Juventus - Parma Called Off

Juventus-Parma has been called off as a sign of mourning after a Gialloblu fan died in an accident on his way to Turin.

The two clubs agreed to postpone the game, as 27-year-old Parma supporter Matteo Bagnaresi was run over by a bus driven by Juve fans.

Parma have insisted it was "a tragic accident," but there are fears of crowd trouble and reprisals.

The accident happened at the Crocetta Nord motorway service station on the A1 between Alessandria and Asti.

According to reports from newspapers, the bus containing nine Juve fans was attacked and in his hurry to escape the situation, the driver accidentally ran over Bagnaresi.

The driver of the Juve bus was stopped a few kilometres away and insisted he had not even realised he had hit the Parma fan.

"It was only logical to call off this game, out of a sense of responsibility to his family," explained Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli in a joint Press Conference.

"We immediately agreed upon this decision and thank Juventus for their help," added Parma patron Tommaso Ghirardi.

"It is pointless talking about how the accident happened right now. It seemed to be a tragic accident and we can be certain it was not caused by fighting."

The Stadio Olimpico in Turin emptied out without problems as fans from both teams walked away.

Curiously, this is the same round of games as the weekend in November when Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri was accidentally killed in a motorway service station by a stray police officer's bullet.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar30j.html

28-3-08 Juventus News

Trezeguet: Buy For Me Argentina
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Buffon: I Need Rest, Not An Operation
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Iaquinta Tells Roma: Thanks But No Thanks
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Iaquinta Has No Barcelona Regrets
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Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli believes in second place.
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Juventus Eye Tottenham flop Younes Kaboul
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Juan Manuel Vargas could be a possible idea.
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27-3-08 Juventus News

Grygera: I Want To End My Career At Juve
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Juventus planning to extend Camoranesi contract a year.
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Juventus have been boosted by the news that midfielder Cristiano Zanetti has made an early recoverer from injury.
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New Juventus singing Olof Mellberg already thinking about Juve.
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Juventus to swap Vincenzo Iaquinta for Roma's Amantino Mancini.
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Francesco Modesto getting closer to the Bianconero.
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Spain vs Italy 1-0

This was the last international fridendly before Roberto Donadoni picks his 23 man squad for Euro 2008. This was Italy's first defeat since they lost 3-1 to Hungary in Augaust 2007. A full match review and player ratings, as well pictures and videos can be found below.

Match Review:

Player Ratings:

Pictures:




Video:

26-3-08 Juventus News

Ranieri pleased with progress.
Read More:

Juventus are interested in FC Porto's midfielder Lucho González.
Read More:

Mladen Petric from Borussia Dortmund is the latest striker linked who Juve.
Read More:

Albin Ekdal has passesd his medical, and could join in the summer.
Read More:

Buffon wants Juve to buy.
Read More:

Main priorty for the summer transfers is Frank Lampard.
Read More:

25-3-08 Juventus News

Pavel Nedved is going to get a one year contract extension.
Read More:

Juventus are looking to sign young French forward Gabriel Obertan of Bordeaux.
Read More:

Cristian Zapata of Udinese is been followed by a number of top European clubs including Juventus.
Read More:

Buffon: Juve At Par With Inter And Roma.
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Buffon wants Champions League in two to three years.
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Cristiano Zanetti trains with squad again.
Read More:

Pictures from today's training session:

(Video) Inter vs Juventus 1-2

Inter vs Juventus 1-2

Week 30 of Serie A will last a while in the hearts of the Bianconero fans after a fantastic result away to the Serie A leaders Inter. The title race is back on thanks to Juve and the remaining eight weeks of Serie A will be a fascinating affair.

Juventus struggled in their midweek game away to Empoli and up next for the Bianconero were Serie A leaders Inter who also found it difficult during their midweek fixture by drawing away at Genoa. Both teams have struggled in recent weeks and neither have played their best football lately which made this encounter more important for both sides.

Claudio Ranieri stuck with his favored 4-2-2 formation and recalled Mohamed Sissoko, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet to the starting line up after their midweek rest. Jonathan Zebina who was expected to start at right back, picked up a injury before kick off and was replaced by Zdenek Grygera. Hasan Salihamidzic kept his spot in the starting eleven despite his lack luster performance against Empoli and Mauro Camoranesi was chosen to play an unfamiliar role as a center midfielder.

In one of Juve's best displays of the season the starting 11 picked by Ranieri performed well above expectations, with each player playing for the team and not themselves. The defensive display put on by the Bianconero was excellent, with Nicola Legrottaglie and Giorgio Chiellini in the center and Cristian Molinaro and Zdenek Grygera at the full back positions they never put a foot wrong and didn't give Inter's strikers any real opportunities.

One of the key defensive battles was Chiellini VS Ibrahimovic after their first encounter at the Stadio Olimpico in Torino where Chiellini destroyed Ibrahimovic, the result didn't change in Milan with Ibrahimovic not having a impact on the game at all and Giorgio going from strength to strength.

With the return of Sissoko to the center mid role Juventus had a real presence and muscle which was missing against Empoli and with the experience of Nedved and Camoranesi in these big matches the midfield performed well, the only downside was the performance of Salihamidzic who never gave anything going forward but did have a good game defensively.

Ranieri's decision to play Camoranesi in the center midfield role had it's positives and negatives. Camoranesi determination and never give up attitude was on show against Inter the world cup winner was excellent going forward and used all his creativity and dribbling skills to put Inter's midfielder's under consistence pressure. The downside of Camoranesi playing in the center is that Juve lose their best winger, he's the only one that can run down the flanks get past his opponent and put a cross into the box. He hangs on to the ball for to long and losers possession and he gets court out of position by returning to his familiar role as a right winger. Although Camoranesi did play well against Inter and scored the opening goal his natural position is a winger and he should stay as a winger, the player himself has also said that he would rather play on the wing.

It was a special night for Alessandro Del Piero who equaled Gaetano Scirea's record of 552 appearances for Juventus, the performance of Del Piero against Inter was just sensational he treated Materazzi like he was playing his first Serie A game. Although Ale didn't score he did set up Trezeguet and had three opportunities to get on the score sheet himself.

The strike partnership of Del Piero and Trezeguet has been Juve's best this season having scored 28 goals between them, they are also Serie A leading combo of goals from players from the same team.

Overall:

1st Half:
Both teams started the match well with each side having early half chances at goal. The first real opportunity fell to Del Piero, Nedved crossed the ball from the left but Julio Cesar tiped Del Piero's close range effot over the bar, Del Piero who started the move should with great build up should of put Juve one up.

Inter then had their two best chances to score in the half with a Jimenez free kick finding a open Burdisso who miss kicked his shot, the ball turning into a cross which found Stankovic who was the first one to react and seeing his header come off the cross bar.

Juventus then had Buffon to thank for a excellent save from a Christian Chivu free kick which dipped over the wall and forced Buffon to dive down to his left and dig the ball out from the bottom left hand corner.

Both sides then had some half chances with a Ibrahimovic free kick and a Sissoko snap shot both saved well by the respected keppers, it was a fascinating half with both sides having there chances but neither could get the break through.

2nd Half:
Juventus started the second half extremely well with Grygera braking down the right hand side and putting a cross in the box with Trezeguet missing it fell to Nedved who's half volley shot was pushed around the post by Julio Cesar. From the resulting corner Legrottaglie headed the ball just over the bar.

Three minutes into the second half the break through came with Molinaro playing a ball into the box which was missed by everyone but fell to Camoranesi who was lurking around the back post, he collected the ball and calmly applied the finish between the keepers legs. Replays have shown that Camoranesi was offside but no action was taken by the linesmen and the goal stood.

Inter then had three opportunities, the first came from a Luis Jimenez corner which turned into a shot which Buffon tipped over the bar, the second from a Inter counter attack with substitute David Suazo running half of the pitch but Molinaro did well to push him wide and lose the ball in the box. Ibrahimovic then set up Suazo with a back heal but the sub drilled his shot over the bar.

Juventus then doubled their lead with great work from Camoranesi and Del Piero with Trezeguet applying the finish. Camoranesi played a ball to Del Piero who then chipped the ball over the Inter defence which Burdisso got a head to but it fell stright to Trezeguet who blasted the ball home leaving Julio Cesar who no chance.

Del Piero then had the chance to add a third goal, after leaving Materazzi for dead he got himself into a great postion but his shot was well saved by Julio Cesar who was inter's best player on the night, Trezeguet tried to get the rebound but it was just out of reach.

David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero linked up for a Juventus counter attack which would of ended the game a contest but again Julio Cesar saved Del Piero's shot. Juventus were piling on the pressure and looking for a third goal, with Inter throwing everything forward spaces were opening up but the Bianconero could find that final pass.

Inter then pulled a goal back through Maniche who was a second half sub, after some good work from Maicon to get into the box Maniche just had to tap the ball in. The final ten minutes for Juventus had some nervous moments with Inter having some half chances but nothing to worry about until the 91st mintute when Maniche hit the bottom of the upright.

This was a excellent team performance by Juventus which they always seem to pull out when they are playing the big teams, each player did there job and Ranieri got his tactics right and read the game well. Next Parma is coming to town lets hope we can see a similar performance. FORZA JUVE

Player Ratings:

Buffon: 7.5 - Did what he always dose, keeps Juve in the game with brilliant saves.

Grygera: 7 - One of his better games for Juve, gets better with each game.

Legrottaglie: 6.5 - Solid performance from the center back, kept the Inter strikes under controll.

Chiellini: 7.5 - Once again kept Ibrahimovic quite and the rest of the Inter strikes.

Molinaro: 6.5 - Much better performance from the previous game, did well attacking and defending.

Salihamidzic: 5.5 - Was barely noticeable on the pitch didn't contribute much going forward, played slightly better second half.

Camoranesi: 7.5 - Scored a goal and kept running at the Inter defence was the creative force in the team.

Sissoko: 7 - Played well in the first half by breaking up Inter's play.

Nedved: 7 - Ran up and down the pitch all game giving 100%, played really well defensively.

Del Piero: 7.5 - All he needed tonight was a goal and it would of been a perfect game for the captain, destroyed Materazzi all game.

Trezeguet: 7 - Scored a goal and helped out in defence what more could you want from your leading scorer.

Substitutes:

Nocerino: NA

Iaquinta: NA

Ranieri: 7 - He set the team up perfect against Inter he had them play right defensively which had a influence on the rest of the squad.

Chiellini vs Ibrahimovic

Part 1:


Part 2:

Preview: Inter vs Juventus

Serie A: Inter vs Juventus
Saturday 22 March 2008, 20:30 CET Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan

Inter and Juve have meet three times this season, with Inter having the slight advantage after beating the Bianconero in the second leg of the Coppa Italia in Turin, with the other two games ending in draws this encounter looks like a fascinating match.

Both teams have been struggling lately with neither side being able to pick up maximum points during the midweek fixture and their results in recent weeks have been below par, it's a match that could go either way with Inter fighting for the Scudetto and Juve for a top four finish it should be a classic encounter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

The last league meting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw with Julio Cruz getting getting the first goal before Mauro Camoranesi came off the bench and grabbed a deserved point for the Bianconero. It was a very physical match with Luis Figo breaking his leg after a tackle from Pavel Nedved and several players getting yellow cards.

The match will always remain in the heart of the Bianconero fans as a favorite, by the way Giorgio Chiellini handled Zlatan Ibrahimovic the once Juve player. It was the first time Ibrahimovic played against his former club after the Calciopoli scandal and he nor any Juventini will every forget. Chiellini kept Ibrahimovic's impact on the game down to nothing what ever Zlatan tried Chiellini was always one step ahead, one of the most memorable moments of that match was the look that Giorgio gave to Zaltan it summed up the whole night Chiellini OWNED Ibrahimovic.

Juventus will be without the services of Cristiano Zanetti, Marco Marchionni and Jorge Andrade who are all injured, there are no suspensions this week although Zdenek Grygera, Antonio Nocerino, Raffaele Palladino, and David Trezeguet are all one yellow card away from a one game suspension.

Claudio Ranieri has one big decision to make for this game who is going to be the fourth midfield player that will play along side Mohamed Sissoko with Camoranesi on the right and Neved on the left hand side of the pitch. Ranieri could surprise everyone and go for a 4-3-3 and start Vincenzo Iaquinta up front.

There are only two positions in the Bianconero squad that aren't automatically decided, they are at left back and in the center midfield position. Cristian Molinaro who has struggled this season at left back and although he has played most of the games this season he could soon lose his spot to Grygera who played an exceptional game against Genoa at left back. Molinaro performance against Empoli on Wednesday night might of been his last chance, after getting an early yellow card and forcing an early substitution with his withdrawal Ranieri might want to stick with Grygera who has played well at left back.


The center midfield position at Juventus is a tough one, after his arrival in January from Liverpool Sissoko has cemented his spot in the starting 11 and with Zanetti out injured until April it's a choice between Tiago and Nocerino. Tiago should be given his chance although he has played in the last two games and not set the world on fire he will give more to the team with his passing ability and composure than Nocerino who still has a lot to learn.

Ranieri could surprise everyone by opting to play a 4-3-3 formation and going all out attack against Inter it has worked in the past but it proved to be unsuccessfully in the final 30 minutes against Empoli on Wednesday.

Buffon

Zebina - Legrottaglie- Chiellini- Grygera
Camoranesi - Sissoko - Nedved
Iaquinta - Trezeguet - Del Piero

Most likely Ranieri will filed a 4-4-2 formation which he has used for 90% of the games so far this season, the system has worked most of the time but the team have never played nice football and it would be good to see Ranieri change his tactics occasionally.

Buffon

Zebina - Legrottaglie- Chiellini- Grygera
Camoranesi - Sissoko -Tiago - Nedved
Trezeguet - Del Piero

The match against Inter on Saturday should be a great match, it's hard to split the two sides but with Inter playing at home they might have a slight advantage, lets hope that the Bianconero can get a win on Saturday and make Inter start to worry about the title (5th May) with Roma breathing down there necks. FORZA JUVE

Buffon Best Keeper In The World In 2007

News had already been released in mid-January and today the award itself was handed over. Indeed two delegates from the IFFHS, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, met up with Gigi Buffon to give him the best keeper in the world award for 2007.

Gigi had already won the award in 2003, 2004 and 2006. And this is yet another one of his records: no other footballer had ever been able to win in one single category in four different seasons.

"I'm very pleased to receive this award – Gigi said to Juventus Channel – also because it is awarded after a careful statistical study and the fact I'm getting it for the fourth time means I must be doing something right after all".

http://www.juventus.com/site/eng/NEWS_newsseriea_39F1D671275E49F7B48E4D8FD2C31571.asp

(Video) Empoli vs Juventus 0 - 0

Empoli vs Juventus 0 - 0

Week 29 for Juventus should of been a relatively easy win for the Bianconero, Empoli are fighting relegation and have not got a point in their last five games, but considering that Inter Milan are up next for Juve Claudio Ranieri decided to rest three of his big name players.

Claudio Ranieri changed his formation from the previous game which was a successfully 3-5-2 to the common 4-4-2, he also brought in five new faces to the squad which beat Napoli on the weekend. Jonathan Zebina, Nicola Legrottaglie and Mauro Camoranesi returned from suspension while Cristian Molinaro returned to his familiar role at left back and Vincenzo Iaquinta was given a rare start after his match winning gaol against Napoli. Mohamed Sissoko, Pavel Nedved and David Trezeguet were given a spell on the bench ahead of this weekend's big game against Inter.

Cristian Molinaro return to the starting line up was a problem for Ranieri as he was forced in to make an early substitution as Molinaro got an early yellow card and looked like he was asking to get sent off by committing fouls in unnecessary situations. Molinaro who has been very poor for Juve this season was not happy at been subbed off and stormed into the dressing rooms.

Juventus defensive display against Empoli was constant as it was in their previous two matches the side keeping a clean sheet for the third game in a row. The defenders were never put under any real pressure, Empoli played with a 4-5-1 formation and looked to close down the game, they never created any clear chances at goal, when Empoli did manage to get a shot on goal Gianluigi Buffon was there and coped with the shots easily.

The absence of Sissoko and Nedved in Juve's midfield was one of the main reason the Bianconero never really got going, Sissoko has been highly impressive since his January move from Liverpool and you know Nedved is going to give 110% every time he steps on to the pitch. The power and presence of Sissoko in the heart of Juve's midfield and his ability to break up the opponents play was never filed by Antonio Nocerino who has not found his early season form and has been highly disappointing lately.

Juve's inability to keep the ball on the ground and attempt long ball style of play to often played in to the hands of Empoli who coped with it easily. This style of play also effected they way Juventus strikes and creative midfield's played against Emopli they never had any opportunities to score or create any goals for the team.


Juventus strike partnership for this game was Alessandro Del Piero and Vincenzo Iaquinta neither of which had a influence on the game they were poorly serviced by their teammates and the Empoli defence performed very well considering that the team had let in eleven goals in their previous five games. David Trezeguet joined the strike force in the second half and couldn't get the break through for his team.

Overall:

1st Half:
Very poor half from both sides neither side came close to scoring with the defenders on each side having more of a influence than the attackers. Juventus having a few long range shots from Del Piero and Nocerino but neither were really testing the Empoli goalkeeper.

Jonathan Zebina put a good cross in from the right after some good work from Tiago but Del Piero and Iaquinta both missed it and the ball went across the goal. Alessandro Del Piero got a header on taget from a Camoranesi free kick but it was easily claimed buy the Empoli Keeper Bassi.

Cristian Molinaro was subbed off at 29 minutes after his early yellow card and was replaced by Zdenek Grygera, the first half was a very physical half with no team backing off from the challengers.

2nd Half:
Juventus started the second half positive Del Piero had a free kick saved by the keeper and they stopped trying the long ball and started to play to feet. Vincenzo Iaquinta had a penalty turned down which could of been given, Juve started plying on the pressure but nothing come of it.

Camoranesi looked more lively in the second half and looked like he was going to create something, but Ranieri changed his tactics at 60 minutes to a 4-3-3 with Trezeguet replacing Tiago, the change didn't have a positive effect on the side with Camoranesi moved more to a central role and thus losing all of Juventus attacking movements down the right hand side.

Ranieri brought on Nedved to replace Camoranesi who had been booked but it was to late to have an impact on the team. Juventus never really got going in this match and draw is a fair result for both teams, although Juve's fans will be less than happy with the teams performance.

Player Ratings:

Buffon: 6 - Was never really tested and coped with the shots at goal well.

Zebina: 6.5 - Was the only Juve player to perform well on the defence and attack, created Juve's best chance.

Legrottaglie: 6 - Didn't have much to do and looked comfortable through out the game.

Chiellini: 6 - Dose what he always does goes in hard and never gives up had a quite game but did what he is expected to do.

Molinaro: 3 - Got an early yellow card and looked certain to get sent off if he wasn't subbed.

Camoranesi: 6.5 - One of Juve better players, played better in the second half, looked like the only one who was going to create something.

Nocerino: 5.5 - Played well first 15 minutes then disappeared.

Tiago: 6 - He had a mixed game did some good things but also some bad, when he was subbed off Juve struggled in the midfield and lost their connection from defence to attack.

Salihamidzic 5 - Didn't have an effect on the game at all run up and down the pitch, which is all he did.

Iaquinta: 5.5 - Had a good penalty turned down and not much else, was poorly served by teammates.

Del Piero: 5.5 - Also poorly served by teammates, had a few free kicks but nothing really threatening.

Substitutes:

Grygera: 6 - Like the rest of the defence played well and did his job.

Trezeguet: 5.5 - The only way he will score is if he got service which didn't happen when he was on and off the pitch.

Nedved: NA

Ranieri: 4.5 - His decision to rest key players back fired on him, there was no chemistry between the players. His decision to take off Tiago and replace him with Trezeguet was bad, Trezeguet wont create any goals for you but he will score if he gets service witch didn't happen through out the match.

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