Juventus Season 2011-2012

[Socrates 7977]

[Socrates 7977]

Do Juventus have what it takes to win their first Scudetto

since the 2002-03 Serie A season?

La Vecchia Signora have yet to taste defeat this term and everything seems

to indicate that the title will be theirs..

Feb 2, 2012

With Italy's Serie A at its mid-point stage, there's no question as to whom are the favourites to clinch the Scudetto come the end of the season. Juventus, Italy's most storied club with a staggering 27 league championships to their name, have been unstoppable this season, and they currently lead the Serie A with 44 points, one point more than their closest rivals AC Milan, and also with a game in hand.

Juventus, who last won the Italian championship in their 2002-03 campaign, have undergone a rebuilding process since being relegated to the Serie B following the Calciopoli scandal, but finally after many years of difficulty it seems that La Vecchia Signora are back on their way to returning to being the force that they once were.

Since the appointment of Antonio Conte in mid-2011 the former Juventus midfielder has changed the fortunes of the club. La Vecchia Signora have returned to being the protagonists of the Italian first division, and if they manage to continue with their impressive form there is no reason why they can't win the Scudetto this season.

The reason for Juventus' change of fortunes has much to do with Conte, who has moulded together a side that may not count with such high-profile names, such as those of Inter and AC Milan, but on the other hand count with players who are characterised by both their determination and fighting spirit. The combination of youth and experience has worked wonders for Juve.

Players who they purchased in the Summer of 2011, such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Eljero Elia and Mirko Vucinic have added a wealth of depth to the side.

With Marco Borriello, Ouasim Bouy, Simone Padoin and Martin Caceres having reinforced the side following the winter transfer window, Juventus could possibly become even stronger.

Meanwhile, the newly-built Juventus Stadium has become somewhat of a fortress for the Bianconeri, who have won seven and drawn three out of ten games at the 41,000-capacity venue this season.

While an unbeaten Juventus could possibly extend their lead at the summit to seven points, once they play their catch-up game against Parma, perhaps the only problem that they have faced this season is finishing off their rivals.

La Vecchia Signora have drawn a total of eight from their twenty games this season, which kind of downplays the fact that they are still unbeaten. Generally, having drawn so many games could end up being rather costly in the Serie A, and that is the reason why Juventus have to address the situation promptly.

What has played to Juventus' advantage, however, is the fact that their closest rivals have been rather ordinary in recent weeks, as the likes of defending champions AC Milan, Udinese, Lazio, Inter, Roma and even Napoli haven't been at their best.

This should pave the way for Juventus' much-awaited title.

[Socrates 7977]

Juve signings useful, not decisive

Feb 3, 2012

Nicola Legrottaglie doesn’t expect Juventus’ new arrivals to make a telling difference to the side.

The Old Lady, for whom Legrottaglie used to play for, netted three players in January – Roma’s Marco Borriello, Simone Padoin of Atalanta and Sevilla’s Martin Caceres.

“The January signings won’t change the balance of the side,” the now Catania defender told Tutto Juve.

“They will be useful over the course of the season, but the protagonists who have dragged Juve along during the first half of the campaign will remain the same.”

Juve strengthened their position at the top of the table this week after their one point advantage over Milan remained despite their postponed game at Parma.

“Milan’s loss to Lazio could give Juve an important advantage,” the former Chievo Verona stopper continued.

“Milan now can’t mess up any more games, whereas Juventus are playing as a team. They are a collective.

“Right now Juve are too strong for everyone else. It’ll be hard for anybody to takes points of them, especially in Turin.”

[Socrates 7977]

No undersoil heating, chaotic organisation, ancient terraces & the stadium problems that must be addressed after the midweek mayhem in Serie A

The 21st round of the Italian league season was decimated by the weather, throwing up

all sorts of question marks about provision and decision-making across the peninsula.

Feb 3, 2012

Many eyebrows were raised in late-July when the 2011-12 Serie A calendar was revealed. It had nothing to do with who played who on opening day, nor the timing of the Milan or Rome derbies, and the final day pairings were the last thing on people’s minds. Instead it was the decision to again schedule a midweek round at the end of January that had many talking.

While last season’s 23rd round went ahead unscathed, it was a shivering collection of supporters that made their way to the 10 Serie A grounds, and it surprised many that the Lega Serie A were willing to push their luck again this year. Many players from the top flight expressed surprise that midweek evening fixtures would once more be forced on them, with Fiorentina’s Valon Behrami raising the issue once more on Twitter earlier this week.

But after only six games went ahead due to the snow this week, and Inter’s home game against Palermo played in farcical icy conditions which put players at risk, there are a number of issues which need to be looked into for the same situation not to arise in future seasons.

NO UNDERSOIL HEATING

The first problem came in terms of the lack of protection against the elements. Four games fell to the inclement weather and at least one other should have gone with them. In every case, the only thing used to protect the pitch from the snow was a series of tarpaulin sheets. In the 21st century, this is frankly ridiculous.

It hardly takes the brightest or most scientific of minds to realise that the tarps are completely ineffective. Allowing the snow to settle on the huge strips is little more preventative than leaving the turf uncovered and crossing your fingers. The white stuff is too much for these sheets, meaning that when tractors or brushes are used to clear the tarps and unveil the pitch, all that remains is an icy surface ill-equipped for top class football.

Handheld snow blowers do little more than clear the surface snow, making the pitch look greener but doing nothing to thaw the grass underfoot. The widespread lack of undersoil heating – brought about because of the local authorities’ ownership of most stadiums – needs to be addressed.

CHAOTIC ORGANISATION

It was clear from around 15.00 on Tuesday that the match between Parma and Juventus was going to be a victim to the weather, yet it somehow took until after 19.00 for the inevitable decision to be confirmed.

Then on Wednesday we had the bizarre situation whereby the Atalanta-Genoa clash was called a no-go just 15 minutes before the scheduled 18.00 start, only for the judgement to be reversed. A pitch inspection was then made a full 30 minutes after the intended kick-off time, at which point the few fans to have braved the weather were put out of their misery.

Such a lack of common sense and blatant disregard for supporters is absolutely mind-boggling. Supporters had trekked through snowy, slippery and often icy conditions on the streets of Parma and Bergamo to find they would just have to turn back again without seeing their sides in action.

That the games were called off was completely understandable. That nobody was willing to go ahead and make an immediate decision when conditions were clearly not suitable is unforgivable. It is no coincidence that both of these games were due to get sole TV coverage across the country. Fans need to come first, not bank balances.

IGNORANCE OF THE FANS' INTERESTS

“We could have played the game at 15:00,” said Juve coach Antonio Conte after the Parma clash was called off on Tuesday. Yes, Antonio … Brilliant idea. Why not alienate the fans some more just after they have been royally shafted?

As if it was not enough to be dragged out to the stadium through the snow then sent straight back home, the Bianconeri boss was proposing that in future it should be made even more difficult for supporters to attend their teams’ games.

If matches that were under threat were suddenly all changed to midweek afternoon kick-offs, it would be all too easy for Serie A to be treated with as much contempt as the Coppa Italia, which has countless later-round fixtures rearranged to late-afternoon starts.

The last thing a league with dwindling attendances and supporter apathy, plus a sense of contempt towards those who attend, should be considering is midweek afternoon kick-offs. Conte’s claims were scandalous when placed into this context.

This should not be seen as a personal attack on Conte though, his words were simply a reflection on the general disregard for supporters, completely out of place though they were.

ANCIENT UNCOVERED TERRACES

Another thing which makes supporters not want to bother turning up is the rickety state of some of the stadiums around the country. At some there remain temporary standing areas which have been in place for a number of years, rusting away under rain and snow, while there are swathes of uncovered terracing at 11 of the 18 current Serie A venues.

In the spring, summer and even autumn, this hardly qualifies as a problem, with most fans basking in the warm seasonal weather in front of the national sport. But in winter, it is a different story entirely.

Italy has a very distinct climate, particularly in the north of the country. In the summer it is generally very hot, but in the winter it can be unbearably cold. Even on Thursday night, as Novara faced up to Chievo at the Stadio Silvio Piola, the remnants of two days’ worth of snow made the terraces an unforgiving place to be despite the artificial pitch allowing for the clash to be played as scheduled.

With each new announcement of plans for a new home venue for a Serie A club comes the hope that the Juventus Stadium blueprint will be followed. It is the least the fans deserve if they are to be expected to continue braving near-arctic conditions for two months of the season.

WINTER BREAK LENGTH & TIMING

It is high time that the timing of the winter break is looked at. Two seasons ago, the break came one week too late, with a freezing cold weekend preceding the seasonal closedown. But most years it is during January that the worst of the weather arrives.

Now, it is impossible to arrange the season around a weather forecast six months in advance, but more must be done to ensure that the winter break serves its initial purpose. These days it is used as a good chance to rake in a few extra euros with a trip to the likes of Dubai, while also giving the players Christmas off.

But the supposed reason for a winter break is the avoidance of playing in the most inclement weather conditions, and to that end, a change in timing should be looked at. The final weekend of 2009 was largely bearable, but for the decision to go ahead with an Inter v Lazio evening kick-off played in -12C weather.

That particular issue could have been avoided had the game been scheduled as one of the afternoon matches, when the temperature had yet to drop below zero, with one of the southern teams hosting the evening game (Roma’s home fixture that day kicked off at 15.00 in 10C sunshine).

In most years, it is during January that Italy will have its coldest, snowiest weather, meaning a winter break from mid to late January is likely to result in more fixtures going ahead as planned. With more consideration offered to southern teams hosting evening matches at either side of such a break, this would all result in more games remaining unaffected by the weather.

A three to four week break during January would surely be more effective than the current situation, at least until there are more venues suitable for hosting winter fixtures.

REDUCTION OF GAMES

A longer winter break would, of course, mean squeezing the calendar elsewhere. As already outlined, the intense summer heat makes for similarly uncomfortable viewing midway through the year, so the idea of extending the league season into June with largely evening fixtures is not necessarily a goer, even before taking into account any objections Uefa would have to such a decision.

So it begs the question as to what else can be done, and the reduction of Serie A fixtures is one idea which arises. As a huge enthusiast of the Italian game, this writer would be the last person to ask for less matches normally, but the quality of football and playing conditions would surely both increase markedly if the calendar is shortened to 34 rounds.

Serie A was only extended to a 38-game season due to the Caso Catania of 2004, and had nothing at all to do with preserving or increasing the quality of the product. There are too many teams in the top flight sitting in a comfort zone for long spells of the campaign these days, with at least one club invariably becoming stranded at the bottom of the standings.

The lack of competitiveness of teams 19 and 20 needs to be addressed. This could combine with the need to relieve the pressure on referees, TV companies and the game’s authorities to get games played in January - all forcing the Lega Serie A’s hand over reducing the size of the top flight.

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

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Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Conte: 'Juve now favourites?'

Feb 4, 2012

Antonio Conte is ready to rotate the Juventus squad against Siena and thanks the media for “considering us Scudetto favourites.”

The Bianconeri are still unbeaten this season and clear at the top of the table with a game in hand, as their midweek trip to Parma was snowed off.

“I must thank the media, who are starting to see Juventus as Scudetto favourites. We did extraordinary work and things are evolving in a fantastic way. Over a few months, the hierarchy of Italian football has changed.

“It’s fun looking back over the early reports on us, claiming we didn’t have any big signings, that our June and July work was disastrous and the Coach was a ‘tactical terrorist.’ Having said that, I continue to consider Milan as the favourites for the title.”

Only the brand new Juventus Stadium seems able to withhold the Siberian winds and snow, which make this the coldest week in Italy for 27 years.

“We know full well that we live in Europe, where it’s only normal for cold weather to come at this time. What we are lacking in Italy are adequate structures,” said the Coach.

“We now have a new problem of having to play three games in six days due to the postponements. We have five matches over two weeks, so I cannot live day by day.

“I have to plan the line-ups based on the form and fitness of my players. When it’s this cold, you have to be in peak condition or you’re likely to suffer an injury.

“Fortunately, we have our stadium which has heating under the pitch. We can guarantee a spectacle despite the climactic conditions.

“Everyone is in good shape at the moment, so I am happy that I’ve got the opportunity to make choices. There will be room for everybody and we need all of our players throughout the campaign. Even those who score a brace can end up on the bench and shouldn’t be surprised.”

Martin Caceres should also be available if his international transfer comes through from Sevilla.

This is a special match for Conte, who took Siena to promotion from Serie B last season before he left in order to take over at Juve.

“Siena are tough opponents and we have to go into this wary of what awaits us.”

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Andrea Pirlo wants to stay top of Serie A with Siena win

The Bianconeri are a point ahead of AC Milan in the race for the Scudetto but their Italy

international is keenly aware that they face a difficult opponent on Sunday.

Feb 4, 2012

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has stated that his side will be in for a difficult game against Siena on Sunday, but wants to stay top of Serie A with a win.

The Turin giants are a point ahead of Scudetto holders AC Milan going into the fixture but the Italy international knows that recording a victory will not be a formality.

"It will be a tough game against an organised team that plays good football, so it will be hard, as all the matches are," he told the Juventus Channel.

Pirlo was also full of praise for coach Antonio Conte, with the team looking to secure their first Italian top-flight title since 2003.

"Conte is a very good coach who can give so much to the team," the veteran enthused.

"We are first in the standings and we hope to stay like this."

Juventus are unbeaten in 20 league games this season, whilst Siena are in need of points as they sit precariously above the relegation zone in 17th position.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Caceres and Padoin in Juve squad

Feb 4, 2012

Martin Caceres and Simone Padoin receive their first Juventus call-ups for tomorrow’s game with Siena.

There were doubts as to whether Caceres could take part, but his international transfer has come through from Sevilla.

The versatile defender is given his maiden call for the Bianconeri along with ex-Atalanta midfielder Padoin, who also arrived in the January transfer window.

Mirko Vucinic is back in the side after an injury lay-off, as he would’ve missed the snowed off trip to Parma on Tuesday.

Siena are welcomed to the Juventus Stadium on Sunday at 14.00 UK time.

Juventus squad: 1 Buffon, 3 Chiellini, 4 Caceres, 7 Pepe, 8 Marchisio, 10 Del Piero, 11 De Ceglie, 13 Manninger, 14 Vucinic, 15 Barzagli, 17 Elia, 18 Quagliarella, 19 Bonucci, 20 Padoin, 21 Pirlo, 22 Vidal, 23 Borriello, 24 Giaccherini, 26 Lichtsteiner, 28 Estigarribia, 30 Storari, 32 Matri, 34 Marrone

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Calcio in the ice age

The recent cold snap brought out the worst in Italian football infrastructure

and showed why the Juventus Stadium is the future, argues Susy Campanale.

Feb 4, 2012

Italians are not known for their organisational abilities. Even then, the chaos caused by snow in Serie A has been little short of embarrassing. New stadiums are needed, that much is clear, but this failure to play games because the stands are iced over has more to do with a desperate lack of fore-thought than long-term structural issues. The Juventus Stadium has shown us the way forward and it has become too urgent to ignore.

The Atalanta-Genoa farrago on Wednesday evening could not have been handled worse. Teams were told after the warm-up that the game was off due to frozen stands. The supporters who had made their way into the snow-covered stadium offered to simply move out of the iced sections, which led to the sides warming up again – and in some cases having to get back shirts they had already exchanged – only to be told the match was definitively called off anyway.

In 2012, we have games with a perfectly usable pitch cancelled because a section of the stands is icy. This is most likely because the authorities don’t want to get sued if someone slips and breaks their leg. Aware of the weather reports and the fact February is generally quite a snowy time in northern Italy, could they not put some grit down? Maybe some of those blankets people put over their cars at night to prevent frost? Or those weird giant hair-dryers that seemed to be in use when trying to blow snow off the pitch in Bergamo? It really can’t be that complicated. Yet it’s not even clear who takes responsibility for the upkeep of the stands leading up to a game, as the stadiums are owned by the local council and merely rented by the clubs on match day.

The Juventus Stadium was unveiled with great fanfare and only now are we beginning to see why it is so important that others follow suit. It was colder in Turin than any other city over the past week, yet this arena and its seats remained in perfect condition. It is packed in all weather and against any opponent, whereas even the top of the table Udinese-Juventus couldn’t bring the punters in at the Stadio Friuli. People compared the Turin structure to a Premier League stadium, but I’d say it is closer to the Bundesliga, which makes sense considering the weather is more like Germany than England. If Munich can have an evening kick-off in sub-zero temperatures, why can’t Parma?

It is imperative that the stadiums built for the 1990 World Cup be torn down and replaced by ones more suited to their every day needs. Udinese, Cagliari and Chievo represent small fanbases, so there is no need for such large arenas that sap any atmosphere out of the cavernous walls. They’re expensive to run, impossible to heat and truly embarrassing to see 70 per cent empty on a weekly basis. The investment would be paid off pretty quickly by having the gate actually go into their coffers, the chance to sell official merchandise on site and provide tours of the stadium. Serie A has resisted progress for too long and the Juventus Stadium has shown us what Italian football can achieve.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Round 22 (21): In Conte we trust

Feb 4, 2012

This was a bit of a crazy week. The transfer window came and went, and many people are rating our past market as good one. And, thank God — Secco approves. I was nervous for a minute.

Anyway, even if the moves weren’t exactly what we had thought they would be or hoped for, they all made sense. Depth was added, dead weight was lifted and, of course, we remain unbeaten. The curious cases of Reto Ziegler and to varying other extents Milos Krasic and Eljero Elia prove that Conte will not have any player imposed on him which he doesn’t feel fits his system. In fact, despite Tuesday’s game against Parma being snowed out, Conte is such a badass that he was able to keep us in first place (I know, everyone else has been making the exact same joke, but I don’t care). To this I say onward, with trust in the Count.

Siena has not had a good run of things since promotion and poaching of their coach by us. Their most recent win was a 1-0 victory in the Coppa against Chievo, as they remain just out of the relegation zone 19 points, 3 more than Lecce with a game in hand. They travel to Turin to meet their old friend in his new home, with a rested squad.

Good news: It appears as if Vucinic is available, as well as any other players who may have been questionable with a knock, such as Lichtsteiner – who wasn’t actually reaching into his crotch against Udinese to warm up his hands after all. Despite Conte’s complaints, a snowout against Parma was perhaps not the worst thing that could’ve happened. Now the full squad is presumably available to try and keep the ball rolling and make it 4 wins in a row (counting the Coppa win against Roma).

Our old/new friend Martin Caceres is now available as his paperwork is finally through, as is NKOTB Simone Padoin. My Dutch mancrush Elia has also been included with the squad, so he can watch the game from a close vantage point, maybe even on the bench this time!

Also, Siena has a midfielder named Gazzi. It makes me laugh every time I think about that.

Bad news: Well, Siena is rested too, as the snow messed up a lot of fixtures. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem, right?

Also of note is that Milos Krasic has been left off of the squad. Oh yea, and the Russian transfer window is open until February 24. Not looking good, Meelosh.

My starting XI: (4-3-3) Gigi; Kelso, Giorgio, Dre, Marty; Principino, Bon Pirlo, King Arthur; Dutchie, Matri, Vooch.

Alright, I’m not really mental. Caceres surely shouldn’t start just yet, especially ahead of Lichtsteiner. But maybe poor Steve-o could use a break, and plus, I am really, really excited to see Martin back on the pitch. I also know Elia isn’t going to play and frankly, I’m over it. I just feel like I need to remain consistent to keep my street cred up.

Siena probable: (4-4-2) Pegolo; Vitiello, Rossettini, Contini, Del Grosso; Angelo, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza; Destro, Calaió.

Bench: Farelli, Pesoli, Terzi, Grossi, D’Agostino, Reginaldo, Gonzalez.

Remember when Gaetano D’Agostino was so sought after by us, but Udinese was playing hardball with us, pricing us out of the market? Yea, that was crazy. Thank God that transfer didn’t work out. Oh wait, that pushed Secco to sign Felipe Melo to play out of position as a regista. Nevermind.

Juventus probable: Buffon; De Ceglie, Chiellini, Barzagli, Lichtsteiner; Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal; Vucinic, Matri, Pepe.

Bench: Storari, Bonucci, Estigarribia, Giaccherini, Del Piero, Quagliarella.

Have at it, folks.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Juve looking to make light of the weather in Serie A

Feb 4, 2012

The weather has been playing havoc with football fixtures in Italy all week but Serie A leaders Juventus have survived the big freeze and managed to cement their grip on the standings, without even playing.

Juve's game at Parma was called off leaving them an anxious 24-hour wait to see if they would lose the league leadership.

But AC Milan crashed 2-0 at Lazio meaning Juve held on to top spot ahead of the visit of Siena this weekend.

"The midweek games provided a table that still makes us smile," said Juve captain Alessandro Del Piero.

"With a one-point advantage (over Milan) and a game in hand we have to take advantage of the opportunity to escape, even though it's still too soon to stop and look at the table."

There is still almost half the season to go but there's a feeling that things are falling into Juve's lap.

However, with temperatures of up to minus 10 Celsius expected in the north this weekend, the weather promises to have yet more of a say.

Many of Italy's stadiums are mostly old and out-dated with poor facilities and no contingency plans for icy conditions

Already three scheduled evening games have had to be brought forward to the afternoon to give them a better chance of going ahead.

What this has done is reopen a raging debate in Italy about the state of stadia in the country.

Juve are the only club to own their custom-built stadium while everyone else rents theirs from the local council.

Those other stadiums are mostly old and out-dated with poor facilities and no contingency plans for icy conditions.

When games are called off in Italy it is rarely because the pitch is frozen but because the areas around the ground used by fans are deemed too dangerous.

And while Turin is one of the worst affected areas in the country, the Juventus Stadium has held up well to the snow.

Juve are the only club to own their custom-built stadium while everyone else rents theirs from the local council.

"We're first in the table but we're already concentrating on the next match on Sunday against Siena at the Juventus Stadium," added Del Piero.

"Last Saturday we gave a great demonstration of efficiency (in dealing with the weather conditions), so thanks to the people who worked hard to allow us to play and the fans to enjoy a great spectacle."

The efficient stadium is indicative of a well-oiled Juve machine that remains unbeaten this season and has proved beyond doubt now that they are capable of putting successive, miserable, seventh-placed finishes behind them and challenging for the title.

And if anything, their rivals seem to be facilitating affairs.

Lazio had previously slipped away by losing at Inter Milan, who were on a seven-game winning run until the last week where one point from six has dropped them eight points behind Juve having played a game more.

But Lazio then threw a spanner in Milan's works, leaving their coach Massimiliano Allegri insisting that Juve and not the champions are now the title favourites.

They also face a much tougher weekend game as they host Napoli, themselves beset by problems an inconsistency.

Napoli have been highly impressive when playing supposed big teams, beating both Milans and Manchester City.

But their continued inability to put lesser teams to the sword—they have drawn nine games in the league—has seen them fall right out of title and probably Champions League contention.

However, it would be no surprise if the giant-killing Napoli turn up on Sunday.

Heavy snowfall in Rome has forced the postponement of the AS Roma v Inter Milan match this weekend, city officials announced on Friday.

Officials in Forli, who govern the region of Cesena, added that the Cesena v Catania match—also scheduled for 1500 on Saturday—risked being called off because of adverse weather conditions.

It has been decided that all of the weekend's remaining matches will kick off at 1500, although the Genoa v Lazio fixture will start as scheduled at 1230.

Fixtures

Saturday

Cesena v Catania (TBC)

Sunday

Genoa v Lazio (1130 GMT),

Chievo v Parma,

Fiorentina v Udinese,

Juventus v Siena,

Lecce v Bologna,

Novara v Cagliari,

Palermo v Atalanta,

AC Milan v Napoli,

Roma v Inter Milan.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Serie A Preview

The Old Lady could distance themselves from their league rivals at the summit of Serie A

with a positive performance against the free-falling Tuscan outfit on Sunday.

Feb 4, 2012

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

JUVENTUS

Buffon

Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie

Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio

Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

SIENA

Pegolo

Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso

Angelo, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza

Destro, Calaió

Juventus coach Antonio Conte looks set to revert to his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation for the visit of Siena, with an arguably full-strength XI ready to be named despite his 3-5-2 experiment proving successful during the 2-1 win over Udinese last week.

As a result, Leonardo Bonucci, Marcelo Estigarribia, Emanuele Giaccherini and Fabio Quagliarella are to be ousted in favour of Paolo De Ceglie, Claudio Marchisio, Simone Pepe and Mirko Vucinic.

Meanwhile, for Siena, Giuseppe Sannino is likely to make just the two changes from the 2-1 reverse to arch-rivals Fiorentina, as midfield pair Angelo and Franco Brienza are expected to replace Gaetano D'Agostino and Emanuele Pesoli.

However, there will be no place in the squad for goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic and midfielder Francesco Bolzoni, both whom find themselves on the sidelines with injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

•Juventus still remain the only side unbeaten amongst the 'top five' European leagues this season.

•The Bianconeri also boast the best defence in Serie A, conceding only 13 goals to date.

•The Old Lady have also scored in each of their last 15 games on home soil.

•Erstwhile, Siena have won just one of their last 11 league games.

•Away from home, Sannino's men are on a run of five straight defeats and are without a win in their last 16.

•Alessandro Del Piero has scored 12 goals against Siena; more than against any other Serie A opponent.

•In 13 top-flight meetings between these sides, Juventus have won 11 of them, while Siena's only win came in May 2008 - a 1-0 victory.

Head to Head

Serie A - Sep 18, 2011 - Siena 0 - Juventus 1

Serie A ‎- Mar 14, 2010 - Juventus 3 - Siena 3

Serie A ‎- Oct 25, 2009 - Siena 0 - Juventus 1

Serie A - May 24, 2009 - Siena 0 - Juventus 3

Serie A ‎- Jan 11, 2009 - Juventus 1 - Siena 0

Last Five Matches

Juventus

Jan 28, 2012 - Juventus 2 - Udinese 1 - Serie A

Jan 24, 2012 - Juventus 3 - Roma 0 - Coppa Italia

Jan 21, 2012 - Atalanta 0 - Juventus 2 - Serie A

Jan 15, 2012 - Juventus 1 - Cagliari 1 - Serie A

Jan 8, 2012 - Lecce 0 - Juventus 1 - Serie A

Siena

Jan 29, 2012 - Fiorentina 2 - Siena 1 - Serie A

Jan 25, 2012 - Chievo 0 - Siena 1 - Coppa Italia

Jan 22, 2012 - Siena 1 - SSC Napoli 1 - Serie A

Jan 15, 2012 - Parma 3 - Siena 1 - Serie A

Jan 7, 2012 - Siena 4 - Lazio 0 - Serie A

Players to Watch

Alessandro Matri

A triumphant return to form last week saw the hitman score a crucial brace to hand Juventus all three points on offer against Udinese, after a run of just one goal in his previous seven matches. However, with his shooting boots seemingly back on, he'll be sure to pose Siena all sorts of problems as he aims to add to his tally of nine for the season.

Emanuele Calaiò

The former Napoli forward has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks, scoring an impressive four goals in his past four matches, including a memorable brace in the 4-0 demolition of Lazio. However, having fired blanks in six previous matches, the pressure is on for Calaio to sustain his midas touch against Gianluigi Buffon.

Prediction

A comprehensive home win should be in the pipeline, as Juventus are expected to stroll past their Tuscan counterparts and make it an impressive 21 games unbeaten in Serie A, while piling further misery on the new boys.

Editor's Prediction

Juventus 3 - 0 Siena

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

MATCH PREVIEW

Feb 4, 2012

The last time Juventus hosted Siena in Serie A, the minnows came from three goals down to net their first ever point in Turin.

It was March 2010 and two goals from Alessandro Del Piero and a strike by Antonio Candreva put the Old Lady into a formidable position just 10 minutes into the game. But by the final whistle, Alberto Malesani’s Tuscan outfit picked up a 3-3 with goals from Massimo Maccarone and an Abdel Ghezzal brace.

This is a very different Juve though. Of the 14 players who Alberto Zaccheroni used on that afternoon, only Paolo De Ceglie, Claudio Marchisio and Alex Del Piero remain in the present squad. The Old Lady, unlike back then, are now serious Scudetto contenders given that they lead the standings by a point over Milan and they have a game in hand.

Both Juventus and Siena saw their midweek commitments postponed because of the arctic conditions to have hit Italy over the last few days, but those cancelled games didn’t affect their League positions. If anything it strengthened the Old Lady’s, while Siena are still three points above the drop zone.

Juve boss Antonio Conte, who led Siena to promotion last term, has recovered Mirko Vucinic from injury. He’ll either use a 3-5-2 or a 4-3-3 on Sunday, while Giuseppe Sannino will respond with a 4-4-2 that Conte used to such great effect last term.

Conte will have to decide whether to field Giorgio Chiellini in the middle or as a left-back, while Stephan Lichtsteiner should start given that he was expected to be rested in midweek. Juve have won seven of their 10 home games this term, but they can be stopped as draws with Bologna, Genoa and Cagliari illustrate.

Siena, who have concerns about Zeljko Brkic and Francesco Bolzoni, don’t travel well though. They have picked up just four points on the road all season, they have no win and have lost their last five away from home. Their last away win was at Grosseto in April. Siena may be hard to breakdown though as they have the sixth best defensive record in the land.

Keep an eye on: Mattia Destro (Siena) – Believed to be on Juve’s wish-list for the summer, the Under-21 international will be keen to catch the eye of the Bianconeri. He has five goals in 13 Serie A games so far this term.

Last time in Serie A: Juventus 3-3 Siena – Alex Del Piero scored his 300th and 301^st career goals in that tie.

Form guide: Juventus (W W W D W) Siena (L W D L W)

Stat fact: There have been just six Serie A games in Turin between Juventus and Siena. The Old Lady have five wins and there has been one draw. Del Piero has featured in all of them, scoring eight goals in the process.

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Matri, Vucinic

Siena (probable): Pegolo; Vitiello, Rossettini, Contini, Del Grosso; Angelo, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza; Destro, Calaió

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Juventus v Siena: Preview

Feb 4, 2012

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is warning his team not to be distracted by thoughts of winning the title as they prepare to host Siena tomorrow.

The Turin giants are one point clear of AC Milan at the top of Serie A and have a game in hand after Tuesday's game at Parma was postponed due to heavy snow.

"It's too early to feel favourites for the Scudetto,'' Chiellini said. "We have only started the second half of the season and just because Milan lost at Lazio in midweek, it doesn't change things.

"We have so many games to play this month, including a clash at AC Milan (on February 25), and after that things will be more clear.''

Juventus remain unbeaten this season and have the best defence in the league with just 13 goals conceded in 20 games.

Moreover, they have never lost against Siena at home.

Siena coach Giuseppe Sannino is expecting a tough afternoon.

The Tuscan outfit have struggled on their travels this season and head to Turin still searching for their first win on the road.

Siena have collected just four points from a possible 30 away from home.

"Juventus are a fantastic team,'' Sannino said. "We will be playing in a fantastic stadium against a great side.

"We need to get points against every opponent in our battle to avoid the drop.

"My players will need to show heart and passion to have a chance to win this game.''

Siena, whose midweek game against Catania was also postponed due to adverse weather conditions, go into the encounter on the back of last weekend's 2-1 loss at Fiorentina.

The result left them in 17th place, three points clear of the drop zone.

Juventus, coached by Antonio Conte, will be at full strength with midfielder Claudio Marchisio, winger Simone Pepe and forward Mirko Vucinic having all recovered from injury.

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Match Preview

Serie A league leaders Juventus have an ideal opportunity to further distance themselves

from their closest rivals when they entertain lowly Siena at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday.

Feb 4, 2012

La Vecchia Signora are the odds on favourites to extend their impressive 20-game unbeaten run when they clash with relegation candidates Siena at the Juventus stadium on Sunday.

Juventus, who had their midweek game with Parma postponed due to extreme weather conditions, will be hoping to get back into the swing of things against a vulnerable Siena outfit who have yet to win an away game in ten attempts this season.

Although the Tuscan outfit will do their utmost to change this negative statistic it is likely to be an almost impossible ordeal, not only because Giuseppe Sannino's troops have suffered five straight defeats, but because their rivals boast the best defence in the league, after having conceded a mere 13 goals.

Juventus, who reinforced their side with Marco Borriello, Ouasim Bouy, Simone Padoin and Martin Caceres following the winter transfer window, contain depth in every sector of the field, and the fact that they have scored at least a goal in each of their last fifteen games at their newly-built fortress, the Juventus Stadium, means that they will likely continue with their glorious run on Sunday.

Antonio Conte, the coach of Juventus, will field a full-strength side for the game, with Paolo De Ceglie, Simone Pepe, Mirko Vucinic and Claudio Marchisio expected to start from the kick-off, as they did in the 2-1 win over Udinese.

Juve idol, Alessandro del Piero, will wait anxiously for an opportunity from the substitute's bench to increase his career-high tally of twelve goals versus Siena. There is no team that Del Piero has converted more goals against than La Robur.

Meanwhile, Sannino will maintain an almost identical formation as to the one that lost 2-1 to Fiorentina in the Tuscan derby.

The news comes rather surprisingly, considering the fact that Siena face Napoli at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia on Thursday.

Juventus have a favourable history over their rivals in the Serie A, after having obtained 13 wins, one draw and a single loss.

Do you think Siena could pull off an upset?

Prediction:

Juventus 2-0 Siena

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Juventus v Siena – Preview

Feb 4, 2012

Serie A leaders Juventus welcome Siena to Turin on Sunday, hoping to maintain their unbeaten record and one point lead over second placed Milan. Siena’s last trip to face the Bianconeri ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, however Giuseppe Sannino will find it much tougher to repeat history. Mirko Vucinic has returned to full fitness, while new signing Simone Padoin should be named on the bench. Antonio Conte saw his side’s clash with Parma postponed in mid-week, and with seven wins from their ten home games this season, he will be confident of continuing their good form.

Siena also saw their game in mid-week postponed due to the weather, but have concerns over the availability of Zeljko Brkic and Francesco Bolzoni. Sannino’s men have collected just four points away from home all season, are without a victory in that time and have lost their last five on the road. The front pairing of Emannuel Calaio and Mattia Destro will be a tough test for the Juve backline, despite the Bianconeri possessing the strongest defence in Serie A.

Probable Line-ups:

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

Subs; Storari, Caceres, De Ceglie, Giaccherini, Padoin, Borriello, Quagliarella

Siena (4-4-2): Pegolo, Vitiello, Rossettini, Contini, Del Grosso, Angelo, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza, Destro, Calaio

Subs; Farelli, Pesoli, Terzi, Grossi, D’Agostino, Reginaldo, Gonzalez

Form Guide:

Juventus: -WWDWD

21/12/11 – Udinese 0-0 Juventus

08/01/12 – Lecce 0-1 Juventus

15/01/12 – Juventus 1-1 Cagliari

21/01/12 – Atalanta 0-2 Juventus

28/01/12 – Juventus 2-1 Udinese

31/01/12 – Parma PSTP Juventus

Siena: LDLWD

20/12/11 – Siena 0-0 Fiorentina

07/01/12 – Siena 4-0 Lazio

15/01/12 – Parma 3-1 Siena

22/01/12 – Siena 1-1 Napoli

29/01/12 – Fiorentina 2-1 Siena

01/02/12 – Siena PSTP Catania

Top Scorers:

Juventus

Matri – 9

Marchisio – 6

Siena

Calaio – 9

Destro – 5

Assists:

Juventus

Pirlo – 5

Vucinic – 5

Siena

D’Agostino – 3

Calaio – 2

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Sannino fired up for Juve

Feb 5, 2012

Giuseppe Sannino believes Siena will have “exceptional motivation” in today’s trip to Juventus, especially as they are facing their old Coach Antonio Conte.

“I am hardly the first to discover Juventus are a great side and therefore the team will have exceptional motivation in playing against the very best,” said Sannino.

“A squad does not remain unbeaten for over half a season by accident. We are going into an extraordinary stadium against a very strong outfit.

“We know that we have to seek safety points against every opponent in any arena, but to do it we need heart and passion.”

January signing Erjon Bogdani is not yet ready to feature, while Zeljko Brkic and Francesco Bolzoni are injured.

“This is the team from here to the end of the season and we must be as united as possible, becoming one with the fans and the city. This unity has to become our greatest strength, as it is the only way to survive in Serie A.”

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Marcello Lippi: Juventus set to dominate Serie A once more

The Turin club have taken a while to recover from 'Calciopoli' but the man who led them

to five titles in two separate spells feels that they are now poised to reign supreme again.

Feb 5, 2012

Former Juventus boss Marcello Lippi believes that the club are on the cusp of a new era of dominance.

After successive seventh-placed finishes, the Bianconeri are currently flying high at the top of Serie A under new coach Antonio Conte, who arrived in Turin last summer.

Juve have taken a while to recover from 'Calciopoli', the match-fixing scandal which resulted in them being relegated to Serie B, but the World Cup winner feels that they are now poised to re-establish themselves as the most powerful force in Italy.

"Juventus will open a cycle because this team is only going to get better from here on," he told Tuttosport.

"The new stadium has added a sense of pride, while Conte has given organisation and sense of belonging back to the club."

Lippi coached Juve during two separate spells in 1994-99 and 2001-04, during which he led the club to five Serie A titles.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Mirko Vucinic and Simone Pepe return for Juventus against Siena

The Old Lady have reverted to their tried-and-tested against the Tuscan outfit,

as four changes are made from the side that defeated Udinese 2-1 last weekend.

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus have entrusted Mirko Vucinic, Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe to lead the line for today's visit of Serie A rivals Siena.

The trio will line up in a 4-3-3 system, as coach Antonio Conte has opted to end his 3-5-2 experiment and go back to the formation that has platformed the Bianconeri's success so far this season, which has seen them remain unbeaten after 20 league matches.

Four changes have also been made from the XI that consigned Udinese to a 2-1 loss last week, as Leonardo Bonucci, Marcelo Estigarribia, Emanuele Giaccherini and Fabio Quagliarella have been replaced by fellow quartet Paolo De Ceglie, Claudio Marchisio, and duo Pepe and Vucinic.

Meanwhile for Siena, two new personnel additions from the 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Fiorentina see Luigi Giorgi and Franco Brienza come into the fold at the expense of Emanuele Pesoli and Gaetano D'Agostino.

The teams are as follows:

Juventus (4-3-3): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vucinic, Matri, Pepe

Subs: Del Piero, Quagliarella, Borriello, Storari, Bonucci, Marrone, Giaccherini

Siena (4-4-2): Pegolo; Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso; Giorgi, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza; Destro, Calaio

Subs: D'Agostino, Farelli, Contini, Reginaldo, Parravicini, Rossi, Gonzalez.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

-

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Line-ups: Juventus-Siena

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus look to a trident of Mirko Vucinic, Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe as they welcome Antonio Conte’s old club Siena.

Conte took the Tuscans to promotion last season before resigning when he received the prestigious call from Turin.

He has a full squad to choose from and opts for the 4-3-3 formation with Vucinic returning from injury.

Paolo De Ceglie is picked at left-back, allowing Giorgio Chiellini to play in central defence.

Siena miss Zeljko Brkic and Francesco Bolzoni for this trip to the Juventus Stadium, but have Mattia Destro as a partner for Emanuele Calaiò.

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vucinic, Matri, Pepe

Juventus bench: Storari, Bonucci, Giaccherini, Marrone, Del Piero, Quagliarella, Borriello

Siena: Pegolo; Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso; Giorgi, Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza; Destro, Calaiò

Siena bench: Farelli, Rossi, Contini, Parravicini, D’Agostino, Reginaldo, Gonzalez.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

League leaders dominant but fail

to break down resilient visitors

Gianluca Pegolo was in inspired form for the visitors to deny the Old Lady

their thirteenth win of the season and earn his side a valuable point in the process.

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus laboured and could only muster a 0-0 draw at Juventus Arena against a rock-solid Siena side in Sunday's Serie A action.

It was a stuttering performance from the Old Lady in what was a fairly scrappy game. Juve took 30 minutes to warm up but Gianluca Pegolo was in top form as he denied them on multiple occasions to earn the visitors a valuable and unexpected point.

Juventus were far too sloppy on the ball and they struggled to break down a resilient Siena in the opening stages. Chances were limited in an extremely scrappy game and though Juve threatened down the wings, the movement of the strikers in the box was poor and they rarely tested Pegolo in the first 45 minutes.

The Siena keeper’s first save came in the 16th minute when he flapped at a swerving effort from distance by Arturo Vidal, but managed to clear the ball away. Siena then took the ball straight up the other end and after Emanuele Calaio found space by cutting inside of Giorgio Chiellini, he screwed his shot into the side netting just one minute later.

Juventus were becoming ever more dangerous as the half drew on. In the 34th minute Andrea Pirlo spotted Stephan Lichtsteiner’s darting run in the box and clipped a beautiful diagonal ball to the right-back. He helped it on with his first touch but Pegolo made a fantastic save, getting his fingers to it and tipping it over.

Antonio Conte could not have been happy with his side’s first half display. Mirko Vucinic looked extremely rusty and Alessandro Matri was hardly involved in the game at all. Siena sought a goal on the break but were not committing enough players to stretch the hosts.

Siena continued to have an answer for everything that Juve threw at them in the second half, their close pressing and tackling inspiring but they were allowing Pirlo too much time and space.

Pegolo produced another fantastic save on the hour mark when he clawed away Pirlo’s beautifully placed free kick that was destined for the top corner. Just two minutes later he produced another remarkable stop when he got a hand to Matri’s header to keep the scores level.

With 15 minutes remaining Siena enjoyed a decent spell of pressure after a quick break saw Gonzalez brought down close to the area by Andrea Barzagli. From the resultant free kick Buffon cleared the ball away and the visitors failed to get an effort on target.

The stadium became a cauldron of frustration as the home side still struggled to find a way past their opposition. They had a penalty claim denied in the final moments when Giorgio Chiellini’s cross struck the arm of Simone Vergassola but the referee saw nothing wrong.

Siena almost won it at the death when Buffon spilled Reginaldo’s effort, and Gazzi stormed in to finish it off but he blazed his effort high and wide from the corner of the six-yard box.

Emanuele Giaccherini spurned a great opening in stoppage time to score the winner but his cross-goal effort had too much height and sailed just over Pegolo's bar.

The result means Juve cling to top spot while Siena widen the gap between them and the drop zone to four points, effectively giving them a one-game cushion.

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Juve upset at Siena stalemate

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus were unable to break down Siena in Turin, but can complain about a penalty decision.

The battle of the Bianconeri also saw Antonio Conte come face to face with the club he took to promotion last season. Juve were still unbeaten and also refreshed, as Tuesday’s game with Parma was snowed off. Siena missed Zeljko Brkic and Francesco Bolzoni, while their midweek round was also postponed due to the weather. The Tuscans had managed just four points on their travels all season, losing their last five away from home.

Juve needed 15 minutes to get into gear, when Arturo Vidal’s screamer squirmed off Gianluca Pegolo’s palms. Moments later, Mattia Destro placed his daisy-cutter just wide of the near post. Mirko Vucinic made his comeback after a month out, but horribly scuffed from seven yards, kicking it on to his own shin.

Stephan Lichtsteiner sprung the offside trap on an inspired Andrea Pirlo ball over the top and volleyed with the inside of his left foot, but Pegolo flew for a spectacular save.

Simone Pepe was not 100 per cent fit and came off before the break for Emanuele Giaccherini. Vucinic ballooned another good chance over the bar and Claudio Marchisio’s deflected angled drive dribbled just wide of the upright.

Pegolo flew to flap a Pirlo free kick out of the far top corner, then the goalkeeper did the same on Matri’s header.

Marco Borriello came off the bench to nod wide and there was controversy when Andrea Barzagli was carded for a foul just outside the box, although replays suggest he got the ball cleanly. Gigi Buffon had to flap at the resulting set piece.

The Juventus Stadium was livid five minutes from time, as Vergassola charged down a Chiellini cross in the box with his arm, but the referee waved play on.

At the other end, Buffon spilled a Reginaldo snapshot and Alessandro Gazzi’s follow-up was just over the bar.

Borriello and Giaccherini combined, the former Cesena player curling over the bar from a tight angle.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vucinic (Borriello 61), Matri (Quagliarella 76), Pepe (Giaccherini 38)

Siena: Pegolo; Vitiello, Rossettini, Terzi, Del Grosso; Giorgi (Reginaldo 69), Vergassola, Gazzi, Brienza; Destro (Parravicini 73), Calaiò (Gonzalez 56)

Ref:Peruzzo

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

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Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Leaders fail to break through

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus were frustrated in front of their own fans by a Siena side who were good value for a 0-0 draw in Piedmont.

Juve did all of the attacking in a one-sided game, but they failed to create any major chances as the Tuscans defended resolutely.

Siena almost stole a win late on when Alessandro Gazzi missed their best chance of the game, but Giuseppe Sannino's side arrived with a game-plan which they enforced perfectly to earn the point which keeps them three points above the relegation zone.

Despite being held at home, Juve remain at the top of the table with rivals AC Milan also failing to win.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte was facing his former side for the first time since leading them into Serie A last season.

His recent history with the Tuscan club may be one of the reasons why they seemed to know precisely how to limit the Bianconeri's attacking potential.

Indeed, Siena rarely looked in any danger of conceding in the first half as they defended in numbers, but above all, with organisation.

The only time Juve really managed to get into a position to shoot was when Stephan Lichtsteiner's volley was pushed over by Gianluca Pegolo in the 34th minute.

Juve had even more of the possession in the second half, yet the situation did not change as Siena harried and hassled them.

Alessandro Matri tested Pegolo with a header, which the Siena goalkeeper pushed over the crossbar.

Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo both tested Pegolo with weak shots before the visitors nearly stole the show late on.

Pablo Gonzalez's shot was saved by Gianluigi Buffon, but the ball fell to Gazzi, who sent the potential match-winning shot over the crossbar from close range.

Deep in stoppage time, Pegolo saved the result for Siena as he denied Giorgio Chiellini's shot on the turn.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Juventus Frustrated in Ugly 0-0 Draw to Siena at Home

Feb 5, 2012

After a brief fling against Udinese with his mistress 3-5-2, Juventus manager Antonio Conte returned to his faithful 4-3-3 formation today against Siena. The formation and player selection was almost identical to the usual starting XI that Conte uses, with one exception.

Giorgio Chiellini, situational left-back, was shifted back to central defense. Paolo De Ceglie came in at left-back, while my beloved Leonardo Bonucci was sent to the bench. Bonucci has suffered a dip in form of late, as I have discussed, and while I may have supported his benching, it appears now that it may have had a calamitous effect on Juve's fortunes.

It's well known that one of Leo Bonucci's best skill on the pitch is his ball-handling ability. He's known as a defender who can carry the ball and help start movements from a team's own half. He played this role at Bari, and he has played this role at Juventus under Antonio Conte. Of course, today he was on the bench.

While he was on the bench, Juve's attack languished. They had only seven shots on target, and of those only two were truly dangerous attempts on goal. Conte seemed to think this was the fault of the forwards, as he subbed off all three of his starting forwards. Granted, Simone Pepe came off due to injury, and not for tactical reasons.

Of the other two, Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic, only one deserved to be taken off. Vucinic had a lousy game from the start. He couldn't find a rhythm, and he was frequently turning the ball over or being dispossessed. He later came off for Marco Borriello.

On the other hand, Ale Matri did pretty well with what he was given. Matri is a poacher, and lately (before the Udinese match) his problems had been in finishing. Today, he was not given very many chances to finish anything.

Matri only had one shot on target, though there was one impressive play where he spun around a defender to service Mirko Vucinic with a cross. The cross was received by Mirko, but he sent it straight over goal.

Indeed, chances like that made up most of Juve's scoring opportunities today. This is because Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio turned into black holes today.

The entire midfield area truly was a black hole. That is, of course, not including Andrea Pirlo, who had a magnificent game despite the team's general struggle.

Pirlo took up the lion's share of those missing Bonucci long balls. Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini also increased their output of long balls, but neither was as successful in either quantitative or quantifiable terms as Pirlo was.

Pirlo went 21-of-23 in long-ball attempts, and his passing accuracy rate was 90 percent today. Chiellini and Barzagli were both in double digits for both long balls attempted and completed, but they both lacked Bonucci's effectiveness.

Thankfully, Barzagli and Chiellini were much more effective in defense than they were while attacking.

Barzagli started off a bit slow, with a pair of noticeable errors, his first of the season. The first one came when Alessandro Gazzi had the ball in Juve's half. Barzagli went at Gazzi with a lousy challenge and ended up fouling Gazzi. Like I said, it was Barzagli's first noticeable error of the season, or at least it seemed that way.

The next mistake came when Mattia Destro received a pass in Juve's half. Barzagli's challenge attempt totally failed, and Destro continued on.

The rest of his game was up to the usual Barzagli standard, but if that had been Bonucci, the haters would be screaming for blood.

The one Juventus player who was truly great today was Andrea Pirlo. His long balls were the only thing that kept the Juve attack alive, and it seemed that the most dangerous scoring opportunities always had something to do with Pirlo.

Thirty-three minutes into the game, Pirlo sent forward a beautiful pass to Stephan Lichtsteiner, who was alone in front of goal. The pass was dead-on accurate, and Lichsteiner leaped up to kick it in. His kick sent the ball over the cross bar, but it didn't take away from Pirlo's skill and vision.

The substitutes, Marco Borriello, Fabio Quagliarella and Emanuele Giaccherrini, didn't do much to spur scoring, either.

Giaccherini was lively, as he tends to be, but it wasn't enough to tip the scales. Quags was only on for a little bit, but his influence was extremely small. Perhaps Conte should have instead put Alessandro Del Piero in, especially as Del Piero has a strong scoring record against Siena.

Borriello was on for a good amount of time, and he showed great passion. Unfortunately, that passion came out in the form of arguments with Siena players and the referee, who gave Borriello a yellow card for arguing.

I would have liked Borriello to turn his aggression into goals and not dust-ups, but he does what he wants.

Borriello's foil, the referee, had as bad a game as the Juventus attack. His most egregious error came when he ignored a Siena handball in the box. Chiellini fired the ball into the box, and it was met with a Siena defender's forearm. The ref made no call, and Juve were not given the penalty kick they deserved.

That said, Siena played well.

Their defense, one of the top in the league, obviously had a part in shutting Juve down. Their offense wasn't too dangerous, but they can still be proud of a tough 0-0 draw away to Juventus. Siena has struggled on the road, and Juve has been excellent at home.

Today marked the first-ever home shutout against Juve. They had scored in all the games in the new Juventus Stadium before today. They are still undefeated in the stadium and the league.

Juve now has three days until their big Coppa Italia semifinal leg against A.C. Milan on Wednesday. Milan also drew today, against Napoli, and their star striker (and money-loving mercenary) Zlatan Ibrahimovic was given a red card for slapping another player. It was an unsurprising, if eventful, day for Zlatan.

The red card means that he will probably be suspended for three Serie A games, meaning he will miss the league match against Juventus. He will also miss a match against Udinese. The suspension should not affect his eligibility for the Coppa match on Wednesday.

Juve's disappointing result today is brightened by big losses by Inter (4-0 to Roma) and Udinese (3-2 to Fiorentina. The Milan draw, plus the losses by Inter and Udinese, mean that Juve's status at the top of the table is unchanged and even strengthened a little bit.

Juventus need to put this performance behind them, as a big game against Milan starts off a period jam-packed with games. In a 10-day span, they have the Milan game, a match against Bologna, the makeup game against Parma, and one final game against Catania.

The week after that Catania game, they face A.C. Milan in a Serie A match. It seems that they will not have to worry about Ibra, but after today I think Juventus needs to worry more about their own offense.

Praise Conte, and Forza Juve.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Juventus and Milan fire blanks

Juventus remain a point clear in Serie A despite a 0-0 draw with AC Siena, closest rivals

AC Milan also failing to score as Zlatan Ibrahimović saw red in their meeting with SSC Napoli.

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus preserved their slender Serie A lead despite a goalless stalemate with AC Siena as closest rivals AC Milan also drew a blank, Zlatan Ibrahimović seeing red in their 0-0 draw with SSC Napoli.

Frontrunners Juve remain undefeated this season but were unable to find the net on home soil against 17th-placed Siena, the club Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte led to promotion last term. That opened the door for Milan for take over at the summit, yet the Rossoneri lost Ibrahimović after he lashed out at Salvatore Aronica on 64 minutes and remain a point back.

Three points shy of Milan, third-placed Udinese Calcio succumbed 3-2 at ACF Fiorentina despite a 16th goal of the season from Antonio Di Natale, Stevan Jovetić burying a penalty winner six minutes from time. In fourth, S.S. Lazio also lost 3-2, Boško Janković striking twice for hosts Genoa CFC.

The win of the day belonged to AS Roma, however, the capital side dispatching FC Internazionale Milano 4-0 in their rearranged fixture thanks in part to a Fabio Borini double. Unable to play on Saturday due to a snowstorm, sixth-placed Roma now lie two points shy of Inter.

Elsewhere, Parma FC and US Città di Palermo claimed 2-1 victories, against AC Chievo Verona and Atalanta BC respectively, and the matches between US Lecce and Bologna FC, and Novara Calcio and Cagliari Calcio, ended goalless.

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

[Socrates 7977]

Serie A Week 22 - 5-2-2012 (3:00 p.m.)

0 - 0

Juventus Stadium - Turin

Referee: Sebastiano Peruzzo

Attendance: 35392‎

Player Ratings

Goal.com analyses the players on show at Juventus Stadium on Sunday, as the visitors

forced the Old Lady to settle for a goalless draw and a disappointing point at home.

Feb 5, 2012

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon 6.0 - Had a field day for most part of the match, bar a late slip-up which almost gifted Gazzi with the winner near the end.

Giorgio Chiellini 7.0 - Strong showing from the Italy stopper, who kept his place at centre-back. Rarely troubled by Siena's attackers and offered a commanding presence at the back.

Paolo De Ceglie 6.5 - Despite an uncertain beginning, he eventually had an easy match against Luigi Giorgi, and tried his best to infiltrate Siena's half, albeit without much success.

Andrea Barzagli 6.5 - Was given the runaround by Destro in the early stages, but then got to grips with the forward and forced Siena into substituting him, along with Calaió. Very comfortable.

Stephan Lichtsteiner 6.5 - Once more he defended aptly against Brienza, although his support play could have been better for his standards. Nevertheless, his work rate could not be faulted.

Simone Pepe 5.0 - Saw his game cut short with injury and was replaced by Giaccherini after 35 minutes.

Claudio Marchisio 5.5 - Average display from the combative performer, who despite being lively, failed to provide much cutting-edge from midfield and could not find a route beyond Siena's wall-like back line.

Andrea Pirlo 7.5 - Single-handedly carried his team in midfield, where his team-mates constantly looked towards him for inspiration. Sprayed the ball around with ease and threaded frequent through passes, although sadly none of his colleagues were on his wavelength.

Arturo Vidal Pardo 6.0 - A solid if not spectacular performance from the Chilean, who was tireless as ever but was not able to assert his authority like he has done recently.

Mirko Vučinić 5.0 - A promising opening to the match, which saw him get in a few good positions, ended in failure as his shooting left a lot to be desired. Found himself replaced by Borriello in the second half.

Alessandro Matri 5.5 - Another mediocre display from the hitman, who struggled to hold the ball up for the team-mates effectively enough and did not pose much of a goal threat. Replaced by Quagliarella

• Substitutions

Emanuele Giaccherini 6.0 - Showed glimpses of agility down the flank, but failed to truly examine the capabilities of Del Grosso.

Fabio Quagliarella 5.5 - Late cameo from the masked attacker, who did not have enough time to make a telling impact.

Marco Borriello 5.0 - Did not contribute anything to the Juventus cause, bar two penalty appeals which were quickly dismissed by the referee.

Siena

Gianluca Pegolo 7.5 - Fine goalkeeping display from the shot-stopper, who produced several important saves to earn Siena a point.

Roberto Vitiello 6.0 - Found it hard initially to deal with De Ceglie's youthful exuberance, but eventually settled into the game well and had a comfortable afternoon.

Cristiano Del Grosso 6.0 - Occasionally had the odd blip against Giaccherini in the second half, but his overlaps with Brienza were an eye-catching feat.

Luca Rossettini 7.0 - Got the better of Matri and Co. as he helped his side prevent Juventus from getting the better of his fellow comrades.

Claudio Terzi 6.5 - Did not drop concentration for the entirety of the contest, and continues to grow in stature in the top-flight.

Luigi Giorgi 6.5 - Impressive performance from the second-string winger, who forced Juventus' defenders out of position in the early stages but was eventually figured out. Encouraging nonetheless.

Simone Vergassola 6.0 - The captain could not get near the majestic Pirlo, but was very professional in his approach and helped marshall his team-mates.

Alessandro Carlo Gazzi 5.5 - Blew a glorious chance to win the match for his team against the odds, after ballooning his effort high and wide with three minutes to go.

Emanuele Calaiò 5.0 - Looked isolated in attack, but made little effort to drop deep and help support his team-mates. Aptly subbed off for Gonzalez.

Mattia Destro 6.0 - His shooting ability was not showcased enough, but still made a impact with a couple of promising snapshots at Buffon. Replaced by Parravicini as Siena held out for a point.

Franco Brienza 6.5 - Juventus' overriding possession meant he had to sacrifice his pacy wing play in favour of a more disciplined role, but he gave his all and worked hard down the flank.

• Substitutions

Francesco Parravicini 5.0 - Late cameo from the steely midfielder.

Pablo González 6.0 - Looked lively in the latter stages of the encounter, but was then forced into helping his team defend their point.

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