Tag Archives: Juve

Juve to win in tough circumstances

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Serie A champions Juventus and Coppa Italia winners Napoli go head-to-head in the Supercoppa Italiana in Beijing on Saturday, but the curtain-raiser looks set to be overshadowed by Antonio Conte’s 10-month ban for match-fixing (Juventus evens, draw 21/10, Napoli 12/5 after 90 Minutes).

The Juventus coach was banned today for failing to report match-fixing while in charge of Siena during the 2010-2011 campaign.

Conte had a plea bargain deal rejected by the Italian federation earlier this month, a proposal which would have seen him serve a three-month suspension and pay a large fine.

Grosseto and Lecce have both been excluded from the second tier this season, while Conte’s assistant, Angelo Alessio, has been banned for eight months.

It is another stain on the Italian game and Juve will have to put the matter to one side quickly if they want to begin the new campaign with a bang (13/2 – Juventus to win 2-0).

Massimo Carrera will replace Conte on an interim basis and he inherits a side which swept all before them on their way to the Serie A title last term.

Going through a season unbeaten is almost unheard of, but is a feat Juve achieved. That record alone is remarkable. However, it is the goals against column which stands out the most.

Marshalled by veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Juve conceded just 20 goals in 38 games. Opposing strikers were sick of the sight of the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci by the end of the season.

Juventus did not have things all their own way – 15 draws suggests a lack of a ruthless side at times. They were also, of course, beaten in the final game of the season by tomorrow’s opponents.

Napoli won their first major trophy in 22 years and denied Juventus the double by beating the Turin giants 2-0 in the Italian Cup final in May.

Edinson Cavani inspired the surprise victory that day and he will feature for Napoli this weekend, despite mounting speculation over a move to England.

He will be key to their hopes in China (13/2 – Napoli to win 1-0), particularly in the absence of Ezequiel Lavezzi, who made the switch to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer.

Napoli missed out on a return to the Champions League last term. They have added to their squad in a bid to improve on their fifth-place finish. Valon Behrami and Goran Pandev are among those to make the switch to Naples. However, Napoli will struggle to match the achievements of recent years.

Conversely, Juventus look stronger than last season, despite the controversy surrounding their manager. The signings of Martin Caceres and Lucio will make them even more difficult to beat, while exciting youngsters Paul Pogba and Kwadwo Asamoah give them added flair.

Juventus will be keen to show they are united in the face of the latest scandal, while gunning for revenge for May’s cup heartache.

Napoli are always a dangerous outfit, but expect Juventus to dig deep and win the first silverware of the season (11/5 Half-time/Full-time – Juventus/Juventus).

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Juve primed for more title glory

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The 2012/13 Serie A season looks set to be a battle between three giants of the Italian game - Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Here is our closer look at their preparations and chances of success in the upcoming campaign.

In this age of austerity and looming Financial Fair Play regulations, Italian clubs have spent the summer shedding their squads of expensive players in order to bring their finances into line.

Add to that the spectre of match-fixing casting an unfortunate shadow over the game yet again, there is a feeling the new campaign represents a fresh start for a number of clubs as they bid to put recent troubles behind them.

Defending champions Juventus are understandably 11/8 favourites to retain their trophy after going unbeaten throughout the whole of last season.

Juve’s 2011/12 title completed the renaissance of a side that had hit rock bottom just six years ago when relegated to Serie B following the ‘Calciopoli’ scandal.

A return of Champions League football is the main reason for Juve fans to get excited this season and crystallises their return to the top of the European game.

Transfers have been reasonably modest so far, with Kwadwo Asamoah, Mauricio Isla and Sebastian Giovinco expected to fill out the squad rather than be first-choice. Brazilian defender Lucio and former Manchester United star Paul Pogba are exciting talents, however, and should see more action.

The crowning glory to Juve’s summer shopping, though, will be a striker. The club are desperate for a big name to spearhead their European challenge with Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez, Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko the names regularly mentioned.

Add one or more of those to the squad and they will be difficult to dislodge at the top of the division.

Behind Juve, 18-times champions AC Milan are 2/1 second favourites for the title, but they, perhaps more than any other club, represent Italy’s efforts to comply with Financial Fair Play.

Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been flogged to PSG, despite being key first-team players, while further departures have not been ruled out, with Robinho among those consistently linked with the move away.

Incomings, in contrast, have been sparse, with Kevin Constant a loan signing from Genoa and Bakaye Traore a free transfer. Riccardo Montolivo is, though, also a shrewd signing on a free from Fiorentina.

Boss Massimiliano Allegri will have to show all of his man-management skills to build a side shorn of his biggest stars but in contrast to Juve’s summer shopping, they look unlikely to challenge.

Milan’s city rivals Inter will dearly hope they have a better campaign than last, where they went through three managers, with Gian Piero Gasperini, Claudio Ranieri and finally Andrea Stramaccioni occupying the manager’s chair at the San Siro.

Stramaccioni managed to steady the ship during a troubled campaign, where they eventually finished sixth – significantly better that what was expected midway through the season.

Like Milan, the Nerazzurri are also clearing out their experienced players, with Lucio, Ivan Cordoba Goran Pandev and Diego Forlan all departing. Dejan Stankovic and Julio Cesar are expected to follow, while Douglas Maicon, Wesley Sneijder and Giampaolo Pazzini have also all been linked with a move away.

However, while Milan have limited themselves in the transfer market to date, Inter appear to have been shrewd in their dealings, with highly-rated goalkeeper Samir Handanovic joining from Udinese and Matias Silvestre arriving from Palermo. Rodrigo Palacio should also add goals to a side that struggled to find the net last season.

Roma (14/1) and Napoli (20/1) should be considered rank outsiders for next seasons’ title, though the latter could be a handy each-way beat to snatch the runners-up spot.

It is Juve, then, who look the team to beat next year again. The Old Lady appear determined to rediscover past glories after a traumatic few seasons and exert their dominance both at home and in Europe.

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Barca, Bayern & Juve sitting pretty

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As they approach the winter break, Barcelona, Bayern Munich (1/3 German Bundesliga 2011/2012 Outright) and Udinese (10/1 Serie A 2011/2012 Outright) made significant moves in their domestic title chases at the weekend while Juventus have a chance to return to the Serie A summit tonight against injury-hit Roma.

Barcelona’s 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu on Saturday night brought them back on to level points with their title rivals Real Madrid, although Jose Mourinho’s side have a match in hand.

However, the psychological damage that Barca’s win inflicted on Madrid minds will be measured in the wees to come – making it possibly fortunate for Real that La Liga shuts down for three weeks after this weekend’s round of fixtures.

In Germany, Bundesliga favourites Bayern won 2-1 away at Stuttgart while title holders Borussia Dortmund failed to beat struggling Kaiserslautern – all but ensuring that Jupp Heynckes’ side will be the winter champions.

Bayern hold a three-point lead and 10-goal advantage over Dortmund going into the last round of fixtures this weekend with Bayern at home to Cologne on Friday night.

Schalke are only three points behind Bayern ahead of their clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday after hitting a rich vein of form which has seen them take 16 points from the last seven Bundesliga matches.

Juventus (6/4 – Serie A Outright 2011/2012) face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico tonight as Antonio Conte attempts to capitalise on a weekend slip-up from AC Milan, who drew 2-2 with Bologna.

Napoli also lost ground when they only managed a 1-1 draw away to lowly Novara while Inter, down in 10th place, already appear to be out of the title race.

Juventus (23/20 – Match Prices, Roma 5/2, draw 11/5) will be without injured ex-Roma striker Mirko Vucinic but Conte has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal with red hot striker Alessandro Matri (9/2 – First Goalscorer) and Italian international Simone Pepe expected to start.

This match could be the last-ever Serie A clash between two ageing gods of Italian football with Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero hoping to make an impact off the bench while Roma icon Francesco Totti is fit again after ankle trouble.

But under-fire Roma coach Luis Enrique is struggling for numbers at the back and may even press midfielder Daniele De Rossi into action as an emergency centre-back with Simon Kjaer and Marco Cassetti having joined the long list of injured Giallorossi defenders.

Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro and Fabio Borini are also injured while defender Juan, midfielder Fernando Gago and striker Bojan Krkic are suspended after picking up red cards in Roma’s 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina last week.

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Juve could end Enrique reign

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Another weekend of Serie A football comes to an end on Monday when Juventus travel to the Olimpico to face this season’s surprise strugglers, AS Roma, in what may be coach Luis Enrique’s last game (AS Roma 11/4, draw 11/5, Juventus 11/10).

The team from the capital invested heavily in the summer but have failed to live up to expectations and currently languish in the bottom half of the table. They know victory on Monday could see them jump to sixth and only eight points short of the European spots.

However, after the 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina last Sunday the fans appear to have lost patience with the team and especially the coach. The red cards that Juan, Fernando Gago and Bojan Krkic picked up in that game means they will be seriously weakened for the clash, especially as they’re already missing Simon Kjaer, Marco Cassetti, Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro and Fabio Borini.

However, they still have a number of stars to call on and focal to their success could be the performance of captain and talisman Francesco Totti (15/8 to score a anytime). Like many of his teammates, the 35-year-old has struggled to adapt to Enrique’s system but undoubtedly still has the class to unlock any defence. The former Italy star will be looking to be looking to prove his leadership qualities following the Fiorentina debacle so look out for a big performance from the skipper.

In total contrast to the Giallorossi’s problems, Juventus have been flying this season and know victory will see them reclaim top spot from Udinese, as well as maintain their unbeaten run.

Il Bianconeri nearly came unstuck in the week when they were taken to extra time by Bologna in the Coppa Italia but made it though thanks to a late goal from Claudio Marchisio (11/4 to score at anytime).

Much of their fine form has been down to midfielder Marchisio, who seems to have come of age this season and is developing into a fine playmaker at both club and international level. Like Totti for Roma much of the positive aspects of the Antonio Conte’s side’s play goes through Marchisio so look for him to once again impress of Turin club.

Marchisio’s form could be the deciding factor in the game and Juve should come out comfortable victors, especially with all the problems Roma are experiencing. (Juventus 16/1 to win 3-0).

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Juve out to thwart Inter

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There are a number of big games again this weekend, as we get to crunch time in the domestic leagues around Europe. Here are the pick of the matches, starting with a cracker in Italy…..

Juventus v Inter Milan

Inter Milan seek a fourth successive Serie A win when they travel to a Juventus side still harbouring ambitions of winning the Scudetto (Inter 8/5 to beat Juve).

The defending champions are five points adrift of Milan and just two points behind second-placed Napoli with a game in hand.

Juventus, despite trailing the leaders by 11 points and sitting in eighth place, will be relishing the fixture.

“Inter versus Juve or Juve versus Inter have always been important games, always charged with tension,” said Inter president Massimo Moratti.

“The important thing is that everything goes smoothly. We know it’s an important game for us and for them.

“It’s always been the derby d’Italia and, regardless of the teams’ positions in the standings, it remains like that.”

It’s a game that is crucial to Inter’s Scudetto chances, feels their midfielder Wesley Sneijder. The Nerazzurri have two massive games on the horizon, as they go to Fiorentina on Wednesday.

“We are closing the gap with Milan,” said Sneijder. “If we win against Juventus and Fiorentina then I really think we can win the Scudetto.

“The game at Juve is crucial for us while we also cannot miss the opportunity to gain ground when we face Fiorentina.”

Juve halted a run of three games without a win by beating Cagliari 3-1 in Sardinia in the last round (Juventus 7/4 to beat Inter), but have won just one of their last three games at Turin’s Stadio Olimpico.

“We saw the real Juve against Cagliari,” said Juve defender Andrea Barzagli. “Now we are looking to find continuity in results. I expect an open game, with this game crucial for both sides.”

Inter will be without Argentina striker Diego Milito, who is sidelined for a month with a thigh injury, as well as suspended defender Cristian Chivu.

Juve have recovered midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who sustained a muscular injury against Cagliari.

Deportivo La Coruna v Villareal

Villarreal, third placed going into Sunday’s away trip, bid to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Levante last time out (Villareal 21/20 to beat Deportivo).

Juan Carlos Garrido’s men had looked unstoppable on their own patch prior to that defeat, and with Valencia breathing down their necks in the race for third spot, they can ill afford further slip-ups.

Giuseppe Rossi, however, is enjoying the best form of his career, topped off with an international goal for Italy in the week.

Deportivo are struggling, and Miguel Angel Lotina has been under further pressure this week after last weekend’s hammering at Getafe (Deportivo 12/5 to beat Villareal).

This game arrives a week too soon for Deportivo winger Andres Guardado, who is due back in training within the next seven days.

Villareal striker Marco Ruben is doubtful, while defender Angel is out for the entire campaign, but Nilmar returned to action last week and is likely to start.

The home team have been largely disappointing and are currently sitting in 17th, with only a point separating them from the bottom three.

However, the Yellow Submarines’ last two visits to the Riazor ended in losses for them and of their 12 visits they have won three and drawn two – the last victory coming on the final day of the season in May 2008.

Roda JC v Ajax

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has left his side in no doubt about his feelings following last weekend’s 2-0 win against De Graafschap (Ajax 17/10 to beat Roda).

Ajax picked up the points, but de Boer was far from satisfied and wants an improvement against Roda.

“I think this match may determine our course for the remainder of this season”, de Boer said. “The away game at Roda is a traditional tough one, but I feel like we are ready. We’ll have to do better than last week against De Graafschap, because if we don’t, we’ll lose for sure.”

This fixture is statistically likely to end in a draw – the teams have finished all-square in 15 of the 37 meetings, including last season?s 2-2 draw.

Mounir El Hamdaoui scored twice when Ajax beat Roda at home earlier in the season, and is set to feature again, though de Boer is not saying whether he will use him up front or as a left winger.

Gregory van der Wiel, who played in the 3-1 win of the Netherlands against Austria on Wednesday, is suspended.

Roda JC will miss Laurent Delorge, who is still out with a back injury. The midfielder who played four Eredivisie matches for Ajax in the 2007/2008 season, has been a key figure for Roda this season (Roda 16/5 to beat Ajax).

Lille v Toulouse

Lille will still be on top of the table when they tackle Toulouse on Sunday, but could have had their advantage cut to two points if PSG win on Saturday (Lille 4/9 to beat Toulouse).

Lille have only lost twice this season, and are five points ahead of PSG with a goal difference that is eight better. Toulouse are seventh in the table but on a reasonable run, having won four of their last eight games.

Goalkeeper Mickael Landreau, who signed a contract extension this week to keep him with the club until summer 2014, will make his 500th Ligue 1 appearance.

However, rather than focusing on his own achievement, Landreau, who signed from Paris St Germain in summer 2009, is concentrating on helping Lille to victory as they look to maintain a healthy lead.

Landreau said: “The most important thing is to get the win. To be on top of the table, after all these years, is something fantastic.

“My approach remains the same: I’ve always been meticulous in my preparation. I must say that, for my 500th, I’m very happy to play it at home rather than on the road.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with the LOSC fans and it has been at this club that I’ve found everything I was looking for: ambition, serenity and enjoyment.”

Toulouse manager Alain Casanova believes Lille have all the necessary qualities to become champions (Toulouse 11/2 to beat Lille).

He told www.tfc.info: “They produce a quality game and have great spirit, especially attacking-wise. They have principles that have been the same for quite some time.

“This is a team capable of being very aggressive and very reactive as soon as they have lost the ball.

“This team has everything to challenge for the title and advance with it today.”

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Juve seek to protect Balotelli

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Juventus have promised to clamp down on any fans who racially abuse Mario Balotelli when they meet Manchester City in the Europa League (City 11/2 – Europa League outright).

The 20-year-old striker joined the Eastlands club from Inter Milan this summer for a fee thought to be in the region of £24m, as City continue to build a squad capable of breaking the duopoly at the top of the Premier League.

They now have a squad that appears, on paper, to be the match of the majority of the top European teams, and will hope to progress to the latter stages of the Europa league this term.

Racism in English football seems to be, by and large, a thing of the past, with the days when bananas were thrown onto the pitch and ‘monkey chants’ heard in the stands resigned to history, but a few European teams still have a problem with a minority of supporters.

Balotelli was subjected to racist chants when Inter played Juventus at the Olympic Stadium last season and the club’s chief executive, Jean-Claude Blanc, hopes that there will be no repeat performance this time around.

“This will be the chance for the supporters to demonstrate that the standard has been raised,” he said. “Hopefully fans will behave the way they should be behaving and supporting the team and only this.

“Supporting your team is to support your team, and not to make remarks of a racist nature toward other players. We will be extremely demanding and intransigent about this.”

City will be confident of progressing to the knock-out stage of Europe’s second tier competition as they have been grouped with Austrian outfit Salzburg and Polish side Lech Poznan, as well as Juve, who will provide the toughest challenge for Roberto Manicin’s men.

City fans are desperate for some silverware and would love to win the Europa League but reports suggest that Mancini’s number one priority this season is to get the club into next year’s Champions League with a top-four finish in the Premier League (Barcelona 13/5 – Champions League outright).

They signalled their intent with a crushing 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Monday night and have amassed enough quality players over the past two years to cover injuries that are bound to occur throughout the long season.

With Liverpool under new management and Arsenal looking in good form, the race for the Premier League could be as open as it has been for years, with the new ‘top five’ likely to take points off each other throughout the campaign (City 13/2 – Premier League outright).

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