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 tarining 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 udeal would be to have a certain continuity but it would be wrong to think we can win all the matches. Unbeatable teams do not exost and in our learning curve there are also shortcomings. We must be clever to take note, accept our responsabilities 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 Isaid, everyone must accept their responsability. 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 shoen 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 helathiest 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 oong 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».

Buffon Defends Juventus Fans After Anti-Balotelli Chants

Buffon doesn't think the fans' anti-Mario Balotelli chants are racist in nature.



During Juventus' last two matches against Udinese and Bordeaux in the Champions League, a section of their fanbase were heard making chants against Inter starlet Mario Balotelli.

Although many think there were some racist undertones to the chants, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon doesn't agree and he came to the defence of the Bianconeri faithful.

"Racist chants certainly aren't good for football or for anyone else," he said to Sky Sport 24. "It's always right to stigmatise them and take positions. However, it's important not to give them too much importance, or mistake chants against a particular player for racism. I think Juve's fans are fair and I'm sure that during the match against Inter there won't be any chants against Balotelli."

Buffon also talked about the rumours linking fellow Italian international Gennaro Gattuso with a move away from AC Milan.

"It's certainly not an easy moment for him, but I don't see him leaving Milan," he continued. "He is a symbol of that team, I really couldn't see him in another shirt."

On young goalkeeping talent Federico Marchetti of Cagliari, Buffon said, "He is a very good goalkeeper, he's a good lad and he has great qualities. In Italy he's certainly the goalkeeper I like the most, he reminds me of myself when I was young."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

The Euro-rivals’ weekend

During the weekend which will see Juventus play against Cagliari on Sunday at 15:00hrs, the other teams which make up Group A of the Champions League together with the bianconeri, will also be on the field.

Bayern Munich, the next opponents of Ferrara’s team in the decisive match for the qualification to the next round, on the 8th December, will be travelling to Hannover on Sunday afternoon (at 17:30hrs).

Bordeaux will be playing away against Nancy, on Sunday at 17:00hrs, while Maccabi Haifa will be playing on Saturday night away against Maccabi Tel Aviv at 20:00hrs.

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».

Claudio Marchisio Sees An In-Form Juventus Side

The midfielder says his condition is getting better, and cannot wait to play in an in-form Bianconeri outfit...

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has spoken about how he sees his team-mates, as they are coming back from international duty over the next week.

The Bianconeri currently sit in second place, and received a morale boost before entering the break, as they were able to close the gap to leaders Inter by two points.

"I see an in-form Juventus side," the 23-year-old said to Corriere Dello Sport. "We now await the re-entry of our national team players to be able to compete in the domestic and Champions League."

The Italian international - should he be selected by coach Ciro Ferrara - will make his first appearance since undergoing an operation to fix his damaged meniscus in his right knee.

"I am now better, and will continue to work with the trainers to arrive at peak fitness.

"My aim is to make an appearance against Udinese," Marchisio summed up.

Rick D'Andrea, Goal.com

Ferrara: Juve Always Need To Have This Mentality

Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara commented on his side's 5-2 win away to Atalanta.

After tonight's 5-2 win away to Atalanta, Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara urges his team to keep their feet on the ground.

"Can we catch Inter? Calm, calm, calm, because we know Inter are Italian champions and every team will fight against them to take the Scudetto away from them," he said after the match to Sky.

"Juve have to think about their own season and how to improve themselves. I think games like this give you confidence, strength, and make you understand that we can go all the way with this spirit. It won't be easy, it's not easy to recover our disadvantage, but we must try, we are in November, the league is still long."

Currently Inter are four points ahead of Juve, although they have a match in hand, tomorrow night against Roma.

On the victory against Atalanta, Ferrara said: "We need to have this kind of mentality, always going forward and push our opponents into their own area. I think that we have been on a good run of results aside from the match against Napoli, and our play is also improving.

"Tonight I'm very satisfied with how the team handled difficult moments, with personality, because when they managed to come back twice some fear could have crept in, but the lads continued to maintain the same mentality."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com

Diego: Juventus Can Win The Champions League

The Brazilian believes that success for Juve will come more readily on the continent, despite currently trailing Bordeaux in the Group A standings.

Juventus playmaker Diego believes his side are better equipped to win the Champions League than the Scudetto.

The Old Lady are chasing Girondins de Bordeaux at the summit of Group A. A win against the French side in three weeks will guarantee the Old Lady a second place finish, but Diego wants to go all the way to the final.

"Looking at Juve so far, you can see that this is a team for the Champions League," Diego told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"You need to maintain more focus in the league, but every game tells its own story in Europe.

"There is more balance, and this is evident from the crisis with Bayern Munich, and the games between Milan and Real Madrid.

"Juventus are second to no-one though. We want to go all the way."

Juve clash against Atalanta this weekend. Ciro Ferrara has only one striker available following the injury to Vincenzo Iaquinta. Alessandro Del Piero is still not ready to return, Amauri is suspended and Sebastian Giovinco is doubtful.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Report: Manchester United & Bayern Munich Chase Buffon

Gigi coveted by Europe's elite.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich have reportedly taken a good look at Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a view to making a bid for him in the summer.

According to Tuttosport, both the German and English clubs are keeping tabs on the 2006 World Cup-winning 'keeper.

After Bayern lost to Bordeaux in the Champions League - a result that has put their qualification in grave doubt - general manager Uli Hoeness hinted at signing a new goalkeeper, fuelling speculation of a move for Buffon.

"[Hans-Jorg] Butt will continue until the end of the season, then we will buy a great keeper in the summer," Hoeness said.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are looking for a replacement for veteran No.1 Edwin van der Sar. Fiorentina's Sebastien Frey has also been linked with the Old Trafford side.

The Italian paper also suggests Juve would be keen to swap their custodian for Franck Ribery. However, Real Madrid and Barcelona are likely to have a bigger say in the Frenchman's future.

Juventus Coach Ferrara Pleased With 'Important Win' Against Maccabi

The coach has reflected on the game, and is happy with the outcome.

Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara is satisfied with the 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League, but it wasn't all easy at the Ramat Gan on Tuesday night.

The Old Lady were saved by a fortunate goal from Mauro Camoranesi at the end of the first half. Juventus didn't play to their full potential. At times they were lackluster, and way below par. Nevertheless, they held on despite a barrage of attacks from Maccabi. Juve are now second in their group, and the coach can see the glass half full.

"The group is smiling at us and there are still two matches left. We hope to go to Bordeaux to win and qualify with a game in hand," Ferrara told Sky Sport Italia.

"Clearly it was very important that we won tonight and after drawing with Bordeaux in the first game, we have never really stopped moving ahead.

"I noticed that the team had difficulty as we were not able to close the game such as the one against Napoli. But it was important to get the three points. We suffered, but we deserved the win."

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Buffon: «We fielded the right determination in the first half»

After a few days, Gigi Buffon can finally dedicate a victory to David Lee, his second son who was born on Saturday morning and if Juventus brought home the three points from Tel Aviv, once again he holds part of the merit following an incredible save in the first half. This came during the only bit of action by the Israeli team in the whole match.

Here are the comments of the number one at the end of the match: «We faced the match with the right determination, especially in the first half. We started-off well and created many opportunities, thanks to a great Diego. In the second half we suffered a bit more while trying to maintain the result but what counts is the victory».

Player Ratings: Juventus 2-3 Napoli

After the Bianconeri threw away their two-goal advantage at home to the resurgent Partenopei, Goal.com's Anthony Wright was on hand to rate the

JUVENTUS

Buffon: 6.5 - Made a brilliant save from Aronica's 19th minute shot, but in reality could do little to prevent the goals as his defense evaporated in front of him.

Grygera: 6 - A real game of two halves. Linked well with Camoranesi and delivered a superb cross for Juventus' first goal, but was horribly exposed by Datolo in the second half.

Cannavaro: 5 - Struggled to deal with the pace of Lavezzi and looked uncharacteristically uncertain on crosses.

Chiellini: 5.5 - He will be disappointed with the manner in which Juventus conceded the three goals, but he must take a share of the blame.

Grosso: 5.5 - Tried to get forward but was well marshaled by Maggio. When he did get into the final third his crossing was poor, and he lost out on numerous tackles over the course of the match.

Melo: 6 - He missed having Sissoko alongside him and did not dominate as much as against Sampdoria. Fairly comfortable in possession but didn't offer much protection to the back four in the second half.

Poulsen: 5.5 - Gave the ball away on occasions but had a solid first half. Has never really succeeded at Juventus and his less talented side came out in the second half, doing very little to stop Napoli's attacks.

Camoranesi: 6.5 - He was very bright early on but had to be substituted after 30 mins due to injury.

Diego: 5 - Saw glimpses of his talent but he was not as prominent as previous games. Someone needed to take command of the game when it was all square in the second half, and he was conspicuous by his absence.

Giovinco: 6.5 - He missed a glorious chance in the 1st minute, but made up for it by converting his 54th minute goal. Worked hard and is clearly growing in confidence.

Trezeguet: 6.5 - He scored with an excellent header to give Juventus the lead, but should have doubled the lead on the hour.

Substitutes:

Tiago: 4.5 - Initially he settled into the midfield well but it was his woeful clearance that set up Napoli's decisive third goal.

Amauri: 3 - Brought on with 15 minutes left to give Juventus the lead, but was totally anonymous until his boot caught De Sanctis' face to earn him a red card.

De Ceglie: N/A - Too little time to influence a game that was rapidly slipping away from Juventus.


NAPOLI

De Sanctis: 6 - Will be disappointed not to have kept Trezeguet's header out, but was brave as he dived both at the feet of the Frenchman after an hour as well as Amauri in injury time.

Campagnaro: 5.5 - He stood and watched as Trezeguet ran in front of him for Juventus' opening goal. Substituted on the hour for Datolo.

Cannavaro: 6 - Tried to keep Giovinco quiet, and he denied Tiago early on in the second half. Not his best evening, but organised the defence well as Juventus threw bodies forward in the closing minutes.

Contini: 4.5 - Very lucky not to be punished for an elbow on Camoranesi in the first half. When Juventus were at their free-flowing best, he was clearly out of his depth. Inexplicable header to gift Giovinco a goal.

Maggio: 7 - He played well on the right hand side, acting in a more defensive role in order to stop Grosso's runs.

Gargano: 7 - Hassled and harried the Bianconeri midfielders, winning the ball on a number of occasions and always looked to spread the ball forwards.

Cigarini: 6.5 - Slightly overwhelmed by Juventus midfield in the first half but improved after the break. Like Gargano, he was vital in sending the ball forwards with speed to aid Napoli's counter-attacks.

Aronica: 6 - Comfortable performance. Linked well with Lavezzi and brought a world-class save from Buffon in the first half.

Hamsik: 8.5 - He was in the right place at the right time for both of his goals, and converted the second with a perfect finish. His runs were always a danger to the hosts' defense, while his set pieces were inch-perfect.

Denis: 4.5 - Should have scored in the 7th minute and on a number of occasions thereafter. He worked hard up front, but his job is to score goals and when it came to the crucial moment, the Argentine slipped, missed the target or missed the ball completely.

Lavezzi: 6.5 - Very energetic, creating a number of chances for his team-mates. Playing off the main striker, his movement was a constant distraction to the hosts' defense.

Substitutes:

Datolo: 8 - Made an instant impact as he made a great run to set up the goal. Showed superb instinct to score the equalizer and gave Grygera no end of problems.

Quagliarella: 6 - Did nothing wrong in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch.

Pazienza: N/A - Came on for Lavezzi in the dying minutes.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com