Diego: "We Must React"

"We played badly and lost three important points that could have been crucial for the Championship". Diego is not hiding: the Brazilian analyzes Cagliari’s defeat on his internet site and obviously he cannot be satisfied. But now Juve will have to react, starting from next match, the big match vs. Inter:

"We can no longer afford losing any match and we must hope in Inter to stumble. Our next match will be the direct confrontation with nerazzurri, a difficult match, a great challenge. We should work hard this week, to correct our mistakes and, once on the pitch, we’ll have to show a different way of playing. The result vs. Cagliari complicated our plans of leading us at the top of the list. But from the next match, we’ll have to start walking our path again".

Juventus.com

Chiellini, A Successful Intervention

This morning, at Chivasso Hospital, Giorgio Chiellini underwent a surgery operation to reduce the nasal bone fracture, brought in Cagliari during his smash-up against Nenè, by Professor Libero Tubino. The intervention perfectly succeeded and Chiellini will be discharged today.

On Wednesday, he will be able to train with a bow protection, trying to avoid contacts, while from Thursday he will restart with his regular workout, wearing a protective mask.

Juventus.com

30-11-09 Juventus News

Ferrara: Diego Doesn't Do What I Say
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Scudetto Is Difficult Now, Says Diego
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Marchisio: Juventus Cannot Make Any More Mistakes
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We Deserved A Draw Against Cagliari - Juventus' Fabio Cannavaro
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Ferrara Gets Angry Elkann Call
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Sissoko Racially Abused In Cagliari
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Chiellini Has Nose Operation
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Gianluca Pessotto: The Inter And Bayern Munich Matches Are Fundamental For Juventus
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Angelo Di Livio Unfazed By Juventus Woes
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Luciano Moggi Had Signed Cristiano Ronaldo & Steven Gerrard For Juventus; Calciopoli Was Invented - Former Coach Gigi Maifredi
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Van der Vaart Offered To Juventus
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Juventus Set To Make Move For Former Chelsea Boss Guus Hiddink
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Fiorentina Coach Cesare Prandelli Speaks About Juventus' Felipe Melo
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Calcio Debate: Ciro Ferrara Has Lost Control Of The Juventus Ship
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Monday Rest, Tomorrow Restarting

Rest day for Juventus, which will restart training tomorrow morning, for next Saturday challenge vs. Inter. The bianconeri will be at work at 11.00 at Juventus Center in Vinovo, and for the whole week they will train in the morning.

(Pictures) Cagliari - Juventus 2-0

(Video) Cagliari - Juventus 2-0

Ferrara: "Nothing To Blame The Team For"

Ciro Ferrara made a detailed analysis of the match, subdividing a bad first half and a second half in which the team improved.

"In the first 45 minutes we did not have many ideas but we were not dominated. Their goal was very nice but avoidable. It originated in fact from a free-kick and we must be ready not to let them take them so quickly. It is true that we did not create much in attack, we did not manage to find depth and when when we used the wings we did not manage to conclude".

Then the second half: "We could not accept the result – proceeded Ferrara – there was a will to get back and we did everything we could to equalize. It is a bit our fault and a bit the merit of the defenders and the Cagliari goalkeeper and in one particular case the grounding of Amauri which was the responsibility of somebody else".

The Juventus coach concluded by refusing comparisons with the match in Bordeaux because "every defeat has its own story and this time I don’t feel I can blame my lads. It is not all negative however. We started well at the beginning of the season, than we also had a series of injuries in all the roles (something that must not be a sort of justification)".

"It is true that in this period there is no continuity in the results but I am sorry that the criticism falls on certain players, like the case was last week with regards to the Brazilians because blaming single players is not right".

Juventus.com

Cannavaro: "We Must Find Consistency In Play"

Upon exiting the dressing rooms at the stadium in Cagliari, Fabio Cannavaro commented the performance of the team in this manner: "In the first half we played badly but in the second we pressed a lot and we would have deserved a draw".

It is inevitable to try and understand what is not working: "It is not a formation problem – stated Cannavaro -. The problem is that we are not consistent and I am not speaking of results but of play. Unfortunately at the moment we are not managing to have this".

Juventus.com

Marchisio: "We Are Not Managing To Create Enough"

Claudio Marchisio was back in the starting line-up after his operation to the meniscus. Even though he did his best in the conditions presented by the match he is however conscious of the bad moment:

"The only positive note is that I played quite well, however it was a bad day for the team. We knew we would be playing against a good team which is playing great football and which has a good coach. We must now work hard because on Saturday we have an important match. It is a bad moment".

"We are not managing to create enough. In the dressing rooms we are determined and we want to do well but for some reason we are not managing to do this. Cagliari is a good team and are doing very well. However, we must put all this behind us and see what we can do to improve because we have a very important week coming up".

The match was conditioned by a certain attitude and the pressure exerted by the sardi: "We mistook even the way we were running. We run a lot but in the wrong manner. We are not managing to win back the balls. We have recovered a number of important players and so it is not a case of fatigue. We simply have to work very hard".

"We are not tranquil, we do not manage to impose our play and therefore even mistaken passes are a result of this. We are in a period in which we cannot afford to make more mistakes, otherwise we risk losing everything like last year. Tomorrow I will watch the match again to try and see what we have been doing wrong".

Juventus.com

A Week To Forget For Juve!

Ferrara fields a 4-2-3-1 formation with Amauri the only striker and Marchisio and Molinaro back in the starting line-up. Cagliari are immediately very aggressive and on the 2nd minute Agostini tries a run on the wing but he is stopped by Caceres.

The 4th minute sees a good Molinaro cross into the area but the Cagliari defence manage to clear with difficulty. Three minutes later a good attempt by Poulsen is too soft to worry Marchetti. On the 8th minute, another good cross by Molinaro but Amauri is blocked before he can intervene.

It is the 9th minute when Lazzari anticipates Caceres but his aim is luckily off target. From the rebound Nene sends the ball out. Three minutes later, there is a free-kick for Juve following a foul on Sissoko: Diego puts the ball into the area but it is slightly too long for a winning deviation.

On the 16th minute a mistake in the area by the Juve defence creates a rather tricky situation but the ball somehow cleared and one minute later there is a free-kick for Cagliari from just outside the area: Conti with a powerful filtering shot sees Buffon saving well.

The 19th minute there is a corner for Cagliari: Ball into the area but Amauri heads away. One minute later, a Diego ball into the area goes straight into the arms of the keeper. Two minutes later, another good ball into the area by Diego but it is slightly too long for Amauri.

It is the 23rd minute, a Conti powerful shot goes inches wide. Four minutes later, Diego's shot goes straight into Marchetti's arms. Seconds later there is a corner for Cagliari: ball cleared by Caceres.

The 28th minute sees a corner for Cagliari: Jeda's header goes wide. One minute later, there are two opportunities in one action for Juve first by Amauri and then Camoranesi but the defence manages to clear.

It is the 30th minute when Nene' tries a curling shot from outside the area, surprising Buffon and depositing the ball into the top corner for the opener: 1-0.

On the 35th minute Marchisio receives from Camoranesi and tries a shot at goal but the ball goes high over the bar. Four minutes later, there is a corner for Juve: Diego puts the ball into the area but the defence clears.

The 42nd minute sees Buffon holding the ball following a Cagliari incursion. The last bit of action of the first half comes on the 44th minute when a Diego shot goes slightly wide.

At the beginning of the second half Cagliari still agressive and Biondini just misses impact with the ball inside the area after 2 minutes from kick-off. One minute later, an Amauri goal following a flying header is disallowed for off-side.

On the 9th minute, Cossu hands the ball to feed the action but the referee does not notice. One minute later, there is a free-kick for Juve: ball into the area but nobody manages to head it. The 13th minute sees a good ball into the area by Marchisio but the keeper manages to anticipates Amauri. Signs of determination by Juve.

The 14th minute sees a Camoranesi cross goes wide. One minute later Del Piero comes on for Marchisio. It is the 20th minute when a Matri attempt goes luckily wide. Two minutes later, Del Piero tries a low ball into the area but the defence manages to clear.

On the 25th minute, Juve are denied a penalty as Amauri is fouled in the area and he even gets shown a yellow card for protesting. Four minutes later, there is a corner for Juve: ball into the area but the defnece manages to clear.

The half hour sees a free-kick for Juve: ball into the area, Sissoko's shot is deviated into corner. Juve begin piling up the pressure but with no luck. On the 34th minute Juve are unlucky after a great Diego move, Del Piero misses a overhead kick and then a Molinaro shot is saved on the nick of time.

It is the 35th minute when Giovinco comes on for Molinaro. There is a free-kick for Juve. The Del Piero shot is saved by Marchetti. Juve are putting the Cagliari area under seige. On the 37th minute a Diego shot is powerful but central.

Tiago comes on for Sissoko on the 38th minute. One minute later, there is a corner for Juve following a Caceres shot. Diego tries a shot to the area but Marchetti saves. On the 40th minute, there is a free-kick for Juve: Giovinco puts the ball into the area but Marchetti manages to wave it away!

On the 42nd minute, Amauri has a good chance but misses the ball. One minute later, Juve are caught on the counter-attack, Cannavaro is anticipated and Matri makes it 2-0! The referee awards 5 minutes of stoppage time.

The 47th minute sees a corner for Juve: ball into the area but cleared by the defence. One minute later, Giovinco puts a cross into the area and Del Piero heads high over the bar. In the last chance of the match Diego enters the area but his shot is not strong enough and Marchetti saves.

Juve suffer their 2nd defeat of the week and will be wanting to improve their performances as they take on Inter in the big match on Saturday. 9

Serie A 2009/10 14th Match Day
Cagliari, Stadio Sant’Elia
Sunday 29th November, 2009

CAGLIARI– JUVENTUS: 2-0

Scorers: Anderson (30th), Matri (89th),

CAGLIARI: Marchetti, Pisano, Lopez, Astori, Agostini, Biondini, Conti, Lazzari (Dessena 64th), Cossu (Parola 71st), Jeda, Anderson (Matri 60th). Reserves: Lupatelli, Canini, Barone, Parola, Dessena, Matri, Larrivey Coach: Allegri.

JUVENTUS: Buffon, Caceres, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Molinaro (Giovinco 80th), Poulsen, Sissoko, Camoranesi, Diego, Marchisio (Del Piero 60th), Amauri. Reserves: Manninger, Legrottaglie, Grygera, De Ceglie, Del Piero, Tiago, Giovinco. Coach: Ferrara.

REFEREE: De Marco

Yellow Cards: Sissoko (17th), Jeda (42nd), Camoranesi (53rd), Cossu (69th), Amauri (70th), Lopez (85th)

Juventus.com

Previous Matches In Cagliari

Juventus won 9 times away against Cagliari in championship matches. One particularity is that the bianconeri never managed to beat the sardi by more than 1 goal and in 7 different circumstances the result was 1-0.

The first time was on the 9th March 1969 and the goal scorer was Pietro Anastasi who thus won the duel with Gigi Riva, his partner in the national team on the night that some them as protagonists and decisive strikers in the final against Yugoslavia which crowned them European champions in 1968.

In 1973 Alatfini was the match-winner, taking advantage of a mistake made by Comunardo Niccolai, a defender sadly known for the quantity and the spectacular sort of own-goals committed. In 1975-76 it is Bobo Gori who signed the classical former player revenge, having played before for Cagliari winning the championship in 1970.

In 1982, a year in which Juventus won the scudetto and Italy the World Cup, the man of the match was Tardelli thanks to a goal scored on the 27th minute. A decade later, in 1994, in a season which saw the rossoblu eliminate Juventus from the UEFA Cup, the bianconeri won at the Sant’Elia thanks to a penalty scored by Fabrizio Ravanelli.

In 1999-2000 Cagliari was the first away match for Ancelotti’s Juventus in the championship. The cover is all for Antonio Conte. Finally, last season, it was a goal by Amauri after 39 minutes and a miraculous save by Alex Manninger that brought home the 3 points.

Juventus.com

Primavera: 3-0 Against Cagliari

In yesterdays match day of the Primavera championship, the bianconeri beat Cagliari by 3-0 in Vinovo.

The first half offered little ecitement while it was a good second half for Bruni’s team which scored three times thanks to Belcastro, Rossi from a free-kick and Libertazzi to make the final score 3-0.

The next championship tie will be played on Saturday in Empoli at 14:30hrs.

Players Called-Up By Ferrara

For the away match in Cagliari, Ciro Ferrara can count on nearly all his players, including Amauri who left the field against Bordeaux due to a problem. Grosso will not make it after he failed to train yesterday following a muscular problem to the right leg joining the other absentees that is Salihamidzic, Iaquinta and Trezeguet.

1. Buffon
2. Caceres
3. Chiellini
4. Felipe Melo
5. Cannavaro
8. Marchisio
10. Del Piero
11. Amauri
12. Chimenti
13. Manninger
15. Zebina
16. Camoranesi
18. Poulsen
19. Molinaro
20. Giovinco
21. Grygera
22. Sissoko
23. Ariaudo
28. Diego
29. De Ceglie
30. Tiago
33. Legrottaglie
40. Immobile

Juventus.com

Ferrara: "We Must React"

Ciro Ferrara has very few alterantives in attack: with Trezeguet and Iaquinta injured, only Del Piero and Amauri are at the coach’s disposal and the Brazilian due to the gluteus problem suffered during the match against Bordeaux, did not train in the last few days. Ferrara hopes to have him back on Sunday, but should have clearer indications in the next few hours:

"He will only be fielded if he is in the right condition to do so. Often, players enter the field with small problems but I don’t know to what extent this problem can limit him". If Amauri is not able to make it, the solutions would be very limited: launching Immobile from the first minute or fielding Del Piero as only striker as was tried during the Friday training session:

"For Alessandro, it would be news. Even though, yesterday during training we only tried it out because of the absence of Amauri, it is not said that we will use that solution. Immobile has already played. This time it would be different but I do not want to feel conditioned by his age or his lack of experience".

The subject changes to the defeat against Bordeaux and the moment of the team: "The defeats we suffered were clear cut ones, apart from the one against Napoli. We must be clever enough to manage good and bad situations and not feel conditioned. It is clear that the defeat against Bordeaux has bothered us but we must react".

The deal would be to have a certain continuity but it would be wrong to think we can win all the matches. Unbeatable teams do not exist and in our learning curve there are also shortcomings. We must be clever to take note, accept our responsibilities and react together".

After Bordeaux the papers wrote of a critical Diego towards Ferrara and the coach brought an end to the controversy:

"Diego came to me to clarify his position and after I spoke to him I am tranquil and satisfied with the fact that he wanted to explain himself. Since he has not played for long in our championship and with a few language problems, his sentences may be interpreted wrongly. I know his idea because he told me face to face and even if he really think what was reported in the papers, I would have answered him directly and not through the media".

Lately even Gigi Buffon spoke, defending the group and Amauri, Melo and Diego in particular after they were at the centre of criticism after the Champions League match:

"Gigi’s words made me very happy. It was right to defend three team mates. I don;t think that the moment and the defeat can be attributed to three players. As I said, everyone must accept their responsibility. This is how it should be in a group. Defending the group must be considered holy and this is why I liked his words: it is in difficult moments that one must be clever enough to react and it is in these moments that real men are seen".

During the press conference the journalists insisted on the fact that Juventus is not performing up to the expectations and Ferrara answered in this manner:

"I have been the Juventus coach for 20 matches. Are we doing badly in the championship? I don’t think so. The Champions League is more competitive and it seems to me that Juventus is in line with the other great teams. We could have done more in Bordeaux, both when it comes to result as well as the approach to the match, but otherwise I don’t think that we made a disaster. We are there and we can still qualify".

The coach then tried to bring back attention to Sunday’s match:

"The most dangerous thing for us is that you don’t care about the match against Cagliari. The right tension must be created to play against a team that has shone strength, organization and brilliance. I don’t think, however, that my players lack concentration: it would be a serious mistake to think of other matches".

"I am aware that today, in the papers, not much was said about Cagliari. This is the danger and it is up to the intelligence of the players to understand that our objective must be different from that presented by the press".

And the objective is obviously to win on Sunday against a team in great shape: "Cagliari is at team which is well organized and fast. They have players who can hurt us and who attack very well in depth. The team has quality and they showed this even in Milan. It is a very difficult match against one of the healthiest teams of the championship. Not having other weekly commitments, furthermore, they can work well to channel all their energies for the match on Sunday".

Finally, he is asked about the controversy following the chants against Balotelli: "I already answered after the match against Udinese and you know what I think: I am against any form of racism, discrimination and insult against anyone. I do not want to comment about the declarations made by Moratti or Zanetti. Juventus did all it could to stop the chants and even the sentence of the sport authorities confirmed this".

"I repeat, I am against any kind of insult. When I came here to Turin and heard a chant against Neapolitans I asked myself: “do they have something against me?”. I don;t know what the right road is, the battle is going and hard, because we Italians have a wrong sports culture: when I see a boy, together with his parent who makes horns towards you as you enter the stadium, I don not understand... If I had to see my son do something similar I would slap him immediately".

Juventus.com

28-11-09 Juventus News

Preview: Cagliari - Juventus
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Ferrara: Juve 'Not A Disaster'
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Buffon: 'It's Up To Ferrara Now'
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Gianluigi Buffon Defends Juventus Fans After Anti-Balotelli Chants
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Juventus Will Want To Make A Statement Against Cagliari - Massimiliano Allegri
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Juventus Coach Ciro Ferrara In Last Chance Saloon
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Juventus To Sell Tiago & Use Income For A Defender
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Gigi Buffon: We Are A Team And We Win And Lose As One.

To put the defeat against Bordeaux behind you, how are you approaching the match against Cagliari?

“I think we have enough experience to help us digest even the most negative moments. The good thing about football is of having many commitments and even the fact that after two or three days another obstacle turns up and therefore our minds are now focused on Cagliari in order to try and come back”.

After Cagliari, there will be two fundamental matches, the first one against Inter, in the championship and then against Bayern in the Champions League: due you feel the pressure of these two matches?

“A certain amount of responsibility is inevitable, even because I think that the fact of wearing a jersey like that of Juventus is already something very important and prestigious, which must go hand in hand with the history of this club and therefore even with the objectives that the club has always established, that is those of winning whenever and whatever it may be”.

About the criticism of Melo, Amauri and Diego after the match against Bordeaux: what did you think of them? Did you manage to speak to them?

“Yes, sure. I often speak to them. They are very serene guys, excellent professionals. Surely, the criticism which was addressed to them should be shared by us because at the end of the day the truth is one: we lose as a team and win as a team. This is the only certainty I have. Clearly, the fact that theyw ere attacked hurt me and I think it hurt the whole group because such an attack should hold everyone responsible and must make sure that this group works harder to come out of this moment of difficulty. It would be the best thing for everyone, to give ourselves great performances and good victories”.

Do you have any advice for them seeing your long experience at Juventus?

“Surely when you join Juventus everything changes and that which is expected from you when you are considered a great player, and they are great players, is enormous. I think that at that moment when that a false step is taken, it is inevitable for the new players to get the blame. However reality is different, reality is that as soon as they lack a bit in giving the input we know, it is because there are a number of problems that do not allow them to perform at their best.

This attack on them must not exempt all the others from their faults because we all feel responsible and it is only fair that this sense of responsibility touches everyone. Then to say the truth, I think they are three great champions, who all Europe if not the whole world wanted and Juve managed to sign them before the best football clubs. Certainly, in all honesty, I am very happy to have them in my team and I am convinced they will help us win something important”.

Are they tranquil?

“They are very tranquil, even because they are not careless or the last of the class. When they came here, they had already won something important and therefore they do not need to prove anything. I think that in these moments, it is only with strength, the help of your team mates and the strength of a great group, that one can emerge without paying further consequences. This is also because they don’t need it, it is nkt afir and neither we need it”.

What about the disagreeing voices heard in your dressing rooms after the match against Bordeaux: what do you have to say about that?

“I answer that all the eye to eye talks we had from the start of the season up to now, have always been very constructive. Each one of us always brought his ideas and his vision of the problems. It is clear that the coach must take the situation into his hands and on the basis of all that is said understand, what at that point in time is the most important thing to solve. I any case all our dialogues were always very constructive.”

The Inter captain said that if the chants against Balotelli ahd to be repeated he would ask the referee to stop the match. On Wednesday you were the protagonist of a beautiful gesture, going under the stands and telling the supporters to stop it. Do you agree, besides in this specific case, in general, would ask the referee to stop the match?

“I think one thing: racist chants or of this type do not do well not only with regards to football but also to society in general. My certainty is that the Juve supporters are very correct and surely they will not fall into the trap of singing offensive or racist chants against him. I am sure that the correctness of the Juve public is known worldwide”.

Your ardous gesture two years ago against Cagliari, which I am sure you remember well, represents a bit that which was the spirit of Juventus in that match and that which perhaps is the spirit you must always have and the attitude to maintain.

“That was a gesture that characterized not only that match but a long period of time which included 4 or 5 years, during which Juve had made out of great character and the will never to give up, its best weapon. Certainly, even now I think that we still show it sometimes but we must be more consistent in order to reach our goals and prestigious objectives. This is inevitable.”

Juventus.com

Poulsen Looking Ahead

"Bordeaux is a great team but we played a bad match. We must improve on Sunday against Cagliari, an important match before the home match against Inter. Against Bordeaux things turned out badly but there is still one match for us to qualify to the final 16".

Christian Poulsen, interviewed on Juventus Channel, looks ahead. The Dane is already thinking of the next matches against Cagliari, Inter and Bordeaux, crucial matches for the season of Juventus:

"They will be three big tests for the team, three very important moments for us". Christian is winning himself an even more important role at Juventus, while up to a few months ago he seemed like he would be leaving:

"In Summer I went through a difficult time but I prepared very well and now I feel at ease with the mechanisms of the team. Last year served me as a lesson". In reality, Poulsen, has improved very much after a running-in period and compared to last year:

"Juve is a great team and it was not easy fitting in. I like being here however, there is a great group and I think that my performances this year have improved".

Juventus.com

Training In Vinovo. Press Conference On Saturday At 13:30hrs

The team worked this morning in Vinovo for nearly two hours. After a warm-up, the players took part in 8 against 10 tactical exercises and a mini-match on half the field.

The players who did not take part in the session were Salihamidzic, who is currently proceeding with his recovery programme, Amauri and Grosso. The last two took part in physiotherapy and gym work. The striker is healing from the bruising in Bordeaux while Grosso is suffering of muscle strain to his right leg and his availability for Sunday will be certified in the next few hours.

Juventus.com

27-11-09 Juventus News

Serie A Preview: Cagliari - Juventus
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Alessandro Del Piero Plays Down Juventus' Poor Form
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My Comments Were Not Intended To Criticise Ciro Ferrara - Juventus Ace Diego
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Poulsen Ready For Three Finals
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Nicola Legrottaglie Relishing Derby D'Italia Against Inter
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Amauri And Grosso Doubtful
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Costa Wants Tiago Arrival
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Inter Will Leave The Pitch If Juventus Fans Abuse Balotelli – Javier Zanetti
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Blog: Only Time Will Tell
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Club Focus - Juventus - Failure Reverberates Throughout The Club
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Against Racism

The day after the match against Bordeaux, Juventus confirms its condemning of any form of racism. In addition to the words by Momo Sissoko, spoken at the end of the match, come those of president Jean-Claude Blanc, who already prior to the match, had guaranteed the club’s commitment in the battle against racism.

"I am absolutely contrary to any form of racism is sport and in life" said Momo Sissoko. "Us players – continued the midfielder – have confirmed our position on every occasion. We did all possible and Juventus as club took all the necessary steps. Now it is the institutions that must intervene".

"As I declared before the match – said president Blanc – Juventus will never stop being against any form of racism until all chants and attitudes that we have always censored disappear completely. We try to transmit the culture of respect and fair play to our youngsters, we collaborate with UNESCO to promote these values and we want our stadium to be a place where everybody feels at home and where children can live a sport experience".

Juventus.com

Iaquinta: "My Recovery Is Proceeding Well"

"The recovery is proceeding well. Now we must be patient and wait for the knee to lose the swell so that I can return to running. Then, depending on how it will react to the normal work, we will evaluate on when I can get back. I hope to be 100% fit by January".

There is still some time until we see Vincenzo Iaquinta on the field, but the morale of the striker, seeing the progress of the knee operated upon on the 27th of October, is god, even though seeing his mates on television without being able to give a helping hand is always painful:

"It is a bad sensation, with which one must live – explained Vincenzo on Juventus Channel. I saw the match against Bordeaux: it was not a nice match. We wanted to do well in order to qualify for the final 16. Seeing the result of Bayern however, nothing would have changed even if we drew. Now the attitude against the Germans will be fundamental: we must not play for a draw but to win".

While awaiting the decisive match in the Champions League, the team will be delving back into the championship with the big match against Inter drawing close:

"Before, however, we must play against Cagliari and we must raise our heads. On the 5th of December there will be the very important match against Inter, but first we must think of the other matches".

Juventus.com

Juventus At Work. No Problems For Amauri

Juventus, after having returned from Bordeaux, got back to training this morning, in front of their fans who were present on the stands of the sports centre in Vinovo. The bianconeri first analyzed the reasons for the defeat in France with the technical staff and then most of the players entered the field. Legrottaglie, Grosso and Felipe Melo stayed in the gym, while the other players who took part in yesterday’s match had an unwinding session.

Amauri, who left the field during the match against Bordeaux due to a gluteus problem, underwent an ultrasound scan and medical check-up. The tests excluded any muscular or tendon problems. Tomorrow he will undergo further tests and could return immediately to working with his mates.

The rest of the squad took part in athletic and technical exercises and a mini-match on a reduced field together with a few players from the Primavera. Physiotherapy and separate training for Iaquinta, Trezeguet and Salihamidzic.

Juventus.com

26-11-09 Juventus News

Ferrara Gives Credit To Bordeaux
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(Pictures) Bordeaux - Juventus 2-0

(Video) Bordeaux - Juventus 2-0

Amauri Leaves The Field For A Problem In The Gluteus

Besides the defeat, there is another reason not to be satisfied with the match against Bordeaux. The reason is Amauri. The Brazilian left the field on the 32nd minute of the second half, substituted by Giovinco for a problem with the gluteus. His conditions will be examined tomorrow when the team returns to Vinovo.

Immobile: «We Are Disappointed Because We Came Here To Win"

Ciro Immobile made his debut in the Champions League and yet this did not bring luck: "My debut was not ideal since we lost and even though Ferrara tried to change the scheme things did not work out".

The young striker analyzed the match like a seasoned player: "In the first half the rythm was slow and we did not manage to create difficulties for them. We could have created problems for them if we played faster but we did not manage. The morale is obviously not the best but we know that we can win the next match and this is what we must do".

"We are disappointed because we came here to win and we could have obtained something more.Bordeaux had a good solid defence but they were also very strong in midfield and they have an important striker like Chamakh".

Juventus.com

Legrottaglie: "We Did Not Play Like Juventus"

Five matches in the Champions League and 3 goals conceded. These are the statistics of the bianconeri in Europe. The numbers however do not show that all these goals were suffered against Bordeaux and all from set pieces.

After the one by Plasil in the first leg (on off-side), which brought to the draw after the lead by Iaquinta, now came the 2-0 by Fernando and Chamakh for a 2-0 that will force Juventus to play for it all in the last match against Bayern. Legrottaglie, as a defender, analyzed this aspect:

"It is a pity because we conceded the first goal during our best moment. The set pieces are always decisive in football. They have this strength and they took advantage. I am sorry mostly because today we did not play like Juventus but we know what our mistakes were. We must put this defeat aside with the same equilibrium that we use after a victory and think with hope of the match against Bayern".

Juventus.com

Ferrara: "I Am Sorry. Now We Want To Win Against Bayern"

It could have been the night that brought an end to the games. Instead, the 5th match day had another verdict: Bordeaux won themselves the top spot of the table after having already achieved the qualification to the final 16.

With regards to the second place it will be a duel between Juventus and Bayern with the bianconeri – on the 8th December – able to hope for 2 results out of 3 and count on the help of the Olimpico public.

Before thinking of the match against the German side however one must analyze the stop in France. Ciro Ferrara cannot be satisfied with the performance of the team:

"On the eve of the match I said we must avoid fouls outside the area and instead we committed many and were punished for this. On set pieces we must be more careful and tonight we weren’t. Today we did not manage to play well as a team and even the individual players were affected".

"I am sorry about this defeat because we wanted to end the games but we did not deserve it. I am still hopeful for the next match.We will be playing at home and against Bayern we will try to win. We will not be satisfied with a draw".

Juventus.com

Juve Suffer Their First Champions League Defeat Of The Season

Juve started off with the now traditional 4-2-3-1 formation with Del Piero in the starting line-up. Bordeaux immediately started off with great determination and on the 3rd minute benefited of the first free-kick: Buffon saves incredibly into corner. Three minutes later the French side has another free-kick: Tremoulinas shot hits the wall. Caceres clears.

On the 8th minute, there is a ball into the Juve area. Caceres manages to anticpate the French striker. Four minutes later, there is a corner for Juve: ball dangerously into the area but the defence manages to clear in some way or another.

The 17th minute sees a ball into the Juve area but Melo clears into out. One minute later, there is a good Juve initiative by Diego and Sissoko but the Mali player slips as he is about to score.

On the 22nd minute, there is a free-kick for Juve: ball into the area, Chiellini with a magnificent elevation over Diarra heads the ball off the ground but it goes slightly high. Seconds later there is a great recovery by Chiellini.

It is the 24th minute when there is another corner for Bordeaux: ball cleared by the Juve defence. The French side is awarded another corner one minute laterafter a dangerous deviation in the area: ball into the Juve area but Buffon waves it away before a good clearance by Caceres.

On the 29th minute, a good Sissoko long ball finds Del Piero who passes to Diego who with a good shot sees the keeper saving. Good play by Juve. Two minutes later there is a corner for Bordeaux: the Juve defence clears.

The 35th minute sees a good run by Caceres who crosses to Del Piero but the ball is a bit too long. Three minutes later, Buffon performs a miracle on Chamakh before the ball is cleared by the defence. From the rebound it is a super Chiellini who clears into corner.

Juve continue to defend from the continuous Bordeaux attacks and on the 44th minute there is a free-kick for Bordeaux from outside the area following a foul by Melo: ball goes wide. The first half ends in a deadlock.

The second half sees Juve trying to react but Bordeaux are a hard nut to crack. On the 1st minute Amauri enters the area but he is stopped for off-side. One minute later, there was a great clearance by Chiellini and seconds later, an Amauri cross from the right is intercepted by the defence.

On the 5th minute, there is a free-kick for Bordeaux following dangerous play by Legrottaglie: the Juve comes out well clearing the danger. Three minutes later another free-kick for Bordeaux marks the turning point of the match: ball into the area and Fernando heads home for the opener: 1-0.

The 11th minute sees a great shot by Melo from outside the area going inches high over the bar. Two minutes later a great Diego shot is saved by Carasso. It is the 16th minute when there is yet another free-kick for Bordeaux: ball cleared by Caceres after a series of faulty tackles. One minute later, a Wendel shot goes high.

On the 19th minute, Del Piero puts a perfect ball into the area but Diego and Amauri did not manage to deviate into the net. Two minutes later, there is a free-kick for Juve: Diego's ball is blocked by the defence.

The 22nd minute sees Immobile coming on for Del Piero. Seconds later, a Diego shot is blocked by the defence. It is the 26th minute when there is a corner for Bordeaux: ball cleared by the defence but from the rebound a Plasil shot goes wide.

One minute later, there is a ball into the Juve area but a Molinas shot goes wide. On the 31st minute Giovinco comes on for Amauri. The atomic ant immediately has an impact on the match and Juve play their best football of the match.

On the 32nd minute there is a corner for Juve: ball deviated once again into corner. From the second flag-kick the ball goes directly into the hands of the keeper. Six minutes later, there is a free-kick for Juve following a foul on Giovinco: Diego's shot goes well high over the bar.

The 40th minute sees another free-kick for the French side: Buffon saves punching the ball into corner. From the flag the ball is put into the area but Sissoko frees from danger. On the 43rd minute Marchisio comes on for Sissoko. In the last of the 90 minutes Caceres saves well on a Bordeaux initiative. It is the 94th minute when Chamakh heads home from a corner for the 2-0.

The match ends with Juve suffereing their first defeat of the season in the Champions League. The bianconeri remain second in the table with 8 points but only one point ahead of Bayern Munich against whom they will be playing the last match of the groups stage in Turin. A draw will be enough to assure Ferrara’s team of qualification.

Champions League, Group A – 5th match day
Bordeaux, Chaban-Delmas Stadium
Wednesday 25th November, 2009

BORDEAUX – JUVENTUS: 2-0

Goals: Fernando (53rd), Chamakh (92nd)

BORDEAUX: Carrasso (Rame 56th), Chalme’, Planus, Ciani, Tremoulinas, Diarra, Fernando, Gouffran (Traore 76th), Plasil, Wendel; Chamakh. Reserves: Rame, Cavenaghi, Bellion, Placente, Sertic, Traore, Sane. Coach: Blanc.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Caceres, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Grosso; Felipe Melo, Sissoko (Marchisio 87th), Camoranesi, Diego, Del Piero (Immobile 67th), Amauri (Giovinco 76th). Reserves: Manninger, Grygera, Cannavaro, Marchisio, Poulsen, Giovinco, Immobile. Coach: Ferrara.

Referee: Edoardo Itturalde Gonzalez

Yellow Cards: Camoranesi (33rd), Felipe Melo (45th), Legrottaglie (51st), Caceres (59th), Fernando (54th), Traore (89th),

Juventus.com

Pre Match Press Kit: Bordeaux - Juventus

Pre Match Press Kit: Bordeaux - Juventus

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Bordeaux-Juventus Tonight. All About The Opponents And Previous Encounters

Tonight at 20:45hrs the bianconeri will be on the field in Bordeaux in an attempt to secure qualification against Laurent Blanc’s side. Ferrara’s team has 8 points in the table and is second right after the French team (who have already qualified), thanks to two victories against Maccabi and two draws against Bordeaux and Bayern Munich.

Previous encounters – In history there is only one match between the two teams, but one which is a fundamental stage because it meant qualification to the Champions Cup final in 1985. The match was played in France and was the return of the semi-finals. Giovanni Trapattoni’s team was strong of a 3-0 victory at the Comunale.

The coach fielded the following formation: Bodini, Favero, Cabrini; Bonini, Caricola, Scirea; Briaschi, Tardelli, Rossi, Platini and Boniek. The match ended 2-0 in favour of the home team thanks to goals by Muller on the 24th of the first half and of libero Battiston, pillar of the French national team, ten minutes from full time. The best Bodini was necessary to avoid extra time with the goalkeeper performing incredible saves.

It is worth noting that it was on that occasion that RAI TV transmitted a sort of live score ahead of time. Simultaneously the match between Real Madrid and Inter, valid for the UEFA Cup, was being played. RAI’s first channel inaugurated the split-screen transmission of the two matches, an experiment which contributed a great deal to the heightening of the adrenaline rush of the audience (the nerazzurri, lost 3-0).

Bordeaux in the championship – When we met Bordeaux in the first leg, Laurent Blanc’s team, 2009 French champions, were reaping the fruits of an excellent start in Ligue 1. After 5 match days they were heading the table together with Lyon with 13 points, as a result of 4 victories and a draw. The situation at the moment is rather complicated. Bordeaux is second in the table, one point behind the surprise of the tournament, Auxerre.

Up to now they have collected 8 victories, 1 draw and no less than 4 defeats. With 20 goals scored, Chamakh and friends have the 6th best attack in the championship. The defence is much better: with 10 goals conceded it is together with that of the leaders the best defence. In the last match, played on Saturday, Bordeaux suffered a surprising defeat against Valenciennes: it was a goal by Samassa that condemned the girondini to forfeiting the top spot.

Bordeaux in the Champions League – With 10 points collected in the first 4 matches, Bordeaux has already qualified for the knock-out stage of the Champions League. After the 1-1 draw obtained in Turin, the French side beat Maccabi in Israel thanks to a goal by Ciani 7 minutes from full-time. It was a victory which was far from easy, having suffered the attacks of the hosts in the first part of the match.

In the next matches, Blanc’s men won 2-1 against Bayern at home, with a come-back victory following a number of lost chances (6-3). The return match was fundamental with the 2-0 victory in Germany thanks to goals by the Gourcouff-Chamakh due and their great skills to take advantage of the chances produced during the match.

Juventus and Bordeaux in comparison – From a technical-tactical point of view, up to now, Bordeaux have registered more ball possession then Juventus and even a greater number of useful passes which are necessary to create numerical superiority.

Ferrara’s team basis itself more on the construction of maneuvers starting from behind with the ball on the ground and collected a greater number of goal opportunities and shots on goal. Finally, the bianconeri have the least beaten defence of the Champions League and even the team – after Barcellona and Arsenal – to have conceded the least number of shots on goal.

Juventus.com

25-11-09 Juventus News

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No Suspended Players For Match Against Cagliari. Poulsen Reaches Yellow Cards Limit.

For the match on Sunday at the Sant’Elia, there will be no suspended players for Cagliari and Juventus. This has been the decision of the sport authorities who today published the sentences with regards to the matches of the 13th match day.

There are no suspended players amongst the bianconeri but the list of those who have reached the yellow card limit is growing. The yellow card received by Poulsen against Udinese is his third of the season and therefore the Danish national has been inserted in the list which already includes Legrottaglie and Grygera.

No problem for Diego and Del Piero, the other two players who were shown the yellow card on Sunday night: the Brazilian is on his second while the captain on his first.

With regards to suspensions, there is a decision which affects Juventus closely. Inter player Maicon has been suspended for two matches following the sending-off during the match on Saturday against Bologna and will therefore miss the direct encounter on the 5th of December in Turin.

With reference to the match on Sunday night against Udinese, the sport authorities have decided to fine the club €20,000 since – as quoted from the statement issued – “its supporters, on four occasions during the match, sung chants which were insulting and incited violence against a footballer of another club (art. 12,3 and 6 CGS); entity of the sanction executed ex. Art 13,1b) and) ,2 CGS for the club not having worked to prevent such deplorable behavior”.

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(Pictures) Pre Bordeaux - Juventus

Juventus And Its Former Administrators Acquitted From Procedures Regarding Fraud

Juventus have received with satisfaction the sentence of absolution pronounced by the Turin Tribunal with regards to the current procedures on balance fraud. Thanks to the defensive strategy of all of the accused forwarded in recent years, the tribunal recognized the correctness of the club’s behavior.

The surveys deposited by the legal aides of Juventus – which supported the thesis according to which the evaluation of players cannot be established on the basis of “listings” or other parameters which aren’t actual to the transfer market – and the defensive memories of all of the accused have therefore allowed judge Dante Cibinel to acquit the club and its former administrators Antonio Giraudo, Luciano Moggi and Roberto Bettega, for not having committed the facts they were accused of.

Finally, Juventus wanted to clarify that it never disassociated itself from the defensive activities of all of the accused but limited itself to defining together with the Procura della Repubblica di Torino a congruent sum for the administrative violations which might have eventually been recognized as the club’s responsibility.

Juventus.com

Del Piero: "Ready For The Champions League"

"I feel well, I have recovered and after nearly three months without playing it was not easy to get back. I am happy I had the right spirit and attention. I am convinced that my fitness will improve".

Alex Del Piero, after his return to the championship, is also ready for his European debut of the season: "There is no impediment, neither physical nor mental, why I should not be ready. Obviously, it would be my second match after a long time. It depends on the coach’s decisions and whatever the decision is it will be respected" underlined the captain.

With regards to his position on the field, Alex is open to novelties: "Since July I did not always train with the team, the coach tried the rhombus formation, the 4-2-3-1 and the 4-3-3 and there were never problems from my side. There was no constraint with regards to my position on the field".

Juve is preparing to play against Bordeaux who qualified with two matches yet to be played for the final 16 round:

"It is not a surprise but nearly, because when you think of the group, at the beginning, you would have thought it was more balanced and one would have though that until the very end the two qualification spots would have been in contention".

On Wednesday night there is also the possibility of qualifying as group winners: "Coming first is important for the tradition, but relatively important to go through to the final 16 round, where in any case will play against very very strong teams".

Finally, answering those who, after the two day suspension given to Maicon, he feels good, due to a curse which he might have pronounced during the match against Udinese, Alex said sarcastically:

"The difference is that Maicon told the referee “to go” while I said “I’ll go”, and therefore I think he felt exempted. Joking apart, I think that they are two different cases: my curse was not addressed to the referee but to the fact that I was shown a yellow card which I deemed unjust".

Juventus.com

Ferrara: "We Want To Qualify"

"In reality we have not yet qualified and therefore we must win the three points against Bordeaux. It is also true that Bordeaux will want to maintain the top spot in the table".

Ferrara agrees with his former team-mate that Juventus have more pressure then Bordeaux, but on the other hand, he is happy about the fact that the qualification depends on the bianconeri:

"Certainly, a draw would not change our life, unless the match between Bayern and Maccabi favours us. We however, are lucky enough that qualification is up to us and so we do not depend on the result of others".

Against Bordeaux we will need an even more determined Juventus then the one seen against Udinese:

"In a competition like this it this difficult to see a match like the one against Udinese, when we played against a team that closed the gaps and came to us with a formation which might have been conditioned by the absentees. In the Champions League, the spaces must be bigger because the teams tend to impose play. We could risk more, but we could have even more opportunities. Changes in formation? It is possible".

Bordeaux will have to face many absentees, in what is not an easy period when it comes to results:

"When it comes to injuries we have had quite a few already this season. Now it seems that Bordeaux have a few problems, but is makes little difference. Indipendently from the absences we want the three points strongly and we will find a team which will surely create problems for us. Bordeaux in the first leg created difficulties and it will be the same even tomorrow, even though at this moment they are finding it difficult in the championship".

Tomorrow’s match will once again put Ferrara against his former team-mate Blanc, who is currently, just like him, the coach of an important team:

"As a coach he obtained important results and I think he is one of the best emerging coaches. Even as a player he had the characteristics of a leader, the ones necessary to lead a team. Even though I just met him and I told him that Juventus is the strongest... he is already crying" smiled the Juventus coach.

Juve want the qualification and the first place really badly, even though this is not absolutely necessary for progress in the Champions League:

"Due to its tradition I think Juve must always aim for the highest position. Now we are two points behind and for us it is important to qualify. Even though coming first does not win you the trophy, in fact, many times it was won by teams that came second, I would do without, but, I repeat, as per tradition, Juve must aim for the maximum".

Juventus.com

Laurent Blanc: "More Pressure On Juventus"

Jussiè and Gorcouff will not recover while there is a slight possibility of recovery for Chamakh. During the press conference held on the eve of the match between Bordeaux and Juventus, Laurent Blanc still nurtures some hope to recover the Franco-Moroccan:

"After the injury suffered by Chamakh we had little of seeing him on the field tomorrow. In the last 48 hours he improved a lot and we hope that this evolution continues until tomorrow".

The injuries have not changed Blanc’s plans: "I will prepare the match in the same way I would have prepared it if I had all the players at my disposal. It is always interesting to play against Juventus, at home, as I do not have to do anything when it comes to motivation".

"Since the last match, Juve changed their way of playing since they are fielding only one striker. There will not be Iaquinta but there will be Diego and Sissoko and I think there will also be Juventus’ best player: Gigi Buffon".

The match will probably be a decisive one for the first place in Group A: "I will not be original if I say that the first place would give us a greater advantage for the final 16. We saw what happened last year. If Lyon had won the group they would have avoided Barcellona in the final 16. There would also be the advantage of playing the second match at home".

The bianconeri will definitely have more pressure compared to the girondini: "Juventus is playing for their qualification and therefore has more pressure because if they had to lose against us they would have to play for qualification in the last match seeing that Bayern will most probably beat Maccabi Haifa. We only have the pressure of winning the first place. They still need to qualify".

Bordeaux is advancing well in the Champions League, but in the championship they had some problems lately:

"A positive result against Juve would help us, sure, but in any case we would find a perfect situation: we are already qualified and we will playing in a sold-out stadium against Juventus. This is a great pleasure, even though the greatest pleasure of football is winning. In the Champions League things are going excellently while in the championship we have encountered some difficulties, but nothing worrying. There are teams with much greater problems. If I could I would play this match myself".

Juventus.com

Fine-Tuning At Chaban-Delmas

Juventus had a taste of the field of the Chaban-Delmas stadium where tomorrow they will be playing the penultimate match of the Champions League group stage. The group at the disposal of Ferrara was a numerous one, with the coach working with 21 players, besides the three goalkeepers, who were busy with a long programme and athletic exercises before the tactical part, during which the last details were perfected in view of tomorrow’s match. As per schedule, Hasan Salihamidzic trained separately as part of his recovery programme.

Twenty-Five Summoned For Bordeaux

1. Buffon
2. Caceres
3. Chiellini
4. Felipe Melo
5. Cannavaro
6. Grosso
7. Salihamidzic
8. Marchisio
10. Del Piero
11. Amauri
12. Chimenti
13. Manninger
15. Zebina
16. Camoranesi
18. Poulsen
19. Molinaro
20. Giovinco
21. Grygera
22. Sissoko
23. Ariaudo
28. Diego
29. De Ceglie
30. Tiago
33. Legrottaglie
40. Immobile

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