JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

Socrates · December 12, 2016

Nedved: Juve not Porto favourites

http://www.football-italia.net/95582/nedved-juve-not-porto-favourites

Dec 12, 2016

Pavel Nedved insists “in the Champions League there aren’t any favourites” after Juventus were paired with Porto in Friday’s last-16 draw.

Porto are well known to Italian audiences, having beaten Roma 4-1 on aggregate in the Champions League playoffs back in August, leaving Nedved bullish about Juve’s chances against the Portuguese giants.

“Everyone’s saying we’re the favorites, but in the Champions League there aren’t any favourites,” the Vice-President told Tuttomercatoweb after the draw.

“Going all the way will be really complicated, it’s a difficult and complicated competition, nothing’s easy and all the games are complicated.

“I’m never satisfied with the draw, you never know who awaits you. We’ll play this tie in two months, it’s difficult to speak after the draw.

“Porto? We mustn’t underestimate anyone, we have to be careful. I know what it’s like to play in the Champions League, we have to face these matches with maximum concentration.”

Socrates · December 12, 2016

Juventus wary of underestimating Porto in UCL round of 16

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/3017893/juventus

-wary-of-underestimating-porto-in-ucl-round-of-16

Dec 12, 2016

Juventus were being cautious about their Champions League hopes after being drawn against arguably one of the few sides they would have liked to meet in the round of 16.

With Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all potential opponents, a sigh of relief may have been sounded in Turin when Porto's name came out of the bowl.

Juventus are unbeaten in European club competition games with Porto, with two wins and a draw in their previous three meetings -- including the 1984 Winners' Cup final in Basel -- but that is no reason for them to take the Portuguese side lightly.

"We've got two games to play and it's not going to be easy," said vice president Pavel Nedved on the club website. "If you underestimate anybody in the Champions League, then you get knocked out.

"Many will be expecting us to go through easily, just like everybody expects us to win the Scudetto easily, but it's not like that.

"In fact, it's dangerous to talk like that. Porto have got to be respected -- they knocked an Italian side out in the playoff."

The 2015 beaten finalists will nevertheless be confident of going further than they did last season, when they were knocked out in the round of 16 by Bayern after extra time in the second leg.

Victory over Torino in Sunday's derby has proven how they can rise to the occasion when it matters and Nedved has paid tribute to what the Bianconerihave achieved so far this season.

"We're happy and if we carry on this way, we are going to collect victories," he said. "I want to pay my compliments to the whole staff for what we are doing. In the derby, we reaffirmed who we are -- a side who rarely slip up in the decisive games."

Socrates · December 12, 2016

Juventus draw Porto in last 16 of Champions League

http://www.juvefc.com/juventus-draw-porto-in-last-16-of-champions-league/

Dec 12, 2016

Juventus will face Porto in the last-16 of the Champions League however Pavel Nedved insists “in the Champions League there aren’t any favourites.”

The first of the tw0-legged ties will be played on 14–15 and 21–22 February 2017, with the second legs taking place 7–8 and 14–15 March 2017.

“Everyone’s saying we’re the favorites, but in the Champions League there aren’t any favourites,” Nedved told Tuttomercatoweb.

“Going all the way will be really complicated, it’s a difficult and complicated competition, nothing’s easy and all the games are complicated.

“I’m never satisfied with the draw, you never know who awaits you. We’ll play this tie in two months, it’s difficult to speak after the draw.

“Porto? We mustn’t underestimate anyone, we have to be careful. I know what it’s like to play in the Champions League, we have to face these matches with maximum concentration.”

Socrates · December 13, 2016

Porto v Juventus: reaction, analysis

Two of this century's finest keepers will go head to head in the UEFA Champions League

round of 16 when Iker Casillas's Porto take on Gianluigi Buffon and Juventus.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2430822.html

Dec 12, 2016

Match dates: 22 February, 14 March

Reaction

Pavel Nedvěd, Juventus vice-president: "A good draw for us? It's all relative and you mustn't underestimate your opponents at this stage of the competition. There are great expectations of Juve now reaching the quarter-finals with ease, just as there is at home to win the Scudetto. In reality, things are never that simple. Porto must be approached with caution given they've knocked out one Italian team already."

Alex Sandro (Juventus) Alex Sandro joined Juventus from Porto in 2015©AFP/Getty Images

Key facts

Juventus beat Porto 2-1 in the 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup final in Basel, and recorded a home win (3-1) and an away draw (0-0) when the teams met in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League first group stage.
Juve's overall record against Portuguese opposition is W5 D2 L4.
The Bianconeri's last encounter with a Portuguese Liga club came in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League semi-finals, when they drew 0-0 at home to Benfica having lost the Lisbon first leg 2-1 – denying them a place in the final at their own Juventus Stadium.
Porto have already tasted success in Italy this season, winning 3-0 at Roma in their play-off second leg to complete a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Porto's record against Italian clubs reads W8 D9 L11.

Socrates · December 13, 2016

'Approach with caution' - Nedved warns

Juventus over Porto strength

The former midfielder has stressed the Portuguese side can make life

complicated for the Iralian champions in the Champions League round of 16.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2016/12/12/30424222/-

Dec 12, 2016

Pavel Nedved has warned Juventus that they must approach their Champions League last-16 tie against Porto with the right mentality or risk a surprise early elimination.

Juve topped Group H and were drawn against Portuguese side Porto in Friday's last-16 draw, with many rating the Serie A champions as favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

But Nedved, Juve's vice president, insists nothing can be taken for granted and pointed to Porto eliminating Roma in the play-off round as proof of the challenge the Bianconeri face.

"A good draw for us? It is all relative, you must not underestimate your opponents at this stage of the competition," Nedved told reporters.

"There is a great expectation on Juve now to reach the quarter-finals with ease, just as there is at home to win the Scudetto. In reality, things are never that simple in football. We have got two tough matches to negotiate before we can even think about the next round.

"Porto must be approached with caution given that they have knocked out an Italian team already. If your mentality is not right at this level, you will lose."

Nedved, though, has been impressed by Juve's performances under Massimiliano Allegri this season.

"We are delighted with our progress so far. Credit must go to the staff and players for what they have achieved in the first half of the season," he added.

"In the derby on Sunday we showed what Juve are all about, a team that rarely falters on the big stage. Even though we made a poor start against Torino, we rallied and turned the result on its head."

Socrates · December 13, 2016

Nedved insists there’s no Champions League favorites

Juve VP speaks after the draw.

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/12/13919742/pavel-nedved

-insists-theres-no-champions-league-favorites-juventus-porto

Dec 12, 2016

Juventus Vice President and former star midfielder Pavel Nedved has insisted that the Bianconeri should not take Porto lightly after the two clubs were paired together in the round of sixteen draw for the Champions League earlier today.

Porto had elminated AS Roma 4-1 on aggregate during the qualifying round for this season’s tournament, and Nedved called for caution.

“Everyone’s saying we’re the favorites, but in the Champions League there aren’t any favorites.

“Going all the way will be really complicated, it’s a difficult and complicated competition, nothing’s easy and all the games are complicated.

“I’m never satisfied with the draw, you never know who awaits you. We’ll play this tie in two months, it’s difficult to speak after the draw.

“Porto? We mustn’t underestimate anyone, we have to be careful. I know what it’s like to play in the Champions League, we have to face these matches with maximum concentration.”

The first leg between Porto and Juventus will be played at the Estádio do Dragão in Portugal on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The second leg is set for Tuesday, March 14, at Juventus Stadium in Turin.

Socrates · December 13, 2016

Porto Draw a Favourable One for Juventus,

Who Now Need to Show Their Inner Steel

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2681369-porto-draw-a-favourable

-one-for-juventus-who-now-need-to-show-their-inner-steel

Dec 13, 2016

Since returning to the competition in 2012/13, the UEFAChampions League has been difficult for Juventus. The Bianconeri were comprehensively outplayed by Bayern Munich in that campaign’s last 16 and failed to get out of the group stage 12 months later after a shock loss to Galatasaray.

Massimiliano Allegri replaced Antonio Conte as coach in July 2014 and appeared to instil renewed confidence in the side, steering them to the final in his first season. Yet they would lose to Barcelona and were again knocked out by Bayern Munich last term, lending weight to the idea they were out of touch with the continent’s elite clubs.

However, this season there has been something of a different air surrounding the team on European nights, a steely resolve to not waste another opportunity. Having previously struggled with smaller sides, they dispatched Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 and followed that up with a 1-0 win away to Olympique Lyonnais.

That they did so at the Stade de Lyon despite Mario Lemina’s red card only served to make that result even more impressive, while a 3-1 triumph at Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium provided a huge confidence boost.

View image on Twitter

Follow

OptaPaolo

✔@OptaPaolo

14 - Juventus have collected 14 points in a Champions League group for the first time since 2005/06. Quality.

10:53 PM - 7 Dec 2016

67 Retweets

81 likes

They eventually managed their best points total in a decade—see Optatweet above—which saw Juventus top their group for the first time since 2012. It appeared that doing so did little to improve their chances of a favourable draw, though, with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all possible last-16 opponents.

The Bianconeri can consider themselves somewhat fortunate then to have been paired with FC Porto. The Primeira Liga side have already faced Italian competition this season, eliminating AS Roma in the playoff round, running out 4-1 winners over the two-legged fixture.

They were then runners-up in Group G, drawing twice with FC Copenhagen while beating Club Brugge home and away. They lost 1-0 at Leicester City but then handed the Premier League champions a memorable 5-0 thrashing at the Estadio do Dragao last week to secure their place in the knockout rounds.

Porto sit second in their domestic league, too, four points behind leaders Benfica despite losing only one game thus far in 2016/17. However, they would have hoped for an easier draw here, with the Bianconeri posing a difficult challenge for coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

"This is a very tough draw for Porto who will start very much as underdogs," Tom Kundert of PortuGoal.net explained to Bleacher Report shortly after their opponents were revealed. "They’re nothing like the strong European force of a few years back and are a team very much in transition."

Indeed, having previously boasted the likes of Danilo, Jackson Martinez and current Juve man Alex Sandro, they are now a young side looking to develop players as they have so many times before.

hi-res-57b235ee7b12138ce5b53cd905c59c84_

VI-Images/Getty Images

Alex Sandro joined Juventus from FC Porto.

"Starting strikers Andre Silva and Diogo Jota have both just turned 21 and 20 years old, respectively," Kundert continued. "Otavio (21) and Oliver Torres (22) are also undisputed starters, so it’s a very young and inexperienced team. The four players I mentioned are by no means the finished article, but all four are highly talented and look set for glittering careers.

"After an inconsistent start to the season, they're showing signs of hitting some decent form. They also have an impressive defence, only conceding one goal in last 11 games in all competitions."

The two clubs have met just three times before, most recently going head-to-head in the group stage of the same competition in the 2001/02 campaign. A 0-0 draw in Portugal was followed by a 3-1 triumph at the Stadio delle Alpi as Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Monteroand David Trezeguet got on the scoresheet for the Bianconeri.

The other meeting was undeniably the most memorable of the three, however, taking place back in 1984 as they faced off in the European Cup Winners' Cup final.

Juve qualified for that tournament by winning the Coppa Italia against Hellas Verona in 1982/83, and they swept Polish side Lechia Gdansk aside in the first round of the Cup Winners' Cup with a 10-2 aggregate victory.

From there, they would eliminate Paris Saint-Germain and Finland-based FC Haka, before going on to beat Manchester United in the semi-finals. Already the hero of Italy’s 1982 World Cup triumph, a last-minute goal from Paolo Rossi secured the Bianconeri a place in the final at FC Basel’s St. Jakob Stadium.

It would not take long for coach Giovanni Trapattoni’s men to show their superiority there either, with midfielder Beniamino Vignolaputting them in the lead after just 12 minutes. However, Antonio Sousa equalised shortly before the half-hour mark with a stunning shot to beat Stefano Tacconi.

Shortly before half-time, though, Zbigniew Boniek restored Juve’s advantage following a brilliant long ball from Michel Platini, somehow bundling the ball into the back of the net to seal the victory.

The Bianconeri also won the Serie A title that year, the European trophy making for an impressive double for a team who would go on to even greater heights in the years that followed.

Speaking shortly after the draw paired the two sides again on Monday, Juventus vice-president Pavel Nedved spoke highly of the Portuguese side and told TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Football Italia) that they will test Allegri’s men:

Everyone’s saying we’re the favourites, but in the Champions League there aren’t any favourites.

Going all the way [to the final] will be really complicated, it’s a difficult and complicated competition, nothing’s easy and all the games are complicated.

I’m never satisfied with the draw, you never know who awaits you. We’ll play this tie in two months, it’s difficult to speak after the draw.

Porto? We mustn’t underestimate anyone, we have to be careful. I know what it’s like to play in the Champions League, we have to face these matches with maximum concentration.

hi-res-9e63093b7101e3d19213f201a9d346df_

FABRICE COFFRINI/Getty Images

Pavel Nedved expects Porto to be tough.

But after being paired with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich at this stage last year, La Vecchia Signora and her supporters are thankful the balls fell more kindly for their side this time round as one supporter explained.

"On paper it's one of the easiest games games we could have hoped for given their European form," Juve fan Gugs told Bleacher Report. "But the main thing is not to be complacent. We must slay the dragon and get into the quarter-finals, then do the typical Italian thing of building momentum in latter stages."

Recent displays by the Bianconeri have not been much more positive, a subject discussed in this previous post after Gonzalo Higuain’s goals masked some obvious flaws in the derby win over Torino.

But just as Nedved was reluctant to speculate on the tie over two months before it takes place, Juventus will use that time to improve the ongoing chemistry and creativity issues that have affected them thus far.

"It's only a matter of time before we click as a team. Right now the results are there, but something is missing," Gugs continued. "We need to get far to show we are back and that that 2015 final wasn't a one-off, which is imperative for Serie A, too."

Juventus now have the opportunity to do just that, secure in the knowledge that the draw saw them avoid any of the continental heavyweights in the first knockout round. It is a chance Allegri and his players must not squander.

Socrates · December 14, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Khedira: ‘Looking forward to Roma’

http://www.football-italia.net/95641/khedira-‘looking-forward-roma’

Dec 13, 2016

Sami Khedira says Juventus are “looking forward” to facing Roma, and calls Francesco Totti “a legend”.

The Bianconeri welcome the capital club to Turin on Saturday night, in a match which pits first against second.

“Roma are four points behind us, so we have to be careful,” Khedira warned in an interview with Sky.

“They’re strong in attack, but also solid in defence. They have everything they need to excel. We saw last year that it’s not easy to win against them, but we’re at home so that’s a big plus for us.

“We’re looking forward to facing them, it’s first against second and therefore the most beautiful match.”

Khedira was also asked about Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti.

“Totti is a legend, it’s amazing to see him playing football at 40. So he has all my respect for the way he plays, while remaining one of the best players not just in Italy, but in Europe.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 14, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

A Juve-Style Roma

It’ll be a duel between Juventus and Roma, who both proved with

Torino and Milan that they can ‘win ugly’, writes Susy Campanale.

http://www.football-italia.net/95623/juve-style-roma

Dec 13, 2016

It was a head-to-head for second place and for the role of ‘anti-Juventus’, that’s what all the papers said, and Monday night’s showdown at the Stadio Olimpico did indeed fit the bill. Roma defeated an impressive Milan thanks to grit, experience and a bit of good old-fashioned luck.

Luciano Spalletti has been saying for weeks now that he wanted his side to adopt the mentality of Juventus, the ability to ‘win ugly’ and grind out results even when performances are not spectacular. Mission accomplished, because for large periods the Rossoneri controlled the game and kept the initiative.

It was frankly a far better showing than expected from Vincenzo Montella’s men, so he too can be heartened by what he learned from the return to his old hunting ground. The entire first choice midfield was missing and the only striking option to come off the bench was Luiz Adriano, a player many had forgotten was still in the squad, and with good reason too.

Nonetheless, the Diavolo remained organised, played some good football and showed remarkable character for the youngest average line-up in the entire Serie A campaign so far. Milan emerge defeated, and learning not to let M’Baye Niang take any more penalties, but with heads held high. Their presence in the top three right now is no fluke.

Roma were without Mohamed Salah, Francesco Totti, Alessandro Florenzi and lost Bruno Peres to injury during the first half, but just like Max Allegri’s Juve in the Derby della Mole, strength in depth was decisive. Torino pushed the Bianconeri very hard indeed and took the lead through their hitman Andrea Belotti, but while Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic came off the bench to combine for the final goal, the Granata had no such quality in addition to their starting XI.

Sinisa Mihajlovic and the club deserve great credit for putting together an impressive line-up, but Toro were like a gunman in a Western who fires off all his rounds while his opponent hides behind a barrel, nursing an extra few bullets for the right moment.

Now we have a good old-fashioned Gunfight at the OK Corral coming up on Saturday night. Only four points separate the top two and they prepare to duel at high noon – or 19.45 GMT, but in spirit we all know there’s the sun blazing down on the deserted street as those weird clumps of dry grass roll across the prairie. We can practically hear the harmonica already.

The next few days will be filled with dramatic close-ups of eyes darting back and forth, staring ice cold in preparation for the duel. Who will look away first? Will their nerve hold out?

I suddenly realise why Gigi Buffon grew that abominable moustache. He looks like a gunslinger in a 1960s Spaghetti Western. A villain. Everyone is watching and waiting for Juventus to be taken down after five years of utter domination, but Buffon’s prepared to be the bad guy of calcio and shoot down their dreams.

Let’s all pull down the blinds and peek through the gap in the window as the music gets louder. They’re gonna have a duel.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 14, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Salah ready for Juventus-Roma?

http://www.football-italia.net/95648/salah-ready-juventus-roma

Dec 13, 2016

Mohamed Salah and Francesco Totti are fighting to be fit for Saturday’s showdown between Juventus and Roma.

Only four points separate the top two teams in the table and they go head-to-head on Saturday in Turin.

Bruno Peres has been ruled out for three weeks after spraining his ankle in the 1-0 win over Milan last night.

Totti is expected to be back, as he was suffering from a flu virus.

The most important change could well be the return ahead of schedule of Egypt international Salah.

The winger started running again in training yesterday, 11 days after spraining his right ankle.

He had originally been told to stay on the sidelines for three weeks, but reports suggest Salah is eager to attempt a remarkable recovery.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 14, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

More than a game for Roma

Juventus may be the strongest team in Italy, writes Andrea Tallarita,

but for Roma fans they’re the ultimate enemy.

http://www.football-italia.net/95663/more-game-roma

Dec 14, 2016

Other than Lazio, Juventus are in all likelihood the most virulently hated team among Roma fans. Some of the younger supporters grew up during the age of Inter’s hegemony and may find black-and-blue to be a more distasteful colour code, and there are of course Romanisti with their own preferred pet hates. Still, above all among most people old enough to remember Roma before Francesco Totti, the Bianconeri top the list.

There are three main reasons for this, and they are all as silly or as axiomatic as anything in football. The first is the mere fact of Juve’s success, which is historically so great one might as well call it measureless, and which inevitably draws upon itself all forms of envy and resentment.

The second has to do with the Bianconeri’s supposed links to corruption and match-fixing. These may often be hyped up to mythical proportions, so much so that Italian kids playing Subbuteo have been known to invent Juve-bonuses to make matches more ‘realistic’. Fair or not, these tropes remain an indelible part of the Italian football story, and are no less ancient than Juventus’ success.

Finally, and more particularly, there is a hazy feeling among Romans that Juventus are impostors, who dispossessed the Eternal City of the laurels to which she was entitled. Why is it that great capitals like London, Paris and Madrid should represent havens of football in their respective countries, while Rome counts a mere three Scudetti in 90 years? How can a team that isn’t even named after an Italian city take home so many of the domestic titles – and in whose name?

There are rational, historical answers to these questions, including the fact that great capitals aren’t always home to the most powerful teams (to wit: Bayern Munich). But this doesn’t change the gut feeling. In a country where everyone feels robbed, be it by the government, by taxation, by foreigners, or by their neighbours, it is a custom enthusiastically adopted by the Romans to feel robbed by Juventus, both physically and spiritually.

Unsurprisingly, a match with the Bianconeri is punctually followed by controversy – strictly in Roman dialect – regarding the referee’s decisions. Totti himself often partook in the tradition, from that first time in 2005 (“We were 11, they were 14”) to those comments just two years ago (“They should get a separate championship”). Somehow, this remains the case even when said decisions are in Roma’s favour – although in fairness, that hasn’t happened very often.

Here is an anecdote that perhaps best encapsulates the Roman attitude. In 2006, after the Calciopoli scandal came to light and it was rumoured that Juventus would be demoted, my neighbours in Rome announced a barbecue party in the square at the end of our street.

When the sentence came in and the Old Lady tumbled to Serie B, the party was cancelled – “because they were supposed to fall to C2!” (C2 was the equivalent, back then, of Lega Pro – the lowest league in professional football). The arch-enemies got penalized, but not enough. One way or the other, the Romanisti felt robbed.

The outfit from Turin have successfully replaced Inter over the last few years as the undisputed apex predator of Serie A. They managed to soften some of the animosity against them by building a strong team of young Azzurri, only to squander it by gutting their direct rivals on the market (including Roma, who lost Miralem Pjanic). They’ll find no friendship in Rome, this year no less than in the past.

The fact that it took a market operation to nullify a threat that, in the eyes of many, would have given Juventus a run for the Scudetto, is sometimes described as sly or dirty play. This is a matter of perspective, one which fans of a big club like Roma would do best not to abuse. And yet it is significant because it reveals what the game actually means for the Lupi.

Playing Juventus doesn’t represent a game against the strongest, but a game against the biggest. The success of the team in black and white is a measure of the aggregate of their resources: financial, logistical, cultural. They are by far the richest club in Italy, the one that built themselves a stadium, and the team with the most supporters. They play at home almost anywhere they go in the country, except in the largest cities like Rome, Milan and Naples.

This way of interpreting the match lends its outcome a particular moral weight. Roma aren’t a small team by any stretch of the imagination, but beating the holding champions still feels like watching the little man take down the giant. It’s that magical moment when Peter Parker first beats Flash Thompson, or even better: it’s when young Clark Kent realizes he’s Superman.

The limitations in Roma’s squad, exacerbated by their relentless injury crisis, make a victory highly unlikely. And even then, with only one point dividing the two teams, these same factors mean a Scudetto race seems frankly implausible. But the spectacle would still be worth the price of the ticket. There’s something to play for even when there’s nothing to play for, and there’s not a soul in Rome that doesn’t know that.

The Bianconeri are the proverbial Dream Crushers this season, reminding both Atalanta and Torino of where they belong. Cornered and wounded, the wolf is still going to put up a fight this Saturday. That’s because they’ve got the prettiest dream of all to defend: who never wanted to be Superman?

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Nainggolan: ‘Pjanic? We don’t talk…’

h ttp://www.football-italia.net/95679/nainggolan-‘pjanic-we-don’t-talk…’

Dec 14, 2016

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan jokes that he ‘doesn’t talk to Miralem Pjanic anymore’ after his move to Juventus.

The Bianconeri controversially activated the Bosnian’s release clause this summer, with his Belgiam teammate declaring “if he goes to Juve, he can’t talk to me anymore!”

Nainggolan later softened his stance, and joked about the situation with Sky this afternoon.

“Pjanic? I already said that he can’t talk to me anymore…” the Giallorossi midfielder laughed.

“Would I reject Juve? I’ve already told you that 10 times.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Buffon: ‘Roma can win the Scudetto’

http://www.football-italia.net/95682/buffon-‘roma-can-win-scudetto’

Dec 14, 2016

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon says Roma “have a great Coach, great players and don’t lack anything to win the Scudetto”.

The Bianconeri meet with Luciano Spalletti’s side at Juventus Stadium on Saturday night, with the capital club having the opportunity to cut the gap at the top to just one point.

“Roma and Napoli, along with Juve, are the teams which have brought some very nice sporting duels in recent years,” Buffon said in an interview with Sky.

“That means that the progress of these teams is significant, and I’m talking about Roma and Napoli, their projects are proving to be successful, or at least bringing good results.

“That’s why both teams have consistently been in second or third place.

“So for me it’s not a surprise, and indeed it’s a surprise to me whenever Roma slip-up or are stopped; because they’re a team who for many years have been very strong, very competitive.

“They have a great Coach, great players, a lot of experience and they don’t lack anything to try and win the Scudetto.”

Buffon is seen as one of calcio’s ‘living legends’, as is Giallorossi captain Francesco Totti.

“I’m lucky, because I play another role I’ve never had to ask anything or point anything out to Francesco. Clearly he’s a player who had the same class as when he started playing.

“In fact, in some facets I think he’s even improved or refined himself, if that’s even possible. He’s a reference point for his team and for the city of Rome.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Buffon: ‘Dzeko most dangerous striker’

http://www.football-italia.net/95686/buffon-‘dzeko-most-dangerous-striker’

Dec 14, 2016

Gianluigi Buffon believes Roma’s Edin Dzeko is “the most dangerous striker” at the moment, and never doubted his quality.

The Bosnian struggled during his first season in Serie A after moving from Manchester City, but has 17 goals in all competitions already this term.

“At the moment, he’s the most dangerous striker,” Buffon told Sky when asked about Dzeko.

“He’s adapted very well to [Luciano] Spalletti’s plans and has understood them perfectly, and you can see the results of that. He’s probably just a player who needed time.

“In the end, leave aside the present Dzeko and he still has a very good record which speaks in his favour.

“To think that he had all of a sudden become a mediocre player sounds a bit stupid.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Salah closer to Juventus return

http://www.football-italia.net/95687/salah-closer-juventus-return

Dec 14, 2016

Roma winger Mohamed Salah is reportedly edging closer to a return against Juventus on Saturday.

After spraining his ankle in training ahead of the Derby della Capitale against Lazio, Salah started running this week.

Now Sky is reporting that the Egyptian has put his boots on, rather than trainers, and worked with the ball for the first time today.

The ex-Chelsea man wasn’t fit to train with the rest of his teammates at Trigoria, but it’s an important step forward in his recovery.

Salah won’t be rushed back for the match in Turin, but there is increasing optimism that he will be able to play some part in the top-of-the-table clash.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Delvecchio: ‘Roma closer to Juventus’

http://www.football-italia.net/95689/delvecchio-‘roma-closer-juventus’

Dec 14, 2016

Marco Delvecchio thinks the gap between Juventus and Roma “has narrowed a lot this year” ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

The Giallorossi are four points behind the reigning Serie A champions, and can narrow the gap to just a point with a win in Turin.

“For me, Roma’s squad is second only to Juve,” Delvecchio, a Scudetto-winner with the Lupi, told Mediaset.

“The gap with the Bianconeri has narrowed a lot this year. I see the title race as being open, even if Juve will try to stretch their lead since they don’t have the Champions League until February.

“Roma’s goal is to try and maintain this gap or shorten it compared to the four points now.

“The challenge from Napoli? For me, Roma have something more to their squad even if Napoli play the best football in Serie A.”

Delvecchio was also asked what his former side would have to do to get a result at Juventus Stadium.

“They must play better than the last two games where they were lucky. Against Lazio and Milan they waited for their opponents, but they risked going behind.

“They need to change that attitude because Juventus have players of impressive quality, they’ll need to raise the intensity to get a result in Turin, because as soon as you drop the pace Juve can hurt you.

“Edin Dzeko or Gonzalo Higuain? They’re two players with different characteristics, Higuain is probably stronger in the box but technically Dzeko isn’t far behind.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

Evaluating Juventus players’ position from

recent Serie A, Champions League matches

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/12/14/13830932/juventus-

tactics-formations-serie-a-champions-league-allegri-pjanic-higuain

Dec 14, 2016

It has been argued that even for professional soccer coaches, they can only recall about 30 percent of the plays correctly after the game. This argues for more data driven analysis of the game. But these data can be expensive. A typical subscription of OPTA or Prozone data can cost quite a lot of money. To take an alternative and systematic approach to analyzing the offensive performance and pattern of Juventus with sports data, I developed a semiautomatic method to obtain data to create players’ position's map of Juventus in each game. These maps focus on the times when Juventus creates a chance to score. The procedure is as followed:

First, I isolate all of the chances that were created in the game. This is easily done with the www.fourfourtwo.co/statzone. Chance is defined as any shots created or any attempted and successful passes delivered to the penalty box. These chances are then identified by their time of occurrences with statzone and www.whoscored.com. I track and identify all of the possessions that led to these chances. A possession is defined as one series of consecutive passes. The approximated positions of all the players and passes (not shown in this post) involved in each possession are recorded. This information is used to calculate the approximate position and range for each player in the game when Juventus creates a chance to score. I plot these results on a pitch to create a players' position map. I generate the player's position map for the six Juventus' Serie A and Champions League games dating from the beginning of November to the first game in December.

I generate the player's position map for the last six Juventus' Serie A and Champions League games:

There are several types of information displayed in these maps: First, the circles/dots represent the approximated position of each player when the chances are created during the game. Second, the lines represent the vertical and horizontal ranges of each player's position. Therefore, they are the approximated range of areas where a player operates when the team creates scoring opportunities. Third, the size of the circle/dot represents the number of passes, shots or dribbles each player carries out when they contribute to scoring opportunities.

It should be noted that these maps only address the players' positions and contributions mostly during the offensive phase of the game (when a chance is created). It is, therefore, biased towards offensive players and against defenders. Normally during a game defenders usually contribute to more passes than offensive players. However, because many of these possessions — or passes — do not result in a chance, these passes are not counted in these maps. Moreover, these maps display very limited defensive contributions of the players, just because usually very few defensive actions have to be carried out during an offensive phase of a team. Last but not least, a player can contribute to the offensive phase of a game simply but positioning in an advantageous position. Such contributions will not be reflected by these maps, simply because it is very difficult to track every player's position and quantify such contribution to the offensive performance of the team.

These maps do still show much interesting information about the offensive performance of Juventus (or any teams). First, the amount of actions — passes, crosses, shots, and dribbles — do not always reflect the offensive output of a team. For example, Juventus played almost the most impressive game of the season against Atalanta and their worst game against Genoa. However, Juventus places way fewer passes in the Atalanta game than the loss to Genoa. We all knew playing more passes does not always mean scoring more goals. This is obvious to any soccer fans, but I just had to point it out. Second, even though the number of passes may not directly translate to the offensive dominance, there is a general trend that Juventus places more passes during their offensive phase against Serie A teams than against Championship League teams. This is probably down to the much better quality of the opponents in the Champions League. This is also illustrated by looking at the average number of passes per possession during the offensive phase of Juventus:

Juventus likes to control possession. They seem to exert more dominance over lesser Serie A competitions. Stronger teams, however, restrain their possession-based offensive games. The number of passes per possession is fewer against the European teams (or Genoa when they completely dominated Juventus in the first half). This may suggest that it is more difficult for Juventus to exert possession dominance against these opponents and they need to/are forced to play a more direct offensive game. Interestingly, such change of style seems to happen against Atalanta. They played a very direct offensive game where they used almost 33 percent fewer passes to create a chance comparing to the previous games.

By just looking at the number of actions of each player, one should also notice that Alex Sandro is crucial for Juventus in their offensive phase. He records the most / second most number of passes, crosses, shots and dribbles in all of these games where he started. This year he morphs into one of the most critical players for Juventus.

Miralem Pjanic’s Position

Massimiliano Allegri has been subjected to many criticisms on how he handles Pjanic. Pjanic has not been performing consistently. Many suggest that he should play as the trequartista and criticize that he plays too far from the goal. I plot the Pjanic's position where he placed and received the passes in the five games he started:

In the Atalanta game where Pjanic played arguably his best game for Juventus, he positions a lot closer to the goal. In particularly, he received the ball in a way more advanced area compared to previous game. The currently limited evidence do seem to suggest that it is better for him to play closer to the goal to be effective. Whether this is due to a change of formation to 4-3-1-2 is unclear. In the home game against Lyon, Allegri tried to play the 4-3-1-2 formation with Pjanic as the trequartista. The offense did not perform well in this game. In particularly, Pjanic was very ineffective in that game. So what is the difference between the two games? Against Atalanta, Juventus played very intense pressing against Atalanta defenders and midfielders and resulted in a lot of counter attack opportunities. Such intense pressing has rarely been seen this season. This is one reason the offense was so effective in this game. Without Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado, Juventus does not have a player, other than Alex Sandro who can change the speed of the play. (Marko Pjaca does not count because he has not played very many minutes due to injury.) Therefore, they always pass the ball around without generating genuine scoring opportunities. Without these players, the intense pressing against opponents become important, because it is the easiest way to increase the speed of the offense. Whether Juventus will be able to maintain such performances will be a question remains to be answered.

Gonzalo Higuain’s Goal Drought

Prior to his goals against Dinamo Zagreb and Torino, Higuain had gone through a period of goal drought for about a month. One theory is that since the injury to Dybala, Higuain has to take more responsibilities to help to construct plays. It seems to be reflected by his more withdrawn position compared to Mario Mandzukic:

In the four games when Higuain started together with Mandzukic from this data set, Higuain operates mostly in the space between the midfield and Mandzukic. Critics argue that to connect the ball between the midfield and Mandzukic, Higuain often stays very far from the penalty box. Therefore, he often needs to cover a vast area during the offensive phase, making him less clinical in front of the goal.

If that argument is correct, one would assume that Higuain would operate a lot closer to the opponent's goal when he plays with Dybala. The reason is that in this season, Dybala is Juventus' leading player to play between lines and to connect the midfielders and the strikers. Therefore, when Dybala is on the field, Higuain will not need to carry those responsibilities and can focus on finishing chances. To test this idea, I compare Higuain's position when he plays with Dybala and Mandzukic:

As we can see, Higuain operates even further from the opponent's goal when he plays with Dybala comparing to when he plays with Mandzukic. Therefore, the reason for Higuain's goal drought is not because he plays further away from the goal.

One stat that shows a big difference is the number of shots Higuain takes when he plays with Dybala versus when he plays with Mandzukic:

Higuain is taking more than 30 percent fewer shots when he plays with Mandzukic. One reason maybe that the primary target option of the ball in the penalty box is Manduzkic when they play together. Mandzukic is often closest to the goal when he plays. Therefore, most of the highest scoring chances go to Manduzkic instead of Higuain:

And obviously when Mandzukic is not playing, Higuain is the first option to finish a chance:

Allegri has insisted that Higuain does not need Dybala to score. It is true that Juventus should be able to create enough chances for their strikers even without Dybala. And Higuain is also a complete striker that he does not need Dybala to create easy chances for him to score. However, on the other hand, it is easier for Higuain to score when he is playing with Dybala than Mandzukic because he can focus on finishing.

This is probably only one of the reasons why Higuain was having a mini goal drought. Another reason may be that when Dybala is not playing, Juventus actually generates fewer scoring opportunities:

Juventus has about 25 percent fewer shots per game without Dybala on the field. It is obvious that he is the main creative force for Juventus. His dribbling and pace can generate opening for his teammates. Moreover, even when he is not having the ball, his mere presence will attract defenders, thereby freeing his teammates. This may also be the reason why Higuain is shooting 30 percent less when Dybala is not playing.

There is a lot to learn from these data. If you have any ideas to study them you can let me know. In the future, I will also lay the passes between players onto these maps.

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Barzagli nears Juventus return

http://www.football-italia.net/95692/barzagli-nears-juventus-return

Dec 14, 2016

Andrea Barzagli could return to the Juventus squad for the match against Roma on Saturday, according to reports.

The centre-back dislocated his shoulder in the 2-1 win over Chievo, and it was initially feared that he wouldn’t return until after Christmas.

However, Il Messaggero is reporting that both Barzagli and Marko Pjaca returned to training with the group at Vinovo today, and the former could return to the squad against the Giallorossi.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri won’t rush Barzagli back, but will consult with medical staff and the player himself to evaluate whether he’s ready to return.

That means only Dani Alves and Leonardo Bonucci are certain to be out, with the Bianconeri now close to full strength.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Why Juventus vs. Roma will be the

best game of the weekend in Europe

h ttp://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/12/blog/post/3019429/juventus-

vs-roma-in-serie-a-will-be-the-best-game-of-the-football-weekend

Dec 15, 2016

In the 1980s, Roma's president Dino Viola liked to say that the title race in Italy was often "a question of centimetres." He was alluding, of course, to the offside decisions that had a habit of deciding top of the table clashes between his club and Juventus.

There was the one called on Maurizio Turone at the Comunale in 1981, for instance, or the one not called on Michel Platini at the Olimpico in 1983. In response, Juventus' president Giampiero Boniperti sent Viola a package. Inside was a plastic ruler and an accompanying message: "You can use this to measure our offsides." Viola countered by popping a gold one in post with the following memo: "You need it more."

In truth, both clubs could use them at the moment. Not in anticipation of any controversy, but because there is just so little between them ahead of the latest instalment of this rivalry in Turin on Saturday night. Juventus, for example, stand four points clear at the top in Serie A but have lost just as many games as Roma (3) this season.

Statistically, they are near photocopies of each other. Juventus unsurprisingly have Italy's best defence but Roma have only conceded two goals more and go into this game with the confidence that comes from keeping back-to-back clean sheets in big games against Lazio and Milan. They have looked so much more solid since Antonio Rüdiger's return from an ACL tear: with him back in the team, Roma have allowed just five goals in seven games. Without him, it's 11 goals in nine games.

Their attack continues to be Serie A's most prolific. In fact, Roma haven't scored this many goals at this stage of a season since 1934. Edin Dzeko is outscoring last season's Capocannoniere Gonzalo Higuain, Juventus' €90 million Serie A record-breaking signing from Napoli. But Juventus have only scored one fewer goal than Roma. An air of superiority remains. Winning five Scudetti in a row will do that, as will weakening your rivals in the transfer window. But until recently, Juventus have not entirely convinced, nor given us the impression they are invincible.

Roma, meanwhile, have learned to grind as well as groove out wins in true Juventus fashion. Second best for an hour against Lazio and in difficulty during the first half against Milan, they stayed in the game, made tactical adjustments and found a way to win in the clutch. Fewer questions are being asked about Roma's mentality now that they seem to have entered a "Juve state of mind." The cultural revolution started five years ago by ex-director of sport Walter Sabatini to make Roma's players think of victory as a necessity rather than just a possibility is finally taking hold thanks to Spalletti, who has demanded Roma think like Juve, win like Juve and have the same objectives as Juve.

Of course in order to truly be like Juve, they must try to make the J Stadium home sweet home and win in Turin. That would be some statement though it's easier said than done. Juventus have lost only three times in the league at the J Stadium since they moved five years ago. Roma have never so much as picked up a point there. Their last win on the road at Juve was at the Olimpico in 2010.

With that in mind, a draw wouldn't be badly received back in the capital. It would keep the title race alive and snap this 24-game winning streak Juventus are enjoying on their own turf. Although there will still be a game to play before the winter break, this feels like the climax after a fortnight long crescendo.

Both teams have come through major tests with distinction. Juventus bounced back from defeat to Genoa by beating Italy's most in-form team at the time, Atalanta, and then came back from behind to take the spoils in the Turin derby. Roma had it slightly tougher, clinching victory in the Derby della Capitale against a Lazio side that were just a point behind them at the time and then shaking off Milan who had been matching them stride for stride this season.

It promises to be fascinating. Naturally, a lot of the attention on Saturday will fall on Miralem Pjanic, who left Roma for Juventus this season. His old friend Radja Nainggolan promised to never speak to him again if he went through with the move, but according to Kevin Strootman, they were laughing and joking on FaceTime earlier this week. Will the law of the ex strike again? Higuain returned to haunt his old club Napoli in October and Pjanic just happens to have been involved in seven of Juve's past 17 goals.

Rather ominously, both of Juve's big-money signings put the knife into Torino at the weekend. A Christmas tree formation, with Pjanic and Paulo Dybala behind Higuain, is what Juventus fans would like to see going forward.

As for Roma and particularly Dzeko, they miss Salah and his counterattacking threat, which would have been valuable in Turin. It's been Strootman and Nainggolan to win games for Roma since his injury but Dzeko's all-round play, particularly his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into the game, continues to be excellent. With Dzeko topping the scoring charts, Roma haven't needed Francesco Totti to come to their rescue as often as they did towards the end of last season. His utility as an impact sub remains, though; it's also a role in which Juan Cuadrado also excels for Juve.

Make no mistake: this is the biggest game of the weekend in Europe. Sure, Juventus remain the benchmark at practically every level, but Roma are increasingly well-coached and well-run. New chief executive Umberto Gandini, Milan's former minister of foreign affairs, showed Roma will not be bossed around by getting Strootman's ban overturned last week and if Monchi joins the club as their new director of sport, this rivalry stands to get even more competitive.

In the meantime, Saturday's game should be a fantastic advert for Serie A.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

‘Not just Roma against Juventus’

http://www.football-italia.net/95701/‘not-just-roma-against-juventus’

Dec 15, 2016

Paulo Dybala believes “it won’t just be Roma” against Juventus on Saturday, and praises Francesco Totti.

The Giallorossi are seen as the main challengers to the Old Lady this season, and are tasked with preventing the Turin giants from winning a sixth Scudetto in a row.

“Are Roma the anti-Juventus?” Dybala considered, speaking to Corriere dello Sport.

“That’s what the table says, but the reality is there are many anti-Juves. We’ve been winning for many years, so it’s normal that it’d be that way.

“When we go out onto the pitch on Saturday, it won’t just be Roma against us, but that’s a motivation as far as we’re concerned.

"If we win on Saturday it would be a big signal to those chasing us.

“Totti? He’s part of the history of world football. I’ve always admired him, when I played against him for Palermo I asked for his shirt.

“If I think that he made his debut before I was even born, I get chills. To still be playing for your favourite team at 40 is a dream which everyone wants to live.”

Dybala then discussed some of the Lupi’s players, and what it will be like for Miralem Pjanic to face the team he left this summer.

“I’m good friends with [Juan] Iturbe, he’s strong and I’d like to see him play more. The fact that he’s out of the picture tells you a lot about how strong the Giallorossi’s attack is.

“I also know [Leandro] Paredes and he’ll be important for the future of the Argentinian national team.

“Pjanic? He’s got to get ready, he already faced Lyon, another of his former teams. He’s a great professional.

“In training we joked with him about whether or not [Radja] Nainggolan was really refusing to talk to him. He didn’t answer…

“Nainggolan is a fighter, he’s crucial to their game and we saw that in the last match [against Milan] too.”

Juve will face the Rossoneri in Doha on December 23 for the first trophy of the season, the Supercoppa Italiana.

“Juventus are always favourites, because of our players, our Coach and our history,” Dybala said.

“As for Milan, I like teams which focus on youngsters, it’s not normal in Italy. Don’t forget that after the San Siro defeat, this will be a rematch.

“We want the first trophy of the season.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 15, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon: Roma, Napoli major Serie A threats

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/3020296/juventus-

captain-gianluigi-buffon-roma-napoli-major-serie-a-threats

Dec 15, 2016

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has said he believes Roma and Napoli will make this season's Serie A title race one of the closest for years.

Champions Juve host Roma on Saturday with four points separating the teams, currently first and second in the table.

Napoli are a further four points behind, but Buffon said he could not imagine that gap becoming much bigger.

"I think Roma have a good identity and they are changing the way they deal with certain situations," he told Mediaset.

"I rate their coach and they have a competitive team with world class players. They are going to be in contention with us to the end, and with Napoli.

"It's no coincidence that Juve, Roma and Napoli have always been the sides fighting for the title in recent years."

Winning a sixth straight title is Juve's minimum goal, with Champions League glory the ultimate aim.

They have been drawn against Porto in the round of 16, and Buffon said: "It's pointless trying to deny that it could have gone worse. I think it's only honest to admit that.

"We are the favourites, but we have still got to prove that out on the field. We respect Porto a lot because they have knocked out Roma, among others, so they have quality."

After Porto, the Old Lady would still have a further three hurdles to cross to win the competition and become what club president Andrea Agnelli called "legends."

La Gazetta dello Sport reported him as saying at Juve's Christmas dinner: "We have two roads open to us, domestically and in Europe.

"Nobody has written their name down as champions of Italy six times in a row, and to do that as the champions of Europe would really make us legends."

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 16, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Vucinic: ‘Juventus-Roma? Draw…’

http://www.football-italia.net/95709/vucinic-‘juventus-roma-draw…’

Dec 15, 2016

Mirko Vucinic admits “personally I’m hoping for a draw” when his former sides Juventus and Roma meet on Saturday.

This weekend sees a top-of-the-table clash and the Montenegrin knows both sides well, having spent five seasons at Stadio Olimpico and three in Turin.

“The differences between the clubs?” Vucinic pondered, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I can tell you they listen to the radio less in Turin than in Rome…

“Does that affect Roma players? No, sometimes we’d joke about it at Trigoria, that we heard them [disgruntled fans] on the radio on the way to training.

“It was nothing to lose sleep over, but in the end talk always finds its way to an ear and, maybe, it has an impact.

“In general you could say that the difference is the atmosphere and the habit of winning. It’s nothing new, often there’s too much pressure in Rome.

“It’s not an excuse for the players, but sometimes it weighs on you.

“Will that change? Sure, it’s only a matter of time. I also came close to winning things several times there, but in the end fell short.

“[Luciano] Spalletti could have found it now, I see a team that plays very well, they play the best football in Italy and even on television they’re beautiful to watch.

“Of course you mature and grow with age, but Spalletti has always been a great Coach, I don’t think you can criticise him for anything. Both my Roma and this one are teams of the highest level.”

Vucinic was then asked for the difference between his Juve and the current vintage.

“Now there are maybe more champions and more alternatives. The club has grown to a point where it’s difficult to challenge the leadership.

“You just have to think about the signings of [Miralem] Pjanic and [Gonzalo] Higuain, two phenomena. How can you criticise that?

“It was obvious that people like that would resolve matches.

“Roma’s dangermen? I have two more names, in the same roles as those Juve players: [Edin] Dzeko and [Radja] Nainggolan. For me that’s where the match is.

“Then a lot will depend on the ability of the Juventus defence, which is always strong, to resist the Giallorossi. Personally I’m hoping for a draw so the League will still be open and everyone will be entertained.”

The striker was then quizzed about the differences between the respective dressing rooms.

“At Juve the leaders are always the same, starting from [Gianluigi] Buffon,” Vucinic explained.

“I’m not surprised that they’re still the best. It’s not true though, that the Roma dressing room is different or more flaky, the responsibilities are divided.

“After [Francesco] Totti always comes [Daniele] De Rossi, and not just him.”

Roma are looking to emulate the Old Lady in building their own stadium, would that make a difference?

“All the difference in the world. When I first went onto the pitch at Juventus Stadium, it was the first time I felt a jolt. If Roma had their own stadium, they’d have many, many more points in the League.

“At least a dozen. Indeed, they might have got the Scudetto.”

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 16, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Juventus v Roma Betting: Free-scoring visitors can

test Allergi's men in blockbuster clash

Our tipster is anticipating goals at both ends in Turin but feels that home advantage could

well prove pivotal for the reigning champions in this top of the table Serie A encounter.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2995/betting/2016/12/15/30521292/-

Dec 15, 2016

Roma moved to within four points of the Serie A summit with a nerve-shredding 1-0 win against Milan in the Italian capital on Monday night.

Radja Nainggolan scored the only goal of the game to give Luciano Spalletti's charges a vital victory and Roma can reduce Juventus' lead at the top to a single point with a win against Max Allegri's men.

The enormity of the task facing the visiting side in Turin, though, should not be underestimated. Juventus boast a remarkable record, having lost just one of their last 74 Serie A matches on home soil, while Allegri's outfit will be targeting a 25th consecutive home league win when they line up against Spalletti's side; as such, bet365 make the hosts their 3/4 (1.75) favourites to pick up all three points from Saturday's showdown.

The odds are stacked against the visitors, but those keen to side with Spalletti's team should snap up bet365's 15/4 (4.75) quote for Roma to record a famous victory, while the odds compilers offer 5/2 (3.50) that both sides are forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Roma will certainly come into this match with a spring in their step, having claimed that crucial victory against Milan and, despite Juventus' astonishing dominance on home soil, the visitors are capable of making an impact.

Allegri's team have conceded in eight of their last nine matches in Serie A and Roma, as the top scorers in the top-flight with 36 league goals so far this season, have the tools to take advantage should Juventus be slack at the back, while Spalletti's men have chalked up three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.

Roma will need to be solid again if they are to spring a surprise here, for Juventus have hit an impressive 37 goals in their last 12 league matches on home turf.

With both teams more than capable of making their mark, it is unsurprising that bet365 offer just 4/5 (1.80) that this match produces more the two goals, while the same firm go 3/4 (1.75) that both teams find the target.

Roma have been beaten in just one of their last 15 matches in all competitions and they are capable of testing Allegri's men, but Juventus' remarkable consistency, particularly on home turf, cannot be ignored and the team from Turin can be trusted to take another significant stride towards claiming a sixth successive Scudetto.

3uh8j5eikzbc1gmcp35on1pf0.png?t=-2795493

The 3/4 (1.75) quote on offer from bet365 for a home win, however, is skinny and, so, better value lies in backing the hosts to come out on top of a match in which both teams find the net.

The selection would have paid dividends in six of Juventus' last seven league wins and, at 13/5 (3.60) the price is again worthy of support ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash in Serie A.

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 16, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Orsato to referee Juventus-Roma

http://www.football-italia.net/95713/orsato-referee-juventus-roma

Dec 15, 2016

Daniele Orsato has been announced as the referee for Roma’s trip to Juventus on Saturday night.

This weekend sees a top of the table showdown between the Bianconeri and their nearest rivals, with the capital club able to cut the gap at the top to just one poinwith a win.

Today the Associazone Arbitri Calcio has announced the referees for the Week 17 fixtures, and Orsato will run the rule over the clash at Juventus Stadium.

The 41-year-old last officiated the Giallorossi for their 3-1 win at Napoli in October, but hasn’t refereed the Old Lady since the 2-1 win over Milan at San Siro last season.

Elsewhere, Davide Massa will be the man in the middle as the Rossoneri welcome Atalanta, with Daniele Doveri in charge of Napoli-Torino.

Serie A Week 17 referees:

Chievo-Sampdoria - Maurizio Mariani
Empoli-Cagliari - Nicola Rizzoli
Genoa-Palermo - Luca Pairetto
Juventus-Roma - Daniele Orsato
Lazio-Fiorentina - Massimiliano Irrati
Milan-Atalanta - Davide Massa
Napoli-Torino - Daniele Doveri
Pescara-Bologna - Gianluca Rocchi
Sassuolo-Inter - Marco Di Bello
Udinese-Crotone - Juan Luca Sacchi

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Socrates · December 16, 2016

JUVENTUS - ROMA

MATCHDAY 17

Saturday, December 17th, 2016 - 8:45 p.m.
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Daniele Orsato

Juventus - Roma

Match Preview

http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/preview/87989

Dec 15, 2016

Saturday night offers up an exciting top of the table clash, as Serie A heavyweights Juventus and Roma will slog it out in the season’s first Scudetto skirmish.

The ‘Old Lady’ are coming off a victory in the Derby Della Mole and will be confident, especially as they are at home. The Giallorossi are also flying high after putting Milan to the sword in the previous round. The tie promises to be one of the games of the season so far.

It is perhaps testament to the quality of Juventus and a nod to their strength in depth that the Bianconeri have been almost gliding through the season, whilst not always out of second gear. This ability to beat teams like Lazio and Fiorentina without playing well has has sent them four points clear at the top of the table. It also allowed Juve to be the only side to win their Champions League group and simultaneously be top of their domestic pile.

The unexpected 3-1 defeat to Genoa a fortnight ago did shock them and it certainly reignited the team. Their victory in a hard-fought Turin Derby showed that their fighting spirit had only left them for a week and was not a change of fortune. They will now be looking to put some daylight between Juve and the Giallorossi, who are four points behind.

Roma are also in fine form and are playing with a freedom that Luciano Spalletti is well renowned for. The difference this time round however, is that they seem to have a greater resolve and are not letting games slip due to a cavalier approach. Their victory against a resurgent Milan in the last round may have been somewhat fortuitous, but it was also an insight into their mental state right now. They will be wanting to close the gap on Juventus and a victory in Turin could signal an intriguing title challenge.

Mohamed Salah and Andrea Barzagli are both fighting to recover from injuries earlier than expected and could play a part in this showdown. Leonardo Bonucci, Dani Alves and Marko Pjaca remain unavailable for the hosts, while Bruno Peres and Alessandro Florenzi miss the trip, but Francesco Totti returns after a virus.

Paulo Dybala made his comeback from the bench last week and should be ready to start, sending Mario Mandzukic to the bench. In the circumstances, a four-man defence seems likely from Max Allegri, though both he and Spalletti have shown a ‘fluid’ approach to traditional systems this season.

The statistics in this fixture really do not favour the visitors. Spalletti has only beaten Juventus once, drawing three and losing 17 times. Roma kept one clean sheet against Juve over their last 22 meetings, during a 1-0 win in February 2013. In 82 Serie A trips to Turin, the Giallorossi emerged with eight victories and 21 draws.

Expect second half fireworks, because both these teams step up the tempo considerably after the break. Juve netted 21 of their total 35 goals in the second period, while Roma scored 25 out of 36 in the same spell.

Keep an eye on: Miralem Pjanic (Juventus) – The midfielder’s departure from Roma for their hated rivals in the north caused almost as much fury as Gonzalo Higuain leaving Napoli, because in one summer the Bianconeri not only strengthened their squad, but also massively weakened the competition. Pjanic faces his former teammates for the first time. Will he follow in Higuain’s footsteps and score the decisive goal?

Form Guide: Juventus (W W L W W) Roma (W L W W W)

Last season: Juventus 1-0 Roma

Stat fact: Roma have lost their last five Serie A trips to Turin, grabbing just one point since their 2-1 victory in January 2010. They’ve scored four goals and conceded 16.

Top tip: Both teams to score

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Khedira, Marchisio, Sturaro; Pjanic; Dybala, Higuain

Suspended: None

Roma (probable): Szczesny; Rudiger, Manolas, Fazio, Emerson; De Rossi, Strootman; El Shaarawy, Nainggolan, Perotti; Dzeko

Suspended: None

http://www.goal.com/en/tables/serie-a/13?ICID=TP_TN_110

Accedi

JUVENTUS SEASON 2016-2017

Recommended Posts

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Juve VP speaks after the draw.

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti

Socrates 8984

Condividi questo messaggio

Link di questo messaggio

Condividi su altri siti