Juventus Season 2013-2014

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Jorge Jesus: On to Juve

Apr 21, 2014

Benfica Coach Jorge Jesus has called on his side to focus on their Europa League semi-final against Juventus.

The Portuguese outfit secured their domestic League title yesterday but the tactician now wants the celebrations to be put to one side.

The first leg of the tie with the Old Lady takes place in Lisbon this Thursday, with the return in Turin a week later.

“We have a fantastic group and never gave up,” Jesus said to Portuguese media sources.

“We have secured our main objective of the season, but the season could finish with us being even happier than we are now.

“So now, let’s postpone the celebrations and concentrate on the match with Juventus.”

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Juve prepares for Benfica game

Apr 21, 2014

After Bologna's win against Juventus on Saturday, the Turin team trained on Monday for the Europa League semi-finals that take place in Lisbon against Benfica on Thursday evening. Benfica took the Portuguese championship for the 33rd time. Antonio Conte's Juve trained hard and are close to their third championship win, knowing, however, that their adversary is dangerous.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Juve look to Benfica with title in bag

Turin giants maintain eight-point lead with four games to go.

Apr 21, 2014

Juventus say they are fully focused on Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against Benfica in Lisbon after closing in on their third consecutive Serie A title with Saturday's 1-0 win over Bologna.

The win, secured by a second-half strike from French midfielder Paul Pogba, keeps the Turin giants eight points ahead of second-placed AS Roma with just four games to go until the end of the season. If Juve knock out Benfica, they will face Valencia or Sevilla at their home stadium - the venue for the final of Europe's secondary club competition this season. "Now it's time to concentrate on Europe. Benfica are a team who play good football, and we're already looking ahead to Thursday's game," said Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna.

"We'll be facing a fiery atmosphere so we'll look to prepare for the fixture as best we can".

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Artur saving his best for Benfica

"A 'Benfiquista' for life," SL Benfica goalkeeper Artur's Serie A experience may come in useful
as his side look to follow up their Liga success with a semi-final triumph against Juventus.

Apr 21, 2014

A losing UEFA Europa League finalist in 2011 and 2013, SL Benfica goalkeeper Artur can only hope his luck is turning as the newly-crowned Portuguese champions take on Juventus in this season's semi-finals.

Having been the understudy to 21-year-old Jan Oblak in the Liga since an injury sustained in a 3-2 win at SC Olhanense on 12 December gave the Slovenian his chance, Artur was still delighted to join in the title celebrations after Sunday's 2-0 win against Olhanense secured his first title with Benfica. "Regardless of who played more, Oblak and I are both to be congratulated," he said. "We split the games between us. Since I came here, I have dreamed of being a champion with this club and now it has come true."

Artur can only hope that that first piece of silverware augurs well; the club endured a calamitous end to 2012/13, losing their grip on the Liga title, and coming off second best in the Portuguese Cup and UEFA Europa League finals in the space of a few days. "Only we know how hard we have fought since the beginning of the season, after the tough end to last year," the Brazilian explained.

While Oblak has been the first choice in the Liga, Artur remains Jorge Jesus's main man in European games. Yet to concede in four UEFA Europa League matches this term, the 33-year-old Brazilian's Serie A experience could be crucial against Juventus. Artur played in Italy from 2007 to 2010, and while his stint at AS Roma included only 12 top-flight appearances – and none against Juventus – the tall custodian has a good idea of what to expect from the Italian champions, and not least their forward Mirko Vučinić, his former Roma team-mate.

Artur left Italy for Portugal in 2010 to join SC Braga, whose then coach Domingos Paciência was impressed by his "stability, coolness, the impossible saves he makes and the way he positions himself". His only season with the Arsenalistas took in the club's UEFA Champions League group stage debut and culminated in a trip to the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League final, where they lost 1-0 to Liga rivals FC Porto in Dublin.

Benfica, though, liked what they saw of Artur, agreeing a four-year contract with the goalkeeper. He has now made over 100 appearances for the club in all competitions, and has a target of doubling that total. "I'm a Benfica player body and soul," the one-time EC Cruzeiro and Coritiba FBC player said. "I want to play 100 more games in this shirt that I have come to love. I was not born a 'Benfiquista' (Benfica fan), but I'm a 'Benfiquista' for life."

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Marchisio: Motivation is key

Apr 22, 2014

Claudio Marchisio has outlined Juventus’ respect for Benfica and asserted that motivation is what can make the difference at this stage of the season.

The Bianconeri are preparing to meet the Portuguese on Thursday evening in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Whilst recent suggestions in Italy have been of a Juve side beginning to tire in the final stretch of the season, their No 8 believes that the desire for success will be a driving force.

“Many players in this team have never won a European competition and Juventus haven't won a trophy in Europe for so many years,” Marchisio has commented in an interview with UEFA’s official website.

“When you reach this stage of the competition motivation can make the difference.

“So even if we're coming to the end of the season and our legs are beginning to feel heavy, the trophy can give you that energy to give that bit extra.”

The final this season is hosted at the club’s Juventus Stadium.

“We knew this right from the start when we began in the group stage of the Champions League.

“When we didn't qualify and moved into the knockout phase of the Europa League, the fact that the final would be at home clearly gave us an added boost.”

Before the Old Lady can dream about the final, though, they must push aside Benfica.

“We'll come up against a side that in recent years, not only in their own league but in competitions like the Europa League, have done really well, even if they have lost some finals.

“Clearly they have the experience and the players with the qualities and characteristics to cause us difficulty. We have to think about them and think of the game as another final.

“There will be two quality teams that will try and put on a spectacle in these two matches. For our part, we hope we have the right belief to reach our objective, which is to play the final in Turin.”

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Vidal, Tevez ready for Benfica?

Apr 22, 2014

Juventus duo Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez are seen as nearing full fitness, but reports are conflicted over their availability for Benfica.

The pair have been recovering from respective minor issues of late and Antonio Conte has already commented that he will only reinsert them into the starting XI when they are back to 100 per cent.

A number of outlets suggest that on from Vidal’s appearance from the bench against Bologna at the weekend and Tevez’s again sitting through as an unused substitute, the pair are nearing full availability, in time for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Benfica.

Tuttosport lead the assessment that Vidal has shaken off discomfort in his knee and Tevez has recovered from his thigh issue sufficiently to see both make the first team this midweek.

However, the giornalaccio rosa dello Sport remain more reserved, writing that there is still a chance of neither South American making even the matchday squad and that if they do, it may be just to sit on the bench.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Capello sure of Juve

Apr 22, 2014

Fabio Capello is convinced that Juventus have what it takes to win the Europa League this season.

The Russia Coach played for the Old Lady from 1970-76 and also praised the work done by compatriot Carlo Ancelotti at another of his former clubs, Real Madrid.

“I live football, I watch all the matches,” Capello told Eurosport. “I start watching them in the afternoon and I finish at 11pm!”

“I am a Madridista. For me they are the favourites both in La Liga and the Champions League.

“They are coached by a great Coach like Ancelotti, who always manages to transfer his ideas to his teams.

“Juventus can win the Europa League, I maintain that they are the strongest team in that competition.”

The tactician has recently confirmed he will retire from football after the 2018 World Cup, which his current nation are set to host.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Marchisio: Juventus driven by the dream
of playing Europa League final in Turin

The Italy international explains that the chance to play in Turin gave Antonio Conte's
men an "added boost" but he freely admits that Benfica represent formidable semi-final foes.

Apr 22, 2014

Claudio Marchisio has admitted that he and his Juventus team-mates have been driven on by the prospect of a 'home' Europa League final from the moment they were knocked out of this season's Champions League.

The Bianconeri were initially distraught following their group-stage elimination from the continent's premier club cup competition after a controversial 1-0 defeat at the hands of Galatasaray in December.

However, Marchisio has explained that the fact that the Europa League final was being staged in their own Juventus Stadium enabled Antonio Conte's men to put their Istanbul heartbreak quickly behind them.

"We knew [the tournament decider would be in Turin] right from the start, when we began in the group stage of the Champions League," the midfielder told UEFA.com.

"When we didn't qualify and moved into the knockout phase of the Europa League, the fact that the final would be at home clearly gave us an added boost."

However, Marchisio freely admits that Juventus still have it all to do to reach the final, having been paired with last year's runners-up, Benfica, in the last four.

The Bianconeri travel to the Estadio da Luz for Thursday's first leg and the Italy international is anticipating a tough game against a side that are brimming with confidence after being crowned champions of Portugal at the weekend.

"We'll come up against a side that in recent years, not only in their own league but in competitions like the Europa League, have done really well - even if they have lost some finals," Marchisio mused.

"Clearly, they have the experience and the players with the qualities and characteristics to cause us difficulty. We have to think about them and think of the game as another final.

"There will be two quality teams that will try and put on a spectacle in these two matches. For our part, we hope we have the right belief to reach our objective, which is to play the final in Turin."

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Cakir ref for Benfica-Juventus

Apr 22, 2014

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir will officiate the first leg of the Europa League semi-final Benfica-Juventus.

The game kicks off in Portugal on Thursday evening and UEFA have announced their choices.

Cakir will be accompanied by linesmen Bahattin Duran and Tarik Ongun, with Mustafa Emre Eysioy as the Fourth Official.

This won’t be the first time Cakir has officiated a Juventus game, as he was also on the field in a 2-1 win away to Sturm Graz in the August 2010 Europa League.

More memorably, he was the referee for Juve’s 3-0 hammering of Chelsea in the Champions League last season.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Clash of the Europa League titans

Apr 23, 2014

Neither have a lost a game thus far in the Europa League. Both are considered the ‘favourites’ to win the competition but there can only be one winner when Benfica taken on Juventus on Thursday night in the semifinal of the Europa League. A match many feel ought to have been the final, the Portuguese champions have just celebrated their 33rd league title whilst the Old Lady is on the verge of celebrating her 32nd. An intriguing match between two Champions League dropouts, this isn’t simply a game between two teams but a battle between two nations in the fight for coefficient points.

The last time Juventus won the competition was in the 1992-93 season and they beat Benfica in the quarterfinals on their way to the trophy. Juventus manager Antonio Conte played both legs against the Portuguese side, suffering a loss away and then 3-0 victory at home to seal their progression and their eventual success. Now Conte is on the bench, attempting to prove that his fluid and entertaining Bianconeri side are capable of winning both in Europe as well as in Italy. But it won’t be easy.

Boasting a solid defence that has conceded only 15 league goals this season and an attack blessed with great individual ability, Benfica are perhaps the toughest opponents Juventus could have faced in the semifinals of this competition. Having just secured the Portuguese Liga trophy, they are desperate to qualify for the final in order to make up for the many last-minute disappointments they suffered last season.

In Jorge Jesus, Benfica have a methodical coach who has clearly learnt from his mistakes and understood what it takes to create a winning side. Bolstering the defence, ensuring balance and rotating the squad to avoid exhaustion, Benfica are full of confidence and well equipped to cause serious damage.

In many ways, they resemble Juventus. They have a solid goalkeeper who has instilled his back-line with confidence, a squad capable of sharing the goal-scoring responsibilities and most importantly, a winning mentality that has seen them resolve difficult situations. However, a Champions League group stage win vs. PSG aside, they haven’t truly been tested against the very best this season.

With Porto suffering a terrible year and Europa League opponents that have hardly provided stern challenges, one has yet to see what Jesus’ men can do against a top level side - - one that will stretch their lines and effectively defend against their quality attackers.

Going forward, Benfica’s pace and quick transitions will trouble the Bianconeri, especially as their forwards are capable of dragging players out of position to create space for the midfielders behind them. However, Juventus have proved capable of defending quick passages of play, learning from their mistakes at the start of the season. Their organisation at the back and the manner in which they close down space and tighten their lines will hold them in good stead against the likes of Lima or Rodrigo.

But the Italians must stay vigilant of the threat whilst the wing-backs must ensure they remain disciplined. We have already seen the Old Lady’s careless approach in certain matches and should possession be lost in midfield, Benfica will not waste the opportunity to exploit the error and show off their pace and ability to score.

Sadly for the Portuguese side, they will be without Mr. Europa League, Eduardo Salvio, who is set to miss the rest of the season. The player twice won the competition with Atletico Madrid and reached the final with Benfica last season only to lose to Chelsea. Having recently recovered from an early injury, he quickly regained his Europa League form to score the only goal in his team’s first leg win over AZ Alkmaar and provide the two assists for the 2-0 victory in the return leg. Their European maestro was back but it wasn’t for long and for the superstitious among us this could be a sign.

Thankfully for Italy, Juventus seem to have understood the importance of this competition, both for their own development and for the reputation of Calcio. The possibility of lifting another trophy will help to temporarily quench their thirst for European glory, even if the Champions League is what they want to be winning. Baby steps.

Along with his coaching team, Conte spent his Easter Sunday studying his Portuguese opponents. Noting their strengths and the weaknesses he hopes to exploit, the coach is enjoying this exciting time in his career. This is his chance to further develop his team and enhance his own reputation and it is one he mustn’t squander. Juve simply have to reach the final.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Vidal a doubt for Benfica

Apr 23, 2014

Arturo Vidal’s involvement for Juventus in their Europa League semi-final with Benfica is in doubt after he skipped training on Wednesday.

The Chile international has been recovering of late from a bruised knee and was speculated as in line for a start or a place on the bench against Benfica tomorrow evening.

Whilst this was encouraged by the player’s appearance as a substitute at the weekend, doubts have now returned after he skipped today’s morning training session with his teammates.

It is better news for Carlos Tevez, however, who completed the full session with the main group and is seen as more likely to feature for the Old Lady. The Argentine has also been recovering from a minor complaint of late, a thigh muscle injury.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Benfica dedicated title to "men we lost"

Apr 23, 2014

It has been a while coming, but finally Benfica have their third Liga title of the 21st century and the 33rd in the club’s history. This one, in this context, is especially poignant, as was evident at an emotional Estadio da Luz before, during and after the 2-0 win over Olhanense that sealed the trophy.

“In a year that’s also been a sad one for us,” said club president Luis Filipe Vieira on Sunday night, in the midst of a gargantuan crowd assembled around Lisbon’s Marques de Pombal, “this victory is dedicated to two men that we lost, Eusebio and Mario Coluna. Wherever they are, they must surely be very happy too.”

2014 has been a whirlwind year for Benfica thus far, with their stellar form on the pitch set against considerable sorrow off it. Eusebio’s passing in January was followed by that of Coluna in February. If O Rei (‘The King’) was the man who became synonymous with Portuguese football around the world, he probably couldn’t have done it without Coluna, his fellow émigré from Mozambique who helped him settle in Portugal following his arrival in 1960. Throughout the ensuing decade, the pair played a huge role in tipping the balance of power in Portugal and in conquering Europe.

The monumental pair’s shadow loomed large over Sunday’s celebrations in the minutes after the title was confirmed. Striker Oscar Cardozo, one of the members of the squad who was especially close to A Pantera Negra, presented the Liga trophy next to a photograph of Eusebio mounted by the presentation display on the pitch. “He was always there with us and gave us a lot of strength,” winger Eduardo Salvio told Benfica TV after the game. “I dedicate this title to him and to my family.”

In an exultant crowd of 63,982, just short of the Luz’s capacity, more than a few ‘Eusebio Sempre’ (‘Eusebio Forever’) scarves were among those held high in the air. They had been produced for the first home game after his death, January’s win in o classico against Porto.

That 2-0 victory had been, in many ways, the best tribute to Eusebio. The real mourning had been done at his funeral, some six days before. One sensed that for o classico, Benfica just wanted to concentrate on winning for Eusebio and themselves. As a fierce competitor, he would have appreciated the sentiment.

Benfica’s performance against their sworn rivals on that rainy January day looks like the catalyst for their season. Benfica have stumbled in the last two campaigns -- their treble blowout of last season will live long in the memory, but they let the Liga title slip from their grasp in 2011-12, too. But this year, they soared like the eagle mascots Vitoria and Glorioso, who alternately swoop through the stadium’s contours before matches.

They were back in business, and they wanted the world to see it. The Benfiquista diaspora, borne of the club’s high times in the 1960s, is something that Vieira is acutely aware of. “This is a victory for all Benfiquistas,” said Vieira, addressing an estimated 200,000 fans on Lisbon’s streets, “from Portugal, Mozambique, Angola, Sao Tome, Cape Verde…from all over the world!”

Accordingly, Benfica TV opened its doors on Sunday. The in-house channel, which has broadcast all the club’s Liga home games live this season after the club's decision to hold onto their own television rights, went free-to-air outside Portugal so fans worldwide could see the coronation against Olhanense.

It looked for a while like the goals might not come, as chances came and went through almost an hour of scoreless tension in Sunday’s early evening. It nagged away at the back of the minds of the hardcore, who might have reflected that the real damage was done to last year’s title bid not by Kelvin’s dramatic winner for Porto at the Dragao in that fateful penultimate league match, but by the two points dropped in a draw with Estoril at the Luz six days before.

So it was an explosion of relief, as much as joy, that met Lima’s quickfire second-half brace which turned the tide. Seeing sporting director Manuel Rui Costa in the throng at Marques de Pombal later, usually a picture of elegance in tailor-made suits but clad in the title celebration T-shirt and a Benfica cap worn backwards, told you exactly how much that was the case.

Last season’s choke against Porto, Chelsea and Guimaraes had left its scars, and it looked as if Benfica would struggle to shake the bad vibes off in the opening weeks of the season. They lost their Liga opener at Maritimo and were nearly defeated in their first home game against modest Gil Vicente. It took two goals in second-half stoppage time by Lazar Markovic and Lima to overturn a 1-0 deficit and get the Eagles up and running. It was, as more than one Portuguese newspaper noted, the end of the ‘added time curse’.

Later this week, Benfica will continue their attempt to put another bad run to bed in Thursday’s Europa League semifinal first leg against Juventus, at the Luz. The Lisbon side have not won a European trophy since legendary coach Bela Guttmann left under a cloud shortly after retaining the European Cup in 1962. Benfica have lost seven European finals since including last year’s defeat to Chelsea in Amsterdam, hence the legendary ‘Guttmann Curse’ (he had said that Benfica would not win a European trophy for another 100 years on his departure).

The appetite is there for the rest of the season, certainly. They have the Taca de Portugal final to come and a Taca da Liga semi-final against Porto on Saturday. Many of the high-profile names who were expected to move on in the wake of last season’s disappointments -- including coach Jorge Jesus, defender Ezequiel Garay and Nicolas Gaitan -- are still there, with even stronger resolve. They have ridden out the January exit of the one player who did go, the excellent Nemanja Matic, very well.

“We want to win more,” Vieira told the fans on Sunday night. After a tough year, Benfica are better prepared and more steely than last time.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Rodrigo: Humility against Juve

Apr 23, 2014

Benfica forwards Rodrigo Machado and Rodrigo Lima have reflected on the task facing the Portuguese against Juventus this week.

The newly crowned Portuguese League champions face off against the Bianconeri in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday evening.

“Our main objective from the start of the season was to win the Portuguese League, which we were without since 2010,” Rodrigo is quoted as saying by Tuttosport this week.

“However, the Europa League offers further prestige - it will not be easy against Juventus, but this is a challenge to overcome.

“For us, the key word is humility, but with the help of the fans we can do it.”

Rodrigo’s strike partner Lima is equally aware of the challenge that success in Europe represents.

“I can say that this is the best moment I have experienced as a player. The title we have just won embodies the essence of Benfica, I am happy for everything, this club and its wonderful supporters.

“The Europa League, as we have seen, is a very tough competition, more demanding than last year, when we reached the final.

“And it is demonstrated in the names of the clubs still in the competition.”

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Benfica and Juventus meet
after 21-year wait

Apr 23, 2014

Benfica and Juventus, two great clubs hoping to end long waits for a European trophy, meet for the first time in more than 20 years in their Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday.

Hosts Benfica, who have just won their domestic league, have not lifted a continental trophy since winning the old European Cup in 1962. Juventus, on course for a third successive Serie A title, have not added any major European silverware to their trophy cabinet since the Champions League in 1996.

Despite their long traditions in European football, the teams have met only twice before, in the 1968 European Cup semi-finals and the 1992/93 UEFA Cup quarter-finals, when the current Juventus coach Antonio Conte played in both legs of a 4-2 aggregate win for the Italians.

Both teams are unbeaten in the Europa League since they parachuted into the competition after finishing third in their respective Champions League groups.

Benfica, beaten in last season's final by Chelsea, have barely had time to celebrate the Portuguese league title which they won for only the fourth time in 20 years on Sunday by beating Olhanense 2-0.

The Eagles will be without Argentine midfielder Eduardo Salvio, who broke his arm during the first half of the Olhanense game and is out for the rest of the season.

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez may be fit after missing his side's last two games with a minor thigh injury and midfielder Arturo Vidal may also be back after a knee problem.

The Juventus stadium will host the final on May 14 in Turin and, as the only reigning domestic champions still standing, they are obvious favourites to win the competition.

"Many players in this team have never won a European competition and Juventus haven't won a trophy in Europe for so many years," Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio told UEFA.com.

"Even if we're coming to the end of the season and our legs are beginning to feel heavy, the trophy can give you that energy to give that bit extra."

"When we didn't qualify and moved into the knockout phase of the Europa League, the fact that the final would be at home clearly gave us an added boost."

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Ambitious Benfica ready for Juventus

Apr 23, 2014

Having shaken off the hangover from their title celebrations on Sunday, Portuguese champions Benfica host Juventus in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

Benfica have been driven this season by the bitter memory of 12 months ago, when they found themselves on the verge of winning a treble of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and Cup and Europa League, only to miss out on all three trophies in an agonising two weeks.

Jorge Jesus’ side beat Olhanense 2-0 in front of almost 64,000 fans at the Estadio da Luz on Sunday to open up an unassailable seven-point lead with two games remaining in the Portuguese top flight and secure their 33rd league title.

“This was our main objective and we are all delighted,” said Jesus on Sunday as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate and welcome the team in their open-top bus at Marques de Pombal square in the centre of Lisbon.

Now, though, Benfica have a possible quadruple in their sights.

Having lost just once in 35 games, they are through to the Taça de Portugal cup final, in which they will play Rio Ave next month, and they face Porto in the semi-finals of the Taça da Liga cup this weekend.

European success may be the hardest to achieve for a club who have lost all seven continental final appearances since winning their second European Cup back in 1962.

But it would be a fitting way to pay tribute to 1960s greats Mario Coluna and Eusebio, who died earlier this year.

Standing in their way are a Juve side who are motivated by the prospect of reaching a final that will be played in their own stadium in Turin.

Juve are on the brink of retaining their Serie A title - they could be crowned champions this weekend - but success in Europe is also hugely important for a club whose last continental trophy was the Champions League in 1996.

“Many players in this team have never won a European competition and Juventus haven’t won a trophy in Europe for so many years,” midfielder Claudio Marchisio told Uefa’s website.

“When you reach this stage of the competition motivation can make the difference. So even if we’re coming to the end of the season and our legs are beginning to feel heavy, the trophy can give you that energy to give that bit extra.”

It remains to be seen whether key duo Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez will feature after both were left on the bench in the weekend win against Bologna after respective fitness problems.

Benfica are without the injured Eduardo Salvio and Silvio, while Nico Gaitan is a doubt after picking up a knock in the weekend win against Olhanense and Ljubomir Fejsa is also struggling.

The winner will face Spanish opposition in the final itself, with La Liga rivals Sevilla and Valencia facing off in the other last-four tie.

Sevilla, who beat city neighbours Betis in the last 16 before eliminating Porto in the quarter-finals, will be at home in the first leg and their recent form should make them favourites.

They have won 12 of their last 15 matches in all competitions, form that means they remain in the running to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and coach Unai Emery can look forward to coming up against his former club.

Emery spent four years in charge of Valencia until 2012, leading them to three third-place finishes in La Liga and a Europa League semi-final.

Since his departure in 2012, Valencia have struggled and they look unlikely to qualify for Europe next season via their domestic league, so the pressure is on current coach Juan Antonio Pizzi.

“It will be a great tie. We know each other well, but you can’t say either side is the favourite,” insisted Sevilla’s Argentinian defender Federico Fazio.

Both clubs enjoyed success in the Uefa Cup in the last decade, with Valencia lifting the trophy in 2004 before Sevilla won it in 2006 and 2007.


Fixtures

At Lisbon

Benfica (POR) v Juventus (ITA)

At Seville, Spain

Sevilla (ESP) v Valencia (ESP)

Second legs to be played next Thursday, May 1

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

'Juve tie has double significance'

Apr 23, 2014

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete has admitted that Juventus’ Europa League semi-final against Benfica has ‘a double significance’.

The Bianconeri face the Portuguese outfit in the first leg of their last four encounter on Thursday.

But the Calcio leader has conceded that the Turin side have the whole of Italian football on their shoulders.

“Everyone hopes that Juve can beat Benfica and make it to the final in Turin,” he told reporters.

“Tomorrow’s game really does have a double significance – not only for Juventus but for the whole of Italian football.

“Problems with competitiveness? That may be evident in the Champions League, but overall, our teams have done well in 2013/14.

“In terms of UEFA coefficient points, we’ve haven’t had a bad season.”

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Tactical Battles That Will
Shape Benfica's Clash with Juventus

Apr 23, 2014

Juventus travel to the Estadio da Luz on Thursday, the two-time Serie A title winners taking on newly crowned Portuguese champions Benfica in the Europa League semi-finals. The clash between these truly giant clubs is set to be an intriguing one, throwing up some eye-catching tactical battles which are likely to shape the tie.

It is a fixture more likely to be found in the Champions League than one for the continent’s secondary trophy, and both clubs will return to the elite competition next year. Over the following slides are some of the matchups to keep an eye on over the two-legged tie.


Jorge Jesus vs. Antonio Conte

The two coaches will present perhaps the biggest and most important head-to-head of this tie, their decision-making shaping the way the semi-final develops. Each has his principles, but how they decide to set out their team could ultimately decide how Thursday’s first leg ends.

Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 formation has swept all before it in Serie A, helping the side brush off all opponents over the past two years, but it is perhaps unsuited to European play. With few Italian teams using wingers, the Juve boss has rarely had to make changes, but Jorge Jesus may make him consider alternatives.

In earlier rounds, the Portuguese coach has switched between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3 framework, both of which would exploit the gaps behind the Bianconeri wing-backs. Should Conte look to match the latter, he may enjoy more success.


Rodrigo vs. Giorgio Chiellini

Spanish forward Rodrigo has been a constant threat on the right-flank for Benfica, no matter which formation his side have deployed. Netting 15 goals in all competitions, the 23-year-old is certainly a man Juventus will need to control if they are to triumph.

The man likely to be charged with that task is Giorgio Chiellini, perhaps the finest Italian defender of his generation. The Pisa native has enjoyed much success against Spanish players in the past, and he will look to add Rodrigo’s name to the list of those he has nullified before.


Nicolas Gaitan vs. Arturo Vidal

This could perhaps be the clash of each side’s best player, with the two midfielders likely to come head-to-head on the same side of the field. Nicolas Gaitan possesses good acceleration, supreme dribbling skills and loves to drift inside before delivering a pinpoint cross or shot.

Those attributes are essential to Benfica’s highly-watchable up-tempo style of play, and Arturo Vidal will have to be at his best to control the 26-year-old. The problem for the Argentinian is that if his opponent plays to his full potential, he is among the finest midfielders in the world.

He has weighed in with 18 goals and five assists so far this term, but he also leads all players in Serie A in terms of tackles, making 129 throughout 2013-14, according to stats site WhoScored.com.


Luisao vs. Fernando Llorente

Carlos Tevez leads Juventus with 18 league goals this term, but he has famously failed to score in European competition since he was at Manchester United back in 2009. Fortunately for La Madama, she has two leading front men, and Fernando Llorente has added 16 goals and four assists since his move from Athletic.

He struggled through a dry spell in March, but he has fired once again in April, netting three goals in each of his last three starts, becoming the perfect foil for Tevez. His combination of height, power and touch make him a difficult opponent for any team and stopping him is an arduous task.

It is a job likely to fall to Luisao, the Brazilian perhaps the only Benfica player with the physical attributes to slow the Basque forward. Standing 1.92 m (6'3.5"), he is still shorter than the Juve man but wins 73 per cent of headed duels to Llorente’s 44 per cent, according to Squawka.com.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Europa League preview: Benfica host
Juventus in semi-final first leg

Carlos Tevez is set to return to Juventus' starting line-up
for Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg at Benfica.

Apr 23, 2014

The Argentinian striker has shaken off a muscular injury that saw him miss Juve's last two Serie A games.

Tevez, who is looking to score his first European goal since April 2009, will lead Juve's attack at the Estadio da Luz.

Tevez's presence is a boost for Juve coach Antonio Conte, who must do without pivotal midfielder Arturo Vidal, who is ruled out of the encounter in Lisbon with a knee injury.

Juve travel to Portugal on the back of Saturday's 1-0 triumph over Bologna that saw them take one step closer to their third straight Italian title.

The Turin giants lead the Serie A standings with an eight-point advantage over Roma with four games remaining.

However, Conte has warned his players to expect a stern test come Thursday.

"Benfica are very strong team that is winning in Portugal," Conte said. "They have won the league, the Portuguese Cup and they are in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

"They are having an extraordinary campaign and this just proves the strength of this side.

"They have great individual players like Rodrigo and Gaitan and we will have to put in a great performance.

"I hope we can have the best Juve because we are facing a truly strong team that has bounced back from last season's disappointment of losing the league, the Copa and the Europa League in one week."

Benfica, last season's runners-up in the competition, head into the contest in seventh heaven after Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Olhanense handed them their 33rd league title.

"Having lost three finals last season, we knew that we had to repeat the good things we had done but write a different ending to the finals," Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira said. "I knew that the future would eventually compensate us for what happened last year.

"Last Sunday we started to re-write our history and we hope on Thursday we can continue to do so."

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus will be without Eduardo Salvio for the encounter, with the Argentinian attacking midfielder having fractured a bone in his arm at the weekend.

Serbian defensive midfielder Ljubomir Fejsa is also out with a tendon injury.

Benfica are unbeaten at home this season in all competitions and travel to the Turin stadium, the venue for this year's final, next week for the return leg.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

The sideshows on the Europa League sidelines

Apr 23, 2014

It is a downside of being among the most vivid touchline motivators in football. The more you holler and gesticulate, the more often you risk being excluded from your favourite theatre.

Both Antonio Conte, coach of Juventus, and Jorge Jesus, his counterpart at Benfica, have lately served time banned from dugouts.

For Jesus, a 30-day suspension from Portuguese touchlines earlier this season felt like torture. His team still secured the league title.

For Conte, four months spent watching his team from a television commentary booth last season was a straitjacket. Juve, however, went on the claim the Italian championship.

Whatever else this evening’s Europa League semi-final first leg offers, between Benfica, who last weekend celebrated their second league title in five years under Jesus, the animator from Amadora, and Juventus, who march steadily to a third Serie A crown in three years under Conte, the sideshow in the technical areas is worth keeping an eye on.

Many are the coaches who dislike the confrontational style of Conte and Jesus. Television producers and cameramen, naturally, find them compelling subjects. Jesus, the 59-year-old Portuguese who wears his hair long, earned his lengthy ban for unusual reasons.

After Benfica’s 1-0 win against Vitoria Guimaraes in September, a fan, a passionate benfiquista, invaded the playing area to celebrate the result. Police moved in to apprehend the youth; Jesus thought they handled him too roughly, and set about pushing officers aside.

“The Rocky Balboa” of Guimaraes, the newspaper Record dubbed him. Benfica had to do without him on match days for a month – from November to December – a tense period in what was a tight joust at the top of the table with Lisbon rivals, Sporting, and last season’s champions, Porto.

Jesus has been riding an emotional roller-coaster over the past 12 months. Last May, he endured the most painful sort of sporting treble. Benfica finished second in the league, having led the table going into the last day.

They finished runners-up, after a shock defeat in the final against Guimaraes, in the domestic Cup. Then Chelsea defeated them in the final of the Europa League.

They will bring ardent desire into tonight’s tie, to make amends for that. Anybody wanting testimony on how urgently Jesus seeks a European title might care to ask Tim Sherwood, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, who Benfica ousted in the last 16 of this campaign.

“I have no respect for the man,” Sherwood said after the pair exchanged angry words across the short distance between technical areas at White Hart Lane.

Conte – who served his long touchline ban at the beginning of the 2012/13 season after having been found culpable of not reporting a possible match-fixing conspiracy while with a previous club, Siena (he maintains he knew nothing of it) – has suffered other passion-related bans since. Only last month, after a fiery league match against Catania, he received a red card.

He, too, will be fired up for a possible European prize. It would be his first, an antidote to the disappointments suffered by Juve in Europe during his reign, above all elimination from the Uefa Champions League last December at the hands of Galatasaray.

This Europa League has a special resonance in Turin, too. The final is to be staged there, at Juve’s own ground. Uefa might wish to ensure that the borders of the managers’ technical areas are chalked up as far apart as possible.

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Benfica-Juventus Preview: Bianconeri
look to ground high-flying Eagles

Antonio Conte's men are favourites to progress to the tournament decider in Turin
but they are going up against a side fresh from clinching a 33rd Primeira Liga title.

Apr 23, 2014

Juventus' bid to end their European drought takes them to Lisbon for Thursday's Europa League semi-final first-leg at Benfica.

The Italian giants last won continental silverware in the 1999 Intertoto Cup and know this year's final will be held at their home stadium in Turin.

That gives Juve extra motivation ahead of this two-legged clash and Antonio Conte's men will hope Benfica are still affected by their title celebrations.

Jorge Jesus' side were crowned champions of Portugal for the 33rd time thanks to a 2-0 win against Olhanense on Sunday.

Juventus are also set to win their domestic title, which would give them a third successive Serie A success, but midfielder Claudio Marchisio is not worried about fatigue with so much at stake.

"Many players in this team have never won a European competition and Juventus haven't won a trophy in Europe for so many years," Marchisio told Uefa's official website.

"When you reach this stage of the competition motivation can make the difference.

"So even if we're coming to the end of the season and our legs are beginning to feel heavy, the trophy can give you that energy to give that bit extra."

Juventus are one of just two sides remaining in the Europa League who are undefeated – the other is Benfica – but both have only been involved since dropping out of the Champions League at the group stages.

This will be Juve's first semi-final appearance in Europe since 2003, when they eventually lost the Champions League final to Milan on penalties.

They have played Benfica over two legs in Uefa competition twice previously, with the Portuguese side winning both matches in the 1968 European Cup semi-final.

Juve exacted revenge in the 1992-93 Uefa Cup quarter-finals, with current coach Conte playing a part in the win that helped them on their way to winning the trophy.

Benfica's recent pedigree in the Europa League is particularly impressive, with the Portuguese club losing last season's final to Chelsea.

They also reached the semi-finals in the 2010-11 season, were involved in the quarter-finals the year before, and are trying to win an ambitious quadruple.

With the league title already sealed - and a final-four showdown against Porto in the Taca da Liga and a Taca de Portugal final with Rio Ave on the horizon – Benfica's hopes are still on track.

They are unbeaten in their last 12 home European encounters, while their record at Estadio da Luz in the Europa League is outstanding, with 15 wins and two draws coming from their 17 matches.

Benfica will be without winger Eduardo Salvio, who broke his arm in Sunday's win, while defender Silvio broke his leg in his side's quarter-final win against AZ Alkmaar.

Striker Carlos Tevez continues to battle a thigh niggle for Juve, but Andrea Barzagli (calf) did return in Saturday's 1-0 win over Bologna.

Simone Pepe was also part of the squad after recovering from a thigh injury, while Arturo Vidal shrugged off a knee complaint to feature off the bench.


Head to Head

Club Friendlies ‎-‎ Aug 1, 2012 - Juventus 1 - 1 Benfica


Last Five Matches

BENFICA

Apr 20, 2014 - Benfica 2 - 0 SC Olhanense - Primeira Liga
Apr 16, 2014 - Benfica 3 - 1 Porto - Taca Portugal
Apr 13, 2014 - FC Arouca 0 - 2 Benfica - Primeira Liga
Apr 10, 2014 - Benfica 2 - 0 AZ - EL
Apr 7, 2014 - Benfica 4 - 0 Rio Ave - Primeira Liga

JUVENTUS

Apr 19, 2014 - Juventus 1 - 0 Bologna - Serie A
Apr 14, 2014 - Udinese 0 - 2 Juventus - Serie A
Apr 10, 2014 - Juventus 2 - 1 Olympique Lyonnais - EL
Apr 7, 2014 - Juventus 2 - 0 Livorno - Serie A
Apr 3, 2014 - Olympique Lyonnais 0 - 1 Juventus - EL

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Juventus squad named for Europa League
match against Benfica

Apr 23, 2014

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has named a 23-man squad for the first leg of the Bianconeri’s Europa League semi-final against Benfica on Thursday.

Carlos Tevez has been included in the squad and is expected to start alongside Sebastian Giovinco for the encounter.

Fabio Quagliarella is not part of the squad as he is registered for the Europa League.


Goalkeepers: Buffon, Storari, Rubinho

Defenders: Chiellini, Caceres, Ogbonna, Peluso, Barzagli, Bonucci

Midfielders: Pogba, Pepe, Marchisio, Padoin, Pirlo, Asamoah, Vidal, Lichtsteiner, Isla

Forwards: Vucinic, Tevez, Giovinco, Llorente, Osvaldo

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Conte ‘didn’t call Benitez’

Apr 23, 2014

Antonio Conte confirms he did not call Napoli counterpart Rafa Benitez for advice on how to beat Juventus’ Europa League opponents Benfica.

The Spaniard was in charge of the Chelsea team that beat the newly crowned Portuguese champions in the final of the same competition last season.

Conte has full faith in his players and himself to do the job at hand but is wary of the threat posed by Jorge Jesus’ side ahead of tomorrow's semi-final first leg.

“Jorge Jesus is doing a great job with Benfica,” Conte said at the pre-match Press conference. “I have an immense respect for him and his team.

“Of course, the fact that they have already won their domestic League for the first time since 2010 is positive for them. They already have that guarantee of having won something important to them.

“We still have to reach that objective. Benfica can concentrate exclusively on this semi-final while we have to concentrate on the Europa League, then Serie A, then the Europa League again.

“However, these things can happen at this time of the season and we need to be excited about it. This period is tiring but it’s exciting.

“Is this semi-final an exam I have to pass to become one of the great European Coaches? I think that every year, every team and every Coach are under examination in terms of the objectives they are each trying to achieve.

“I have had the pleasure and the fortune to win the things we have at Juventus over the last two years.

“We are in our third year and we are looking to do the best we can.

“But I think a Coach’s capabilities are not just measured by results. You are measured by what the team does on the pitch, what your own players think of you and what the directors and club think of you.

“I didn’t call anyone to ask for information about Benfica because I have confidence in my players. I also have faith in myself, I have watched a lot of Benfica matches.

“In the League there are 38 matches but in Europe the margin for error is very small. Winning is always hard, but we will try to do it in both competitions despite the strong opposition.”

Conte was then asked about the fitness of Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal ahead of the match in Lisbon.

“Tevez is back in training. I will wait until tomorrow before deciding whether he will start or not.

“Vidal will not play. He will rest so that he can come back next week.”

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

‘Final long way off’

Apr 23, 2014

Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon says the prospect of the Old Lady playing at home in the Europa League final is still a long way away.

The veteran shot-stopper believes such an occasion would bring the club great joy but is certain that his side’s semi-final opponents Benfica will push them all the way over two legs.

“The chance for us to play in the final at home is, of course, an opportunity,” Buffon said at the Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s first leg.

“It’s not every day you get the chance to play a final in your own stadium. Of course we want to be there but the final is still a long way away.

“We still have two very difficult matches to play if we want to get there, against a team who will do everything they can to come to Turin themselves for the final and deny us an evening of great joy.

“At the end of the day, all of this has come about because of a big disappointment in Istanbul. Now it can be a great opportunity for us.

“In the end there are only two teams who can win European trophies every season. We are in a semi-final, it will be a great match and a big occasion.

“We need to enjoy it and do all we can to make sure we achieve what we are trying to achieve.

“An easy match? I must have missed something because I don’t know which quotes you are talking about!

“From our point of view I can say that we are showing maximum focus and respect to Benfica.

“They are an excellent European team who, like us, are only in the Europa League by chance.

“They undeservedly lost in the final last year and they are a team with all the characteristics and qualities to cause us problems.

“Tomorrow will be a good test for us and a good experience. Really, Benfica-Juventus is a match that should be played in the Champions League but now we both find ourselves in the Europa League.”

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Europa League Preview: Juventus vs. Benfica,
Leg 1: On the road again...

Apr 23, 2014

Juventus have three regularly scheduled home games remaining this season. There's two league games, both in the month of May against Atalanta and Cagliari, and there's the second leg of the Europa League semifinals against Benfica.

But there's also a chance for a fourth home game. You know, the Europa League final that will be in Turin on. And to get that fourth game, Juventus have to make sure that the second leg, the semifinal at Juventus Stadium. means something other than just another game.

Juventus have great coaches. Juventus have great players. Juventus are a great organization. And we're telling them one thing. Yep, just listen to Mr. Davis and forget about all the drama and craziness that came with him in his latter years of life. (Trust me, as a former Oakland resident, I got to see it all the time growing up.)

The soon-to-be three-time Italian champions and the recently-crowned Portuguese champions will be tangoing in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals this time tomorrow night in Lisbon. It will be the first step in Juventus trying to ensure they'll get that extra home game this season.

The first step towards another game at Juventus Stadium this season won't be an easy one. Benfica didn't get here just by snapping their fingers, clicking their heels and magically appearing in the semifinals. Benfica, even with their recent injury news, have talent all over the place. And let's not forget, this is a Benfica side that was playing for the Europa League title nearly a year ago.

So yeah, they're a quality side — regardless of who is or isn't healthy right now.

One-hundred-eighty minutes stand between Juventus and some more history this season. The Scudetto is basically locked in, now it's time to turn our attention to what's going on in Europe. Sure, it's not that European competition that is also going on this week. But having an extra home game this season won't be such a bad alternative at this stage in the game.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
#Pogba: "We know achieving a @EuropaLeague-Scudetto double will be difficult, but it's something we're all after. We want to write history."

You basically got one in the bag, Paulie. Now it's time to get the second.


GOOD NEWS

Carlos Tévez seems like he's ready to kick the injuries and return to the starting lineup after his two-game hiatus. Not exactly like Juventus took a nosedive in the standings because Tévez was out and recovering from his knock, but Tévez is Tévez. And it's time he scores a goal so we don't hear this "No goals in Europe" nonsense.


BAD NEWS

Arturo Vidal reportedly did not train with the rest of the team on Wednesday before they departed for Portugal. That's not exactly a good sign if you put money on Vidal taking part in tomorrow's first leg in your office pool. Maybe there's still time for you to get your money back...


WHAT TO WATCH FOR

1. The health and effectiveness of Carlos Tévez.

Carlitos has gotten some much-needed rest over the past two weeks. A lot, a lot of rest. He's been included in the match-day squad the past two Serie A games, but his actual inclusion in the actual games hasn't happened. Some will see this as a sign that Antonio Conte is doing the right thing and not even taking the chance of getting his star striker hurt. Others might go out proclaim that Tévez is still hurt and that his status for tomorrow night's first leg in Portugal is anything but certain. The truth is that we don't really know, and probably won't until either Conte's pre-match press conference or the actual starting lineups are announced before kickoff.

2. The health and effectiveness of Arturo Vidal.

The one difference besides the obvious injury problems between Tévez and Vidal? King Arturo actually got a bit of action — albeit not very much at all — against Bologna this past Saturday. That could be seen as a sign that Vidal is actually ready to get back into a meaningful game in something other than the 89th minute. Or, it could be seen as something that suggests Vidal is still a little bit of time away from being fully match fit and ready for such an important match. If anything, Juventus are in a position where they don't have to play Vidal tomorrow night. Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio are more than capable of handling the midfield.

I guess what I'm trying to say is what I've been saying all along when it comes to Vidal's injury situation — don't play him from the start of the game unless he's 100 percent certain he is 100 percent.

3. How Benfica mark Andrea Pirlo.

This is the part of the Europa League if Juventus' next opponent learns from their last one. Will Benfica do what Lyon did and mark the crap out of Pirlo, basically forcing Juventus to build through Leonardo Bonucci rather than the man with the best beard in Europe? That's not a swipe at Bonucci, who is a very good passer of the ball in his own right. But when Juve have to seemingly rely on Bonucci to be the only outlet out of the back rather than having Pirlo directing play, that's not always going to end up being a good thing. We can site Bonucci's passing stats all we want, but that won't change the fact that he's struggled the last couple of European games with sending passes over the top.

4. Who starts on the right side of Juventus' defense, Andrea Barzagli or Martin Cáceres?

When it comes to simple preference, I have none. Cáceres is probably playing as well as any single Juventus player at the moment, and Barzagli is going to be Barzagli because he's Barzagli. The determining factor for Conte is probably going to be this: Is Andrea Barzagli, following all of his time missed due to injury, ready to handle back-to-back games? Forget the fact that Juve will have had four full days off between their win over Bologna and tomorrow night's first leg against Benfica. If Conte feels that Barzagli is recovered well from playing 90 minutes for the first time in nearly a month and a half, then the Great Wall will be back. If not, then get your high socks ready because Mr. Cáceres is back in action.

5. Away goals, away goals, away goals.

Because even when Juventus play kinda meh like they did in the first leg against Lyon in France, it was a 1-0 win and an away goal in regards to what the bottom line of what they came away with. And while I feel safe in saying that Benfica are certainly a better team than Lyon, I also feel comfortable saying that Juve are capable of grabbing an away goal just like they did a couple weeks ago. And with Tévez looking like he will be good to go tomorrow night, getting an away goal is even more that much more of a possibility.


My starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Cáceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Llorente, Tévez

OFFICIAL KICKOFF TIME: 9:05 P.M. IN ITALY; 3:05 P.M. ON THE EAST COAST; 12:05 P.M. ON THE WEST COAST

[Socrates 7976]

BENFICA - JUVENTUS

April 24, 2014 - 9:05 PM
Estádio da Luz — Lisbon
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Conte: Fighting on two fronts
is tiring Juventus out

The coach stressed he has a lot of respect for Benfica, who have just clinched
the Portuguese league title, and says there is no margin for error in Thursday's meeting.

Apr 23, 2014

Antonio Conte has conceded that his Juventus side are tiring as they fight on two fronts ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Benfica.

Juve are on the brink of retaining their Serie A title and will move a step closer to European glory if they can claim victory in the first leg of the semi-final at Estadio da Luz.

Conte admits he is relishing the prospect of facing last season's beaten finalists but is wary of the threat posed by the newly-crowned champions of Portugal.

"It's a tiring but exciting period for all concerned with Juventus," Conte told reporters. "We're in the running for the title and the Europa League final.

"We know we have to come through 180 minutes against a strong side. They've consolidated last year's progress with the league title.

"There are 38 games in the league. Margin for error is minimal in Europe and current form also counts a great deal.

"Winning is always difficult but we'll look to come out on top in both competitions, despite being up against strong opposition.

"Benfica's title win is an important achievement for them. We still need to get there and have to focus on both competitions.

"Jorge Jesus is doing a great job with Benfica and I have immense respect for him and his team."

Conte has an injury concern over Carlos Tevez, following a thigh problem, while Arturo Vidal will miss out with a knee injury.

"Tevez is back training. I'll wait until Thursday before deciding whether he'll start or not," Conte added.

"Vidal is out. We'll let him rest up and hopefully he'll be back within a week's time."

The winner of the last-four clash will play in the final on May 14, which this year is being held at Juventus Stadium.