Zaccheroni fielded a 4-3-1-2 formation with Diego in support of Del Piero and Amauri in the attack.
The two teams are determined to play a good match and on the 2nd minute, there is a corner for Bari: Cannavaro clears the area. One minute later, there is a fee-kick for Juve: Camoranesi's cross is cleared by Almiron.
The 4th minute sees a corner for Juve: the ball is returned to Diego who from outside the area shoots at goal with Gillet well placed to save. Two minutes later, a Diego shot goes well high over the bar.
It is the 7th minute when a Camoranesi long ball towards Del Piero is a bit too long for the captain. Two minutes later, Diego shot is a bit too weak to worry Gillet. Free-kick for Juve: Del Piero's attempt goes straight into the wall.
On the 10th minute, Buffon is forced to a good save following a Koman header and one minute later, a Del Piero shot goes well high over the bar.
A De Ceglie cross escapes Gillet but Juve win a corner on the 14th minute: from the flag the ball goes straight into the hands of the keeper. Three minutes later, Marchisio shows some excellent play as he dribbles past two defenders putting in a cross towards Amauri but the ball is too high for the striker.
Great attacking by Juve on the 20th minute. First Stellini clears on Del Piero. Then Diego enters the area with a beautiful move and crosses towards Amauri with the keeper just managing to save. A powerful Marchisio shot goes just wide, seconds later.
Juve are denied a penalty as Diego is fouled in the Bari area on the 21st minute. Four minutes later, a precise Camoranesi cross sees Amauri anticipated just in time by Bonucci.
On the 27th minute, there is a corner for Juve after Diego holds a good ball in the area and then crosses low: Chiellini heads wide. Two minutes later,there is a good cross into the area by Camoranesi towards Amauri whose header goes wide. Once again Diego is fouled in the area with the referee signalling to play on.
The 33rd minute sees a Diego shot being saved by the keeper after some really good play by Juve. A beautiful shot by Del Piero grazes the bar but the flag was up for off-side, one minute later.
On the 35th minute there is a good ball by Diego for Del Piero but the captain is off-side. Juve are playing a good match but on the 41st minute, Buffon makes a great save on a dangerous Koman shot.
It is the 42nd minute when Marchisio makes a beautiful move to free himself from two defenders but his shot goes well high over the bar. One minute later, an Almiron shot goes high and wide.
The 44th minute sees a corner for Juve with Cannavaro heading wide and on the first and only minute of stoppage time, there is another corner for Juve: Corner for Juve: Del Piero's cross is headed away by Almiron. The first half ends in a goalless draw.
Iaquinta and Candreva come on for Amauri and Camoranesi before the start of the second half and the two substitutions made by Zaccheroni soon prove to be well made. On the first minute, there is a free-kick for Juve: ball into the area with Chiellini shooting at goal but Gillet performs a miracle. From the rebound a good Candreva shot goes high.
It is the 4th minute when De Ceglie puts a good cross into the area and Del Piero sees his header hitting the post. Two minutes later there is a free-kick for Bari: Iaquinta clears the Juve area.
On the 8th minute, Diego puts a ball towards Iaquinta who from a rather difficult position manages to beat Gillet and post the ball into the back of the net for the opener: 1-0. Two minutes later, Cannavaro clears well on what could have been a dangerous Bari initiative.
Free-kick for Juve on the 15th minute: Diego crosses towards Iaquinta who shoots high. Juve benefit of a corner 4 minutes later: Candreva puts the ball in, Chiellini heads towards Iaquinta whose header is saved by Gillet.
It is the 21st minute when Juve score a beautiful goal thanks to Diego who exchanged with Iaquinta but the referee disallows the goal for off-side. Three minutes later however, there is a penalty for Juve following a foul on Diego in the area: Del Piero beats Gillet from the 11 metres for the 2-0.
On the 25th minute, a Rivas shot goes just high over the bar. Salihamidzic comes on for Marchisio on the 33rd minute after the midfielder is forced to leave due to injury. Two minutes later, Zebina risks an incredible own goal forcing Buffon to save into corner. From the flag the ball is cleared by the defence.
Juve seal the victory on the 41st minute: Great play by Diego who passes to Iaquinta but the defence puts the ball into corner: the ball reaches Candreva who puts in a low ball towards Iaquinta who scores for the 3-0.
The last real bit of action of the match comes on the 43rd minute when there is a free-kick for Juve from just outside the area: Del Piero's ball is destined to the net but Gillet manages to punch away.
Juve win the first of the 4 finals with 3 goals and if 3 is a magic number there are 3 matches left out of which 3 points are asked in each case.
Serie A 2009/10 35th Match Day
Turin, Stadio Olimpico
Sunday 25th April, 2010
JUVENTUS - BARI: 3-0
Scorers: Iaquinta (53rd), Del Piero (69th pen.), Iaquinta (86th)
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zebina, Cannavaro, Chiellini, De Ceglie, Camoranesi (Candreva 45th) Poulsen, Marchisio (Salihamidzic 77th), Diego, Del Piero, Amauri (Iaquinta 45th). Coach: Zaccheroni. Reserves: Manninger, Legrottaglie, Grosso, Salihamidzic, Marrone, Candreva, Iaquinta.
BARI: Gillet, Belmonte, Bonucci, Stellini, S. Masiello, Alvarez (Gosztonyi 70th), Almiron, Donati, Koman (Rivas 63rd), Barreto, Castillo (Meggiorini 55th). Coach: Ventura. Reserves: Padelli, Diamoutene, Parisi, Gosztonyi, Rivas, De Vezze, Meggiorini.
REFEREE: Gervasoni
Yellow Cards: Almiron (30th), Camoranesi (37th), Iaquinta (53rd), Meggiorini (60th), Gillet (69th).
www.juventus.com
Juve three times stronger!
Benitez has Juve agreement
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Juventus have an agreement with Rafael Benitez but everything depends on his contract at Liverpool.
The pink paper has made a lot of the fact Benitez met with his agent Manuel Garcia Quillon at Liverpool's training camp in Madrid yesterday.
Juventus and Quillon have apparently ironed out a contract worth €4.5m a year.
They also managed to get Benitez to accept to reduce his staff from 12 to six personnel.
However, the conclusion of any deal depends on Liverpool's new President Martin Broughton who is currently trying to find a buyer for the club.
The Reds are said to be reluctant to lose Benitez, especially if it comes to him resigning and asking for a golden handshake on his four-year contract worth €16m.
La Gazzetta believes it will take time for the Spanish tactician to extricate himself from his Liverpool contract, but that hasn't stopped Juventus setting a deadline of May 10 to conclude proceedings.
If Benitez can't free himself, Juventus President Jean-Claude Blanc has devised a Plan B whereby Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli will be hired.
The Bianconeri have also moved to make Sampdoria's Beppe Marotta their new director of sport.
www.juvefc.com
Juventus on tour
The season for Juventus will see its end across the ocean: after the end of the championship, in fact, the bianconeri will bew embarking on a fascinating tour in the USA and Canada.
The stages of the trip will be New York and Toronto. In the Big Apple, on the 23rd May, they will play against the New York Red Bulls, a Major League Soccer team. It is one of the historical teams of the American championship, known since 2006 with the name of MetroStars, a team which saw players of world class like Lothar Matthaus, Roberto Donadoni and Youri Djorkaeff.
At the moment, the Red Bulls are at the head of the Eastern Conference, tahnks to 3 victories and one defeat. The Major League Soccer started on the 27th March and will continue until October, and thus the match against Juventus will be between two championship matches: the home one against Colombus Crew and the away match against New England Revolution.
The match between Red Bulls and Juventus will be played at the Red Bull Arena, a futuristic stadium of 25,000 places that as from this season is hosting the home matches of the American team.
From New York, Juventus will fly to Toronto, for the second friendly match of the tour: on the 25th of May, Juventus will play against Fiorentina at the Rogers Centre, a multifunctional stadium of 50,000 places which hosts baseball, Canadian football and soccer.
www.juventus.com
Buffon: «We must play the last 4 matches as though they were finals»
The world’s best goalkeeper had a great performance, saving the goal on a number of occasions but the result cannot but leave him disappointed at the end of the match: « In the heat of the moment many things can be said but from the field you cannot always be certain of what heppened. I think we had a good performance and until we were shown the red card we played on equal terms.We were obtaining a good result but playing with one man less against a team with great power and quality is never easy. We have 4 matches left and we must try to end the championship in a decorous and fitting way. I think that unfortuantely our situation depends on other teams. We must play the last 4 matches as though they were finals and try to win.I think that the defence was good and compact, conceding the ineviatble against such a team, but I think that everybody was careful».
www.juventus.com
Sacked Allegri in demand
Cagliari are refusing to discuss why Massimiliano Allegri was fired, but he’s now free to consider offers from Juventus, Fiorentina, Milan and more.
Last night the Sardinians caused shockwaves when they sacked their Coach and handed the reins to Primavera youth team boss Giorgio Melis and former player Gianluca Festa.
President Massimo Cellino is not speaking to the media and won’t return from Miami until Friday, while the club has now imposed a Press silence over players and staff.
It is widely reported the reason behind this sudden split was Allegri’s refusal to sign a contract extension, as he has been of interest to several top sides.
Although the 43-year-old’s deal does not expire until 2011, it’s unlikely Cagliari will try to block his passage to another club in the summer.
Fiorentina were looking at Allegri as a replacement should Cesare Prandelli opt to move on for Juventus or the Italy bench.
However, he was also challenging Prandelli for that job at Juve along with Rafa Benitez of Liverpool.
Rumours that Milan are set to part company with Leonardo are increasingly common and Allegri would represent a similar push towards young, relatively inexperienced Coaches.
In fact, he had been among the favourites for San Siro last season when Carlo Ancelotti left for Chelsea, as his entertaining approach to football is a favourite of President Silvio Berlusconi.
Sampdoria are more contenders after Gigi Del Neri hinted he was unsure about his future with the Blucerchiati.
Del Neri is currently in joint fourth place, but his contract expires in the summer.
www.juvefc.com
Juventus may not pitch for Rafa if they fail in Champions League
London, Italian football club Juventus may have second thoughts about roping in Liverpool coach Rafa if they fail to make the Champions League knock-out round.
The Turin giants are insisting that they have met Benitez' representatives and want a definite commitment by the end of next week. The Kop chief's camp is, however, in a state of denial over this development, The Sun reports.
Juventus, sixth in Serie A, last summer used a hefty slice of the 2010-11 season's budget to bring in Brazilian duo Felipe Melo and Diego for a combined amount of nearly 50 million pounds. But that backfired as they failed to have the desired impact and there is growing turmoil at the club.
Bringing in Benitez, plus a couple of his backroom team and top stars, would cost around 100 million pounds, stretching Juventus to breaking point.
That means a place in the Champions League is essential if they are to finance a rebuilding campaign.
Failure to do so would mean the Agnelli family, which owns the club, having to pump in a fortune, which they are unwilling to do.
www.news.oneindia.in
Two days before Inter-Juventus
The countdown for Inter-Juventus is coming to an end and is marking -2. While the nerazzurri only started thinking of the match today, due to their Coppa Italia fixture (yesterday they won and qualified for the final), the bianconeri continued with their preparation in Vinovo.
After the test against the Berretti team, yesterday, Zaccheroni’s team was once again on the field today for a morning session. Diego and Caceres once again showed good signs, taking part in all the activities, including the end of session mini-match. Zebina followed a different work programme. Trezeguet and Grygera, who will miss the match against the nerazzurri, trained in the gym.
Both players underwent more tests. The Frenchman suffered an elongation of the left femoral biceps. The Czech national suffered a first degree distraction to the right femoral biceps and will be out for 20 days.
In view of the match on Friday night at the Meazza, there is one remaining session to go, the one to be held tomorrow afternoon. This will be preceded by a press conference addressed by Mr. Zaccheroni. The appointment is at 13:45hrs at the press room of the Juventus Media Center and it will be transmitted live on Juventus Channel.
www.juventus.com
Chiellini decides
Juventus is back to victory. At the Olimpico in Torino Zaccheroni’s team beats Cagliari 1-0 thanks to a goal by Chiellini at minute 35’ of first half.
Zaccheroni finds Buffon and Chiellini again and sends a 4-4-2 on the pitch, with the attack couple by Iaquinta and Amauri. The two forwarders give their best since the very first minute, but it’s not easy for them to defeat the very focused Cagliari’s defense. Notwithstanding Juventus is the once taking the initiative, the first occasion is by Cagliari with Cossu who at minute 14’ kicks the pole. After escaping this danger, the bianconeri goeas on the front and get very close to the goal at minute 27’ by a great kick from the limit by Camoranesi that Marchetti saves to the corner. On corner developments Marchisio trie sto score, but the goalkeeper is there. At minute 33’ Cannavaro is very good on a Cagliari’s action and saves with the uncovered gaol a conclusion by Matri. At minute 35’ Juventus advantage: on a long kick by Zebina, Amauri touches for Chiellini who scores by head (1-0). The first half end up by a distance conclusion by Marchisio and a head kick by Iaquinta, both out.
Lively second half, with a little of Cagliari and a good Juventus who manage the advantage and looks for doubling. In the first quarter to underline a head kick by Matri on the back of the goal and a conclusion by Marchisio. At minute 22’ Juventus is very close to the goal: beautiful personal action by Camoranesi who serves Iaquinta in the area, but the forwarder does not catch the roight moment. Iaquinta scores then at minute 26’, by an assist by Chiellini, but for the referee is offside and nulls. A minute later the forwarder leaves the place to Giovinco, who first gives to Chiellini and then by a couple of conclusions that engage the opponent goalkeeper, forced to save in corner. It ends up by a victory, an important victory for Juventus who goes on with its run after Champions area.
JUVENTUS-CAGLIARI 1-0
RETI:35’pt Chiellini
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Zebina, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso (20’st Poulsen), Camoranesi (45’st Salihamidzic), Felipe Melo, Marchisio, De Ceglie, Iaquinta (27’st Giovinco), Amauri. All. Zaccheroni. At disposal: Manninger, Salihamidzic, Del Piero, Trezeguet, Poulsen, Giovinco, Legrottaglie.
CAGLIARI: Marchetti, Pisano, Canini, Ariaudo, Agostini, Biondini, Conti, Dessena (15’st Lazzari), Cossu, Matri (37’st Ragatzu), Anderson (3\1’st Larrivey). All. Allegri. At disposal: Lupatelli, Lazzari, Marzoratti, Barone, Larrivey, Jedaias, Ragatzu.
REFEREE: Valeri
YELLOW CARD: 34’pt Conti, 45’pt Marchisio, 3’st Felipe Melo, 5’st Chiellini
AUDIENCE: 22.634
INCOME: 467.180
www.juventus.com
Case against Moggi "has crumbled"
More telephone wiretaps are released featuring Luciano Spalletti, as Luciano Moggi’s lawyers argue the Calciopoli case against Juventus “has crumbled.”
Moggi’s legal team continues to release new evidence to the media ahead of the trial in Naples, which resumes on April 13.
“These items were already in the possession of investigators, we must only complain that they were not given the same due attention as the other transcripts,” said lawyer Paolo Trofino.
The 2006 Calciopoli trial demoted Juventus to Serie B and stripped them of two titles, arguing Moggi was the puppet master in a network of influence over referees.
However, his lawyers wish to prove in this new trial that the former Juve director general did nothing different to other club representatives in calling up designator Paolo Bergamo.
“One of the main points of the prosecution, that Moggi was the head of this organisation, has crumbled because so many different directors would call up the designators.
“Moggi has a 30-year friendship with Bergamo and the fact he was among those who rang him up cannot be considered evidence of wrongdoing.”
This week Juventus released a statement confirming they would evaluate the outcome of the trial and demand ‘equal treatment.’
“It’s not up to me to say, but in the light of what has since emerged, I think there is room not just for a procedural change of position, but also a moral one,” concluded Trofino.
This evening Moggi’s lawyers released more wiretapped telephone conversations that were ignored in the 2006 Calciopoli trial.
Former Roma boss Spalletti, who at the time on May 12 2005 was at the helm of Udinese, was recorded while speaking to refereeing designator Bergamo.
“Unless there are some sudden turnarounds, I have already chosen the linesmen for you,” said Bergamo.
“We’re sending you Pisacreta, who for us is the number one, and Griselli who has been the number one this season, so you’re completely protected.”
The designator then wished Spalletti luck and ended with the phrase: “Come on now, we can do it.”
www.juvefc.com
Naples court proceedings: a note by the club
In all due respect of the activities regarding the ongoing hearings, Juventus will carefully evaluate together with is legal aides the eventual relevance of the new evidence introduced during the proceedings in Naples in order to guarantee, in every sporting location and not, and as it has always done, the most careful safe-guarding of its history and of its supporters.
Juventus believes that the institutions and the organs of justice will assure the equal treatment for all, as was requested by the club and its defenders during the sports hearings in 2006.
www.juventus.com
Juventus excuses itself with the supporters
After the defeat in Udinese, the club, coach and players excuse themselves with all the supporters and decided not to leave any comments to the press.
www.juventus.com
Betclick to be the sponsor of the Juventus jersey
Juventus has signed a contract with Betclick UK Ltd.. The company will be the official sponsor from the 1st July 2010 up to 30th June 2012. The brand “Betclick” will appear on the Juventus jerseys during all the competitions in which the team will participate.
The agreement is the result of a new commercial strategy by Juventus, as underlined by president Blanc: «In a very difficult economic context, we have decided by identifying an international partner of primary standing, to put into practice an innovative commercial strategy which shares the rights of the first and the second jersey. The agreement signed today is the first of two agreements of official sponsorship that will characterize the next two sporting seasons».
In lieu of this new commercial strategy, which is intended to increment the profits deriving from the jersey sponsorship, Juventus decided to adopt a new format. There will in fact be two different partners who will have the possibility of affixing their brand name on the outfield jerseys.
The agreement signed today foresees the right of Betclick to affix the brand name “Betclic” on the first outfield jersey – the black and white one – in all the national and international sport competitions of the First Team. The contract foresees complex basis amount of €16 million and a variable amount which shall be determined by the sporting results.
Created in 2005 by French entrepreneurs, Betlclick became in just a few years, one of the operators of reference in the sports betting market and on-line gaming in Europe. Betclick is present in 12 European countries and every one of its websites proposes personalized contents and offers. With the headquarters located in Malta and office in England, Italy and Spain, Betclick is the holder of many gaming licenses in the European Union.
www.juventus.com
Bianconeri courting Krasic
Juventus are apparently among several top clubs who have made CSKA Moscow an offer for highly-rated winger Milos Krasic.
The 25-year-old Serbia international is one of the hottest properties in Europe after inspiring his side to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Speaking to Tutto Mercato Web, Vlado Borozan, one of Krasic’s representatives, revealed the scale of demand for his client.
“Milos has yet to make a definitive decision. The situation is indecipherable,” he said.
“There are many offers including one from Juventus, but in ranking order he would prefer Spain before Italy.”
Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport last week, Krasic admitted his interest in Italian football.
He also revealed that Inter are one of the teams that often figure on the Krasic family TV set.
Despite Borozan’s comments, Bayern Munich are widely regarded as the favourites to land Krasic in the summer.
The German giants are expected to be looking for Franck Ribery’s replacement and Krasic would be ideal.
www.juvefc.com
Legrottaglie: «We must fight racism»
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Racism must be fought with strength, in everyday life as well as in sports. This is the message the project “Un calcio al razzismo” (A kick to racism) is forwarding, promoted in the last November by Juventus at UNESCO Centre in Torino. The initiative foresee the award of two scholarships, for year 2009/2010, to a Second Grade Institute and to a student, aged between 18 and 25, who did significant actions, always in fighting racism and in favor of integration.
And to support this project also Nicola Legrottaglie intervened, who tonight, in classroom 4 at Palazzo Nuovo, took part to a lesson of Diritto Internazionale dello Sport (Sport International Right). The meeting issue, the fight against racism in sport domain: «Racism must be fought in all environments, not only in soccer – Nicola said– It’s a fight to be supported with stubbornness». Yesterday Jonathan Zebina was the victim of racist choirs and a mean aggression: «The best thing to do in these cases is not to speak about it and do not give visibility to who committed this act –Legrottaglie went on – That person today was on all newspaper, while it would be better not to give importance at media level. Anyway, I saw Jonathan calm and serene».
Finally, the defender opened a parenthesis on the victory vs. Atalanta: «Three suffered points, very important considering the final rush that we will go through. For the future we’ll try to plan our work in order to have the necessary fuel to reach our targets»
www.juventus.com
Team immediately back to work in Vinovo
A few hours after the return from Naples, the team immediately got back to work in Vinovo with a morning session. The players involved in the Napoli match had an unwinding session while the rest trained normally.
The team immediately began working in view of the next match, the one on Sunday afternoon against Atalanta. The preparation will continue with another session tomorrow afternoon at 16:00hrs and will be preceded by a press conference addressed by Zaccheroni at 14:45hrs which will be aired live on Juventus Channel.
www.juventus.com
Giovinco's future uncertain at Juve
Sebastian Giovinco's future at Juventus depends on the club's rebuilding plans, according to his agent Andrea D'Amico.
The 24-year-old has made just five starting appearances this season, playing just 485 minutes for the Bianconeri.
He has struggled with injury recently, but the competition for a starting place with Diego and Alessandro Del Piero has also made itself felt.
Juventus also made a conscious decision to play without any wingers in the summer after signing Diego, slimming Giovinco's chances down even further.
Speaking to Tutto Mercato Web, D'Amico said: “Giovinco is on the fringes of the team and for me this is just unbelievable.
“For the future, we should sit ourselves round a table and see what happens. Seba certainly deserves a big club.”
When asked if Giovinco would be staying in Turin, D'Amico replied: “It depends on their plans. But it's better to think about the present.”
Finally, D'Amico launched a scathing attack on Juventus' decision to lavish nearly €50m on two new players in the summer.
“Perhaps instead of spending so much the Bianconeri should have had more faith in their youngsters.”
www.juvefc.com
Second half fatal to Juve
Zaccheroni fielded a classical 4-4-2 formation with Camoranesi on the field from the start, Manninger in goal and with Amauri and Del Piero as the striking duo.
The first few minutes see the two teams battling in midfield but on the 4th minute a Maggio curler goes just wide. One minute later a Zebina longball goes straight into the arms of the keeper.
It is the 6th minute when Juve fans have reason to rejoice. There is a free-kick for Juve after a foul on Camoranesi following a brilliant move: Camo puts the ball into the area, Del Piero flicks towards Chiellini who strikes home for the opener: 0-1.
On the 9th minute, Candreva comes on for the injured Poulsen. Two minutes later, there is a free-kick for Napoli: Candreva blocks on a Maggio attempt.
The 13th minute sees a free-kick for Juve: ball into the Napoli area but Camoranesi is stopped for a foul in attack. Five minutes later there is a good save by Manninger on a powerful long distance shot by Quagliarella and two minutes later it is once again the Austrian goalkeeper who performs a brilliant save into corner on a Lavezzi missile.
Five minutes later, there is a free-kick for Napoli: the ball is luckily a bit too long for Hamsik. Napoli have a corner on the 27th minute: taken short but the ball finally goes beyond the line for a goal-kick.
On the 28th minute Cannavaro heads away a Zuniga ball and two minutes later, Maggio does not manage to control a dangerous longball into the area.
The 32nd minute sees Zebina with a great run and excellent move but his final cross goes straight out. One minute later, there is an off-side against Napoli on a dangerous initiative.
Camoranesi with a great stop heads towards Amauri who is just slightly short of the ball on the 37th minute. Two minutes later, a free-kick for Napoli is blocked by the Juve defence.
Corner for Napoli on the 42nd minutei: ball headed away by Camoranesi. The rebound sees the ball into the area but the referee signaling a foul in attack. The referee allows 3 minutes of stoppage time and on the third there is a Free-kick for Napoli: the Juve defence finally manage to clear but from the rebound the ball ends in a corner. The Juve defence heads away and the half ends on 0-1 lead for the bianconeri.
The second half immediately has a bad start for Juventus. On the second minute, the referee awards Napoli a penalty and shows Zebina a yellow card for a foul on Quagliarella: Hamsik sends the ball over the bar.
One minute later, there is a corner for Juve after a Del Piero incursion: The captain puts the ball in and Chiellini with an overhead kick sees the ball go high over the bar. Good attempt.
The fifth minute marks the turning point of the match: Quagliarella puts a cross into the Juve area and Hamsik heads home beating Manninger for the equaliser: 1-1.
Five minutes later, Manninger saves well on a Quaglairella shot. Corner for Napoli: ball into the area once again put into corner: ball put in for a cross. Five minutes later, What seemed like a dangerous initiative by Quagliarella is smothered by Candreva.
Maggio heads high from an extremely dangerous Zuniga cross on the 16th minute and one minute later, Diego comes on for a rather nervous Camoranesi.
On the 20th minute a Del Piero attempt is saved easily by the keeper and one minute later, comes on for the captain.
The 22nd minute sees a corner for Napoli after a Lavezzi cross is deviated by Zebina: the Juve defence clears. One minute later, there is a free-kick for Juve: Diego puts the ball into the area precisely but the defence somehow manages to clear. From the rebound the ball is again crossed into the area but Amauri's header is cleared.
When it rains it pours and on the 26th minute there is a ball into the Juve area and Quagliarella beats everybody and nets the ball anticipating Manninger for the 2-1. Five minutes later there is a corner for Juve: Diego's corner is cleared by the defence.
A Zuniga attempt goes high over the bar on the 33rd minute and on the 38th an Amauri header goes high over the bar. Seconds later, there is a corner for Napoli: ball headed away by Melo.
Corner for Juve after a good Juve incursion on the 39th minute: Candreva's cross is cleared but Marchisio with a great shot forces De Sanctis to a difficult save. Two minutes later a corner for Napoli is brought out by Diego.
Juve pile up the pressure but on the 43rd minute, Lavezzi collects a pass in the Juve area and fires past Manninger for the 3-1.
The referee awards 2 minutes of stoppage time and on the 2nd Amauri does not manage to head following a cross into the Napoli area.
The match ends with another defeat which materialized in the second half, once again after Juve took the lead after a few minutes. Champions League zone now at risk.
Serie A 2009/10 – 30th match day
Naples, Stadio San Paolo
Sunday 25th March, 2010
NAPOLI – JUVENTUS: 3-1
Goals: Chiellini (6th), Hamsik (51st), Quagliarella (72nd), Lavezzi (88th),
NAPOLI: De Sanctis; Grava, Paolo Cannavaro, Campagnaro; Maggio, Pazienza, Gargano, Zuniga (Rinaldo 89th); Hamsik (Cigarini 82nd), Quagliarella; Lavezzi (Denis 91st). Reserves: Iezzo, Rinaudo, Rullo, Aronica, Bogliacino, Cigarini, Denis. Coach: Mazzarri.
JUVENTUS: Manninger; Zebina, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi (Diego 62nd), Poulsen (Candreva 9th), Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Del Piero (Grygera 66th), Amauri. Reserves: Pinsoglio, Grygera, Marrone, Candreva, Diego, Giovinco, Trezeguet. Coach: Zaccheroni.
REFEREE: Rizzoli from Bologna
Yellow Cards: Grava (12th), Del Piero (19th), Camoranesi (24th), Zebina (46th)
www.juventus.com
Juve plan Gila and Vargas raid
As part of their plan to lure Cesare Prandelli to Turin in the summer, Juventus also hope to sign Fiorentina duo Alberto Gilardino and Juan Vargas.
The Bianconeri are planning on completely overhauling the current structure of the club this summer after one of the worst seasons on record.
Juventus were expected to not just challenge but win major honours after significant investment in the transfer market at the end of last season.
However, the project was effectively ripped up in January when the club sacked Ciro Ferrara after a dismal run in Serie A and elimination from both the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
Alberto Zaccheroni was brought in as a caretaker boss, but things haven't improved dramatically with Juventus still in sixth place in Serie A.
Tuttosport understands that Juventus will not offer him the job on a permanent basis in the summer and that the favourite for the post is Prandelli.
There were claims earlier this month that the Fiorentina Coach had already accepted an offer to move to Turin, although they were later denied.
However, the speculation refuses to go away and the Turin media believe Juventus are shaping their rebuilding process around Prandelli.
That means keeping Felipe Melo, the Brazilian midfielder who has flopped this season, but was effectively signed off the back of a very good year under Prandelli at Fiorentina.
It also implies that Juventus will sign players Prandelli trusts like Gilardino and Vargas, although the club's directors are also said to be certain of making an approach for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini this summer.
www.juvefc.com
Bettega: 'Buffon is untouchable'
“Gianluigi Buffon is untouchable,” even if Manchester City offer £32m, says Juventus director Roberto Bettega.
There were reports in newspapers around Europe that Buffon would be sacrificed to raise funds for the transfer campaign if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
“The squad will not let itself get distracted by this sort of thing,” assured Bettega on the official club website.
“As for what was written in the papers about an alleged Buffon sale, I want to tell the fans that Gigi is untouchable. He will remain at Juventus.”
Juve go into a pre-match training camp this evening to prepare for Thursday night’s trip to Napoli, a game you can watch LIVE on ESPN.
“I am confident that we will soon be able to prove what we had done until recently. Aside from Mohamed Sissoko, to whom we give our sincerest condolences, all the players are in the hotel and very concentrated on the game.”
Sissoko flew out to Paris this morning after news of a family bereavement and is not expected to take part in Thursday’s match.
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Mancini in Juve frame?
Roberto Mancini has met with Roberto Bettega with an eye to taking over at Juventus next season, according to English newspapers.
The Manchester City manager was in the stands for Thursday’s 4-1 Europa League defeat at Fulham.
That embarrassing exit effectively scuppered Alberto Zaccheroni’s hopes of keeping the job past the summer.
According to the Sunday Mirror, former Inter boss Mancini is the latest man to step into the frame after Fiorentina’s Cesare Prandelli and Rafa Benitez of Liverpool.
The newspaper suggests that Mancini met with director Bettega at Craven Cottage with an eye on a swift return to Serie A.
“It would be hard for Roberto to turn down the Juventus job,” a source was quoted as saying in the Sunday Mirror.
“It is seen as the biggest job in Italian football – the equivalent of being asked to manage Manchester United in England or Real Madrid in Spain.”
Mancini was sacked by Inter after three consecutive Scudetti, including one handed down by the courts in the Calciopoli scandal.
He signed for Manchester City in December on a three-and-a-half-year contract, but has an option to review his future at the end of the season.
It would be an intriguing switch for Mancini, who has already succeeded Zaccheroni on the benches of both Lazio and Inter.
However, due to his strong connection with Inter, it is likely the Juventus fans would react angrily to his appointment.
www.juvefc.com
