Twenty-Man Squad Named For Roma Game

This morning Juventus carried out their last training session before tomorrow night's match against Roma. Del Piero, Legrottaglie, Grygera and Zanetti trained as normal with the group and the former three also made the squad list.

Director of Sport Alessio Secco was present and watched the session from the sidelines. The training was mainly physical, with a lot of running and quick passing. Buffon and Salihamidzic stayed in the gym, whereas De Ceglie first, then Poulsen and Tiago, carried out their separate programmes.

Both the Under 21 international and the Portuguese, who stayed on the pitch for around thirty minutes, are at Ranieri's disposal. Youth Team players Ariaudo and Rossi have been added to the group and so twenty players in all have been called up for the game against the Giallorossi.

Here is the list in full:

3 Chiellini
4 Mellberg
8 Amauri
9 Iaquinta
10 Del Piero
11 Nedved
12 Chimenti
13 Manninger
16 Camoranesi
20 Giovinco
21 Grygera
22 Sissoko
27 Ekdal
28 Molinaro
29 De Ceglie
30 Tiago
32 Marchionni
33 Legrottaglie
40 Rossi
41 Ariaudo

Juventus.com

Ranieri: "I Don't Think Roma Are Going Through A Crisis"

"They were saying it about us too, that we were going through a crisis. Roma have rebuilt their Club before us. In three years they achieved something outstanding, what with the Club being unable to operate on the transfer market as well".

"Now they're going through an unlucky spell, like we had, but seeing how all the top teams are close in the League standings, Roma will still be one of the starring teams as always".

Ranieri doesn't believe Roma are having problems. Sure, the Giallorossi haven't gotten the results, but the same was happening to Juventus, and they came back with a vengeance. So the utmost concentration is needed in Saturday night's game:

"We mustn't think about Real Madrid, because we're still in a state of emergency. We can't see the light at the end of the tunnel just yet, but we're doing well and we must continue to do well. Added to this, Roma didn't play against Sampdoria and to have a chance to recover energy during such a stressful cycle of games can be very important".

According to Chiellini, if Juve win tomorrow it’ll give them a great boost in their race for the title, but if they don't, their ambitions would have to be put in perspective:

"Well first of all let's play it– Ranieri remarked – Seeing as we had a period of draws and defeats, all games are crucial now. In any case, we want to stay up there in the top positions and I hope I can recover the lads that were injured as soon as possible, because after they’ve gotten better I also need to train them too. The problem is that in this period I have to play them…"

Juventus.com

A Ceremony To Commemorate Heysel Victims

The Heysel Committee, in cooperation with the Reggio Emilia Sport Councillor and the local Sport Association, have organized a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the tragedy, to be held on Saturday November 1st in front of the "Never forget Heysel" monument, recently repaired by restorer Luigi Franceschi, following approval from the local authorities.

The ceremony will take place at 11 am in the Viale Matteotti Park, in Reggio Emilia.

The Heysel Committe, originally formed to prevent the monument decaying and to share the memory of the 39 victims, which included fellow citizen Claudio Zavaroni, has put through a new proposition, the idea being to provide some sort of cover for the monument, to avoid it being damaged by bad weather conditions.

The monument's creator, Flemish artist Gido Vanlessen, who built the steles, alongside engineer Tolmino Menozzi and designer Ivan Fontanesi, who plan the public Parks of the Reggio Emilia area and took care of the artwork’s positioning, have made themselves available to give suggestions.

Juventus.com

Buffon In Running For 2008 FIFA World Player Award Too

After the news he's in the running for the Golden Football award, Gigi Buffon received notice that he's been selected in the list for the 2008 FIFA World Player award too.

He will be the only player representing Italy for this prestigious honour, voted as always by the National teams' Captains and Managers.

The name of the recipient will be released in January 2009, but in early December the 23-strong list will be reduced to three names.

31-10-08 Juventus News

Preview: Juventus - Roma
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Juve Set Sights On Roma Game

Back late last night from the away trip to Bologna, Juventus were already in Vinovo this morning for a training session.

Those who played in the win over the Rossoblu carried out a lighter training session: Manninger, Chiellini, Mellberg, Amauri and Nedved worked on the pitch with Iago and Poulsen, while Molinaro, Marchionni, Sissoko, Tiago and Iaquinta worked in the gym. Knezevic, who ended the game at the Dall’Ara in pain, underwent medical tests.

Camoranesi, Ekdal and Giovinco, who came on in the course of the match, worked with the rest of the squad, to which a few Youth Team lads were added. Del Piero, Legrottaglie, Zanetti, De Ceglie and Grygera also worked on the pitch; the warm-up consisted of some basketball, passing exercises, shots at goal and finally a training match on a smaller pitch. Zebina worked separately, while Salihamidzic and Marchisio stayed in the gym.

After the session, Dr. Agricola, the man in charge of Juventus' medical staff, reported on the injured players' condition as follows:

De Ceglie: his condition will have to be verified day by day, but he should be back in the team in time for the Chievo match.

Grygera, Del Piero and Legrottaglie: all three will recover in time for the game against Roma. Grygera has gotten over the fatigue from the derby. Del Piero and Legrottaglie had no injuries and were rested just as a precaution.

Knezevic: this morning his left knee was swollen and it hurt. The player underwent ultrasound scans and will be out of action for a few days.

Marchisio: he should be available again in around fifteen days' time.

Poulsen: the muscle distraction he suffered, while not exceedingly serious, affects a delicate area, i.e. the thigh muscle intersection, so he will need to stay out until the away game at Chievo.

Salihamidzic: he has recovered rather well from his tendon problem. He could be available for the Madrid game or in Verona against Chievo at the latest.

Zanetti: he's been training normally with the squad from Monday, so it's a question of match fitness now.

Zebina: he's getting better. He suffered quite a serious injury to his left Achilles tendon, underwent therapies and has buckled down and worked hard. He is currently training separately from the squad. He will be missing two or three training sessions, because of the special therapy regimen he's following, after which he will need to rest for a few days. He may be able to take up training as normal and for good from Monday onwards.

Juventus.com

Marchionni Stars On The Pitch And On JuventusMember

Marco Marchionni is currently living one of his best periods since joining Juventus from Parma three seasons ago. With his injuries now behind him, the Rome-born midfielder has been able to show all his skills lately, and do his part in three important wins against Real Madrid, Torino and Bologna.

The day after the game at the Dall'Ara, Marco was a star off the pitch as well. Indeed it was his turn in the JuventusMember chat room today.

He chatted directly for almost an hour with the many Members who took part and had a chance to tell them too about his happy moment.

"I hadn't played three games in a row for ages; I'm going to have to bring a cake to training to celebrate with my team mates, but also for the three wins. We definitely left that peculiar period behind, now we only need to be consistent in terms of the results we get".

Starting already from Saturday, when Roma arrive at the Olimpico: a kind of derby for Marchionni, seeing where he comes from. But also an important chance to confirm he's on top form:

"Roma didn't play last night so they'll be fresher. But we're improving and we want to win to continue our chase to the top of the League".

And the Members realized how well he's doing as he entertained them with his wit and friendliness. "It's always fun to have the chance to stay in contact with the fans; they give us their love in every match and also here on the JuventusMember website".

Take a look at the JuventusMember website

Juventus.com

30-10-08 Juventus News

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(Video) Bologna - Juventus 1-2

Bologna - Juventus 1-2

A goal in each half from Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved and a consolation goal from Marco Di Vaio handed Juventus a deserved 2-1 win over Bologna at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, allowing the Turin side to claim all three points and continue their surge up the table.

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri had warned his players before the game that struggling Bologna will raise their game when for this clash at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. The hosts were in 17th place in Serie A before the game, with only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone and they had lost six of their last seven games.

Claudio Ranieri’s side have gone through somewhat of a resurgence in the last week after a less than auspicious start to the campaign. This game was a pressure cooker situation for both coaches, with their jobs on the line after struggling in the early stages of the campaign. Juventus have been heavily hit with injuries coming into this game, with Alessandro Del Piero and Gigi Buffon both missing amongst others.

First Half

Bologna kicked off in this encounter between two of the squads that are looking to prove a point after less than ideal starts to the campaign. Juventus pushed forward first, and forced a corner in the 3rd minute. The Bianconeri could not create anything from the resulting corner.

Amauri showed his intent early on with dangerous runs and a few threatening crosses from the flanks. Bologna could see that it would take a great deal of effort to stop the big Brazilian. Nedved showed himself to be in a particularly fiesty mood, constantly getting involved in the attacks, many of which began from the feet of the Czech player.

Juventus would make an early mark on the game, with Nedved scoring in the 12th minute. The midfielder did exceptionally well to move past two players on the left before slotting the ball past Antonioli in the Bologna goal.

Bologna’s response was immediate, and only two minutes after the opening goal Bombardini and Mingazzini had attempted attacks that were thwarted by the Juve back line. Amauri continued to be a thorn in the newly promoted club’s side, with most crosses aimed in the direction of the commanding striker.

Despite going behind early in the game, the home side continued to attack and create threatening opportunities, making sure that the Bianconero defence had plenty of work to keep them busy. In the 19th minute Iaquinta took a free kick for the Turin side, but the Bologna wall kept the danger away from Antonioli’s goal.

The first booking of the game came after a foul from Molinaro earned him a yellow card in the 24th minute. A minute later Amauri was again keeping the Bologna back line busy, but they were more than capable and the Brazilian could not find a way past. In the 26th minute a challenge from Mellberg on Marazzina in the Juve box went unpunished, despite the disgust from the home crowd.

In the 30th minute of the game a move between Nedved and Amauri was almost fruitful, but the striker could not beat Moras and the defender cleared to safety. Two minutes later Juventus wasted a chance to go further ahead, when a cross from Tiago found Marchioni unmarked in the area, but the winger could not control the ball and the chance passed by.

Ten minutes from the half time break saw a cross from Castellini floated dangerously into Manninger’s box, but Di Vaio and Marazzina did not react in time to reach the ball. Three minutes after the Bologna initiative Nedved was once again on the attack, and his cross required a sharp reaction from Moras as well as a block from Antonioli in order to stop a chance for a second goal. Juventus put Bologna under a great deal of pressure in the last few minutes of the half, with Molinaro, Amauri and Marchionni all trying to extend the Bianconero advantage in vein.

After a minute of added time, referee Trefoloni blew the whistle for half time, sending the teams into the change rooms for a chat with their respective coaches.

Second Half

The second half got under way and Juventus picked up where they left off, applying pressure to Bologna and attacking their hosts with great intensity. Crosses came thick and fast for Amauri and Iaquinta in the Bologna box, but the strike pair did not make anything out of the chances they were given.

In the 51st minute Amauri came within inches of the second goal, but his attempt after a cross from Nedved hit the post, and the rebound was skyed by the onrushing Marchionni. Five minutes after the ball hit the wood work the old Czech soldier Pavel Nedved would claim his second of the match, after his cross took a deflection and sailed off Antonioli into the goal. That made it 2-0 for the Bianconeri.

Di Vaio was determined to decrease the lead, and three minutes after Juve’s second goal the ex Bianconero was trying to cause trouble in the box, but he was stopped by three of his opponents. In the 65th minute Juventus were once again dangerous, as Amauri broke through for on the counter attack and the striker was denied by a fine save from Antonioli.

One minute later, and Bologna were on the attack, with Bombardini’s pass to Di Vaio well cut out by Tiago. In the 68th minute the Portuguese player attempted to put his side three ahead with a strike from outside the box that just slipped wide of the post.

In the 74th minute Di Vaio gave Bologna a lifeline with a goal that took the score to 2-1. A fee kick from Carrus sent the ball invitingly into the Juve area and Di Vaio popped up to head past Manninger and score against his old team. In the 76th minute the home crowd thought that their team had tied things up after Marazzina’s diving header went into the back of the net, but the officials ruled it offside and Juventus could breath again.

In the 79th minute Juve substitute Giovinco tried a shot from distance off a free kick, but the starlet sent the ball high of goal. Two minutes later Iaquinta came close to a restoring the two goal cushion on the counter attack, but his finish was undermined by fine work from Antonioli.

The 84th minute saw the return of Juventus and Italy star Mauro Camoranesi, who substituted on for Tiago. A minute later Giovinco would again try to push towards goal but Moras stopped him in his tracks. In the same minute a great strike from distance required a save from Antonioli to stop Marchionni from getting on the score sheet.

Bologna pushed forward in the final minutes in an effort to salvage a point out of the game, but Juve held strong and would not let anyone through. After four minutes of injury time the referee concluded the game with the score at 2-0 for the Bianconeri. The pressure on Arrigoni mounts, while Ranieri eased the stress surrounding him.

BOLOGNA 1-2 JUVENTUS

GOALS: Nedved 12’, 56’ (Juventus) Di Viao 74’

BOLOGNA: Antonioli, Zenoni (Marchini 46’), Moras, Bombardini, Terzi, Lavecchia (Bernacci 89’), Mudingayi, Castellini, Mingazzini (Carrus 67’), Marazzina, Di Vaio.

JUVENTUS: Manninger, Mellberg, Chiellini, Knezevic, Molinaro, Nedved, Tiago (Camoranesi 84’), Sissoko (Ekdal 60’), Marchionni, Iaquinta, Amauri (Giovinco 70’).

BOOKINGS: Marchini, Mudingayi, Carrus (Bologna) Molinaro (Juventus)

REFEREE: Trefoloni

Peter Pedroncelli
Goal.com

Pictures:

Nedved The Star Again In Bologna

There's a special connection between Nedved and the Dall’Ara Stadium in Bologna. Indeed it was here that the Czech superstar made his Serie A debut back in 1996. He played for Lazio at the time and was 24 years old.

Now, at 36, Pavel is still a star and achieved another remarkable feat in Emilia tonight. Two great goals, after the one he scored at Fiorentina, and this time they were decisive for the three points.

This win allows Juve to continue their positive run after the wins against Real Madrid and Torino and to put their bad spell behind them for good, just when Ranieri's team had reached a record number of injuries:

"There was never any crisis – Nedved remarked after the game -, it's normal to lose sometimes. The important thing is to never give up. Tonight we won a match that we all knew was going to be tough and that's why we're very happy".

Juventus.com

Cobolli: "We Suffered But We're Happy"

At the end of the game at the Dall’Ara, this is how Chairman Giovanni Cobolli Gigli commented the team's win:

"We're getting some very complicated results lately. There was suffering tonight but we're happy now. Nedved was the man of the match; I thought Mellberg and Ekdal played particularly well too".

Concerning the way the match went: "We could've closed the deal 3-0 because Bologna didn't do anything extraordinary. Tiago? He played well, he's one more classy player in our team, he's always useful and particularly so in periods such as these".

A message for the future: «We keep going humbly. I would like to point out that, as we're chasing Inter Milan too, we've recovered 4 points on them in the last two games»

Juventus.com

Ranieri: "We Played A Good Match And Showed Our Will To Win"

Claudio Ranieri is pleased with the win and with the performance of his team and this is how he praised them after the game:

"We played well and showed our will to win, we were tight and suffered only in the last 10 minutes of the match. We conceded Bologna's goal on a one-off chance, we would've deserved to win 2-0".

Ranieri has good reason to be pleased: "The thing I appreciated the most is that all the players, despite me having to change line-ups a lot, have understood the movements they must make and that they need to remain tight".

Praise for all the team, then, but a special mention for the man of the match, Pavel Nedved, and for Tiago, back from injury:

"Nedved is stunning, the best thing is that he's having a great time, he knows he's important in our project. I liked Tiago tonight. He played after only one proper training session with the squad and he did so very well"

Juventus.com

(Pictures) Bologna - Juventus 1-2