For the championship match on Sunday afternoon against Bologna, Alberto Zaccheroni called-up 21 players.
The coach from Romagna will not be able to count on Caceres, who has not received after having missed the match on Thursday against Ajax and will stay in Turin to continue undergoing medication. The same applies to Giovinco who will not be leaving out of precaution due to a slight muscle strain to the back of the thigh. Also not called-up are Iaquinta, Poulsen and Chimenti. To compensate Fabio Cannavaro is back after having recovered from the injury suffered in Livorno.
«We are about to face a team which is fresh from three away matches during which they won against Bari, Fiorentina and Livorno, drew with Chievo and Verona and at home with Milan».
The last results of Bologna, spoken of by Zaccheroni during the press conference, were more then eloquent. The Juventus coach knows he will be meeting a team which is in form and a great deal is owed to his colleague Franco Colomba: «He joined when the season had already begun and was very clever to immediately undertsand the players he has. Without too much pomp he managed to take advantage as best he could of the available players, immediately focusing on the objective and obtaining the disposition of the team and results».
When he made to note the same words can be said about him, Zac shielded himself: «I just arrived and haven’t yet given a culture to this team. It has not yet been made more solid. Colomba had more time at his disposal to give his players equilibrium and work for results. I am still trying to do so».
Against Genoa and Ajax, however, progress could be seen: «The victory against Ajax is linked more to compactness of the team then to tactical chemistry. I work on equilibriums and then the players must interpret the individual moments. Even though I have recently got to know the boys, I believe I can exclude they think they have solved all the problems. The characteristic I liked most of this team is compactness. They hold each otehr’s hands, play like a team and not as single players but we haven’t yet done anything: we have had a breath of fresh air and got back into the group. I will be careful that this concept is clear».
The message is clear, the team must keep their feet on the ground: «I do not dream. I give myself priorities: the first is to have the best Amauri, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Camoranesi, Grygera, etc... managing to bring to the right form all the players I have available to be able to make the best choice. I do not like to field players who are out of form».
The words thens hifted to the conditions of the single players: «Trezeguet is not yet ready for the full 90 minutes but he can play part of the match. Having been at a stop for a long time he has still way to go. Sissoko must recover the best condition: not that his performance is not satisfactory but we are used to getting much more from him. I think this moment is the consequence of various injuries which he had to deal with. Marchisio as winger with a 3-strong defence? He has the characteristics to play in this position but he must think everytime he is about to move because he is not used to playing in that way and I tend to avoid such situations. I am here to facilitate the role of the players and not to complicate it. Melo? He has great qualities and I am working for him to develop them and maintain them not only in one match but in all of them».
With regards to single players, Bologna will be missing Di Vaio: «He is the best striker of the team and therefore with him absent Bologna will be losing out a great deal even though the forward line is probably the best of their departments, in fact they are the team with the highest goal average in comparison to the number of goal opportunities created.».
Picking up on a question about the situation of supporters in Italy, Zaccheroni widened the subject to the whole football culture: «Our problem is the daughter of the result. I do not like to make comparisons but we often see foreign football on television, particularly English and Spanish. In the first they ask for great generosity while in the second they praise the players if they play good football. In our country, if we win 1-0 with one shot on goal and 8 posts hit by the opponents, we are happy. It is our culture, starting from the nurseries and we must live with it».
Finally, as an answer to those who asked him to replicate to Mourinho’s provocation, Zac answered by saying: «First of all I have many problems to solve and cannot afford to be distracted by thinking of something else. Secondly, I am not a commentator and finally the Federation did not give me the role to say what is right and what is not in Italian football».
The captain had a few but very significnt words to say before he was forced to cut short due to the waiting flight back home:
"We are happy with the victory. Let us hope that we go on like this which would be really important for Juventus. We managed to comeback on Sunday and we did so again today. Today we managed to do so against Ajax who started off really well and this gives us lucidity and we managed to win".
The scorer of both goals after the one against Genoa on Sunday, that is 3 goals in four days, the Brazilian celebrated with enthusiasm: "I am happy and satisfied. I really needed it. I couldn’t wait. I thank God and hope to continue like this ".
With regards to the substitution with Salihamidzic, Amauri explained: "I had the same problem on Sunday, a slight pain to the sciatica nerve. Nothing serious though. The problem is that playing two consecutive matches within a few days and without resting leaves its effect immediately".
Finally a flash on the team’s conditions: "We’re improving".
The match was not an easy one and this is also underlined by Gigi Buffon after the match: "Surely we did concede a few opportunities because they are a team of great value and we played in a very warm stadium and so it unavoidable to concede certain opportunities".
"The goal conceded was one which we have been suffering quite a few of recently. We did not commit a tactical foul and I found him right in front of me and couldn’t do anything. If I had at least 5 centimetres more I would have managed to save it".
Asked what changed in Juventus recently the super-keeper answered: "You know, when there is a change of coach it is normal that there is a reaction from the team. On the other hand the coach has helped us very much when it comes to tactics. Obviously we have a part in it too".
One of the best players on the field at the Amsterdam Arena was without any doubt Nicola Legrottaglie who played with eligance and efficiency.
"It was quite some time since we did not win two consecutive matches and we did so in a great stadium against a great team and this is for us an injection of faith and we hope we will continue like this as from Bologna on Sunday".
The only black dot is the yellow card received: "The yellow card was my fault because I told the referee a bit too vociferly that it was the second foul the player had committed".
What has changed? : "We are trying to get used to the formations tried out by the coach during the week and we are seeing the first results".
Ajax however played a good match: "They have a number of very talented and promising players but it is easier to play in the Dutch championship rather then on European level or in the Italian championship".
Some may argue that the Europa League is nothing like the champions League and yet it has its value: «"he Europa League is a very respectible competition and progressing in this competition for us would be very important and satisfying".
Three matches a week is no joke and fatigue may have the upper hand: "Playing 3 matches a week is not easy but i am sure the coach will deal with this well. After all we are convinced that the more you play and the more you win you do not feel tired and the more you want to play. If we manage to register a third consecutive victory on Sunday nobody will say we’re tired".
At the end of the match at Amsterdam Arena a satisfied Zaccheroni commented the match played by his players:
"We knew we had to suffer. It is true that Ajax lacks a bit of personality on an individual level but on a collective level they play well, a very airy game, never lose the ball, participate collectively in the action and if you are not in the right condition it is complicated to get the upper hand".
Zaccheroni was right when he spoke of the team before the match: "I said we would suffer and we would have to strike at the right moment and so it was. We registered an important victory at an important moment" .
Finally a comment on Amauri: "He knows how to play football. I repeat what I said before he got back to scoring: with him you are never a player less. He is a player who plays both with his back to goal and facing it and does so very well. Today we looked for him in the position he is supposed to be and the result can be seen". Juventus.com
Zaccheroni fielded the usual 3-4-1-2 formation with Zebina, Chiellini and Marchisio in the defensive line and Amauri and captain Del Piero as the attacking duo. Ajax start off very aggressively with Suarez the greatest pain for the defence particularly for Zebina who is trying to mark him.
On the 4th minute, the Juve defence clears the area from an Ajax cross. Two minutes later, Suarez enters the area and shoots but the ball goes wide. On the 7th minute there is a corner for Ajax: ball passed into the area but the referee signals an off-side. Another corner for the lancers comes one minute later but Sissoko clears the area.
The 9th minute sees a long ball towards Amauri which is too long for the striker. Two minutes later there is a ball into the Juve area headed slightly wide with Buffon well placed. It is the 12th minute when there is a good ball into the area towards Amauri who is anticipated by a defender. One minute later, Sissoko progresses on the wing but takes the ball beyond the touch line. The quarter of an hour mark sees a free-kick for Juve but the defence clears.
On the counter-attack Suarez passes to Suleimani who runs off, enters the area and beats Buffon for the opener: 1-0. On the 17th minute there is a corner for Juve: ball into the area by Diego with Chiellini heading wide. Three minutes later there is a good cross into the area by Diego with Amauri heading well but the result is not powerful and the keeper is well placed.
Juve are reacting well but on the 21st minute there is a free-kick for Ajax: Suarez shoots straight at Buffon who grabs easily. Four minutes later there is a great insertion by Diego who after receiving from Del Piero shoots with the keeper saving into corner. The 27th minute sees Suarez who enters the area and shoots with Buffon saving but the referee stops the action for a foul in attack.
Two minutes later Sulejmani is shown a yellow card for simulation. On the 31st minute it is time for the bianconeri to rejoice: great cross into the area by De Ceglie following great work by Del Piero and Amauri heads home for the equalizer: 1-1. Two minutes later, Suarez passes into the area towards Vertonghen who hits the ball badly. On the 34th minute there is a corner for Ajax: cross into the area cleared by Sissoko.
Three minutes later, there is a ball by Suarez towards goal cleared into corner by Melo. From the flag the ball is headed by Van der Wiel going wide. The 40th minute sees a free-kick for Ajax just from outside the area: ball reaches a forward who shoots wide. Three minutes later, Buffon saves well on a dangerous cross. On the 45th minute there is a free-kick for Juve: Del Piero shoots just wide.
The first half ends after one minute of stoppage time on a 1-1 score which favour Juve. The second half starts off with Grygera coming on for Zebina and both teams determined to change the result. On the 2nd minute Van der Wiel shoots wide and one minute later there is a good ball by Del Piero towards Amauri but the defence anticipates. Seconds later, a Van der Wiel cross into the area luckily finds no Ajax players.
It is the 6th minute when there is a free-kick for Ajax: the defence clears the De Jong ball. Three minutes later a Sulejmani effort is zeroed by Grygera who even wins the goal-kick. On the 11th minute De Ceglie runs towards the area on the flank and is fouled but the referee signals to play on. One minute later, there is a great cross by Del Piero into the area and Amauri with a precise header over two defenders sends the ball into the corner of the net making it 2: 1-2.
The 18th minute sees Chiellini making an important save on an extremely dangerous ball in the area and a De Jong stunner from outside the area goes just wide. Two minutes later, De Jong misses a sitter as he does not manage to head home from an extremely dangerous cross into the area. It is the 21st minute when there is a free-kick for Juve: Del Piero puts towards Amauri who is anticipated by the defence.
Two minutes later, Buffon makes a good save on a Suarez shot. From the flag the ball sees Buffon grabbing easily. On the 23rd minute a cross into the Ajax area is too high for Amauri who two minutes later is replaced by Salihaidzic due to a persistent pain. On the 28th minute, a dangerous initiative in the Juve area is cleared into corner: from the flag Buffon punches away. The half-hour sees a De Jong cross going just wide and two minutes later the same player (the best of the lancers) hits the bar.
On the 33rd minute, there is a corner for Ajax after a lancers' siege on the Juve goal: Chiellini clears. Trezeguet returns from injury coming on for Diego. It is the 36th minute when an Eriksen shot goes well high over the bar. Three minutes later, there is a free-kick for Ajax: ball goes dangerously close but there are no Ajax players to push it in. On the 42nd minute there is a free-kick for Juve: Del Piero tries a shot but the keeper holds on.
Two minutes later, Buffon saves well on a dangerous cross. The second of the 3 minutes of stoppage time allotted sees Salihmaidzic being sent-off on his first foul in what was to say the least a very strict decision by the referee.
The match ends after three minutes of stoppage time with Juve registering a very important victory with two away goals which augurs well for the return match in a weeks time in Turin.
Europa League, Final 32 first leg Amsterdam, Amsterdam Arena Thursday 18th February 2010 AJAX – JUVENTUS: 1-2
The bianconeri, tonight, will make their debut in the Europa League, playing against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena in a match valid for the final 32. Juventus know the stadium well, having played there against the lancers already 11 times, with a favorable balance of 5 victories and only two defeats.
Tonight’s match will be special for a number of players: For Grygera, who played for Ajax for 4 seasons, for Diego, who last year when playing for Werder Bremen “punished”, the current coach of the Dutch team who was at the time the coach of Hamburg in the semi-final of the Europa League and for Del Piero who at the Amsterdam Arena, wearing the Italy jersey won a historical semi-final in the 2000 European Championship against Holland (3-1 after penalties).
It will be an important match most of all, however, for Juventus who must confirm themselves after the championship victory against Genoa. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00hrs. The return match will be played in Turin on the 25th of February. Who makes it through to the next round will meet the winner of the match between Fulham and Shakhtar Donetsk in the final 16.
The two most important appointments saw Ajax and Juventus play in the final of the top continental trophy. In 1973, it was a goal in the opening minutes by Johnny Rep that decided the Champions Cup final. In 1996 in Rome, the final of the Champions League, saw Marcello Lippi’s Juventus beat Ajax after penalties following the 90 minutes which ended in a 1-1 draw with goals by Ravanelli and Litmanen.
The Old lady visited Amsterdam five times, collecting 2 victories, as many draws and one defeat.
The first time was on the 11th December 1974 in a UEFA Cup tie, the predecessor of the Europa League. The Dutch team won 2-1 with goals by Blankenburg and Muhren with a penalty scored by Damiani in between with Juventus making it through to the quarter-finals thanks to the 1-0 victory in Turin.
The next encounter dates back to 1978 in the Champions Cup. It was Causio who in the dying moments of the match equalized the goal scored by Van Dord scored 4 minutes before.
In 1997 Ajax-Juventus was the first leg of the semi-final of the Champions League. Lippi fielded two young strikers, Amoruso and Vieri, who repaid him with a goal each. The only goal by Litmanen was useless.
Finally in September 2004, Juve beat Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena in the first match of the Champions League which would later see Liverpool’s triumph in Istanbul. It was Pavel Nedved who scored the match winner with a poisonous shot from outside the area.
Fabio Capello fielded the following formation: Buffon, Birindelli, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Camoranesi, Emerson, Blasi, Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Del Piero. Ajax, who at the time were coached by Koeman fielded this line-up: Stekelenburg, De Jong, Heitinga, Grygera, Maxwell, Obodai, Snejider, Van der Vaart, Pienaar, Sonck, Mitea: a formation full of players which are still playing today for important clubs.
"I am facing the Europa League as something new, because the last time I took part it had a different name. It is true, it’s not the Champions League, but there are teams of a very high level who perhaps did not manage to find an optimal condition at the start of the season".
"Tomorrow’s match is a clear symbol of this: Ajax is a team which is perhaps under-rated when one considers it’s history, seeing they won everything and has always brought up extraordinary players".
Alessandro Del Piero is preparing to face a new challenge, the Europa League. It is a challenge which comes at a delicate moment, during which the bianconeri managed to show signs of a comeback:
"I am optimistic. We are happy with Sunday’s victory, because it came after 2 draws, very different from another and it may seem absurd to say but we haven’t suffered a defeat in three weeks. We are approaching this match still not in the best of conditions, neither for the results nor for the players available but these must not be alibis and we must face tomorrow’s match as a very important one that can make us protagonists on a nice stage".
The victory of the competition is an objective that should be pursued with strength and the team has the means of reaching it: "A Juventus at its top under all aspects, medical, psychological and the interpretation of the coach’s ideas, can win it. Unfortunately not all these components are there at the moment but we will do our best".
"Ajax has a consolidated way of playing, which is practiced even by the youngest. It is a true football school and I have great respect for this team: they haven’t lost in 17 matches, has the best attack and the second best defence of the championship and has excellent individual players".
Alberto Zaccheroni spoke of the best qualities of the next opponents of the bianconeri, answering indirectly to the praise received from Martin Jol, the Dutch team’s coach, who underlined that Juventus in the last matches have always tried to bring home a good result:
"Many think that if a team tries to play well it is not positive. I think it is the opposite and therefore I take Jol’s words as a compliment. We haven’t played well up to now, however, when compared to the quality and the value of this team. We can do better and we are trying to re-polish the qualities of all our players".
Zaccheroni insists very much on the necessity to raise the performance level of the bianconeri: "We must launch a series of results. The weekly training can leave a remarkable effect, even though objective at the moment is preparing the four matches that await us. We must improve while playing not during training".
"We are trying to establish what was missing, where we must improve. The means make this possible even without a typical week. I am curious like everybody else and I know that there are always setbacks. I am aware of this under the condition to accelerate immediately".
With Juventus busy in the championship in an attempt to try and qualify for the next Champions League, the mid-week Europa League fixtures could prevent working with consistency:
"Just like in everything else there are the pros and cons.: The Europa League does not allow you to prepare and improve during training but gives you the possibility of meeting teams of a high level in an important competition. Since winning aids winning, these are even more opportunities to address the team towards the positive trend we all expect".
With regards to performance, Zaccheroni is sure it can only improve: "I am very hopeful, for two reasons: the technical value of the squad and the attention that I was given. The players listen and on the field carry out my instructions. Now I must be clever enough to maintain this attention because the daily routine tends to diminish this".
Juventus had its first contact with the field of the Amsterdam Arena, the futuristic stadium which will host tomorrow’s match against Ajax, earlier tonight. The bianconeri entered the field for a fine-tuning session at 18:00hrs. The temperature wasn’t particularly cold especially since the stadium roof was kept closed.
After a warm-up, Zaccheroni carried out a number of ball possession and circulation exercises before concentrating on the tactical aspects of the session during which he ironed out the final details with regards to tomorrow’s match.
It is a day of travelling for the bianconeri who this morning are making their way to Amsterdam where tomorrow evening at 19:00hrs, they will play against Ajax in a match valid for the final 16 of the Europa League.
Nicola Legrottaglie looked back and spoke of the importance of Sunday’s victory against Genoa: "We really needed it. It was important to find faith in ourselves again and now on with Ajax in search of the consistency which has gone missing up to now".
The Juventus defender continued: "With Zaccheroni we are working well and in a systematic manner with the objective of sorting out the season".
Finally a comment about the importance of the Europa League and the next opponents: "It is enough to note the names of the teams particpating in order to understand that it is a prestigious competition. You ask me whether Ajax’s forward line is strong? Our is also".
From Viareggio to Switzerland in a few hours. After having taken part to the marvelous Primavera’s ride, doing for second to Carlo Pinsoglio, Mario Kirev leaves Juventus and goes to Thun till the end of the season.
The young Bulgarian goalkeeper, born in 1989 and fulcrum of Under 21 National Team, so goes to confront with Swiss Championship after having passed many months training together Gigi Buffon, Alexander Manninger and Antonio Chimenti and having played some matches with Primavera, last of which the match won vs. Livorno to recent Coppa Carnevale.
At the end of last training session, before a tactical training, then a short match, Zaccheroni issued summons for the match vs. Ajax. The good news is David Trezeguet is coming back, at his first summons after the injury suffered in Parma last January 6th.
Poulsen and Iaquinta won’t be there, as they will go on with their recovering program, as well as Chimenti who is injured and Cannavaro, who will stay in Torino at precaution rest for a light sciatica. The defender will be back in the group already on Friday.
"Another record, but I’m not getting used to it. And I don’t believe I’ll never will, because for me these are not celebrations of what I did, but only the stimulus to do even better. Vs. Genoa I collected presence number 445 with Juventus jersey in championship. A day to remember started with the applause the audience at the Olimpico tributed to me when vice general manager Roberto Bettega gave me the jersey bearing number 445 and the commemorative plaque".
"I was so happy to receive that applause before the match start, in a moment in which supporters had a little to celebrate, considering the difficult moment, with the victory that was missing since January 6th. They went beyond delusion. I’m happy I had the chance to repay them at the end of the match".
The one with President Boniperti is a comparison that allures the captain: "With this match I overcame Giampiero Boniperti in presences lists, that’s why it’s an important target. Once again my career crosses the President’s one who took me to Juventus, the man who made the Club’s history on the pitch and then in the Club".
"I heard him some time ago, and we joked about matches: he played 444 all in Serie A, while me among mine 445 I’ve played also 31 in Serie B… But joking aside, for what they meant for my career and for Juve, those presences in B are source of pride!"
Del Piero then goes back to the match vs. Genoa and to one victory arriving just at the right time:
"I’m very satisfied of having celebrated such an occasion by a victory we chased till the very last moment, strongly desired, with determination and pride, being able to suffer and catch up as we never did in this season. We really wanted to. It was good scoring two goals in front of my family, who exulted with me on the stands. What a day!"
Finally a deserved applause for Primavera boys who triumphed in Viareggio: "I remember that the first time that I wore Juventus jersey, during season 1993/94, I was a player in Primavera and that year I won Viareggio tournament with my mates".
"It’s good to see that, many years after, Juventus keeps on winning: mister Bruni’s Primavera conquered Viareggio Tournament, for Juve is the second consecutive victory. I know that boys very well, because they often train with us in Vinovo. I’m really happy for this success, to them and to the staff my best compliments".
Making headlines, most of all when you are mistaking. This is what happens to champions such as Gigi Buffon, used to show extraordinary saves and only rarely (very rarely!) to make “human” mistakes. Like it happened Sunday afternoon during the match vs. Genoa, a match that Juventus number one won’t easily forget. Because of the match, won in a fundamental moment of the season, but also because of the many affection gestures he received.
Gigi spoke of it directly on his internet site www.gianluigibuffon.com. "Vs. Genoa we achieved a victory I’d define essential, considering the moment we were going through. The dedication with which we always worked was rewarded, but also the suffering of this period. I think everybody noticed the way we celebrated at the end".
A collective embrace, and Buffon was in the center of it. All his mates showed their nearness to him. Just like Juventus supporters did. The goalkeeper cannot thank each of them personally: "All my mates went and hug me and this encouraged me a lot".
"I want to thank them all for this, but not only them. I was very impressed by how Juventus supporters behaved with me. They did not hesitate and started singing songs for me, showing a great love for me. A love for Buffon the man, more than for Buffon the player. For me it was such a nice feeling and I’ll do my best to repay this love they have for me".
A season like this, Ciro Immobile will find it hard to forget it. Many weeks working with the Main Team, his debut in Champions League in Bordeaux, many goals in Primavera championship and now one in Viareggio to be defined as perfect.
Ten goals and absolute record of the Tournament equaled. Best scorer award and also of best player. In a few words, an authentic puller who, by goals and determinant plays, pushed the team to another triumph. After the double goal a year ago during the final vs. Sampdoria, now three goals vs. Empoli.
A deserved cover for the Campania bomber, also for the marvelous dedication at the end of the match:
"This victory is dedicated to Alessio Ferramosca and Riccardi Neri, they are in our hearts and they are always with us, from up above they helped us win. This Viareggio has been unforgettable, for the team and for me. I’m happy I gave my contribution to the team, just as my mates helped me scoring".
"We are a very united group, we love each other and we have a marvelous trainer. We arrived here with the idea to win and not loose time, playing always with the right concentration. The Main team? I improved a lot working with so many champions".
Viareggio is more bianconera than ever. The feeling linking Juventus to Viareggio Cup is even stronger. Primavera wins again Coppa Carnevale, beating Empoli in the final 4-2 thanks to three goals by Immobile and a goal by Yago.
The triumph of one year ago is repeated, but also the fifth success on the last eight editions. After the victories achieved in 1961, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009, here the seventh seal!
Is the ninth big enterprise for the team trained by Luciano Bruni which continues its path so resounding so far. By this 62nd Viareggio Cup already in the showcase, there is still the head of championship round and Coppa Italia semifinals.
For final act, Luciano Bruni once again trusts to most part of the team which played the whole tournament. Compared to the semifinal with Atalanta, captain Marrone is back. With Secco, Castagnini and Pessotto watching from the stands, on the pitch a team with Pinsoglio goalkeeper, back guard with Bamba and Crivello on sides, De Paola and Alcibiade in the middle. In front of the defense, the dam by Marrone and Giandonato. The trio Esposito, Yago and Belcastro confirmed at Ciro Immobile back.
The bianconeri try to start strongly and around minute 10’ they create three good opportunities in a few seconds by Esposito, Immobile and Marrone. Empoli is there and shows to deserve the final. Guitto hits a pole and, after a while, Pinsoglio is forced to an exit to stop Domitru heading for the goal.
After many emotions the goal arrives. At 19’, Yago gets a short save by the goalkeeper Addario who is forced to put him down: penalty that Immobile scores with coldness, before exulting, showing a t-shirt dedicated to Alessio Ferramosca and Riccardo Neri. It’s the goal unlocking the challenge and deciding also the first half. Tuscans try what possible but they are too little determinate and Bruni’s team is just controlling.
Second half. To avoid risks, Juventus decides to close the file at the beginning of second half. Already at minute 8’ another goal arrives. Esposito escapes on the right and crosses, Addario is once again not so precise in exit and Immobile punishes him again: 2-0 and easier match.
Empoli feels the weight and the bianconeri takes advantage of the situation. At 13’ Yago kicks masterly by left foot, and sacks the third goal. But it’s not over. At minute 20’ Immobile once again: 4-0 and at minute 10th, the bomber scores again, winning personal awards like the top scorer title and most of all Tournament best scorer.
Bruni starts changing so Esposito and Immobile are out for Boniperti and Fischnaller. The tension wanes and Empoli exploits this moment finding a sudden one-two by Tognarelli and Tonelli, on as many still actions: 4-2 15 minutes to the end.
A quarter of an hour to live with the right concentration. With no smears, the bianconeri take the result till the end. A year after, Viareggio is still bianconera. Juventus wins the fifth Coppa Carnevale in the last seven years. Eight titles instead, conquered in this tournament. Youth Department keeps on obtaining great results.
One of Claudio Marchisio’s qualities, notwithstanding his young age, is the maturity he always shows, on the pitch as well as at microphones. Confirmation gets also from what he declared the day after the victory vs. Genoa. A victory that cannot be enough:
"This must be a starting point–Claudio says- because also after the January match vs. Parma we thought that our difficult period was over but it was not so. We changed our trainer, Zaccheroni came, and he has a complete different way of playing and little by little we are beginning to see results. Now we must go on".
Concerning the success vs. Parma, the Juventus we saw vs. Genoa seemed to be healthier, especially after Amauri’s goal: "It was important also for us. When the bomber of the team goes through a bad moment, and he’s not able to score, everybody is affected. That’s why his goal has been fundamental for all of us".
To obtain victory was also important that Claudio went in, immediately protagonists in spite of his stop period: "I’m working a lot, even if I still have some problem with my knee that sometime gets swell. But we are doing fine and the target is now going back to play since the very first minute".
The target is the challenge vs. Ajax: "We face it with a better attitude than last week, of course. The victory vs. Genoa gives us much faith in ourselves and more strength to start this competition we believe in so, also because during the last years it grew a lot and there are important teams taking part: this must be a ransom after the elimination vs. Bayern. That’s why we are concentrated on the match vs. Ajax, which is doing a very championship. It won’t be easy, but we must try to win again".
Juventus does not have the time to enjoy yesterday victory vs. Genoa: the challenge of Europe League vs. Ajax is very close and the bianconeri already this morning went back to work.
The protagonists of Sunday match had a moisturizing workout, half in the gym and half on the pitch, where only Candreva, Legrottaglie, De Ceglie and Del Piero had a little run.
On Vinovo’s ground, instead, had a full training session Marchisio (who played only less than half an hour vs. Genoa), Camoranesi, Felipe Melo, Giovinco, Grosso, Grygera, Manninger, Salihamidzic and Trezeguet.
Warming up, technical workout, with the ball and a short match. Vincenzo Iaquinta worked a part, under Claudio Gaudino’s supervision, and went on with his recovering program.
"The one vs. Genoa has been a match in which, at last, we knew how to react to adversities by a strong temperament that I think has been appreciated also by our supporters". Vice General Manager of Juventus, Roberto Bettega, is rightly satisfied about the return to victory and about the team’s performance vs. Genoa.
Everyone showed great determination, led by a great Del Piero. Evidently, the delivery of the celebrative jersey for Championship 445 presences with Juventus jersey and the hug before the match, brought luck:
"I hugged him also after, saying that I’ll give him the jersey for presence n. 446 too, if he goes on like that…" Bettega jokes at Juventus Channel’s microphones.
Vice General Manager then goes back to the penalty: "They spoke about three facts in the same action: starting from Alex’s offside, while the position was regular, about the contact, that was true, and about the position. Probably it was half outside the area, but external perception was such that not even anybody from Genoa complained, therefore it was a very difficult decision to take and you can even make a mistake".
"Mourinho’s controversies? We cannot but give compliments to him and to Inter for their position. I think we never looked at mistakes made by others during their matches and maybe it would be better if Mourinho behave the same way".
Absolute protagonist of the day is Alex Del Piero who with two goals and a penalty contributed in a determinant way to the first victory since Zaccheroni arrival on Juventus bench. Juventus Captain at the end of the match comments this way the value of this victory:
"It is so worthy because each match in this moment for us is a watershed, considering the situation which we put us in and which we are in".
Del Piero confirms that the team is growing: "We said so last week, I do confirm it now. Today we revived the match and these are good signals, now we hope we’ll recover some players".
The team showed to be compact, a basic ingredient: «"We need it, I hope this is a signal for ourselves and for the outside".
Finally the Captain speaks for himself confirming that "this has been for sure my best match since season beginning". Juventus.com
The strength of champions. To find a mistake by Gigi Buffon we need to go and look for it in almanacs. Going back to 2001, when he arrived in Torino: a wrong exit during a match vs. Chievo, then won by 3-2. Just the same scoring of today vs. Genoa, for this reason also this time it was about a deburring that did not prevent the team to win.
A fundamental success, the one achieved vs. red&blue, to restart: "Once in a while it happens also to me to make a mistake even if Rossi was good at kicking immediately. Thanks God my mates knew how to remedy, this means that next time it will be up to me to repay their kindness".
"Genoa? Yes, the team I have sympathy for, but vs. them I’ve always played great matches and once I’ve even saved a penalty. This victory is important and we hope these three points are going to help us".
When he arrived during summer, Martin Caceres was introduced to everyone most of all as a great defender. In these first months in Torino, the young Uruguayan showed his other characteristics, like ductility, but also his contribution to offensive area.
Vs. Genoa, Caceres left a sign by the assist for Amauri’s goal, the real shake of the match: "It was really a good cross, but the merit goes Amauri who did a great goal. In this new role I find myself at ease also if I have to run a lot. I’m happy of my performance, but most of all for a victory we’ve been looking for for a long time. Now we have to go on this way".
Only eight days ago, after the match vs. Livorno, Jonathan Zebina was one among the first to speak of a spark, of a victory necessary to make Juventus restart. Vs. Genoa, the three points arrived and the French player gave his contribution staying on the pitch for 90 minutes. At the end of the match, Zebina comments this way the result of 3-2:
"The turning point victory? For now it’s a victory and it’s ok. Obtained thanks to everybody’s help, of the group that fatherly compacted and also of the audience that helped us a lot. And when there are these conditions winning it’s easier, also thanks to episodes, like it happened today. Now it’s up to us going on with the series".
"The season is still far to go and targets are not missing, it won’t be the Scudetto, but winning Europe League won’t be that bad".
At the third try, Alberto Zaccheroni centered the victory he wanted. The success vs. Genoa, even if suffered, allowed stopping a non positive series that lasted a month and made Juventus restart his march.
A victory that the trainer does not want to be an isolated episode: "This must be only the first step, we are late and no one likes that, now we need confirmations. We hope that this victory will help us cancel our fears".
"Today I knew we found an opponent who would have not let us played and in fact they made us suffer. In the first 20 minutes we saw the Juve of the last 15 days, and then I liked it. The boys were good in moving rapidly the ball and pushing on sides. After the draw goal we felt lighter and the performance was positive, but at the end the result is the best medicine".
"The penalty? It’s difficult to evaluate, from where I was I clearly saw the touch but I did not see if it was in or out of the area".
At third try, Zaccheroni centers the victory he wanted. Not only for statistics (it is his first since his arrival in Torino), but also for importance. Juventus beats Genoa for 3-2 at the end of a real battle. In S. Valentine’s day, Alessandro Del Piero makes the Lady fall in love.
Right when he collect his 445th presence in Championship – absolute record in Juventus history– the Captain signs a determinant double-goal, first with a perfect one-two by Diego, then by penalty he caused. Of Amauri the first goal by head. Marco Rossi authentic protagonist among the red&blue scoring twice, he kept in balance the match till the end.
It’s a fundamental victory, missing in championship since the beginning of championship, but most of all it allows to go on running for next Champions League. And from Thursday back in Europe, for the match in Europe League vs. Ajax.
To try a new assault to first victory on Juventus bench, Zaccheroni propose again 3-4-1-2. In front of Buffon, Zebina, Legrottaglie and Chiellini, Caceres, Sissoko, Candreva and De Ceglie in the midfield, Diego behind forwards Del Piero and Amauri.
Genoa has many absents and, besides the one at home, Gasperini loses also Milanetto during warming up and must point on Suazo. The choice, even if forced, brings immediately good things to red&blue that start better. It’s Marco Rossi the most dangerous one and in the first quarter they try twice to beat Buffon. The first time he hits the ball, but the second gives no hope and scores.
The bianconeri find it hard to restart and absorb the surprise. The deadly weapon is the one of the last matches, that is set kicks. Diego and Del Piero centers many crosses but no one get to draw. Amelia must intervene most of all on far kicks by Diego and Sissoko.
When the first half seams to end up with a 1-0 in favor of Genoa, suddenly Juventus scores. Credits half to Caceres half to Amauri: the Uruguayan escape on the right and puts a great cross that the Brazilian powerfully puts in the goal by head: 1-1 and everyone at rest.
Restart. Fatic in for Acquafresca for Genoa. Juve starts better by a kick from outside by Caceres who engages Amelia and red&blue answers engaging Buffon in a save. 15’ minute now is lucky for Juve. Del Piero does it almost all: he steals the ball from Criscito, gets into the area, exchanges with Diego who gives the ball back with his heel and beats Amelia.
But the joy does not last long. On the first action Genoa draws: Mesto puts in the middle from right, Buffon does not keep the ball and again Marco Rossi scores: 2-2. Zaccheroni tries to play Marchisio card, in for Candreva. El Shaarawy for Suazo is Gasperini’s answer.
Juve restarts strongly and Amauri taps the pole. It is the appetizer of the new advantage. Marchisio unmarks Del Piero who falls down hit by Papastathopoulos. The contact is at the beginning of the area and Mazzoleni gives a penalty that Del Piero himself transforms even if Amelia tries to save.
Now is Genoa trying to go to the front and a cross crossing the whole Juventus area gives thrills. Legrottaglie tries again and, immediately after, also Del Piero by a ball from Salihamidzic: the result does not change but Genoa is still far away. Gasperini plays all he’s got putting in the young forward Aleksic for Criscito. Zaccheroni sends in Giovinco for a lame Amauri.
Serie A 2009/10 – 5th return match Torino, Olimpico Stadium Sunday 14th of February 2010 JUVENTUS-GENOA 3-2 (1-1)
GOALS: 15’ pt e 16’ st Rossi, 42’ pt Amauri, 15’ st e 33’ st Del Piero.
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Legrottaglie, Chiellini; Caceres, Sissoko, Candreva (21’ st Marchiso), De Ceglie; Diego; Del Piero (35’ st Salihamidzic), Amauri (48’ st Giovinco). Available: Manninger, Grygera, Grosso, Paolucci. Trainer Zaccheroni.
GENOA: Amelia; Papastathopoulos, Dainelli, Bocchetti; Mesto, Rossi, Zapater, Criscito (43’ st Aleksic); Suazo (23’ st El Shaarawy), Acquafresca (1’ st Fatic), Sculli. Available: Scarpi, Polenta, Gucher, Bertoncini. Trainer Gasperini.
REFEREE: Mazzoleni from Bergamo.
YELLOW CARDS: 22’ pt Bocchetti, 29’ st Rossi, 35’ pt Candreva, 35’ pt Acquafresca, 42’ pt Amauri, 6’ st Zebina, 37’ st Papastathopoulos, 44’ st Salihamizic.
AUDIENCE: 22.252 for a total amount of € 493.116, 29
Juventus Primavera once again does not fail the meeting with Viareggio Cup and achieves the final of 62nd Edition: on the pitch at Bresciani Stadium in Viareggio the bianconeri overcome the same age boys of Atlanta 2-0, tank to a goal by Yago, at the end of first half, and by Immobile at 14’ of second half.
The first occasion is for Juventus just with the Spanish boy, who at 14’, very close, does not succeed in deviating by head a good cross by Esposito.
At 23’ the challenge between Pinsoglio and Gabbiadini starts, with the bianconero goalkeeper who saves on a “sure ending” conclusion by the Atalanta forward. After a little while Gabbiadini kicks again, but too high. Esposito answers back, among the most active, and out of goal area kicks just a little off side.
Pinsoglio must again do his best at 31’, to save the nth conclusion by Gabbiadini who goes face to face to Juventus goalkeeper, but answers back as a champion. Juventus reaction concretize by a strong kick by Immobile from the limit, saved by Atalanta goalkeeper Rossi, but most of all by the action that takes to advantage.
At 40’ Yago exploits a mistake by Atalanta defense, controls in the goal area, gets over Rossi and puts the ball of 1-0 in the undefended goal. In the first half there still time for a new episode of the personal duel between Gabbiadini and Pinsoglio, with Juventus goalkeeper still protagonist, very skilled in stopping the low shot by the nerazzurra forward.
Second half starts with Juventus right to the front and with Esposito looking for the goal by a conclusion by left foot ending on the side. At 4’ again Esposito finds a good corridor for Immobile, who is stopped by Rossi exit.
Immobile is again the protagonist ten minutes later: Juventus forward goes fastly, enters the area and is put down by De Leidi: penalty and red card for Atalanta defender. Immobile is implacable and scores for 2-0.
Strong of number superiority and of double advantage, Juventus easily manages the match, also if Pinsoglio must do again his best at 27’ Pandiani’s kick.
After a while the bianconeri get dangerous by a far distance conclusion by Immobile, neutralized by Rossi, with Esposito who, again from outside the area, hits the pole and with Boniperti who kicks well, but does not centers the goal. Last emotions of a lively match, deservedly won by Bruni’s boys who detach the ticket for last act.
Now next meeting is scheduled for Monday February 15th, when again at Bresciani Stadium in Viareggio will take place the final vs. the other semifinal’s winning team Empoli. Juventus will try to defend the title already achieved in the past edition and center the seventh victory in this Tournament.
Juventus sickbay start to empty: for the challenge vs. Genoa scheduled for Sunday at 3.00 p.m. at Olimpico Stadium, back in the group Mauro German Camoranesi, Claudio Marchisio and Hasan Salihamidzic, regularly summoned by mister Zaccheroni.
Compared to the Championship last match, Felipe Melo won’t be there, as he was stopped by sport judge, but Sissoko and Grygera will be back, as they served their suspension last Sunday. So twenty-one Juventus players will be available. Here the complete list:
"The team needs to increase its self-esteem and I can see it is growing up, but we need to be supported by results". Zaccheroni can see progress among the bianconeri, but now we need the support of the three points. The match vs. Genoa will be an important and difficult one, but Juventus gets there after seven days of very hard work, a work that gave satisfaction to the trainer:
"The week has been positive because all players went on the pitch, even if not everyone worked with me. Recovers? Surely someone would have already played Thursday short match, concerning all the others, we’ll see".
"Iaquinta? We are working to bring him back in a good condition and when he will join the team, he has the characteristics to burn bridges. I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch. He really wants to restart, but it’s clear that after so much time at rest, there will be some problems at the beginning, but also injuries can be recovered going back to work".
The item now is Amauri and the need that the Brazilian gives a further support in scoring phase: "A part of the team does what the others let them do and the matter is exactly the same for the single player. If we do not have playable balls in attack is also because the defense and midfield do not have right mechanisms yet".
Amauri arrived at Juventus showing important qualities and now he needs other players’ support. Anyway he’s got important characteristics: also when he does not score, you never play in ten, because he’s very generous. He must not look for goal obsessively, because happens to everyone not to score for some time and we can win matches also by a good support".
Amauri, like the rest of the team, need to go back to victory: "The group comes from a series of bad results, index of a “not good“ health and therefore there is a convalescence period, that does mean not making points. We are going to play against an opponent we do not fear, but that we respect a lot, because they have a good trainer".
"I was not present when they gave the Golden Bench Award, where they spoke about Mourinho and Allegri: well, I would have enlarged the matter also to Gasperini who did as well as the other two, I think.Genoa plays a good soccer, they have good players, but having a very high esteem of my players, I have no fear".
Zaccheroni has strong faith in his boys at his disposal: "I am sure I have a very competitive team and if I sum values up, I believe there is only one team at our level, but till when players do not think the same way, we won’t be able to change. When this will happen we’ll hurt opponents".
To get to this, module is not important: "The module is elastic. I hear speaking about a defense with three players, but in reality it depends on situations. Sometime we defend with five players, sometime with four. The difference concerns interpretation ".
Finally, a thug for our supporters, obviously disappointed by results: "I know the mood of our supporters can change in a short time. It depends on performances, we have to re-conquer our supporters by a victory".
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