Juventus Season 2015-2016

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Coppa Italia final: The form of Mario Balotelli and
Paul Pogba sum up AC Milan and Juventus

The contrasting form of AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli and Juventus midfielder
Paul Pogba reflect their teams' fortunes ahead of the Coppa Italia final, writes Adam Digby...

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11855/10285992/coppa-italia-final-the-form-of-mario-balotelli-and-paul-pogba-sum-up-ac-milan-and-juventus?

May 17, 2016

Recent seasons have seen the Coppa Italia - Italy's only domestic cup competition - return to prominence, the final restored to its traditional end-of-season place on the schedule and become a one-off showpiece at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

Having previously been shunted around the calendar and played over two legs, this year's edition arguably sees the nation's two biggest clubs go head-to-head in an encounter that both teams will be desperate to win.

Milan have not reached this stage of the competition since they lifted the trophy in 2003, a victory which came just a few days after they beat Juventus in that year's Champions League final.

The Rossoneri would, of course, repeat their European triumph in 2007 and be crowned Serie A winners at the end of the 2010/11 campaign, but the current team pales in comparison to the one which contained Alessandro Nesta, Andriy Shevchenko and Cafu.

With owner Silvio Berlusconi no longer willing or able to invest as heavily as he has in the past, Milan have gone from perennial contenders both at home and abroad to a jarring role as also-rans.

The last three seasons have seen the once-feared San Siro giants finish eighth, 10th and seventh. A loss on Saturday would see them endure a third-consecutive season without European football.

Continually chasing a quick-fix, they have repeatedly failed to appoint a coach worthy of the club's stature, quickly firing former players Clarence Seedorf and Pippo Inzaghi when they failed to improve the fortunes of the side.

It seemed that would end last summer when Berlusconi finally began to spend in the transfer market, bringing in former Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca and prized young defender Alessio Romagnoli.

Having led Sampdoria in impressive fashion in 2014/15, Sinisa Mihajlovic was handed the coaching reigns and slowly began to restore some pride to the Rossoneri.

Under his tenure, teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was given a place in the starting XI, but the Serbian boss would lose his job when results waned in early April.

It was somewhat ironic that Milan sacked him shortly after a loss to Juve, a game in which the side showed a gritty determination that had been so sorely lacking in recent years.

Mario Balotelli was superb in that encounter, testing Gigi Buffon on a number of occasions in a performance that was vastly better than most of his displays this term.

In a manner all too familiar to Liverpool fans, the striker has - much like the club he currently represents - been a listless figure unable to have the same impact he once had, scoring just one league goal and slowly becoming an irrelevant name in the wider landscape of Italian football.

After parting ways with Mihajlovic, Milan turned to another recently retired player, giving Christian Brocchi control of the team until the end of the season.

Four of Balotelli's eight Serie A starts this term have come since that change, but he was hauled off at half-time last weekend as Roma swept the Rossoneri aside and the coach pulled no punches when discussing his lack of effort with the media.

"I need players who can give me something in terms of attitude," Brocchi said shortly after the final whistle.

"Balotelli paid the consequences, but to be honest I could've removed four or five at half-time."

That apathy could not be in starker contrast to events in Turin where Max Allegri is enjoying incredible success.

Fired by Milan in January 2014 after finishing first, second and third in his three years in charge, the coach arrived at Juventus five months later and has continued to impress.

Last season, he joined Carlo Parola and Marcello Lippi as the only men to guide Juventus to a league and cup double, reaching the Champions League final for good measure.

His Coppa Italia triumph was the club's first in two decades, and he has now helped them add yet another league title this term.

Allegri enjoys a superb relationship with Paul Pogba, and if Balotelli encapsulates the dire situation at Milan, then the French midfielder is the perfect representation of Juventus in 2016.

Like the team around him, Pogba is young, vibrant and yet to reach his full potential, but has become a central figure after the departures of some key figures last summer, recording career highs in both goals (10) and assists (14) this term.

"I take more risks, but that's because there are fewer people to take them," he told RMC Sport last week. "Before there was Pirlo, Vidal, Tevez - I was surrounded and it took me a bit of time to take the game by the scruff of the neck and show more."

Yet that is exactly what he did, helped by an incredible debut campaign from new signing Paolo Dybala who weighed in with 23 goals and nine assists following his €32million (£25m at current rates) move from Palermo last summer.

The defence - with Buffon in superb form behind them - set a new Serie A record for clean sheets, and remains remarkably tough to beat for any of their domestic opponents.

Now the Stadio Olimpico awaits these two prestigious clubs, and the Coppa Italia final promises to be an occasion to remember once again.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Romagnoli 'fears all of Juventus'

http://www.football-italia.net/84476/romagnoli-fears-all-juventus?

May 17, 2016

Alessio Romagnoli admits Milan “fear everything about Juventus” ahead of Saturday’s Coppa Italia Final.

This is the Rossoneri’s last chance of qualifying for the Europa League, as a victory would send them through instead of sixth-placed Sassuolo.

“We know that we’ve done really badly this season and that the 3-1 defeat to Roma was not the best way to end the campaign, but that’s in the past now and we must work to be ready on Saturday,” Romagnoli told Mediaset Premium.

“Who do I fear most between Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic? They have different characteristics, but are both very strong.

“We fear everything about Juventus, not just their star strikers.”

The Coppa Italia Final is at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, a familiar arena for ex-Roma defender and local lad Romagnoli.

“It would be my first trophy and especially emotional to win it in ‘my’ stadium.”

[Socrates 7965]

Serie A 2015-16: Season Review

As Juventus clinched a fifth successive Scudetto, the complete story of this Serie A campaign
is a little more complex than that, with a number of teams taking turns at the top of the table.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/05/serie-a-2015-16-season-review/?

May 18, 2016

August – December 2015

Following four straight Serie A titles, Juventus started the 2015-16 season as firm favourites to make it a record-equalling five in a row.

The initial rounds soon illustrated that the season may not be as straight forward as some thought, beginning as one of the most open competitions in recent times.

In round 1 alone, the Bianconeri suffered a shock loss to Udinese at home, Sassuolo surprised many by beating Napoli while the previous season’s runner up, Roma, dropped points to Hellas Verona.

A heavyweight clash in round 2 saw Juventus lose their opening two matches, going 2-1 down to Roma after finishing the match with just nine men.

The Nerazzurri went on to claim top spot following an encouraging 1-0 win in the season’s first Derby della Madonnina while Chievo looked the early season surprise packet following an emphatic 4-0 victory over Lazio.

It took until round 4 for both the Bianconeri and the Partenopei to register their first wins of the season, with the Old Lady claiming a relieving 2-0 victory over Genoa and the Neapolitans demolishing Lazio 5-0.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina had begun to find consistency, with three victories over Genoa, Carpi and Bologna, moving them up into second position by round five.

The top two went head-to-head in round 7, where La Viola completely outplayed their favoured opponents to record a 4-1 win at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, thereby overtaking the Nerazzurri into top spot on goal difference.

In another major clash for the round, goals to Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain secured a 2-1 win for Napoli over the struggling Old Lady as doubts were increasingly cast over the Bianconeri’s abilities to challenge for the Scudetto.

Round 6 and 7 saw both Frosinone and Carpi register their first ever top-flight victories over Empoli and Torino respectively, leaving only Hellas Verona winless in the league.

Following emphatic victories for both clubs, Napoli met the leading Viola outfit where Maurizio Sarri’s men took the spoils and began to look more like Scudetto challengers.

Roma were fast approaching the top of the table with three straight wins, scoring 12 goals along the way, and made no mistake when presented with the opportunity to leap Fiorentina into the lead, defeating Paulo Sousa’s men 2-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Meanwhile Juventus, suffered what would be their final loss before embarking on a 15 match Serie A win streak and 26 match unbeaten run, following their loss to Sassuolo on October 28.

Towards the bottom, Bologna had suffered five losses in six matches and stood 18th in Serie A, which was enough to see Delio Rossi receive his marching orders and be replaced by Roberto Donadoni who would soon turn the team’s fortunes around.

In round 11, Inter hosted Roma and edged out the visitors 1-0 with a first-half strike from Gary Medel, joining Fiorentina on 24 points at the top of the league.

In the following rounds, a Paulo Dybala strike helped Juventus defeat AC Milan to jump the Rossoneri into sixth before a Higuain brace enabled Napoli to defeat Inter and jump the Nerazzurri into first.

It was short-lived however after the Partenopei suffered a 3-2 loss to the resurgent Bologna with both Mattia Destro and Higuain picking up a brace for their respective sides.

The Biscione’s victory over Genoa, their eighth 1-0 win of the season, reclaimed top spot and a week later extended their lead to four points with an emphatic 4-0 victory away to Udinese, with Mauro Icardi grabbing a brace.

Meanwhile, two straight draws to Carpi and Verona left Milan with just 1 win from five Serie A matches, with pressure building on new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

In the final round of 2015, Lazio was able to produce their first win in eight Serie A matches with a shock 2-1 score line away to the Nerazzurri, who had their lead cut to just one point after Napoli and Fiorentina recorded respective victories.

Despite the setback, it was Inter who would lead the pack into the Christmas break, Juventus sitting in fourth off the back of seven consecutive Serie A victories and Sassuolo emerging as the year’s big surprise in sixth position.


January – May 2016

As 2016 began, it seemed not much had changed with Inter recording yet another 1-0 victory, this time away to Empoli.

Pressure had been mounting on Rudi Garcia following the Giallorossi’s dip in form leading up to the break and after consecutive draws left them just one Serie A win in seven matches, the Frenchman was swiftly replaced by Luciano Spalletti.

Round 19 also saw a new Serie A leader after the Nerazzurri suffered a last minute loss to Sassuolo as Napoli leapt ahead with a 5-1 victory over Frosinone.

The Partenopei went on a goal-scoring spree with 17 goals in just four league matches, all the while keeping their two-point advantage over the Bianconeri, who had continued their own winning spree and now held second position.

Things had started to turn sour for Roberto Mancini’s men who were winless in three matches, the last of which was a demoralising 3-0 loss in the Milan derby.

After a draw at home to Verona and a loss to Juventus, Spalletti’s Roma outfit earned their first win in round 22 with a 3-1 result over Frosinone as Stephan El Shaarawy netted his first Giallorossi goal following his recent arrival in the Eternal City.

The main story of round 23 was Verona finally breaking their winless streak, claiming three points against Atalanta for the first time all season.

By round 24, the Scudetto looked likely to be decided in a two-horse race given the Partenopei and Bianconeri had pulled out an eight point gap on their nearest rivals, as both Inter and Fiorentina continued their disappointing form.

The race came to a head in round 25 with the top two facing one another at the Juventus Stadium in one of the highest anticipated matches of the season. In a close-fought match, it was Simone Zaza who emerged from the bench as the hero, scoring in the 88th minute of play to snatch victory and move the Old Lady to the top of Serie A for the first time of the season.

The Rossoneri had also enjoyed some rare consistency in form with a 1-1 draw away to Napoli extending their Serie A unbeaten streak to eight matches while Roma had jumped into fourth position off the back of four straight wins under Spalletti.

Before long, the Giallorossi had entered the top three with another emphatic victory, this time thumping the troubled Palermo 5-0.

Round 27 brought about a number of major clashes as Fiorentina drew 1-1 with Napoli and Juventus extended their lead to three points with a 2-0 win over Inter.

After suffering a form slump to start the year, Sassuolo backed up victories over Empoli and Lazio by downing Milan 2-0 and moving to within three points of the Rossoneri in sixth place.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s form slump continued with disappointing draws against the relegation threatened Verona and Frosinone.

Standing five points behind Roma’s Champions League playoff position, the Nerazzurri were close to reducing the gap when they faced the Giallorossi in Rome, before an 84th minute equaliser from Radja Nainggolan ensured the spoils would be shared.

At the other end of the table, Carpi picked up consecutive victories over Frosinone and Verona, escaping the relegation zone and sending Palermo down in their place.

Round 31 saw Napoli suffer a shock 3-1 loss to Udinese, handing Juventus a six-point lead at the top, with a fifth straight Scudetto now seeming likely.

It was also Stefano Pioli’s final week in charge of the Lazio squad, with a demoralising 4-1 loss in the Derby della Capitale ending his club tenure and was subsequently replaced by Simone Inzaghi.

The following week saw yet another coaching casualty as the Rossoneri finally lost patience with Mihajlovic after five games without a win and replaced him with Cristian Brocchi.

Juventus’ gap ahead of Napoli remained at six points until Inter produced an impressive 2-0 victory over the Partenopei in round 33 to all but end the Scudetto race.

Though despite the victory, Inter’s slim hopes of Champions League qualification were wiped out when they failed to produce against Genoa just four days later, going down 1-0 and cementing the season’s top three in Serie A.

It was round 35 when the Bianconeri were assured of their fifth consecutive, celebrating as Nainggolan’s winner for Roma over Napoli made it impossible for the Azzurri to reach the top.

Despite the disappointment, Napoli would go on to win their final three fixtures to hold off Roma for second place, finishing the season with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Frosinone.

Higuain was able to net a hat-trick to break a 66-year-old record and become the highest ever Serie A goalscorer in a single season, scoring his 36th and final with an incredible over-the-head kick.

In the closing rounds, Carpi staged a monumental charge to escape relegation, with wins over Genoa, Empoli and Udinese, only for Palermo to save themselves with a final day victory over Verona.

Meanwhile Sassuolo’s final round victory over the Nerazzurri secured a shock sixth place in Serie A with the potential for a Europa League birth, dependant on the Coppa Italia final between Juve and Milan.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Rocchi to ref Coppa final

http://www.football-italia.net/84503/rocchi-ref-coppa-final?

May 18, 2016

Gianluca Rocchi has been named as the referee for Saturday’s Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Milan.

The two giants of Italian football face off at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening for the final match of the domestic season, with kick-off at 19:45 UK time.

Experienced referee Rocchi was today named as the man to take charge of the encounter.

Filippo Meli and Andrea Padovan have been named as Rocchi’s assistants, with Paolo Mazzoleni fourth official and Marco Barbirati and Andrea Gervasoni acting as additional assistants.

A win for Juve would see the Old Lady complete a league and cup double for the second year running.

There is a lot on the line for the Rossoneri, who need to lift the trophy in order to secure Europa League qualification for next season.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan v Juventus Betting: Italian champions
set to dominate another cup final

Having gone from bad to worse since sacking Allegri over two seasons ago, Al Hain-Cole
expects the Rossoneri to fall to another defeat against the imperious champions.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2994/betting/2016/05/19/23698402/-?

May 19, 2016

Having lifted the Serie A trophy for the fifth season in succession, Juventus will now look to complete a second consecutive double when they take on AC Milan in Saturday’s Coppa Italia final.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men have won each of the last seven meetings between the sides, so are clear 20/31 (1.64) favourites with NetBet to add to their bulging trophy cabinet with another victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

Another disappointing season saw the Rossoneri finish in a lowly eighth position, but they are available at 19/4 (5.75) to end on a high note by earning their first piece of silverware in five years.

The champions ran out 2-1 winners after extra-time when the sides last met in this competition back in the 2013 quarter finals, and you can get odds of 13/5 (3.60) on them taking this one into extra-time as well.

After being shown the San Siro exit door with the team in mid-table mid-way through the 2013-14 season, Allegri could not have expected to be offered the Bianconeri job the following summer.

However, while the 48-year-old has rebuilt his reputation by overseeing two consecutive Scudettos and verging on the brink of a second successive domestic double, his former club have been in disarray.

Four managers have come and gone since Allegri’s departure from Milan, with the untested Cristian Brocchi now charged with revitalising a team that has shown little improvement in his six matches in charge.

With just two wins to his name in six matches at the helm, the former youth team coach is hardly a likely candidate to arrest his team’s alarming losing streak against this opposition.

Indeed, having won 10 of their last 11 domestic matches with 27 goals scored and a mere five conceded in that period, Juventus are well worth backing at 11/10 (2.10) to come out on top by at least two goals against a floundering Milan outfit.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

'Milan, Coppa justifies season'

http://www.football-italia.net/84564/milan-coppa-justifies-season?

May 19, 2016

President Silvio Berlusconi encourages his team to win the Coppa Italia against Juventus, as it would 'give meaning to the season'.

The Rossoneri had a catastrophic season on the whole, but they still have the chance to play for a trophy in the cup final against the Bianconeri, on May 21.

“Winning the Coppa Italia would give this season a new meaning,” wrote Berlusconi on the club's official site. “We must give everything we've got, and more.

“The result is just too important, as it would give us direct access to Europe as well as the 29th trophy in 30 years.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Khedira out of Coppa Final

http://www.football-italia.net/84591/khedira-out-coppa-final?

May 19, 2016

Juventus named their squad for the Coppa Italia Final with Milan, but Leonardo Bonucci and Sami Khedira cannot play.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

Bonucci is suspended, while Khedira has a muscular injury, but both are making the trip to Rome anyway.

It remains to be seen whether or not Gigi Buffon will go in goal, as Norberto Neto has been the Coppa Italia choice thus far.


Juventus squad for Milan

Buffon, Rubinho, Neto; Chiellini, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Rugani, Lichtsteiner, Evra; Pogba, Hernanes, Cuadrado, Lemina, Padoin, Asamoah, Sturaro, Pereyra; Zaza, Morata, Mandzukic, Dybala

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan V Juventus – Coppa Italia Preview: Rossoneri

Search For Salvation While Bianconeri Chase Double

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/05/ac-milan-v-juventus-coppa-italia-preview-rossoneri-search-for-salvation-while-bianconeri-chase-double/?

May 19, 2016

AC Milan will face Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday night in the 2016 Coppa Italia final, attempting to salvage some pride at the conclusion of a disappointing season.

The Rossoneri have only won two out of six matches under new coach Cristian Brocchi but they come into the cup final on the back of an impressive 6-0 aggregate victory against Lega Pro side Alessandria, albeit achieved under Brocchi’s predecessor Sinisa Mihajlovic.

After sealing their fifth consecutive Serie A title, the Bianconeri now have the opportunity to win back-to-back doubles. While AC Milan had an easier passage to the final, Juventus fell to a surprising 3-0 second-leg defeat against Inter and required penalties to ultimately dispatch of the Nerazzurri.

While the Old Lady won their fist Coppa Italia title in 20 years last season, the Diavolo have not won the tournament since 2003. Both teams played each other in the 1990 final, Juventus emerging as 1-0 aggregate victors courtesy of a goal from Roberto Galia in the second leg.

Brocchi will be missing left-back Luca Antonelli with a leg injury while right-back Ignazio Abate is listed as doubtful. Bianconeri coach Massimiliano Allegri will be forced to made do without the services of Leonardo Bonucci, who is suspended, as well as Sami Khedira who is unavailable due to a calf injury.

It is a possibility that Brocchi could ditch the 4-3-1-2 formation in favour of a 4-3-3. The AC Milan defence is expected to consist mainly of youngsters including Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria while Keisuke Honda and Giacomo Bonaventura are expected to support Carlos Bacca in attack.

Allegri is likely to persist with his 3-5-2, with Patrice Evra and Alex Sandro fighting out for a spot on the left flank, while Stefano Sturaro could be given a start in the middle of the park. Neto has been the goalkeeper of choice throughout the tournament as is expected to be handed the starter’s gloves again.


Form Guide: AC Milan (D-L-D-W-L) Juventus (W-W-W-L-W)


Expected Starting XIs
 

AC Milan 

 

Donnarumma; Calabria, Zapata, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Kucka, Montolivo, Poli; Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura

 

Juventus 

 

Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Sassuolo fans behind Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/84593/sassuolo-fans-behind-juve?

May 19, 2016

Juventus will have an extra set of supporters when facing Milan in the Coppa Italia Final, as Sassuolo set up giant screens.

The Final is in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Saturday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

If Milan win, then the Rossoneri go directly into the Europa League along with Inter and Fiorentina.

However, if Juventus win, they have already qualified for the Champions League, so that spot goes to the sixth-placed side in Serie A - Sassuolo.

With this in mind, the town of Sassuolo has set up giant screens in Piazza Garibaldi so fans can gather to watch the game together.

A Juve victory would grant the minnows their first ever foray into European football.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Pogba: Juventus Can Not Underestimate AC Milan

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/05/pogba-juventus-can-not-underestimate-ac-milan/?

May 19, 2016

Ahead of Saturday evening’s Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba believes his side have to perform well if they are to beat AC Milan.

Juventus have the chance to make history in Rome as they look to became the first Italian side to win the domestic double in consecutive years but Pogba has urged his teammates to stay humble.

“We must not go into the match thinking we are the favourites,” Pogba told reporters ahead of the final. “We have to be humble because the strongest team doesn’t always win. We will only win if we remain strong mentally.

“It is a final, AC Milan will not be in Rome to make up the numbers, but we want to make even more history by winning the double. We can still get even better that is for sure, as I want to play in the Champions League and win it.

“After the farewells of Pirlo and Vidal last summer I felt more empowered than before and I grew a lot. I have registered my personal best when it comes to goals and assists in a single season.

“But I can be even more decisive, and do more when it comes to being a leader.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Emerson: Juventus overwhelmingly superior to AC Milan

The former Brazil international, who played for both clubs, feels that while Carlos Bacca
could cause problems, the Bianconeri are stronger ahead of the Coppa Italia final.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1036/coppa-italia/2016/05/20/23723332/-?

May 20, 2016

It's fair to say that Emerson has a vested interest in Saturday's Coppa Italia final between Juventus and AC Milan in Rome. The former Brazil international spent four years plying his trade at the Stadio Olimpico with Roma before joining the Bianconeri. He later enjoyed a two-season stint at San Siro before returning to his native Brazil in 2009 to finish his top-flight career at Santos.

As a result, he will be a fascinated observer when Massimiliano Allegri's men attempt to pull off a second successive domestic double, with Juve having already clinched a fifth successive Scudetto. The retired midfielder acknowledges anything could happen on the night but he does not believe that struggling Milan, who limped home in seventh place in Serie A, have the necessary spirit or unity to spring a surprise...


Goal: What do you make of the two sides going into the Coppa Italia final?

Emerson: "They are two teams that have been travelling on very different paths this season. Juventus deservedly won the league with incredible numbers and records. Milan have fallen short of expectations. The way they've played so far has been disheartening, betraying the hopes that they had last summer. The season has been a failure but the final offers them a chance to salvage it, provided they win the trophy of course."


Goal: Juventus are the clear favourites but strange things happen in finals...

Emerson: "In a one-off final, anything really can happen. However, we have to acknowledge the overwhelming superiority of this Juventus side and Milan's worrying form. From what we're hearing in Brazil, the Milan environment is like a powder keg and the rumoured changed of ownership may have exacerbated the sense of unease.

Obviously, Juve will not have an easy game. Milan won't roll out the red carpet for them in Rome. Still, they will have to transform themselves; otherwise, Juve are destined to lift the cup. Allegri's side rarely fail to live up to expectations. Do not underestimate their focus, given the hunger and concentration this current Bianconeri squad has at the moment. This year we have again seen how strong Juve are, also in Europe, where in spite of their elimination in Germany, they did well."


Goal: You played for both sides - what are your memories of those days?

Emerson: "Juventus is a solid club, incredibly strong with a very precise DNA. There, you learn right from the very first day the meaning of the word 'victory'. Every training session teaches you about hunger, desire and never giving up. Milan is a really great club of historic traditions and so many famous triumphs but I was more impressed by the environment in Turin. After so many years of being led by Silvio Berlusconi, the Milan of today look set to change ownership. It's a curious and strange situation because if you say the word 'Milan', you always associate it with Berlusconi."


Goal: Which individuals could decide this game?

Emerson: "Paul Pogba is an exceptional player, complete, with the kind of physical attributes that few others possess. In addition, he's also grown technically in recent years and has reached a very high level. He could be the match winner, although Juventus have a many players who can decide a game. For example, I'm thinking of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic. However, I feel that the true strength of this Juve side is the collective power of the team. As for Milan, given Luiz Adriano's underwhelming season, I think that Carlos Bacca can create serious problems for Buffon and his back-line."


Goal: What have you been doing since hanging up your boots?

Emerson: "I opened a football school here in Brazil in 2011 and we guide young buys from a young age until they're 17. We're putting them on an important path and we work professionally in compliance with all of the laws, even if sometimes it's not easy and complications arise. We want to discover champions to gift to the world of football and we have a direct relationship with Roma."

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Why Carlos Bacca vs. Andrea Barzagli Will Be
Key Juventus vs. AC Milan Battle

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2641201-why-carlos-bacca-vs-andrea-barzagli-will-be-key-juventus-vs-ac-milan-battle?

May 20, 2016

The last game of Italy's 2015-16 program is set to be played on Saturday as AC Milan and Juventus square off in the final of the Coppa Italia.

It's a meeting of Serie A giants, but the position of the clubs couldn't be more different.

Juventus have just completed one of the most incredible seasons in Serie A's history. They started their fourth consecutive title defense in the worst way possible. After 10 games, they only had 12 points and sat in 12th place. No team had ever won the Scudetto after such a start.

But the Bianconeri tapped into the winning spirit that had been instilled in them by former coach Antonio Conte and began an epic run. Starting with a last-second 2-1 win in the Derby della Mole on Halloween night, they won 15 straight games, the last of which was a first-against-second battle with Napoli that vaulted them into a familiar place—top of the table.

They finished the season with 16 wins, one draw and one loss, winning the title with three games to spare.

Milan, on the other hand, have endured another difficult season. Former coach Sinisa Mihajlovic lost four of his first seven games, including an embarrassing 4-0 hammering at the hands of Napoli at the beginning of October.

But things slowly improved. In the 20 games after Napoli, the Rossoneri only lost twice—once at Juventus and once in the first game after the winter break against Bologna. After that loss, they went 11 games unbeaten. That included their best performance of the season, a 3-0 win over crosstown rivals Inter Milan.

But March brought disaster. They only won twice in the league after the beginning of that month, allowing tiny upstarts Sassuolo to creep up and pip them for sixth place. Now, they must defeat Juve to have any chance of qualifying for European competition next season.

In order for them to do that, they need a big day from Carlos Bacca.

The Colombian joined the Rossoneri this summer from Sevilla for a €30 million fee, and he was an instant hit. By the beginning of November, he had scored six times. In January, he scored in five straight matches, shooting him up the league's scoring charts.

He finished third in the league with 18 goals, behind only Juve's Paulo Dybala and Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain. What's remarkable is that he did this with hardly any service.

According to WhoScored.com, Bacca only managed to take two shots per game. Compared to Dybala's 3.1 per game and Higuain's 5.2, it's a paltry number. To put up the numbers he did with such terrible service is quite a feat.

Unfortunately, Bacca's form has dropped in the last few months. While he did score in each of Milan's last three games, he had only scored twice in the previous 10.

Part of this drop-off probably comes down to the familiar problem of a lack of service. Fatigue may also play a part. The 29-year-old played a full UEFA Europa League campaign the last two years with Sevilla, playing the final in both seasons. He's also been on Colombia's team for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and last year's Copa America.

Since the start of the 2013-14 season, he's played 150 games at the club level in addition to his international duties.

Bacca has one last game to play this season, though—and the opposition he'll come up against will be fierce.

According to WhoScored, Juve have used a 3-5-2 formation in 25 games in Serie A this season and another three in the UEFA Champions League.

Juve's vaunted three-man back line of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini—their own version of "BBC" in answer to Real Madrid's similarly monikered front line—has been one of the best units of their kind in Europe over the last five years. But that unit will be separated on Saturday.

Bonucci, who usually operates as the pivot in the center of the three, will be suspended for the final after exceeding the tournament's disciplinary threshold.

That means Daniele Rugani will slot into the defense. That doesn't necessarily mean a drop in quality—the 21-year-old is one of the best young defensive prospects in the world and has impressed during Chiellini's long injury absences this year—but it will mean a change in where everyone is.

Rugani has manned both the left and right of the line this year, but he's never covered for Bonucci in the middle and it's unlikely he'll do so here. Barzagli will likely man that spot—and will be the one in direct confrontation with Bacca.

Barzagli played in 41 matches between the league, Champions League, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa. He's put in some typical performances. One of the best players in the world at his position, the 35-year-old has kept the lid on some of the world's finest strikers this season, from Sergio Aguero to Higuain to Bacca.

He's not a volume tackler, as WhoScored clocked him at 0.9 tackles per game this season. The physical side of defending is normally left to Bonucci and Chiellini, but what Barzagli does is deny goalscorers the ball. He averages 2.2 interceptions per game, and there have been countless more instances where he has denied a cross or hounded a dribbler into a position where an incisive pass is impossible.

Barzagli's job will be to keep Bacca under control the way he did in November's 1-0 home win over Milan, when WhoScored recorded that the Colombian was held without a shot. Bacca was similarly shackled in the return game, making only two attempts on goal and hitting the target once.

This game will come down to a battle between one of Italy's best strikers and arguably its best defender.

If Bacca can break free and get a good ball or two, he could change the balance of the game. But if Barzagli takes the upper hand and Juve's defense locks down, Milan's last chance of getting to Europe will be all but snuffed out.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan v Juventus Preview: De Sciglio wants
to deny Bianconeri historic double

The Old Lady of Italian football have a strong chance to become the first team to secure

consecutive league and cup doubles when they take on the Rossoneri this weekend.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/milan-vs-juventus/2214614

May 20, 2016

Juventus head into the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday on the brink of a historic achievement, but Mattia De Sciglio thinks AC Milan can stop them.

Massimiliano Allegri led the club to a fifth straight Scudetto this season and they will be looking to become the first Italian side to win back-to-back doubles in Rome.

After losing Andrea Pirlo, Arutro Vidal and Carlos Tevez, Juve recovered from a woeful start to the campaign that saw them lie in 14th position after winning just two of their first eight games.

However, a phenomenal recovery that included a 26-game unbeaten streak propelled them to the title with a nine-point advantage.

Juve could now become the first side to successfully defend the Serie A and Coppa titles. In order to do so, the Bianconeri must overcome Allegri's former side, Milan.

Having finished seventh in the top flight, Cristian Brocchi's team require a Coppa triumph in order avoid a third straight season without European football.

Milan full-back De Sciglio is feeling confident, suggesting they could pull off an upset.

"We believe it can be done. If we play together we have a good chance. In a final, just one moment can prove to be decisive," he told Milan Channel.

"They are the champions of Italy, but we know how to play against them. It will be important that we stay compact and limit their players."

Milan lost both encounters with Juve this season, going down 1-0 in Turin before a 2-1 defeat at San Siro.

Their last victory over the Bianconeri came in November 2012 and Milan president Silvio Berlusconi wants cup glory to salvage some pride from another difficult season.

"Victory in the Coppa would give a new meaning to the season," he is quoted as saying by the club's official website.

"You have to give everything you have inside and more. It would be a big achievement for Milan to obtain direct qualification to Europe, as well as allowing the club to win its 29th trophy in 30 years."

The Rossoneri have concerns over the fitness of Luca Antonelli and Ignazio Abate, but M'Baye Niang could be in contention after almost three months out with ankle and shoulders problems sustained in a car crash having returned to full training.

Juve are unable to count upon key centre-back Leonardo Bonucci due to suspension, while Sami Khedira has not been included in the squad following a calf injury.


LAST FIVE MATCHES

Milan L W D L D

5/14/16 - AC Milan 1 - 3 Roma
5/7/16 - Bologna 0 - 1 AC Milan
5/1/16 - AC Milan 3 - 3 Frosinone
4/25/16 - Hellas Verona 2 - 1 AC Milan
4/21/16 - AC Milan 0 - 0 Carpi


Juventus W L W W W

5/14/16 - Juventus 5 - 0 Sampdoria
5/8/16 - Hellas Verona 2 - 1 Juventus
5/1/16 - Juventus 2 - 0 Carpi
4/24/16 - Fiorentina 1 - 2 Juventus
4/20/16 - Juventus 3 - 0 Lazio


HEAD TO HEAD

4/9/16 - Milan 1 - 2 Juventus
11/21/15 - Juventus 1 - 0 Milan
2/7/15 - Juventus 3 - 1 Milan
9/20/14 - Milan 0 - 1 Juventus
3/2/14 - Milan 0 - 2 Juventus

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus seek Serie A and Coppa Italia
double against underdogs AC Milan

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/12/blog/post/2874673/juventus-seek-serie-a-and-coppa-italia-double-against-underdogs-milan

May 20, 2016

Serie A champions Juventus want a League and Cup double but AC Milan stand in their way. Mina Rzouki (Juve) and Sumeet Paul (Milan) preview the Coppa Italia final.


Who will win?

Juventus 79% (4288 votes)

Milan 21% (1112 votes)


Who needs this trophy more?

Mina Rzouki: Considering how far the Milan brand has fallen and the money spent last summer to revive a dying giant, Silvio Berlusconi's team have to win the Coppa Italia trophy to pacify an angry set of fans and keep the memory of a once winning team alive.

A win would avoid another inquest into the failings of Milan CEO Adriano Galliani and co. and ensure European football for a side that is bleeding money and in drastic need of new revenue streams.

Yet while Milan suffers, Juventus are also concerned with progression. Last year they came close to a Treble, this year they at least need to win the double. One trophy just isn't enough for a power hungry club desperate to keep moving forward.

Sumeet Paul: Both teams will naturally be eager to win silverware to end the season, but in terms of the impact that it would have, it has to be Milan. The Rossoneri go into the encounter as heavy underdogs after another miserable season, and so defeating Juventus in the Coppa Italia final would be a significant morale-boost and impressive feat in itself.

However, this will now be seen as a means for Milan to salvage something from the campaign, while they also know that a win would secure their place in the Europa League. Another year without European football is simply unacceptable for the club.


Where will the match be won and lost?

MR: Juventus have defeated Milan in the last eight matches between the two teams. Possessing a disciplined defence and a skilled attack, Juve are without three great players which could prove problematic. Leonardo Bonucci's suspension means Allegri could change formations and play with a back four while injuries to Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio could allow a Milan side, focused on a combative style of play to win possession quickly by imposing their physicality.

However, under the tutelage of Allegri, the Bianconeri have often demonstrated their tactical versatility and boast a bench capable of producing the goods when called upon.

Mental fortitude is a determining factor in finals such as these. Juventus can always be relied upon to play with intensity but they must not underestimate the opponent. As for Milan, new coach Brocchi is already exasperated with the lack of determination from his men so it remains to be seen whether or not he can elicit a proud response from a squad now familiar with low expectations and mediocre performances.

SP: Based on recent form, Milan prepare for this weekend's clash with zero confidence having picked up just two wins in their last 11 games of the season. Cristian Brocchi won't tactically out-do Massimiliano Allegri, and the Bianconeri possess more quality both individually and collectively.

In turn, for Milan to win this game they have to do what they've done in the past against Juve, and that is match them for determination and commitment. In addition, they must hope that their effort and desire firstly keeps them in the game, and then puts them in a position to go on and win it.


Who can challenge Juventus next season?

MR: It seems there is no club as well run as Juventus to ensure a genuine challenger for the champions of Italy. Seemingly intent on confirming their squad and investing in a few more champions, their Serie A dominance could last for a few more years. However, Roma under Luciano Spalletti appear to be shedding their provincial attitude and broadening their horizons to target greater honours and better performances. A club intent on investing for the future, Roma, alongside a burgeoning Napoli side, will be Juve's challengers next season.

Inter are also a team that can also pose a threat depending on whether or not they can balance a side that's too physical and lacking in creativity. Fiorentina are perhaps better equipped for a serious challenge now that Paulo Sousa has seemingly realised the extent of the task at hand. As for Milan, I disagree with the idea that there exists a coach who could feasibly rescue this sinking ship. The Rossoneri will only be a force to be reckoned with once they are sold, ridding them of the toxic directors who live in the past and refuse to come to grips with the ever evolving world of football.

SP: The obvious contenders will be Napoli and Roma, whereas Milan still have plenty of work to do in the summer transfer market to bridge the current gap. The first port of call for the Rossoneri hierarchy will be to appoint a new coach, one that can attract a good calibre of players, has experience and has clear ideas and direction in terms of an expansive style of play.

It would take a miracle for Milan to be in contention next season based on their efforts this year, but with the right coach, continued investment in the squad and new ownership, they could make some progress. All in all, it's imperative that takeover talks are successful this summer.


Key Battle

MR: Paulo Dybala will certainly be dropping deep to collect the ball and create something and Riccardo Montolivo will need to be at his best. However, Juraj Kucka can make the difference for Milan and it will be interesting to see if his dynamic approach will hinder Paul Pogba, who managed to overcome the press the last time these two met.

With Milan likely to deploy a young defence which features Davide Calabria on the right, it would also be interesting to see how the 19-year-old defender will cope with Alex Sandro's physicality and speedy runs forward, or Patrice Evra's experience. Juventus cause the most damage when their wingbacks are allowed to push forward, so Calabria and Mattia De Sciglio must be at their defensive best to halt the threat from the wide areas.

SP: Riccardo Montolivo vs. Paulo Dybala. Montolivo has rightfully come under significant criticism for his performances this season, but he has a habit of stepping up in big games against Juventus. The Italian international will need to provide defensive coverage, with Dybala floating deep to collect the ball and cause problems between the lines, while he also needs to get his passing right and dictate the game in Milan's favour.

For Dybala's part, his tally of 23 goals and nine assists in 45 appearances in all competitions tell the story as to why he will be such a threat to Milan on Saturday night, and that mini-battle to gain control in the middle of the pitch could be crucial to the outcome.


Prediction

MR: AC Milan 1-3 Juventus. In 2016, Juventus have only failed to score in one Serie A game, against Bologna. With the inexperienced Brocchi at the helm and a wealth of attacking talent available to Juventus, a win over Milan would be a better bet.

SP: AC Milan 1-0 Juventus. Milan aren't going to overwhelm Juve this weekend, so a stubborn defensive display coupled with a poacher's effort from Carlos Bacca will seal the win.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Allegri can lead Juve to history

Juventus are on the brink of history and Luca Cetta analyses what can make
the difference for Massimiliano Allegri and his team in the Coppa Italia Final.

http://www.football-italia.net/84623/allegri-can-lead-juve-history?

May 20, 2016

The sight must create at least a tinge of Rossoneri regret. As Cristian Brocchi lines up for his first final as Milan boss in tomorrow’s Coppa Italia decider, sitting on the bench opposite is Massimiliano Allegri. The man sacked by Silvio Berlusconi in January 2014 is not only flourishing at Juventus, he is on the verge of making history.

Allegri last term led the Bianconeri to just their third ever League and Cup double, following in the footsteps of Carlo Parola – 1960-61 – and Marcello Lippi in 1994-95. This season he can take Juventus to a double double. That’s never been done in calcio history.

The Livorno native was the last Milan boss to win a trophy. His Rossoneri claimed the 2011 Italian Supercup against city rivals Inter, months after seizing the Scudetto from the Nerazzurri. This is Milan’s first shot since at winning silverware, in what is their most barren spell in three decades.

But securing Juve’s 11th Coppa Italia would be a fine end to Allegri’s second season in charge, one which started in ragged fashion. Four losses in 10 Serie A matches condemned the Bianconeri to a lowly 12th place. Speculation thrived that Allegri would not eat panettone, let alone be a step from history.

Just one loss in 28 Serie A matches later and Juventus are jubilant again. If Allegri was upset about their post-Scudetto performances against Carpi and Verona – the latter resulting in that lone loss – then he was all smiles last weekend as Juve closed in style against Sampdoria.

The Turin giants are brimming with confidence. It is little wonder they are favourites to defend their crown against a Milan side riddled with dilemmas both on-field and off. They have also triumphed in the last eight meetings between the pair.

Allegri will be counting on his dynamic match-winners to guide the Final Juve’s way. Paulo Dybala’s double versus Samp took his tally to 23 goals. That’s a better debut season than the man he replaced, compatriot Carlos Tevez. The ex-Palermo attacker’s stellar campaign includes goals in all four competitions. He struck against Torino and Inter in the Coppa, while netting the only goal against Milan last November. He will be pivotal.

The same may be said for Paul Pogba. Along with the Argentine he is the creative force driving Allegri’s team. Pogba has been devastating in the final third in recent months. Like Dybala, the French midfielder can count a goal against Milan in his season total, which has been bolstered by four goals and seven assists in his past nine outings. He topped the Serie A assist chart this season with 12, alongside Roma's Miralem Pjanic.

A lot will rest on Pogba’s shoulders. Claudio Marchisio will not be in the capital, while Sami Khedira is also out injured. Pogba is the sole starter from Allegri’s preferred trio and the boss needs the No 10 to continue his leading role.

Meanwhile, Allegri is forced into a defensive change. Leonardo Bonucci’s suspension will open the door for Daniele Rugani. The youngster will likely play on the right of the back three, with Andrea Barzagli central. Allegri was bolstered by 90 minutes – and a thunderous goal – from Giorgio Chiellini last weekend. The Italian international looks to have shaken off the injury concerns which have plagued his 2016.

A year ago in the Coppa decider, Juventus fell behind to an early Stefan Radu goal. They also conceded inside five minutes in the Champions League final. And just six weeks ago they had to come from behind to win at San Siro – after which Sinisa Mihajlovic was sacked and Brocchi promoted. Allegri will not want a repeat.

For Milan, European qualification – and the chance to salvage something from another disappointing season – is riding on this result. They come into the match in poor form, having won just one of the last five Serie A encounters. Milan have not been to a final in years. Juventus have. They know the occasion. The Old Lady can take advantage of that.

Should they do just that, a place in the record books will belong to Allegri and his team. It would be the perfect way to cap this season’s exceptional recovery.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

JUVENTUS V AC MILAN COPPA ITALIA FINAL – MATCH PREVIEW

http://www.juvefc.com/juventus-v-ac-milan-coppa-italia-final-match-preview/?

May 20, 2016
 

Juventus

 

On Saturday night, Juventus will wrap up the successful 2016/2017 season with the Coppa Italia final against Milan, hoping to bring home a second trophy. The Bianconeri have lifted the cup ten times in their history. After a month of playing for nothing, Juventus will resume playing a meaningful game. The last bout against Sampdoria was a nice response after the disastrous trip to Verona, so the team will approach the clash, riding high.

Obviously finals are always self-motivating and the words by the players in the last few days have been on point. The biggest risk is to underestimate Milan after they had a subpar season and very mediocre finish, but I think the fact that the Rossoneri challenged Juventus very hard in the most recent encounter, albeit in different circumstances as it was the last game of Sinisa Mihajlovic’s tenure, will make sure that does not happen.

Sami Khedira will not be available due to a calf strain, so he joins the injury list along with Claudio Marchisio and Martin Caceres. Leonardo Bonucci is disqualified, but will travel with team as he was not allowed to join Italy’s non-mandatory mini-camp, causing a little stir. I think the decision by Juventus had more to do with some of extra activities surrounding the Coppa final, meeting the Pope for starters, than with the pettiness of not sending the player just because they did not have to.

Norberto Neto will replace Gianluigi Buffon in goal: it’s fair to give the no.12 who played in Coppa, the chance to feature in the final, but I have to admit this is one of my least favourite traditions. Massimiliano Allegri used Andrea Barzagli in the heart of the defence in the last game, so it will be up to him to coordinate Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele Rugani. I do not think these three men have ever played together, hopefully there will not be any problems with chemistry between the players.

The doubts are the usual ones. Hernanes seems to be a little favoured over Mario Lemina for the deep-lying playmaker position: the Brazilian midfielder usually has a couple of shining plays per game, but honestly I would like to see the Frenchman, who is set to remain at Juve next season, in a big spot like this. Kwadwo Asamoah has a slight advantage over Stefano Sturaro for the other spot in the middle: the Ghanaian powerhouse has always been the first man off the bench when healthy, although he is a weird fit with Paul Pogba, as they both play better on the left, so maybe the Italian youngster could get the nod.

Stephen Lichsteiner is set to beat out Juan Cuadrado on the right, while Patrice Evra is expected to start on the left, although I would like to see Alex Sandro for the same reasons of Lemina, especially with Evra unsure about extending his contract with the club past this summer. You can not fabricate big-game experience, there is only one way to gain that. Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic will be the two strikers.


Probable lineup 3-5-2

Neto; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Pogba, Hernanes, Asamoah, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala.

Injuries:

Marchisio (knee), Khedira (calf), Caceres (Achilles).

Suspension:

Bonucci.


 

  AC Milan

This game has huge implications for Milan: first of all, it’s a trophy and they have not lifted any of those in recent years, which is unusual for a club with such an important tradition. Secondly, Sassuolo leapfrogged them in the standings in the final two match days, which means that they need to win the final to enter the Europa League, which would be an improvement after few seasons without European competition. If Milan qualifies, they will go directly to the group stage, while Fiorentina will have to go through early play-offs and Sassuolo will stay home.

However, the last month or so at Milan under Christian Brocchi has been pretty awkward. The coaching change did not spark much improvement on the pitch and they had a couple of costly results for their sixth place hopes, like the 1-2 against Hellas and the 3-3 at home against Frosinone. In the last game against Roma, they looked in disarray. The potential and possibile Chinese takeover is dangling over everybody’s head, creating more chaos than security for now.

Brocchi, who seems an intense coach but has not managed yet to convey his tactical beliefs to the players yet, had a couple of tirades against the squad after the disappointing performances; We will see if he has managed to rile them up. He was appointed in because Mihajlovic was too defensive and did not play in a proactive way, but changes have been scarce on that front. As a matter of fact, the high offside trap has worked against them as their centre-backs are too slow to catch up, when beaten.

The coach is expected to ditch 4-3-1-2 for 4-3-3. The fact that they have not been able to find a good partner for Carlos Bacca is definitely a factor in the decision, but it is also a more defensive choice as Giacomo Bonaventura and Keisuke Honda, who will complete the trident, will try to contain Juve’s flank game. Mbaye Niang has recovered from a severe ankle injury, but he has yet to play so he will make at most, a second-half appearance: he has been pretty energetic this season and definitely their second best striker, but his effectiveness remains to be seen after being sidelined for two months.

They are set to be without the two starting fullbacks: Ignazio Abate is dealing with painful plantar fasciitis, while Luca Antonelli suffered a calf strain few weeks ago. Brocchi has tried Alessio Romagnoli on the left, but that did not work very well. Davide Calabria and Mattia De Sciglio are slated to start, with Romagnoli in the middle, alongside either Philippe Mexes or Cristian Zapata: Alex had a terrible game against Roma and should pay the price in this occasion.

Riccardo Montolivo is primed to anchor the three-man midfield, with Juraj Kucka, who had a great game against Pogba the last time but has underperformed under Brocchi, and probably the good soldier Andrea Poli. Andrea Bertolacci is in Brocchi’s doghouse after not living up to his €20 million price tag, José Mauri has a chance but the veteran is expected to come up victorious in this battle.

As mentioned, Mihajlovic was dispatched because his style was too passive: Brocchi has tried to reverse the course, but he simply does not have the horses to play fast possession football and changing a team’s identity is very difficult in only month, so there have been problems all over the pitch, especially in the defence. At times, they seemed to lack intensity and focus, but that could easily change in a high-stake game.


Probable lineup 4-3-3

Donnarumma; Calabria, Mexes, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Poli, Montolivo, Kucka; Honda, Bacca, Bonaventura.

Injuries:

Abate (foot), Antonelli (calf).

Suspension:

None.

 

Formation

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Barzagli: 'Nervous about Milan'

http://www.football-italia.net/84626/barzagli-nervous-about-milan?

May 20, 2016
 
Juventus' Andrea Barzagli admits being 'nervous' about facing Milan in the Coppa Italia, and regrets Mario Balotelli's wasted talent.

The Bianconeri face the Diavolo in tomorrow's final at 19:45 UK time. While the team from Turin are in much better form, the 35-year-old is worried about playing an opponent who has nothing to lose.

“I'm nervous about this match, about Milan's great pride and playing them in a direct game,” he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “We'll have to be careful with their counters, and with [Carlos] Bacca, who may not seem very involved in the game but is actually a hawk.

“Much will come down to us. I don't know whether we'd lost concentration, maybe we'd allowed ourselves to relax for a week.

“We trained well in the last 15 days. We're ready, and tomorrow is going to be a dangerous game. To think that Fiorentina's fans will be on our side! Or maybe just a little bit, not too passionately.”

Barzagli was then asked about Balotelli's season at Milan.

“It's everyone's loss: Milan's, the player's, the national team's. Maybe Mario is thinking of all the trains that passed him by, and perhaps he has a few regrets.”

Finally, Barzagli discussed the Champions League final to be played between the two Madrid teams.

“Considering what Atletico Madrid did, taking out Barcelona and Bayern Munich, they deserve the cup more than Real do.

“We have to get used to the cup and adapt ourselves to a European mentality. We hope the confidence we picked up in the championship will help us do that.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

AC Milan look to upset Juventus in
Coppa Italia with Sassuolo support

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/2876664/ac-milan-look-to-upset-juventus-in-coppa-italia-with-sassuolo-support

May 20, 2016
 
A big screen will show the Coppa Italia final in Sassuolo's piazza Garibaldi on Saturday night. Thousands of fans will gather to watch events at the Olimpico in Rome, which in itself is quite curious given their team isn't playing.

The Neroverdi were knocked out of the competition at the fifth-round stage by Cagliari back in December. They will instead watch champions Juventus take on AC Milan in a repeat of the finals of 1942, 1973 and 1990.

You can understand Sassuolo's owner, Giorgio Squinzi, tuning in. He's a big Milan supporter and there have been calls for him to relieve Silvio Berlusconi of his shares in the club.

Berlusconi recently expressed his preference via a video message posted on his Facebook page that Milan remain in Italian hands. You get the impression that another Squinzi would be his dream successor. Sassuolo are the team -- a young, gifted, almost entirely Italian team -- that Berlusconi wants at San Siro, just on a grander scale.

This Saturday, however, Squinzi will feel conflicted. While his heart will undoubtedly beat for Milan, his head will be cheering on Juventus. All of Sassuolo will be behind the champions of Italy and not just because of the special relationship between the clubs. One acts almost as a finishing school for the other, nurturing the talent of Simone Zaza, Domenico Berardi and in the future maybe Stefano "the new Marco Verratti" Sensi, too.

Their alliance is instead explained by the fact that if Milan lose, Sassuolo will qualify for Europe for the first time in their history. Coming a decade after celebrating their promotion from the fourth division, many feel they are more deserving of a place in the Europa League than the dysfunctional Milan. Impeccably run, they make plans and stick to them. It's why their coach, Eusebio di Francesco, extended his contract until 2020. "I will not go where there is confusion," he explained amid speculation linking him with the Milan job, where confusion reigns.

A major part of Sassuolo's rise through the divisions can also be found sitting in the Juventus dugout. Massimiliano Allegri was in charge when they were promoted to Serie B for the first time. Milan sacked him after Sassuolo came back from 2-0 down to beat them 4-3. Berardi famously got all their goals. Prior to the game, Berlusconi had already long started belittling Allegri. Busy on the campaign trail, he was overheard saying that his then coach "doesn't have a clue" about football.

On the contrary, what has happened since makes him look like a mastermind. Allegri has won the Scudetto twice. He guided Juventus to the Champions League final and after bringing the Coppa Italia back to Turin for the first time since 1995, he could make history on Saturday by becoming the first coach to do the so-called doppio bis -- or double-double. Sometimes you don't know what you've got until it's gone. People forget Allegri left Milan in the Champions League. They were still in the round of 16, preparing to face Atletico Madrid, who swiftly eliminated them. That now feels like an awful long time ago and unless Milan upset the odds and shock Juventus to end 13 years of bad luck in the Coppa, they will be out of Europe altogether for a third straight season.

The scale of the task awaiting them is evident just by glancing at the league table, where they are separated by 34 points. Quite depressingly, Milan finished closer to the relegation zone than they did to Juventus. During the past five years, the Old Lady has become their femme fatale. They have suffered eight straight defeats to her, the worst streak in the history of this rivalry.

Tellingly, the last Milan coach to be victorious against Juventus was Allegri and La Stampa believes that we should at least consider the possibility that, upon his dismissal, he then worked some bad magic and put the same sort of curse on his former club as Bela Guttmann did at Benfica. One imagines Berlusconi and chief executive Adriano Galliani will tell themselves that before looking in the mirror and acknowledging that their mismanagement is principally responsible for Milan's decline.

Juventus are the super favorita on Saturday and understandably so. It's theirs to lose. "We've got to be humble and know that in games like these the best team doesn't always win," Paul Pogba told Sky Italia. "Everyone is saying that [this is the most unbalanced final in years]," Andrea Barzagli explained at Juventus' media day. "But I fear this game because I expect a show of great pride from Milan."

Footage has emerged of Berlusconi appealing to it on a visit to Milanello some time before Sinisa Mihajlovic got the sack in April. "We can't keep making a fool of ourselves," he said. "These gentlemen here are the ones who allow us to live. They give us money as sponsors and have just told me that if you carry on playing like this they won't give us any more. I won't either. And maybe it's better that I don't. You will have to go to court. Do you know how long a civil trial lasts in Italy? Eight years on average."

The Coppa offers a road to perdition, a shot at redemption. Milan haven't won it since 2003 and doing so would return them to continental competition. The players must remember how well they competed when they last met Juventus. Alex surprisingly got them in front and Milan tested Gianluigi Buffon enough to make him the man of the match. Juventus' captain will be missing on Saturday so Neto will deputise between the posts in his role as the team's cup keeper. Leonardo Bonucci is suspended and both Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio are out injured.

The question is: Are Milan capable of getting themselves into a position to take advantage? If Mihajlovic were still devising the game plan, confidence in a successful outcome would be marginally higher. Cristian Brocchi, Milan's fourth manager since Allegri's dismissal and the third without any senior level experience, has looked out of his depth and does not inspire the same cautious optimism. Making the most of their time in Rome, both teams have an audience with the Pope on Friday -- and there can be no doubt as to who is in greater need of a miracle.

In all likelihood, there will be two parties on Saturday night. One in Turin and another in Sassuolo. It's up to Milan to spoil them.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Juventus vs. AC Milan: Team News, Preview

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2641277-juventus-vs-ac-milan-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info?

May 20, 2016
 
The gulf between Juventus and AC Milan is widening.

The Bianconeri secured a fifth consecutive Scudetto this season on the back of an incredible run of form that saw them go undefeated for 26 Serie A games. Champions again, they now aim to add to their success with a second straight domestic double. To do so, they will have to beat a fellow Italian giant, albeit one whose stock has fallen considerably in recent years.

While Juventus have been busy making history, with their five league titles in a row something the club hadn’t achieved since the 1930s, Milan—their Coppa Italia final opponents this Saturday—have been defying it.

The Rossoneri also have a proud past filled with wins both at home and on the continent, but for three successive seasons, they have failed to finish inside Serie A’s top six. And should they not win this weekend, they will consequently miss out on European football once again.

The 2015-16 campaign appeared to be one of hope for Milan, with a new head coach in Sinisa Mihajlovic and an expensively assembled new cast of players. No other team in Italy’s top tier had a higher net spend than the Rossoneri, per Transfermarkt.co.uk, and the transfer fees lavished reflected the club’s haughty ambitions.

However, before the season was out, the coach would be dismissed and replaced by Cristian Brocchi, formerly head of the Rossoneri’s Primavera. And, in the aftermath of that decision, the team endured a severe loss of form that saw them pick up just eight points from a possible 18 to surrender sixth place to Sassuolo.

As a result of their league slump, Saturday’s cup final takes on an enhanced importance for Milan, something club president Silvio Berlusconi talked about recently.

“Winning the Coppa Italia would give this season a new meaning,” he told the club’s official website, per Football Italia. “We must give everything we've got, and more. The result is just too important, as it would give us direct access to Europe as well as the 29th trophy in 30 years.”

For this Juventus side, Saturday night’s clash is an opportunity to further cement an already-impressive legacy. By contrast, for Milan, the match is an olive branch, a shot at closing the growing gap between them and their esteemed rivals.


Team News

Juventus had a difficult beginning to this campaign, winning just three of their opening 10 league games as head coach Massimiliano Allegri tinkered with the system following the departures of key players in Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez.

Eventually it became clear that 3-5-2 was the most suitable shape, and this is likely to be what the Bianconeri line up in on Saturday.

Throughout Juventus’ Coppa Italia run, Norberto Neto has been ever-present between the posts, and the Brazilian goalkeeper is likely to get the nod over his iconic rival Gianluigi Buffon for the final. The back three in front of him will be without the sound positioning and precise passing of Leonardo Bonucci, however, as the Italy international is suspended.

Daniele Rugani is set to get the nod to take the 29-year-old’s spot, with Andrea Barzagli moving into the centre of the defence. For such a high-stakes game, Allegri will probably opt for the more cautious wing-back pairing of Stephan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra, though Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro would offer more attacking threat if needed.

In midfield, Juventus continue to be without Claudio Marchisio after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a 4-0 win over Palermo in April. Hernanes should take his place at the base of midfield, with Paul Pogba to his left and Stefano Sturaro—in for the injured Sami Khedira—to his right.

Up front, the strike pairing of Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic are set to dovetail again, bringing their combination of refined dribbling, cutting runs and aerial threat.

For Milan, the major injury concerns surround their No. 1 full-backs, Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonelli. Both have been remarkably consistent this season and would be big misses, especially as they will probably be replaced by inexperienced 19-year-old Davide Calabria and the out-of-form Mattia De Sciglio.

Along with the absence of key full-backs, the Rossoneri’s central defence remains an area of concern. Alex put in a shaky display in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Roma, with WhoScored.com giving him a 5.52 rating for his disconcerting mixture of clumsy passing and lack of anticipation.

Cristian Zapata may well take the Brazilian’s place alongside Alessio Romagnoli against Juventus, but regardless of the central-defensive duo Brocchi opts for, 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will have to remain calm and collected in what is sure to be the biggest test of his short career as a first-team player thus far.

According to Forza Italian Football, Milan look set to switch from a 4-3-1-2 to a 4-3-3 system, something advocated in this post. This will mean Giacomo Bonaventura and Keisuke Honda playing on the wings and providing support to Carlos Bacca, although M’Baye Niang is back from injury and could provide a needed injection of pace.

“I returned well to the squad yesterday,” the Frenchman told Milan Channel (h/t Football Italia) on Tuesday. “I still have a bit of hard work to do, but I hope to do that before Saturday.”

Central midfield remains an area of weakness for the Rossoneri. Captain Riccardo Montolivo will act as an anchor, dropping deeper between the centre-backs to provide extra defensive protection. Juraj Kucka will start to his right, perhaps in a man-marking role on Pogba, which worked to an extent the last time the two teams met.

However, on the left hand-side, Andrea Bertolacci has been severely out of form lately, meaning the more dynamic but less creative Andrea Poli or Jose Mauri may replace him.


Predicted Lineups

Juventus (3-5-2)

Norberto Neto; Daniele Rugani, Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Stefano Sturaro, Hernanes, Paul Pogba, Patrice Evra; Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic


Milan (4-3-3)

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Davide Calabria, Cristian Zapata, Alessio Romagnoli, Mattia De Sciglio; Juraj Kucka, Riccardo Montolivo, Andrea Poli; Keisuke Honda, Carlos Bacca, Giacomo Bonaventura


Players to Watch

Pogba has been in superb form for Juventus in recent months, revelling in a midfield role that allows him to push forward and support attacks. At 23 years of age, he finally appears to be adding consistency to the bodacious skill and poise that has defined his game for so long.

This was shown in a recent run in which he had a hand in at least one goal for eight consecutive fixtures, per WhoScored. This streak included three man-of-the-match showings.

Pogba acknowledged his own maturation when speaking to Juventus' official website, saying:

My performances have perhaps been more decisive than in previous seasons and I’m very happy to have set a new personal record for combined goals and assists. I feel a greater responsibility now, especially after the departures of Pirlo and Vidal with whom I played for three whole years.

For Milan, Bonaventura will play a crucial creative role, one not dissimilar to that which Pogba offers to Juventus. The 26-year-old has been his side’s best player this season, scoring six and assisting eight league goals and frequently showcasing pinpoint passing and nimble footwork.

He has also evidenced a great deal of versatility, at times operating in a more withdrawn central role as well as in the trequartista position, though this weekend he could be fielded on the left wing in a 4-3-3. This system will require him to find pockets of space between the lines and supply good service to lone striker Bacca.


Odds

Juventus: 7-10

Milan: 11-2

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Coppa Italia final preview: AC Milan v Juventus

Juventus will be looking to complete a domestic double when
they take on AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final on Saturday evening.

http://www.skysports.com/football/ac-milan-vs-juventus/preview/354638?

May 20, 2016
 
Having won the Serie A title by nine points, Max Allegri's side head to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome seeking a second straight Coppa Italia crown after last year's win over Lazio.

Cristian Brocchi's AC Milan have had a poor season in the league, finishing seventh, but have the chance to claim their first piece of silverware since 2011.

"Victory in the Coppa would give a new meaning to the season," Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said.

"You have to give everything you have inside and more. It would be a big achievement for Milan to obtain direct qualification to Europe, as well as allowing the club to win its 29th trophy in 30 years."


Team news

Juventus have the chance to become the first Italian side to complete back-to-back domestic doubles, and manager Allegri must decide whether Patrice Evra or Alex Sandro starts at left wing back for his side.

Midfielder Sami Khedira will not be fit for the final after suffering a calf injury, while Martin Caceres and Claudio Marchisio are out alongside the suspended Leonardo Bonucci.

Milan boss Brocchi will be missing left-back Luca Antonelli with a leg injury while right-back Ignazio Abate is a doubt.


Betting

Juventus are Sky Bet's 8/13 favourites to win the Coppa Italia within 90 minutes on Saturday evening, with AC Milan up against odds of 5/1. A draw and additional time is priced at 13/5 while a penalty shoot-out is a 4/1 chance.

Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala are considered the 7/2 favourites to open the scoring, with Carlos Bacca rated Milan's main threat at 11/2 to break the deadlock. Charlie Nicholas has provided his prediction for the clash, backing Dybala to score first in a 3-0 Juve win at 28/1 with Sky Bet.

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Chiellini: ‘Juventus can make history’

http://www.football-italia.net/84645/chiellini-%E2%80%98juventus-can-make-history%E2%80%99?

May 20, 2016

Giorgio Chiellini says winning the Coppa Italia would be “a historic achievement” for Juventus but it will be “difficult” against Milan.

The Bianconeri won the domestic double last season, and can become the first team to do it for two seasons in a row if they lift the cup tomorrow night.

“Tomorrow will certainly be a difficult - and in my opinion well-balanced - game,” Chellini predicted in the pre-match Press conference.

“We arrive at the end of a season where a lot of teams have put so much in with a one-off game which means that the things you’ve shown during the year are, unforunately, reset.

“I think we’ve prepared well, in these last two weeks we’ve been working with intensity and concentration and we hope to prove that on the pitch tomorrow.

“We’d very much like to win this cup because it would be a historic achievement for us to do the double for two seasons in a row.

“With my return on Saturday I got a goal to draw a line under the last few difficult months.

“I feel part of the team, to secure a historic achievement which we feel we deserve.

“We’re aware of our responsibilities and we’re also aware that all the chatter of us being favourites is just pub-talk.

“So we’ve prepared very well, today we’re refining the last things and we’re looking to go out and win this cup tomorrow.”

Having struggled with injury for much of this season, Chiellini was asked about his physical condition.

“I’m fine. I repeat, I came back well last week and I have a huge desire to play in this final tomorrow.

“I missed the last three months, so it’s normal that I missed important games. I was with the team, unfortunately from the outside, suffering and celebrating with them, and tomorrow doesn’t change anything for me on a personal level.

“We’re all Juventus, the players first of all but also the rest of the club who really want this win and this trophy.

“As for any other talk, I don’t care about it, and we don’t care about it.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Chiellini: ‘Milan a top team’

http://www.football-italia.net/84646/chiellini-%E2%80%98milan-top-team%E2%80%99?

May 20, 2016

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini warns Milan are “a top team” with “good players”, but denies they’ll be more motivated for the Coppa Italia final.

The Rossoneri finished the Serie A season in seventh-place, meaning they must win the cup tomorrow to qualify for the Europa League.

“Milan definitely haven’t had good results this season, but unfortunately we start from 0-0 tomorrow,” Chiellini told reporters in this pre-match Press conference.

“They’re a top team, they have good players and just like all finals it will be a difficult and balanced game.

“We’re just a step away from history, they’re aiming for Europe so I don’t think motivation will be lacking for either side.

“They could save their season, so it’s clear that will fire them up.

“But our strength over these five seasons has been our desire to continue to win at all costs, because five Scudetti aren’t won by chance.

“Although some might think we’d be sated that’s not the case and we want to prove it again tomorrow.”

With the Old Lady having secured five League titles in a row, is this the strongest side Chiellini has played in?

“I think it’s difficult to make comparisons with history. Certainly we’re making history day after day, and I don’t want to make comparisons between the team of 2016 and the team of 2006.

“We have to think about the present and the future, I’m lucky enough to play for a club that’s doing well.”

Daniele Rugani is expected to play tomorrow, and the centre-back was asked about his defensive colleague.

“I spoke to Daniele when everyone was saying ‘he has to play or he’ll leave’,” Chiellini revealed.

“I preached calm, because your first season with a big club is always difficult, especially at his age.

“We see him every day, and we can appreciate the improvements he’s made and that he continues to make, both technically and personally, but also in terms of bonding with his teammates.

“He’s integrating more and more every day, and he’s ready to play in a Coppa final or even play in the Euros if the boss sees fit.

“He’s ready, and this year - leave aside the fact he’s made 20 appearances - but 20 appearances for Juve are worth more than the 40 he made last year, with all due respect to Empoli.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Allegri: ‘Anything can happen’

http://www.football-italia.net/84647/allegri-%E2%80%98anything-can-happen%E2%80%99?

May 20, 2016

Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri warns “in a one-off game anything can happen” ahead of the Coppa Italia final against Milan.

The Bianconeri are champions of Italy for the fifth season in a row, while Cristian Brocchi’s side struggled to a seventh-place finish.

“We’re aware that it’s a final, and everything is reset to zero,” Allegri cautioned when asked about his side’s favourites tag in the pre-match Press conference.

“In a one-off game anything can happen. Among other things we’ll be facing a Milan team facing their last chance to play in the Europa League next season, and who finished the League with a bad game against Roma.

“Tomorrow we’ll encounter a totally different team, so we’ll have to be very good.

“Regardless of how they play - whether it’s three up-front or a different formation - Milan will have a reaction and I think that’s normal.

“So I think it’ll be a balanced game where we have to be aggressive, because Milan have a quality squad, with players like [Carlos] Bacca who scored a lot of goals in the League and is always dangerous.

“[Giacomo] Bonaventura has become a top player, [Keisuka] Honda has been criticised, but he’s always given his contribution to the team. [Riccardo] Montolivo, [Juraj] Kucka… They’re a team who can play very well when they’re organised and have the right edge.

“Besides that, we had two balanced games with Milan, so I don’t see why tomorrow should be an easy game.

“There’s no such thing as an easy final.

“We have to play a good game. We must be switched on and organised and above all we have to play well technically, because in one-off games the play of individuals who can make the difference becomes essential.”

The Old Lady advanced to the final on penalties, having thrown away a 3-0 first leg lead in the semi-final against Inter, is that a lesson for tomorrow?

“I haven’t reminded them of that, because tomorrow is a one-off game. What I reminded them - and what I’ll remind them tomorrow - is that we’ll find a Milan who will be fierce and who want to win the game as much as we do.

“So we can’t be presumptuous and superficial, we have to play as a great team.

“Tomorrow is a game apart, it’s the last game of the season. We have a duty to try and win, it would be an extraordinary achievement because no team has won the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia twice in a row.

“So that’s another incentive for us, and another reason to play a great game.

“We hope the result goes in our favour, but the important thing is to play a great game and to be prepared and up for it, because we’re coming off a month where we had a few weeks with nothing to play for.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Allegri: ‘Mandzukic-Dybala tomorrow’

http://www.football-italia.net/84648/allegri-%E2%80%98mandzukic-dybala-tomorrow%E2%80%99?

May 20, 2016

Massimiliano Allegri says it’s “very probable” that Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala will start for Juventus in the Coppa Italia final tomorrow.

The Bianconeri face Milan at Stadio Olimpico, and while Neto will replace Gigi Buffon in goal, the rest of the side is open to question.

“Tomorrow it’s likely that Mandzukic and Dybala will play,” Allegri revealed in the pre-match Press conference.

“It’s not a matter of the League and the Coppa Italia though, it’s a matter of rest and some players play at certain times and others play at different times.

“Aside from the choice of goalkeeper - who by the way we’re very happy with, because after not playing for so long, from Verona onward Neto has grown a lot in those two games, and it’s difficult for a goalkeeper to not play for a year - we’re not inventing anything with the others.

“We’ll play with a three-man defence, and the ones who play will be the ones available [Giorgio Chiellini, Daniele Rugani and Andrea Barzagli]. Then, as I’ve already said, it’s very probable that Mandzukic and Dybala will play.

“[Alvaro] Morata and [simone] Zaza are two players who can change a game in the course of it, as we’ve determined in the League this season.

“[Paul] Pogba aside, there are two players I have to chose, in front of the defence and the right of central midfield.”

One journalist attempted to ask the Coach about the rumours that Miralem Pjanic could arrive this summer.

“No, excuse me, before you ask a question about the transfer market there’s a game tomorrow and the transfer market… [journalist tries to clarify] No, I wont talk about the transfer market, especially about players from other teams.

“That’s out of respect for my players, and the club will take care of the transfer market. I won’t answer, and I won’t comment on things that other people have said.

“Tomorrow there is a game between Juventus and Milan, it’s a great final so let’s think about that and enjoy it.

“After that you’ll have time to write about the transfer market.”

Allegri was the last Coach to win a trophy with Milan, does that make tomorrow’s final all the more sweet?

“I repeat, tomorrow will be a special game and, above all, a glamour game, because Milan-Juventus is always a fascinating game,” the tactician replied.

“That’s true in the League and also when we meet in finals, like in Manchester in 2003 [for the Champions League]. They’re always fascinating games and beautiful to play.

“We have to be good, at our best, and in the end you need a little bit of luck too. Last year, after the 1-1 it was a good game, Lazio hit both posts and we went up the other end and scored.

“Juventus’ cycle? If anything the cycle ended last year. This year we changed 10 players, brought in a lot of youngsters, so we didn’t start as favourites this year.

“We messed-up in the first 10 games, but then the lads did something extraordinary.

“Tomorrow doesn’t close any cycle. Ok, it ends the season, and then we’ll go to the beach. But on July 6 we’ll start again and we’ll have to be ready for new challenges.

“This isn’t a springboard, the norm is to play a final and try to win.

“Tomorrow night, when we know if we’ve won or lost, nothing will change in terms of our strategy and goals for next season.”

[Socrates 7965]

MILAN - JUVENTUS

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Coppa Italia TIM - Final
Saturday, May 21st, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Olimpico Stadium, Rome
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi

Brocchi: ‘Milan need desire’

http://www.football-italia.net/84651/brocchi-%E2%80%98milan-need-desire%E2%80%99?

May 20, 2016

Cristian Brocchi says Milan must show the same “spirit and desire” as Juventus to win the Coppa Italia.

The Rossoneri take on the holders in tomorrow’s final in what could be the Coach’s last game on the bench, as his contract is up at the end of the season.

“A team should have the desire to play a final, regardless of anything else,” Brocchi said in his pre-match Press conference.

“It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to win a trophy. Winning would be something wonderful, especially for those who have suffered for Milan in recent years.

“If we succeed, we can’t say this has been a good season, but we’ll be working not to repeat certain situations.

“It’s a difficult time, but I’m holding onto my balance, my desire and my determination. We’re at the end of our short journey, we want to achieve a great satisfaction.

“The players have trained well, I saw something different, but I’m not fooled by that anymore, because they did well before Roma too.

“I really hope they can pull out that little bit extra, it’s the right moment.

“Every player has his pride and his professionalism. For many of them this is their last chance to win something.

“Those who are leaving will go with a good memory, they’ll bring home a victory which will go into the history of the club and those who remain.

“We need the spirit and desire to help each other. Juve always have that, and it helps you to cope if someone is having a bad day.”

Brocchi was a combative midfielder in his playing days, and was asked if Milan would win with seven or eight characters like him in the side.

“I don’t know if we’d beat them, but we’d give them a hard time.”