footballing giants ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

The two sides meet at the Stadio San Paolo tomorrow night in the re-arranged Week 11 tie which was postponed due to floods in the Naples area.

“We’ll need to be at our best to beat Juventus – and not just myself, Ezequiel Lavezzi or Edinson Cavani,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“We need a perfect team performance, one of those which we have put on in the past. And we hardly ever get it wrong against the big clubs…”

Napoli are nine points behind the Old Lady, but the Azzurri are a team who have beaten Milan, Inter and Manchester City already this term.

“We are a great side, the results that we have collected over recent years illustrate that and you can tell by the way teams play against us.

“The game against Juventus, for the fans, is like a derby. They’ll support us as they always have.

“We are Napoli and we can’t let Juventus run away from us – even if they haven’t surprised me. They made the right summer signings and Coach Antonio Conte is giving them a lot.”

Juventus could go four points clear of second-placed Milan with a win this week after they went to Lazio on Saturday and collected a 1-0 result.

“It’s true that everyone may be supporting us, otherwise Juventus’ lead at the top will get bigger,” Hamsik continued.

“If they take the advantage then it will be complicated to catch them. We need to beat them and, on certain nights, Napoli don’t disappoint.”

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Conte impressed by new Napoli

Nov 28, 2011

Juventus boss Antonio Conte has applauded Napoli – tomorrow’s opponents – on their return to the higher echelons of the Italian game.

Six years ago the Azzurri were amazingly in the third-tier, but they are now taking part in the Champions League.

“I like to use Napoli as an example to follow because of what they have achieved over these years,” Conte said on Monday.

“I expect a tough and vibrant game tomorrow. Perhaps our most difficult game of the season so far.

“We’re playing a team who have done great things and demonstrating that you can get important results with a plan.

“Walter Mazzarri and his players are the reasons why they’ve constructed something beautiful in just a few years.

“We respect Napoli, they are getting results after years of hard work. We, meanwhile, have just four months behind us.”

Juventus have made a fine start to the season and they are currently top of the table – one point clear of Milan and Udinese, but nine ahead of Napoli.

“It would be too easy to use triumphant tones after what we have achieved so far,” Conte added as his side continue to ban the ‘Scudetto’ word.

“We know how hard it is to do well though after disastrous seasons.

“We’re cautious, but we are not hiding. I’ve never hidden in my life. There is no false modesty at Juventus.

“Our season so far? It would be useless to draw any conclusions right now. You get votes at school at the end of the first semester.

“Let’s wait until the half-way stage of this season, even if it only matters what you have achieved at the end of the campaign.”

Conte, who took charge of the side following his summer move from Siena, also highlighted Milan as serious Scudetto rivals.

“We all know Milan. They were seven points behind us after a slow start, but they’ve won six of their last seven – drawing only at Fiorentina.

“This shows how strong they are and at what rhythm they can travel at. Perhaps a pace that is unmatchable.

“We just look to be ourselves with the aim of building something important, with our own weapons and sacrifices.

“There are comparisons with Juventus teams of the past, but we’ve only just sat down at the table with a pen in our hands. We have to write something first…”

Returning to the San Paolo clash, Conte will have to find a replacement for the suspended Claudio Marchisio.

“We know that Marchisio has specific characteristics. He’s a midfielder who is very good at breaking into attack from deep.

“He defends and attacks, while he’s a very technical player. He’s quite a unique player in my squad. We’ll have to see.

“We have a training session ahead and we have a number of options to consider.”

Juventus are currently unbeaten in Serie A this term, but the tactician is expecting a real test after Saturday’s 1-0 win in Rome.

“We know that it will be an important game, we are aware of Napoli’s strength and what the San Paolo can give to its team. We go into this after an important tie at Lazio, but we want to play our game.

“If Napoli demonstrate that they are better and stronger than us then we will be the first to applaud them. This is football.”

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Lippi believed in Coach Conte

Nov 28, 2011

Marcello Lippi is unsurprised that Antonio Conte has managed to rejuvenate the Old Lady of Italian football.

Juventus currently lead the standings just months after Conte joined the Italian giants following a spell at Siena.

“Antonio always had what was needed to become a Coach and, usually, central midfielders make the best Coaches,” Lippi, who bossed the player during their time together in Turin, told Radio Anch’io Sport.

“I always thought that he could become a tactician for the way he applied himself in training. Gianluca Vialli could have done well too, but he quit too soon...

“Conte has great temperament. He was a leader as a player and he’s transmitting what Juventus means to his players.

“Juve are not just grit and determination, though, they have organisation on the field of play. This Juve is very strong and that has always been a characteristic.”

Although Lippi believes that the Bianconeri could make a title bid this term, he respects some other teams in Serie A.

“Milan are playing well and at a high quality, but this Juve is tough like mine was. Andrea Pirlo and Buffon are world class.

“Milan are different. Alberto Aquilani and Antonio Nocerino have settled in well and raised the technical quality of the team.

“I like Lazio as they are complete in all departments.

“Udinese, meanwhile, have three stars – one on the pitch, another on the bench and one at the club.”

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Juve name squad for Napoli

Nov 28, 2011

Boss Antonio Conte has named a 23-man squad for Tuesday’s Serie A game at Napoli – but Claudio Marchisio is missing.

The Italian international, five goals in 11 League games so far, will travel to Naples but he can’t play as he is suspended.

The Juve youth product picked up a booking in the 1-0 win at Lazio on Saturday and subsequently misses out.

It remains to be seen whether Michele Pazienza, formerly of Napoli, or Emanuele Giaccherini will be brought into the team.

Juve squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 5 Pazienza, 7 Pepe, 9 Iaquinta, 10 Del Piero, 11 De Ceglie, 13 Manninger, 14 Vucinic, 15 Barzagli, 17 Elia, 18 Quagliarella, 19 Bonucci, 21 Pirlo, 22 Vidal, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 27 Krasic, 28 Estigarribia, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 33 Sorensen, 34 Marrone.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: P. Tagliavento

Serie A Preview

Antonio Conte's side aim to strengthen their lead at the league summit with three more

points against the stuttering southern Italians, who have flattered to deceive domestically.

Nov 28, 2011

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Napoli (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani

Juventus (4-3-3): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo, Pazienza; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Walter Mazzarri will be expecting a significant improvement in his side's performance levels after only collecting a disappointing 1-1 draw with Atalanta over the weekend. The result also came in stark contrast to their triumphant display midweek against Manchester City in the Champions League.

However, the Napoli coach received particular criticism for dropping Ezequiel Lavezzi on Saturday, and the Argentine forward is set to be reinstated in place of Goran Pandev, who failed to impress in his colleague's place as one of the two players supporting Edinson Cavani.

Meanwhile for Juventus, just one alteration is in the pipeline for Antonio Conte, as Claudio Marchisio is suspended for the trip to the San Paolo, and it is likely Michele Pazienza will be given the nod to face his former employers alongside Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo in midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Napoli have won just one of their past six Serie A fixtures, with no league victory in their last four.

• They have not achieved consecutive domestic victories all season.

• However, they are unbeaten in their last four league meetings with Juventus, winning three.

• Juventus remain the only side without a defeat in Serie A after 11 matches, including seven wins.

• In addition, they have won their past four on the bounce, but have kept just one clean sheet in the sequence.

• The away team has won just once in their past 11 meetings; a 3-2 triumph for Napoli during the 2009-10 campaign.

Head to Head

Italy - Serie A - May 22, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Napoli 2

Italy - Serie A - Jan 9, 2011 - Napoli 3 - Juventus 0

Italy - Serie A - Mar 25, 2010 - Napoli 3 - Juventus 1

Italy - Coppa Italia - Jan 13, 2010 - Juventus 3 - Napoli 0

Italy - Serie A - Oct 31, 2009 - Juventus 2 - Napoli 3

Last Five Matches

Napoli

Nov 26, 2011 - Atalanta 1 - Napoli 1 - Serie A

Nov 22, 2011 - Napoli 2 - Man City 1 - CL

Nov 19, 2011 - Napoli 0 - Lazio 0 - Serie A

Nov 2, 2011 - Bayern Munich 3 - Napoli 2 - CL

Oct 29, 2011 - Catania 2 - Napoli 1 - Serie A

Juventus

Nov 26, 2011 - Lazio 0 - Juventus 1 - Serie A

Nov 20, 2011 - Juventus 3 - Palermo 0 - Serie A

Oct 29, 2011 - Inter 1 - Juventus 2 - Serie A

Oct 25, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Fiorentina 1 - Serie A

Oct 22, 2011 - Juventus 2 - Genoa 2 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Edinson Cavani (Napoli)

‘El Matador’ has only one goal in his last six Serie A games and will need to get back on track if Walter Mazzarri’s side hope to stay hot on the trail of the Bianconeri at the top of the table.‘

Alessandro Matri (Juventus)

The 27-year-old has been in fine form for the league leaders, scoring three goals in his last three games. The former Cagliari man will hope to add to his tally as Juve look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Serie A season.

Prediction

The San Paolo cauldron will be simmering on Tuesday but Juventus will do just enough to escape with a point and keep their unbeaten record intact.

Editor's Prediction: Napoli 2 - 2 Juventus

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Edinson Cavani in doubt for Juventus clash with leg knock

The 24-year-old striker is still nursing a fitness problem sustained at the weekend

and could sit the match out, which would come as a heavy blow to the San Paolo outfit.

Nov 29, 2011

Napoli have announced via their official website that Edinson Cavani is a last-minute worry for coach Walter Mazzarri ahead of Tuesday's clash with Juventus.

The Uruguay international left Monday's practice session early after feeling pain in his right leg, a result of a knock picked up in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Atalanta.

Cavani will be examined on Tuesday morning to learn whether he will be able to take part in the match, together with team-mate Gokhan Inler.

The Swiss midfielder resumed training on Monday after overcoming a fitness problem, but his availability in the match will depend on a late examination.

Despite being in doubt for the contest, both players have been included in Mazzarri's 19-man squad for the match against the Serie A leaders.

Napoli lie in eighth position in the league standings, with 16 points from 11 matches, nine points fewer than Antonio Conte's side.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Pirlo the most passes, Chiellini the best tackle rate -

the key statistics that have taken Juventus to the top of Serie A

The Bianconeri head for the San Paolo tonight hoping to extend their lead at the top

of the table, but Goal.com have looked into their players' individual feats this term.

Nov 29, 2011

Juventus' unbeaten start to the 2011-12 season has many Bianconeri fans starting to dream of a first official title in nine years, with Antonio Conte's men on track to become the latest group of players to write their names into the club's bulging history books.

But who have been the individual stars of the campaign so far? Has there been a group of particularly effective players within the regular starters that have driven the team on? Goal.com decided to delve into the statistics of the season so far to see who have been the most influential men according to the numbers.

Claudio Marchisio's ability to time his runs from midfield has come in particularly handy this term, with an increased amount of possession in forward positions allowing him to have a greater number of opportunities to make it count. Alessandro Matri heads the goals tally with him, having forced Mirko Vucinic out of the lone striker's position thanks to his ability to get into goalscoring positions with great regularity.

Andrea Pirlo has unsurprisingly been one of the main architects for Juve, with Vucinic also chipping in with the final pass for a trio of goals.

Matri has got himself into more scoring positions and had more efforts on target than any other player, with Vucinic and Marchisio close behind. It is perhaps surprising that Arturo Vidal has fired at goal as many as 23 times given that three of his 10 appearances for the club have come as a second-half substitute. He appears much lower down the list of shots on target, in stark contrast to Simone Pepe, who has found the target with eight of his 15 efforts. Andrea Pirlo's 20 shots have delivered no tangible reward in the goals column.

Pirlo's status as Juve's top passer will come as a shock to nobody. The ex-AC Milan midfielder has found a team-mate from 740 of 866 attempted passes this season. He is followed by full-backs Giorgio Chiellini and Stephan Lichtsteiner, who have contributed both in turning possession-first play into meaningful attacks down the flanks. The accuracy chart is headed largely by defenders, regularly asked to play it safe to unmarked players around them, though Milos Krasic has an excellent conversion rate for an attacking player.

Vidal has been incredibly busy in a defensive capacity for a player who has played the full 90 minutes in only four games this term. While his success rate is not high, he has been the most effective player in terms of tackles per minutes, coming up second on the overall tackles table and attempting more in total than any other Bianconeri player. Chiellini has turned in some excellent defensive performances, making more tackles than any of his team-mates, and he also boasts a better success rate than the rest of the squad.

Pirlo and Matri lead the way in the Goal.com Player Ratings by some stretch, with the midfielder chalking up 10 scores over the 6.0 rating for an average performance in 11 games so far. Matri has also recorded only one 6.0 mark, leading to his continued presence in the frontline for Antonio Conte. It may come as a surprise to some to see that Chiellini trails the standings of the regular starters, with his performances at left-back failing to convince our match analysts. The Italy defender has failed to score 6.5 since the clash with Bologna in September, since when he has played almost exclusively away from the centre of the back line.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Low scoring encounter forecast in Napoli - Juventus showdown

Serie A leaders' unbeaten record faces a stiff test when then travel down south to Naples.

Ed Malyon inspects the value markets on tonight's contest.

Nov 29, 2011

Match Odds; Napoli 2.50, Draw 3.0, Juventus 3.0 (William Hill)

Unbeaten and consistent - two things that will win you a title, and two things that have characterised Juventus' start to life under new coach Antonio Conte.

They have neither the best defence in the league, nor the best attack, but their ability to put in performances week after week has left them top and with the opportunity to extend their lead to four points as they face the tough trip to Napoli.

Beating the Neapolitans will not be an easy task, despite Walter Mazzarri's men sitting all the way down in eighth place. If we see the Napoli side that beat Manchester City last week in the Champions League, then they have every chance of pulling off a victory that would smash the Scudetto race wide open. The Napoli that only drew with Atalanta will struggle (although it's important not to underestimate how good this Atalanta side are) to break down the Old Lady.

Juventus are 3.0 to win, which seems an okay value price given they're the only unbeaten side in the league, winning seven. Napoli have not won in their last three Serie A games as they struggle to balance their commitments across all competitions.

In terms of goals bets, the return of Ezequiel Lavezzi to the line-up will strengthen Napoli's attack after he was rested at the weekend. Juventus may have won their last four on the bounce, but they have still conceded in three of their last five, suggesting that the in-form Edinson Cavani may be in with a chance.

Despite being level on goals with Juve's Claudio Marchisio and Alessandro Matri this season, home advantage means that Cavani is favourite to open the scoring at 5.0 - something he has done with three of his five Serie A strikes this campaign. For an outside shout, Simone Pepe seems slightly overpriced for a winger at 9.00 to score first and 3.75 anytime.

In terms of the over/under 2.5 goals market, we combine Napoli's home record with Juve's away record to find that in 10 games, just three have gone over the 2.5 goal mark. It's no surprise to see the unders poorly priced at 1.65 then, although considering five of those 10 matches have gone under the 1.5 goal mark, those expecting a tight affair can back under two goals at 3.0 in an excellent value punt.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Napoli must avoid defeat against Juventus - Fabio Cannavaro

The World Cup-winning captain believes that it is more important for the Naples outfit

to pick up a positive result but hailed the Old Lady for their excellent start to the season.

Nov 29, 2011

Former Juventus and Napoli defender Fabio Cannavaro is eagerly awaiting the Serie A clash between the two sides and feels his hometown club must get a result against the league leaders.

The 38-year-old Neapolitan expects the Bianconeri to be thoroughly tested but also warns the Walter Mazzarri's side that this is is one match they must not lose.

"Juventus are growing and so is the belief that they can win the Scudetto. Playing a game a week is an advantage for them," he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"Napoli are not out of it, but are spending a lot of energy in the Champions League, but the biggest challenge is Juve. Historically, they are the great adversary of Napoli. More than an opponent, the fans make them feel like an enemy.

"I like this Juve, but I think the San Paolo will be a very good test for them and if they can get a good result, especially after the Lazio match, I think they can really do great things.

Napoli are currently sitting eighth in the league standings, nine points behind the Bianconeri who top the table, but Cannavaro is convinced that Antonio Conte's men will be tested.

"It will be difficult for Juve because they are playing a great side. Napoli desperately need the points but the necessity for them is not to lose.

"Juventus will miss Marchisio, while Maggio can prove to be very dynamic and hurt teams a lot. But I think Cavani will be decisive as he covers a lot of ground and is also deadly in front of goal.

"Hamsik is another who can punish you as soon as you pay him a little less attention."

Cannavaro began his career with Napoli, making 58 league appearances for the club before going on to play for a host of top sides including Parma, Inter, Juventus and Real Madrid.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Del Piero: ‘Just like cup games’

Nov 29, 2011

Alessandro Del Piero has likened facing Napoli in midweek to returning to being involved in cup competition.

Juventus are not in European competition this season and have so far generally had the benefit of six or seven-day breaks between League fixtures, beyond midweek League rounds that have affected every club.

However, in facing Napoli in midweek just three days after playing Lazio at the weekend, the Bianconeri are experiencing something similar to a return to European Cup action, says Del Piero via his personal website. The 36-year-old also paid tribute to the strength of the Partenopei ahead of the match.

“After the important victory in Rome against Lazio, before us now lies a new challenge that will be pretty tough…back to San Paolo, after the postponement of November 6, after a couple of days in Borghesiana, without being in Turin since Saturday’s game.

“This week we play to a ‘cup rhythm’, that is, three games in a week, so there’s no time to enjoy the recent good results, but we only need to think about what will happen tomorrow.”

The team opted to stay in Rome after their 1-0 win at the Olimpico on Saturday and held training at Borghesiana before later travelling down to Naples on Monday afternoon.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Recent history favours Napoli v Juve

Nov 29, 2011

Darko Kovacevic was on the scoresheet and Edwin Van Der Sar in goal when Juventus last went to Napoli in Serie A and won.

It was a wet September 2000 night back then, a tie that the Old Lady triumphed in thanks to a trademark Alessandro Del Piero curler.

In the four top-flight games at the San Paolo since, Napoli have won all four…

The two teams meet at the Stadio San Paolo this evening in their re-arranged Week 11 tie which was originally postponed because of floods.

Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri has the upper hand in his personal battle with Juventus counterpart Antonio Conte too.

Mazzarri’s Napoli team beat Conte’s Atalanta side 2-0 in January 2010. Fabio Quagliarella and Michele Pazienza, who now both find themselves at Juve, scored the goals.

There have been 66 meetings at the San Paolo in Serie A. Napoli have 21 wins, Juventus 20 and 25 draws. The Azzurri have 79 goals against the Old Lady’s 75.

The aggregate score of the last four Napoli-Juve games at the San Paolo in Serie A is Napoli 11 Juventus 3!

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Estigarribia ready for Juve start

Nov 29, 2011

Marcelo Estigarribia could get his first start for Juventus tonight. “I doubt he’ll be afraid in Naples,” said fellow Paraguayan Edgar Barreto.

Estigarribia has so far made only substitute appearances in Serie A for the Bianconeri, but with Claudio Marchisio suspended he is expected to start this evening against Napoli.

“He is certainly an important player who proved his quality for Paraguay,” said Palermo midfielder Barreto.

“Now he is slowly learning the foundations of what it means to play in Italy. He will give Juventus a big helping hand and Antonio Conte is really counting on him.

“He could be seen as the alternative to Marchisio, but he is a very attacking player. His role is wide in a four-man midfield, so I wouldn’t know if he could replace Marchisio.

“I doubt he’ll be afraid in Naples. Playing at the packed Stadio San Paolo will be extra motivation.”

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Serie A Preview

Nov 29, 2011

Napoli striker Marek Hamsik is hoping he and his team-mates can rise to the occasion when they host Serie A leaders Juventus tomorrow.

The game at the San Paolo stadium was due to be played earlier this month but was postponed due to floods in Naples.

Napoli, who have beaten AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City this season, know it will take a monumental effort to stun unbeaten Juve.

"We will need to be at our best to beat Juventus, '' Hamsik said.

"We need a perfect team performance, one of those which we have put on in the past.

"And we hardly ever get it wrong against the big clubs.''

The hosts go into the encounter nine points behind Juve after their 1-1 draw at Atalanta on Saturday.

Hamsik knows the importance of this game in view of the Scudetto race.

A win for Juve would see the Turin outfit climb four points clear of second-placed Milan, while it would leave Napoli 12 points adrift.

"We are Napoli and we cannot let Juventus run away from us,'' Hamsik said.

"We know that we will have plenty of support as other teams don't want Juve's lead to grow.

"If they take the advantage then it will be complicated to catch them. We need to beat them.''

Juventus travel south on the back of Saturday's 1-0 win at Lazio, courtesy of Simone Pepe's goal.

Antonio Conte's men are unlikely to take Napoli lightly and for good reason. The last time Juve won at the San Paolo stadium in the league was back in the 2000-01 campaign.

"We can expect a very challenging game in Naples,'' Conte said.

"It will be a big test for us even though it's still early in the campaign.

"We are nevertheless doing better than our initial predictions and this is the result of the good work done by my players.''

Juve will have to overcome the absence of pivotal midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who serves a one-match ban. Marchisio has scored five goals in 11 league appearances this season.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri will be without injured midfielder Marco Donadel.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Edinson Cavani ruled out of Juventus clash

The southern Italian must make do without their star striker for the visit

of the league leaders, meaning Goran Pandev is now likely to start up front.

Nov 29, 2011

Napoli have been rocked by the news that Edinson Cavani will sit out their Serie A showdown with Juventus at the San Paolo on Tuesday night.

The Uruguay international suffered a tibia injury in last week’s Champions League win over Manchester City and aggravated the problem in their league clash with Atalanta on Saturday evening.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri was prepared to give Cavani up until just a few hours before kick-off to prove his fitness but, the player has now been forced to pull out of the squad for the visit of the table-topping Bianconeri.

Cavani’s injury-enforced absence from the starting line-up is likely to result in a recall for Goran Pandev, who has yet to score for the Partenopei since arriving on loan from Inter this summer.

Meanwhile, in a boost for Napoli, influential Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler has been passed fit to play in the crunch clash at the San Paolo.

The hosts go into the rearranged clash with Juventus in eighth place, nine points adrift of the league leaders.

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[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

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San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Serie A - Preview

Juventus could create a 4-point gap over Serie A champions AC Milan tonight.

Nov 29, 2011

It’s interesting to know that Juventus have not suffered a single defeat ahead of Tuesday night’s much-anticipated clash at the Stadio San Paolo against Napoli.

The Bianconeri were unfortunate enough to secure only draws at home to Bologna and Genoa and away to Catania and Chievo Verona earlier this season. However, they’ve been picking up wins lately.

Juventus defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in Turin before imposing themselves with the same score line against Inter at the San Siro last month. The Old Lady gathered more points with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Palermo and a narrow 1-0 win away to Lazio to gain 25 points after 11 games.

Juventus are exhibiting team play at their best with Alessandro Matri, Claudio Marchisio, Simone Pepe and Mirko Vucinic sharing goals and assists between them.

If Juve clinch their fifth consecutive victory in the Serie A, champions AC Milan will be in trouble. But the Rossoneri can perhaps count on Napoli for a favor. The Azzurri are struggling a bit as a mid-table team this season with 4 draws and 3 losses thus far.

However, Napoli have also lost only once at the Stadio San Paolo in the Serie A.

If they could avoid defeat on home soil against Fiorentina and Lazio or beat second-placed AC Milan 3-1 and third-placed Udinese 2-0, would anyone dare rule their chances of upsetting Juventus tonight?

With the expected absence of Edison Cavani despite the return of Gokhan Inler, Napoli may have to suffer a lot against the Old Lady...

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

-

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Campagnaro: 'We can't get this wrong'

Nov 29, 2011

“We cannot get this game wrong,” warned Napoli defender Hugo Campagnaro before stepping out against Juventus.

The game was rescheduled from early November due to flooding in the city and kicks off at 19.45 UK time this evening.

“Juventus are nine points in front of us, so we cannot get this game wrong,” the defender told Sky Sport Italia.

“We know that we are facing an excellent team, but we can win this.”

Napoli are without the injured Edinson Cavani due to a cut on his ankle, so Goran Pandev joins Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi in the trident attack.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

-

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Line-ups: Napoli-Juventus

Nov 29, 2011

Marcelo Estigarribia and Goran Pandev step into the starting line-ups for tonight’s rescheduled Napoli-Juventus.

The game was originally called off due to flooding in the city on November 6 and remains a top of the table showdown.

Both Coaches have to reshuffle, as Claudio Marchisio is suspended and Edinson Cavani failed a fitness test.

Initially ex-Napoli star Michele Pazienza was expected to play in the Juve midfield, but Paraguayan Marcelo Estigarribia pushed in front for his first Serie A start, moving Arturo Vidal back to partner Andrea Pirlo.

Mirko Vucinic, Simone Pepe and Alessandro Matri are also in the 4-2-4 line-up for Juventus at the Stadio San Paolo.

Fabio Quagliarella is on the bench against his hometown side and was greeted by insults from the crowd during the warm-up.

Napoli are without Cavani because the cut to his ankle suffered against Atalanta is too sore for him to even be on the bench.

Pandev has taken over in attack, so Ezequiel Lavezzi moves into more of a centre-forward role in the trident.

Gokhan Inler was also in doubt, but the Swiss international starts in midfield, while Juan Zuniga replaces Andrea Dossena.

Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga; Hamsik, Pandev; Lavezzi

Napoli bench: Rosati, Fernandez, Dossena, Dzemaili, Santana, Lucarelli, Mascara

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Pirlo, Vidal; Estigarribia, Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Juventus bench: Storari, De Ceglie, Pazienza, Elia, Krasic, Quagliarella, Del Piero

Ref: Tagliavento

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

-

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Pandev replaces Cavani for Napoli;

Juventus bring in Estigarribia for Marchisio

The two sides make one major change each as injury and suspension force

the hand of the clubs hoping to make a statement in the title race.

Nov 29, 2011

Goran Pandev has been drafted in to replace the injured Edinson Cavani for Napoli's crunch Serie A clash with Juventus at the San Paolo this evening.

The Uruguayan striker was ruled out earlier today by a tibia injury, and the former Inter man will replace him for the visist of the league leaders.

Juventus themselves have been forced into a significant change, with the suspended Claudio Marchisio being replaced by Marcelo Estigarribia, with Antonio Conte switching to his favoured 4-2-4 formation.

The rearranged round 11 fixture kicks off at 20.45CET, with a sell-out crowd expected to attend once more.

Napoli (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Pandev.

Subs: Rosati, Fernandez, Fideleff, Dossena, Dzemaili, Santana, Mascara.

Juventus (4-2-4): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic, Estigarribia.

Subs: Storari, De Ceglie, Pazienza, Giaccherini, Krasic, Del Piero, Quagliarella.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

-

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Gameday Thread: Juventus Vs. Napoli

Nov 29, 2011

Conte, speaking from Juve’s training base in Borghesiana, said: “I expect a tough game, perhaps the most difficult of the season so far. We’ll face a Napoli team who are currently doing great things and credit must go to the club, Mazzarri and the players. As always, we have great respect for our opponents, but no fear.”

Proof of Napoli’s capabilities can be found from the manner in which big spenders Manchester City were brushed aside at the San Paolo, and then held to a point in front of their own fans. Juve’s manager is also midful of their impressive resurgence: “Six years ago they were in Serie C. Through a serious project and great enthusiasm they managed to mount a Scudetto challenge last year. This year it’s highly likely they’ll go through to the next round of the Champions League.”

The 42-year-old continued: “Let’s not forget that they’re coming off the back of a win against Manchester City, who are dominating in England… all of this is an example of work bearing fruit and how time and patience can bring results.”

Saturday night’s win propelled the Bianconeri back into the pole position with Udinese currently trailing by a single point. Another victory could see Juventus extend their lead and put further daylight between themselves and a tightly congested cluster of teams.

But Conte warned that the race is well and truly open and made a particular reference to Milan dramatic revival: “When they were seven points behind they went on to win six out of their last seven games, drawing only in Firenze, and matched Barcelona in the Champions League. But there are other teams who are a threat, like Napoli, Lazio, Udinese, Roma, Inter… We need to amass all we can in the shortest space of time, to build something long lasting.”

Claudio Marchisio will miss out on Tuesday’s encounter after picking up a yellow card against the Biancocelesti. The five-goal man is a crucial component of the new-look Juve and Conte admitted his absence will be felt: “He’s got unique characteristics, because he’s able to break forward extremely well, he’s technically gifted and can operate in both phases. We know that Napoli like to use the flanks, so we’ll work out how to replace Claudio. It’s a shame to be without an important player like him. but we’re curious to see how the alternatives work out.”

In Conte We Trust.

STARTING LINEUPS

Juventus — Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Pirlo, Vidal; Estigarribia, Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Juventus bench — Storari, De Ceglie, Pazienza, Elia, Krasic, Quagliarella, Del Piero

Napoli — De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga; Hamsik, Pandev; Lavezzi

Napoli bench — Santana, Dossena, Mascara, Rosati, Dzemaili, Fideleff, Fernandez

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

-

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 48000

HT: Napoli pummel Juve!

Nov 29, 2011

Napoli are leading Juventus 2-0 at half-time despite missing a penalty thanks to Marek Hamsik and Goran Pandev.

This match was rescheduled from November 6 due to flooding, but both teams had to reshuffle. Edinson Cavani missed out due to a cut ankle, so Ezequiel Lavezzi moved forward with support from Goran Pandev and Marek Hamsik. Claudio Marchisio was suspended for Juventus, so Marcelo Estigarribia was given his first start in a new 3-5-2 system.

Stephan Lichtsteiner’s deflected cross found Mirko Vucinic in plenty of space, but he pulled the angled drive across the face of goal.

Lavezzi sprinted down the left to the by-line where he was felled by a mistimed Andrea Pirlo sliding tackle. Hamsik converted and was already well into his celebrations when the referee ordered it retaken due to encroachment. The distraction clearly affected Hamsik, who blazed the retake over the bar!

The Slovak did get his goal soon after, though, as a Lavezzi free kick was knocked down by Christian Maggio for Hamsik’s diving header from point-blank range. He was marginally offside when the free kick was first floated in, but as he only made contact in the second phase of the move, it didn’t count.

Pandev dispossessed Pirlo in midfield for a shot just about blocked by Gigi Buffon, then Lavezzi got to the by-line only for Pandev to clumsily blast wide. At the other end, Estigarribia fired at the near post rather than cross for Simone Pepe, forcing a simple Morgan De Sanctis save.

Arturo Vidal went on the counter and was tackled with great vigour by Salvatore Aronica, but the referee waved play on. The tension got to Juve, as Leonardo Bonucci and Alessandro Matri were both booked for dissent.

Napoli doubled their lead before the break, as a clearance was deflected off a Juventus player into the path of Pandev, who was quick to react and placed his shot across Buffon with his weaker right foot.

Tension was sky high, but Hamsik risked big when shoving Lichtsteiner in the back and giving a little kick when he was down. They were both booked for the scuffle that ensued.

Napoli 2-0 Juventus (Half-Time)

Scorers: Hamsik 23 (N), Pandev 40 (N)

Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga; Hamsik, Pandev; Lavezzi

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini; Pirlo, Vidal; Estigarribia, Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Ref: Tagliavento

Missed penalty: Hamsik 15 (N)

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 3

Marek Hamsik (23')

Goran Pandev (41')

Alessandro Matri (48')

Goran Pandev (68')

Marcelo Estigarribia (72')

Simone Pepe (80')

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 48000

Pepe and Estigarribia drag table-toppers back

from 3-1 down to clinch point in San Paolo classic

Goran Pandev looked set to hog the headlines after striking twice for the Partenopei

in the absence of Edinson Cavani but the visitors snatched a draw with a stunning fightback.

Nov 29, 2011

Juventus preserved their unbeaten record in Serie A by coming from two goals down to claim a 3-3 draw with Napoli after a thrilling encounter at the San Paolo on Tuesday evening.

After Marek Hamsik had missed a retaken penalty, the Slovak gave the hosts the lead with a header before Goran Pandev made it 2-0 just before the interval.

Alessandro Matri pulled one back for Juve at the start of the second period but Pandev seemingly sealed the points for Napoli when he restored his side’s two-goal cushion on 68 minutes.

However, the visitors weren’t done and they posted a swift reply through Marcelo Estigarribia before deservedly claiming a share of the spoils when Simone Pepe fired home with 10 minutes to go.

Juventus had the better of a lively opening to the game, with Mirko Vucinic dragging a right-footed shot across the face of the Napoli goal after finding himself unmarked in the box.

However, it was the hosts who should have taken lead 13 minutes in. The Partenopei thought they had done, too, with Hamsik firing home clinically from the penalty spot after Andrea Pirlo had stupidly dived in on Ezequiel Lavezzi – with predictably disastrous consequences for the veteran Italian midfielder.

However, the referee ordered a retake because of encroachment from Gokhan Inler, among others, and Hamsik blazed his second attempt from 12 yards out high over the bar.

The Slovakian, though, made amends for his horror miss less than 10 minutes later by finding the bottom left corner with a downward header, after the ball had dropped to him in the six-yard box following a free-kick from Lavezzi from the left hand side.

Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon then got down well to save a low drive from outside the box from Pandev, but the Italy captain was powerless to stop the on-loan Inter forward from doubling the home side’s advantage just before the break.

There was an element of luck about the goal as Pirlo’s attempted clearance ricocheted into Pandev’s path, but there was nothing fortuitous about the Macedonia’s precise finish into the far corner.

At 2-0 down at half-time, Juve were in real danger of losing their unblemished record in the league but they dragged themselves right back into the game just four minutes after the restart, Matri calmly slotting home after being the recipient of a wonderfully disguised through ball from Arturo Vidal.

Now reinvigorated, Juventus began to dominate proceedings and Vucinic drew a save from Morgan De Sanctis in the 54th minute with a decent strike after a rampaging run.

However, Napoli landed one of their classic sucker punches midway through the second half, Pandev controlling Christian Maggio’s cross from the right wing with his left foot, then teeing it up for himself with his left knee before volleying the ball home via the right post.

Juve refused to give up, though, and hauled themselves back to within a goal for a second time four minutes later, when an unmarked Estigarribia prodded past De Sanctis after Vucinic’s cross from the left had found its way to the unmarked Paraguayan.

Juve then snatched a point when Pepe found the bottom corner following a mazy run, after the ball had deflected back into his path.

The draw means Juve now top the table by two points from AC Milan, while Napoli climb to sixth, but the home side will be distraught that they were unable to convert their winning positions into a victory.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 3

Marek Hamsik (23')

Goran Pandev (41')

Alessandro Matri (48')

Goran Pandev (68')

Marcelo Estigarribia (72')

Simone Pepe (80')

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 48000‎

Juventus rally for point

Nov 29, 2011

Serie A leaders Juventus rescued a point - and their unbeaten record - against Napoli in a thrilling six-goal encounter at Stadio San Paolo.

Marek Hamsik had a lively night, scoring the opener for Napoli after earlier missing a retaken penalty, while Goran Pandev scored the first of two goals to put the hosts two up by half-time.

Alessandro Matri pulled one back for Juve three minutes into the second half and Pandev's second restored the two-goal lead before Marcelo Estigarribia and Simone Pepe earned Juve a draw with goals in the last 18 minutes.

In-form Napoli striker Edinson Cavani failed a fitness test before the match but there was no shortage of attacking action in a match where chances came at regular intervals.

Pepe had the first of them in the third minute, but could not find the target from the edge of the box.

He missed from further out soon after, with Andrea Pirlo also failing to draw a save with a 10th-minute free-kick.

Ezequiel Lavezzi was fouled by Pirlo after 13 minutes to win a penalty for the hosts, with Hamsik converting.

The referee ordered a retake for an infringement and this time Hamsik lifted his spot-kick over the crossbar.

He took only 10 minutes cancelling out his debt, though, finding room in a crowded area to nod home from close range.

Napoli were dominating the pace-setters at this stage, with Pandev and Lavezzi both presented with good chances to make it 2-0.

The former took his second opportunity five minutes from the interval, taking advantage of Pirlo's error before wrong-footing Giorgio Chiellini and slotting past Gianluigi Buffon.

Juve were on the scoresheet three minutes into the second half, Matri converting following some fine work by Arturo Vidal.

Mirko Vucinic and Lavezzi exchanged chances before Napoli's third goal arrived in the 67th minute.

Pandev was again the scorer after defender Leonardo Bonucci hesitated under pressure.

That left Juve struggling to avoid defeat for the 12th time in the league season, but they found a way.

Estigarribia made it 3-2 when he latched on to Matri's headed pass in the 72nd minute and beat Morgan de Sanctis with his right-footed effort.

Six minutes later the night's scoring was ended, Juve breaking quickly after Walter Gargano lost the ball in midfield and Pepe winning his one-on-one with De Sanctis.

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 3

Marek Hamsik (23')

Goran Pandev (41')

Alessandro Matri (48')

Goran Pandev (68')

Marcelo Estigarribia (72')

Simone Pepe (80')

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 48000‎

Second Half Soldiers

Nov 29, 2011

Excuse me while I try to catch my breath and wrap my head around what we all saw take place.

That match was complete crap after 45 minutes. Juve were playing like crap. The formation Antonio Conte rolled out there — something like a 3-5-2 or 4-1-4-1 depending on who you ask —to begin things was crap as he looked to fill the void left by Claudio Marchisio’s suspension. The ref was crap. You name it and it was probably crap.

But whatever it was — chair throwing in the locker room, screaming like a complete mad man, etc. — that Conte did at the break, it worked. Juventus came out a totally different team in the second half. They came back from two-goal deficits not once, but twice. Conte never let his men give up and they responded perfectly, getting a much-deserved draw at the San Paolo.

This is the perfect example of the new Juventus, Conte’s Juventus. If this were a season or two ago, it would have been a 3-1 kind of loss without a doubt. But not Conte’s Juve. This team had its starters on the field for the first 85 minutes of the match. Conte, for as much as it frustrated us at times, didn’t make any changes. He stuck with the same 11 and it worked. Hell, the boys would be returning to Torino with three points instead of just one if one of those numerous chances were converted.

LE PAGELLE:

Buffon: 6 – Not going to fault him for any of the goals. If I did, I’d probably have my goalkeeping card revoked within a second. Sure, it’ll say that he allowed three goals, but when you look at how the defense was playing at times, you could understand why. He did well when he was called upon. Another sign his getting back to being his normal self.

Lichtsteiner: 5.5 – His first sub-par game in a Juve shirt. Zuniga’s pace definitely gave him trouble down the flank. To see Stephan gasping for air in the middle of the second half was surprising considering how he seems to be able to run for days.

Barzagli: 6 – Not his best game, but not his worst either. Looked to be the one guy in the back that wasn’t completely rattled by the atmosphere at the San Paolo. Put in a good shift for the most part and tried his best to pick up the slack with his partner in center defense have a complete clunker.

Bonucci: 4.5 – Oof. Where to begin. Leo struggled with the pace of Napoli’s attack all night. He never looked confident out there at all. Played a part in all of Napoli’s goals. Just a game to forget for a guy who had been playing well since Conte put him in the starting lineup.

Chiellini: 5.5 – Giorgio definitely wasn’t his usual beastly self. He wasn’t as poor as Bonucci, but he wasn’t all that impressive. Did a terrible job of preventing the cross on Napoli’s third goal. Had a glorious chance to score a potential game-winner late in the second half but couldn’t finish it.

Pirlo: 5.5 – Definitely a tale of two halves for Andrea. The first was highlighted by giving away a penalty — which was the right call — when he tackled Lavezzi just inside of the box. He improved in the second half, but didn’t completely get back to the kind of game we’ve seen from him just about every time out since his move from Milan.

Vidal: 6.5 – A typical Arturo Vidal kind of game. He had an impact on the offensive end with a great assist on Matri’s goal and did his usual dirty work on the defensive end. He definitely had to shoulder the load in the center of the park with Marchisio being suspended and Pirlo having an off night.

Estigarribia: 6.5 – The more I see him play, the more I like him. He was involved in the attack and did a quality job getting back in defense and supporting Chiellini. Showing signs that he deserves to be in the lineup a lot more often.

Pepe 7 – Pepe never really got into the match like he has been in the past couple of weeks. Conte playing him in more of a central role in the first half didn’t help at all. That being said, he didn’t do a whole hell of a lot in the second half before he scored the equalizer. His game-tying goal — aided by a lucky bounce — was one hell of a run and why he gets such a high rating. He’s now scored in three consecutive games, something none of us probably thought we’d see.

Matri: 7 – We talk about how well Marchisio is playing right now, but Matri’s performances have been right up there. His team-leading sixth goal of the season was wonderfully taken, slotting it past an on-rushing De Sanctis just after halftime. He’s the best Italian prima punta the country has at the moment (sorry, Pazzo) and only seems like he’s getting better.

Vucinic: 6.5 – How the hell did that Mirko show up after the one we saw in the first half? It was like night and day. I was incredibly surprised that he went from that absent to that involved in the second half. He was vital in Juve’s comeback and almost had a goal himself, forcing a quality save out of De Sanctis. Hopefully he can bring that kind of effort to the party more often than not going forward.

Conte: 6.5 – Got it wrong in the first half, got it right in the second half (as I’ll get to below). The thing that impressed me most is how the squad responded immediately after the break. The first half was utter crap and they completely turned it around in the second 45 minutes. If Conte screamed until his face turned blue in the locker room, good for him. The team needed a kick in the backside and they definitely played like the Mister wanted them to afterwards. But hey, still unbeaten and now two points up. Can’t complain about that.

Subs:

Quagliarella: sv

Del Piero: sv – 700th appearance for Il Capitano lasts all of about three minutes.

Pazienza: sv

Things I think I think

#1: Conte totally got the tactics wrong in the first half — Going into the San Paolo with a totally new formation? Yeah, try again, Antonio. Whether it was playing centrally or not just doing a straight swap of Pazienza for Marchisio, Conte’s choice of formation was the wrong one to go with. Pepe drifting into the middle was a complete head scratcher.

#2: Conte got things right after halftime — A completely different team. My god, to go from dreadful to awesome was incredible to watch from Juventus, and obviously Conte had a huge amount to do with it. The man continues to show the signs of a great manager. In Conte We Trust.

#3: MOAR QUAGS — I hate to sound like a broken record, but can we get Fabio more than five or so minutes of playing time, please?

#4: The refereeing made no sense…at all — It’s easy to play armchair ref. Anybody can do it. With that being said, how craptastic was that display from Tagliavento and Co.? The penalty call was right, but it was just downhill from there.

#5: It’ll be nice to have Claudio back this weekend. That is all.

THE JUVENTUS OFFSIDE SHITLIST:

- Krasic: The only thing we saw Meelosh doing against Napoli was running on the sidelines. Oh well. I’ve always been a fan and I really do hope Conte gives him a chance, but how much longer will be okay with sitting on the bench?

- Zebina: (lifetime award)

- Amauri: (almost lifetime award status) #IBlameAmauri

http://www.soccerway...regular-season/

[Socrates 8042]

Serie A Week 11 - 29-11-2011 (8:45 p.m.)

3 - 3

Marek Hamsik (23')

Goran Pandev (41')

Alessandro Matri (48')

Goran Pandev (68')

Marcelo Estigarribia (72')

Simone Pepe (80')

San Paolo Stadium - Naples

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 48000‎

Week's trials prove Juventus is back

Nov 29, 2011

“Are you mad?” was Gigi Buffon’s prickly response when La Repubblica asked him if Juventus could finally start talking about the Scudetto after their mightily impressive 1-0 victory away to Lazio on Saturday. The 33-year-old goalkeeper had given his best performance of the season so far, and it was from one of the saves he made off Tommaso Rocchi that Juventus sprung the lightning fast counter-attack, one which ended with Simone Pepe scoring in the 34th minute.

True, they had ridden their luck at times. Hernanes had hit the post for Lazio and appeals for a penalty were also dismissed, but Juventus stayed positive, they kept playing their football and deserved to leave the Olimpico with the spoils. There was cause for celebration. Juventus were six points better off than they were at this stage last season and still unbeaten after their first 11 games in Serie A, a feat they last achieved under Marcello Lippi in 1997.

And yet Buffon refused to believe the hype. “Yes, you’re right,” he snapped at La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “We’ve already won the Scudetto. We’ll easily beat Napoli on Tuesday. Is that what you want to hear?” Well, it was, sort of, yes. Antonio Conte had already exasperated reporters by insisting that he will never say the ‘S’ word. That led La Stampa to liken the Juventus coach to the Fonz from Happy Days, because just as he could not bring himself to say “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong”, so Conte won’t freely talk about the title.

The caution and restraint Juventus were showing was understandable. Humbled after back-to-back seventh place finishes in Serie A, theirs is not superstition, nor false modesty. It’s genuine: A case of once bitten, twice shy. Juventus have been built up before, and on each occasion that has made the fall ever harder to take.

In a series of interviews on Monday, Buffon revealed the scale to which he personally has been scarred by the disappointments of the recent past. He expressed a concern that “things have gone a little too well up until now”, that he doesn’t have any kind of certainty, “only hope” that this season will end differently to the last, and that there are “at least two teams better than us.”

Most revealing of all was his preparedness to admit, “I dread that everything will go back to how it was some months ago.” Buffon then added, “I need to understand how we will behave when we are missing two or three fundamental players, whether we will manage to stay competitive and stick together in circumstances like that.”

He got some answers on Tuesday when Juventus travelled to Naples.

Juventus's base formation is a 4-1-4-1, seen here as it was set up to face Lazio on Saturday. With Claudio Marchisio out for Tuesday's match in Naples, Antonio Conte was forced into changes.

While driving to the stadium their bus was attacked. Eggs were pelted, stones thrown and windows were smashed. No one was hurt, but it was clear that an intimidating atmosphere awaited the visitors. This was to be their biggest test yet. Would they pass? Would they fail? It was time to find out.

Juventus had lost on each of their last four visits to the San Paolo, and though there were reasons aplenty to be positive - from the defeats they had inflicted on Milan and Inter earlier this season to the news filtering through that an ankle injury had consigned Napoli striker Edinson Cavani to the stands - at the end of the day they had to come to terms with the fact they were without the suspended Claudio Marchisio.

The Italy international midfielder has proven himself to be fundamental to Juventus’s game-plan under Conte. He allows the team’s best player, Andrea Pirlo, to do what he does best. Think of it this way: If Pirlo is Juventus’s quarterback in their 4-1-4-1 formation, Marchisio is their left-tackle, protecting his blind side, blocking the pass-rush, preventing the sack. Until Tuesday, he was also Juventus’s joint top scorer with Alessandro Matri on five goals.

So Conte needed to adjust his strategy. What he did came as a surprise. He opted to play a 3-5-2 system instead. Stephane Lichtsteiner and Marcelo Estigarribia became wing-backs and were told to stop Juan Camilo Zuniga and Christian Maggio bombing forward. Simone Pepe then moved from the right-wing where he had played so well against Lazio on Saturday to Marchisio’s inside left position, in front of Pirlo. With numerical superiority in midfield it was thought that Juventus would be able to dominate and put pressure on Napoli's central midfield: Walter Gargano and Gökhan Inler.

Juventus changed their shape in the absence of midfielder Claudio Marchisio.

Instead, for the first 45 minutes they looked confused. The precise tactical identity that had been one of Juventus’s biggest strengths throughout the season was abandoned. Too many changes had been made in one fell swoop and soon after kick off it became apparent they were in trouble.

Pirlo, in particular, had a torrid time. This was his first bad showing in a Juventus shirt. He brought down Ezequiel Lavezzi on the edge of penalty area after quarter of an hour and the referee pointed to the spot. Marek Hamsik scored, but the referee ordered a re-take that he blasted over the bar. Redemption came five minutes later when he nodded in a free-kick to give Napoli the lead.

They doubled their advantage before the break, as a clearance attempted by Pirlo rebounded off Maggio and fell to Goran Pandev. The opportunity was too good to pass up, and Pandev duly obliged, sweeping the ball past Buffon and into the bottom left-hand corner.

Juventus were now up against it. Questions were being asked. How would they react? What were they really made of? Were they about to lie down and take a beating or stand up and fight? All was to be revealed when they came out of the dressing room at half-time.

Estigarribia later lifted the lid on what Conte had said. “Kill or be killed.” And Juventus went for the jugular.

Within three minutes of the re-start, Matri had got one back for his team, chasing down an exquisite through-ball from Arturo Vidal and sliding it past Morgan De Sanctis. When Pandev restored Napoli’s two-goal cushion, trapping a cross from Maggio with his back to goal and hitting it superbly on the turn, Juventus’s heads didn’t go down. They kept fighting.

Conte stuck to his guns. He showed courage in his tactical convictions. Everyone expected wholesale changes after the break, but the 3-5-2 remained in place. With time, Conte knew that Napoli would tire and start to fade. They had to. After all, this was their third game in a week between Champions League and Serie A, and when they did, the fresher Juventus with an extra-man in the midfield zone would be able to take advantage.

Estigarribia became Esti-Garrincha exploiting the space on the left-hand side where he found himself open to prod a shot under De Sanctis. Then, with 11 minutes remaining, Pepe found the equalizer after his mazy run, which looked like it had reached a dead-end, started up again after he got a fortuitous bounce allowing him to curl one into the corner, tying things up at 3-3.

It was a remarkable game as a spectacle but also ultimately for what it told us about Juventus. “In football we always talk about tactics, stats and things like that,” Conte said. “But I want to talk about the mentality of my lads. I am proud of them. It’s not easy not to lose games like these. The team gave a show of force, humility, professionalism and I got important answers from a mental perspective.”

La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport agreed, calling Juventus indestructible. “Conte’s band have sent a message that’s greater in its strength than a victory,” wrote Luigi Garlando, “because if you get the strategy wrong, if you go down by two goals on two occasions against the Man City-killing Napoli, if your defense which has conceded seven goals in 11 games lets in three in one-go, if you are missing Marchisio and Pirlo has his first bad game, if despite all this in the end you escape and survive a 4-3 defeat in a game that was worthy of a film, then it means that in this Juve’s locker there are many technical and mental resources – an infinite spirit.”

Like José Mourinho at Inter, Conte’s greatest contribution to Juventus is intangible. It’s the resolve, the indomitability, the sense that, no matter what the circumstances, they are never beaten. Will Tuesday night’s performance have laid Buffon’s doubts to rest? In all honesty, probably not. Juventus have to face an in-form Cesena this weekend, and while they are at home, they will also be without Pirlo, who is due to serve a ban for picking up too many yellow cards. It’s another challenge, and nothing will be taken for granted.

So for now the ‘S’ word is still off-limits. Make no mistake about it, that’s hard when there’s Pepe within Juventus’s ranks, a player with the nickname Er Chiacchiera – The Chatterbox. But the debate goes on: Is the Old Lady finally back? It certainly looks she is.

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