Match Preview Europa League

Preview: SL Benfica vs Juventus

April 23, 2014 - 6:56 pm

Spring has sprung and the latter stages of European competition are upon us. While the beginning of the week may belong to the more prestigious Champions League, come Thursday the whole world is watching Europa League action. At least I tell myself that. Regardless of what the naysayers think the Europa League has been a proving ground for many team that would later go on to find Champions League success. Atletico Madrid being the latest example of this.

Now, Juventus have perhaps their toughest Europa League opponent so far. Benfica have dominated Portugal this season, their league play this year is very similar to Juve’s reign of terror in Serie A. In fact Benfica have one-upped Juventus by clinching their league, which they did this past weekend. Perhaps Juventus would be in the same position, but A.S. Roma are in the midst of a historic season, so Juve’s Scudetto party is delayed until early May (or perhaps late April.) That said, let’s look at these teams individually.

Juventus

Juventus are finally out of the woods with the recent injury “crisis” – Andrea Barzagli played an entire 90 minutes versus Bologna, whereas Carlos Tevez seems rested and ready to play against Benfica. That said, Arturo Vidal will be rested tomorrow – Antonio Conte said so during his press conference – as he has a minor knock and Conte has decided Juve are better served with him at 100% for the second leg.

It’s being reported that the good ‘ol fashioned BBC trio will be starting in the back line – Barzagli, Leo Bonucci, and, Giorgio Chiellini. While Martin Caceres did a fine job deputizing for Barzagli, these three are definitely Juve’s best combination in back. Benfica’s skill on the counter could give them trouble, as none of the three are very pacy. However, they are very experienced, so we will see whats wins, experience or pace.

Out wide Conte is going with more first choice guys – Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner. This will be important as Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan is one of their more dangerous attacking prospects, and while Mauricio Isla has been improving of late, I am far more comfortable with Lichtsteiner patrolling Gaitan’s play.

Obviously with Vidal being rested, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba, and, Andrea Pirlo will be the starting midfielders. While Juve love to play wide to create attacks, they may find it easier to work centrally against Benfica, as Benfica’s wide players are better than their midfielders especially when one factors in Juve’s midfielders and wide players. Though, this depends on how Benfica handles Andrea Pirlo. If they focus too much on shutting him down, they could make it easier for Juventus to play wide.

Finally up top we know for certain that Carlos Tevez is starting. There are reports that Juve practiced with Tevez and Sebastian Giovinco up top, and Giovinco’s recent form probably merits the start. However, I believe that Juve’s physicality is one of their bigger advantages against Benfica, and most sides really. In that sense I would prefer to see Fernando Llorente aside Tevez, but at the same time, Giovinco has the pace and flair to potentially beat Benfica’s centerbacks, at least the 33 year old Luisao. More on him in a bit, but I must say here that despite his age Luisao is having a renaissance season – sounds like Barzagli two years ago, huh?

The selection of, more or less, a very much first choice starting line up shows how much Conte and Juventus want this win. Hopefully this means no slow starts, as we have sometimes seen in European games this season.

Benfica

With the league wrapped up Benfica are free to focus on the Europa League. But that league title didn’t come without a cost. Eduardo Salvio broke his arm over the weekend, he joins defender Silvio who broke his league in the last Europa League match. The Salvio injury makes Asamoah’s job easier, as Salvio is an exceptionally skilled wide attacker and he has put on some fine performances in the Europa League.

Benfica’s defense has been fantastic this season. Ezequiel Garay and Luisao have been the best centerback partnership in Portugal, and as I mentioned before, Luisao is reeling back the clock to put in an excellent season at the ripe age of 33. They are joined at fullback by Guillherme Siqueira and Maxi Pereira. The fullbacks will have plenty of work to do, and they will need defensive support from the wingers if they are to stop Juve’s wide build up.

The next “four” in Benfica’s 4-4-2 – also known as the midfield – are being reported as: Ruben Amorim, Enzo Perez, Lazar Markovic (out on the wings), and, Nicolas Gaitan. Gaitain is the big danger man here, but Markovic is no slouch either. Asamoah will have to be on his top game – and he has been recently – to control him.

Up top Benfica are predicted to start two one-named strikers: Lima and Rodrigo. The two strikers are also the two top scorers for Benfica. However, Benfica’s goals are scored by many different players. This is very similar to Juve in Conte’s first two years. Juve still do tend to spread the scoring around, but not as much as in the past since we have Tevez and Llorente. Benfica also have Oscar Cardozo on the bench, who has been inconsistent this year. However when he is on, he is on. Like when he scored two goals in 25 minutes against Rio Ave earlier this month.

UPDATE: Some reports are suggesting that Gaitain is out, or at least in doubt, for the match tomorrow with injury.

Bottom Line

This will be a battle on the margins – literally and figuratively. The flanks will be very important for both sides, meaning they both need to be defending and attacking very well out wide. Juventus perhaps have the edge as they have the midfield superiority. However, the dangerous runs of Gaitan and Markovic could lead to Juve’s centerbacks being caught out of position. This has happened before, and is my biggest concern for the two matches. For now, keep calm and pass to Pirlo.

You Might Also Like

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 23, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    Italy vs Portugal

    Let the game begin

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 6:49 pm

      No Cristiano.

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 6:51 pm

        Obviously I was referring to the leagues, not the NT’s

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 6:53 pm

          Oh right.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 6:56 pm

            xD would be a whole lot more players missing besides Ronaldo

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 6:59 pm

            Yeah i wasn’t thinking.

  • Avatar
    JuventusBuffon April 23, 2014 at 7:24 pm

    Del Piero won Golden Boot in the Australian League, amongst other Sydney FC Awards. Forza Capitano!!!!

    • Avatar
      adp1974 April 24, 2014 at 12:38 am

      the australian league is about 10 steps lower than MLS.

      True story.

      Australian league is a joke.

      • Avatar
        Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 5:28 pm

        Always with the positivity..

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 6:22 pm

        Lol, no shit sherlock 😀
        Still nice to see Del Piero doing well in what he chooses to do

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 6:49 pm

        Yet there he is, happy with the things he accomplished. You have his name, his avatar, might wanna be a little proud of our capitano, bro.

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 23, 2014 at 7:50 pm

    Playing against Witsel, this will be a new experience, I usually only see him play for Belgium and now I need to see him lose 😀

    • Avatar
      EriJuve7 April 23, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      Witsel plays for Zenit right now, must be an old photo on the homepage

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 23, 2014 at 11:08 pm

        Oh wow I’m lagging behind then, I thought it was a transfer rumour, didnt know it already happened xD

        • Avatar
          Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 5:27 pm

          Lol he signed for then 2 years ago!

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 6:16 pm

            That long already? Not keeping track of it 😛 Only watch Witsel play for the NT

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 2:05 am

    if we were to give back osvaldo, sell vucinic, quags, and gio, and then bring back immobile, sign sanchez, and another winger, then i would honestly be fine with selling tevez and bringing back gabbiadini.

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:59 am

      No no, keep Tevez a bit longer, he pulls us through in the games we used to draw.

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 5:24 pm

      I’d keep gio but yeah I’d be happy selling tevez if we were to replace him adequately. Immobile, Sanchez, cerci, gio and gabbiadini would make a great set of forwards that could be used for both the 3-5-2 and 4-3-3. Maybe even add cavani into the mix if we are to sell pogba to PSG.. A man can dream!

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 2:32 am

    so this summer we have quite a bit of dead weight to get rid of. padoin, peluso, pepe, de ceglie, motta, ziegler. am i forgetting anyone?

    • Avatar
      Munhuu_Juve April 24, 2014 at 5:09 am

      Jorge Martinez :D. If I remember right we still own him and loaned to Novara.

      • Avatar
        dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:56 pm

        Bloody hell!!!!….he needs to go before Padoin lol

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:59 am

      In terms of players leaving, Quags and Vucinic too

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 5:22 pm

      Caceres.. *cough* lol

      Yeah as Belgian said quags and vucinic. Osvaldo back to Southampton (unless he learns how to control a ball), Martinez too. Also for the record I’m happy with caceres staying as long as he is used at RWB (better than Isla) and not at CB (I’d much rather bring back Rugani or masi).

  • Avatar
    dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Ready for this one…….FORZA JUVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Avatar
      B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      Hell Yeah ! Let’s do this ! Forza Juveee!

      • Avatar
        dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:38 pm

        SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 3:40 pm

      Hope we play well tonight! Want to see the same form as in domestic games!

      • Avatar
        dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:45 pm

        Me too….iv’e said it before and i know everyone dont agree on the europa league but its the stepping stone towards the champs lge,and a chance of another trophy,at our beautiful home!Im wanting this badly lol!!!!!!!!

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 3:52 pm

          Its a european price and we should absolutely go for it! Been too long since we won something in an international tournament!

          • Avatar
            dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:53 pm

            Agreed,Juve winning in europe again,happy days alround.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 3:55 pm

            And we would get to play Supercup, which would be nice too!

          • Avatar
            dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:57 pm

            It would be great,revenge against either bayern or real too is a posibility!!!

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 4:07 pm

            Haha yeah, who knows :p

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      Awesome to watch, tho I think there was some pre-Conte footage in it too, but epic video 😀

      • Avatar
        dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:47 pm

        i love his vids dude….id settle for a couple of them goals tonight lol….or more????

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 3:51 pm

          sure, 0-6 sounds about right :p

          • Avatar
            dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 3:51 pm

            lol lol!!!!

  • Avatar
    dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    tevez to start tonight?

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 5:17 pm

      I think so, hopefully he will finally get that European goal. He needs to start performing in Europe too if we are to have a hope in the CL

      • Avatar
        dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 5:22 pm

        That would be fantastic mate if he can,he deserves it,and to then carry on the trend for next seasons in all competitions.

        • Avatar
          Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 5:29 pm

          Once one goes in they’ll all start going in.. Such is the way!

      • Avatar
        Forza_afyounis_juve April 24, 2014 at 6:06 pm

        I dreamt he scored 2 goals in this game

  • Avatar
    dinodelfino April 24, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    Vucinic starts!!!!!!

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    starting XI: Buffon, Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah, Tevez, Vucinic

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    We are playing in yellow i just hear. Why the heck :s They wear red…

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      We also play in yellow in the final, make sense out of that 😛

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:04 pm

        Wtf, seriously?

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:04 pm

          Yeah winner of this game counts as the away team in the final

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:06 pm

            Playing away at home.. Guess you’ll have to experience everything once in life 😛 But wont they let us play in black & white if it’s Sevilla?

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:07 pm

            It is a funny thing xD Not sure but we will count as away team, dunno what happens next 😛

          • Avatar
            JuventusBuffon April 24, 2014 at 7:23 pm

            We won the Champions league in yellow and blue, so I’ll take that in the final

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:24 pm

            Blue and yellow that was. It had 2 yellow stars lol

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    Tevez’ last European goal was against Porto, sounds great to start scoring again against the other Portuguese top side

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Atleast we are playing in the stadium that will host the CL final.

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      That brings up a fun fact: These 2 legs between us and Benfica will be played in the stadiums that host the CL final and EL final 😀

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    Great start :/

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    I miss Barzagli already.

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      Meh was Bonucci who didnt mark well

  • Avatar
    Munhuu_Juve April 24, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    WOW

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    This better not be like the Bayern games last season

  • Avatar
    JuventusBuffon April 24, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    I can’t watch the match, so Im just going to read the comments, would be great if someone could fill me in.

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      We are playing shit. Sums up the first 18 min.

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      we conceded a goal after 3minutes, poor marking from Bonucci and Buffon just couldnt get enough of the ball to keep it out. A few minor chances for both teams after that

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    If we continue like this, it’s safe to say Conte’s tactics need major upgrades.

    • Avatar
      Peter April 24, 2014 at 7:35 pm

      We don’t need to continue, I think we can say that already. Maybe not upgrades, but changes every now and then would not hurt.

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    The camera is just……..

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    We aren’t playing that shit anymore but it just wont fit :s Cmon guys..

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    How do you miss Lichtsteiner…

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    Delayed red for that elbow please?

  • Avatar
    B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    Big mistake from Bonucci on that first goal. Vucinic should get subbed for Llorente.

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      Agreed. And i still don’t see why Barzagli isn’t playing. Caceres isn’t having his best game either.

      • Avatar
        JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 7:54 pm

        Pace. Benfica have fast players and they would outrun barzagli

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:55 pm

          They also outran Caceres.

          • Avatar
            JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 7:57 pm

            Yea. Imagine how easily theyd do that to barzagli

      • Avatar
        B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 7:54 pm

        Again we see why conte should ditch the 3-5-2 against bigger teams. There were like what 4 or so dangerous counter-attacks that benfica could’ve finished off with a better final pass.

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Pogba is the only one playing well. Pirlo’s off. Marchisio is absent. Tevez isnt passing. Vucinic is getting into good positions but doesnt get the ball. Licht and asa are being suffocated

    • Avatar
      ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      We need Vidal and Llorente

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:56 pm

        I’ve been feeling like we need Immobile in these situations, if he can do what he does at Torino in europe.

        • Avatar
          JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:02 pm

          His pace and finishing would be really useful

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      Pogba should have done more with 1 chance though. He wanted to pass but i think he could’ve scored a PogBOOM goal.

    • Avatar
      KPS235 April 24, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      marchisio is playing???i havent seen him at all.holly fuck, conte gotta change this fucking 3shit2 system

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    We shouldve gone 433 with tevez and vuc out wide

    • Avatar
      KPS235 April 24, 2014 at 7:59 pm

      gio and vuc out wide and tevez as ST/CF

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 7:59 pm

      This would have been 0-0 if we didnt had that terrible bad luck from the first chance they had

      • Avatar
        JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:01 pm

        Yea but theyre out playing us

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:03 pm

          Yeah we need more combinations and movement forward

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:07 pm

    For dutch/belgian(maybe) people, Johan Derksen thinks we will score in the 2nd half.

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:07 pm

      I think so too, our second halves tend to be better so lets hope

  • Avatar
    B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 8:07 pm

    Juve have to score a goal though !

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:10 pm

    Pogba is doing so well

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    Osvaldo, Giovinco and Llorente warming. I would like to see Giovinco.

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Our long balls are absolute shit. Why can’t we just stop…………

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    Get in the game bonny!

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Fucksake ref that was a cornor…

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Jesus how did this guy ever become a referee, errors all over the game

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      Isn’t he suppose to be one of the best?

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:20 pm

        supposed to be, this is also the guy who gave Nani red last season when United played Madrid, that was also a laughable card

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:18 pm

    Marchisio playing much better

  • Avatar
    Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    That was a lucky escape, should’ve been a penalty

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Nah, not at all imo. Caceres did nothing but stick his ass out and that Benfica player took a happy dive

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:21 pm

        Yup this.

      • Avatar
        Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 8:22 pm

        He moved across the benfica players path.. Thats a penalty. Not the strongest claim or anything but 100% it should’ve been a penalty.

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:23 pm

          He was already in that path and the Benfica player searched for the foul intentionally.

        • Avatar
          ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:23 pm

          Not 100%. 50/50. Caceres couldn’t dodge him and it was unintentional.

          • Avatar
            Peter April 24, 2014 at 8:24 pm

            He couldn’t dodge him, but didn’t have to stick his ass out either.

          • Avatar
            ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:25 pm

            But it’s not illegal to put your ass out. Benfica player should have known better

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:26 pm

            He does know better, he just wanted the easy way, like many players do nowadays.

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:24 pm

          He didn’t move tho, just his ass in the way xd and well ofc he’s in the way, not his fault that dude crashes into him

  • Avatar
    B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Conte should change Vucinic already ! Maybe Gio, he’s in form right now

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      there he goes :p

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      Ask and it will be done XD

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      Dude, ask for a goal too. You posted this and Vucinic got subbed, maybe it works again. Work that magic 😛

    • Avatar
      LMJuveDK April 24, 2014 at 8:31 pm

      or maybe ask for another formation. am i the only one that doesnt like the 3-5-2…..

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:32 pm

        It has been said a couple of times by other people.

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        lol no, you would be more unique if you did like it :p
        it’s good for serie a but not against teams with pacey wingers, like Benfica

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    TEVEZZZZZZZZZZZZ

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    TEVEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ IN EUROPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  • Avatar
    B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    FUCK YEEEEEAAAAHHHH

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    CARLITOOOOOOOSSSSSSS!!!!!

  • Avatar
    JuventusMalta1998 April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    CARLITOSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    carliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiotttttttttttttttttttttttooooooooo

  • Avatar
    JanJuveNL April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    Beautiful

  • Avatar
    Munhuu_Juve April 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    1-2 would be sweet

    • Avatar
      LMJuveDK April 24, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      i think it will happen. llorente will score to 1-2

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    I HEAR JUVE FANSSSSSSSSS

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    Phaha I cheered so loud, I woke up my dog and we did a celebrating dance. She’s also a Juventino, my loyal companion to watch games and more importantly: she’s literally black and white

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      lol

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:41 pm

        100% bianconeri eh 😛 This is a picture of her

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:41 pm

          100%. You should get her on this site to cheer with us :p

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:42 pm

            I’ll create an account for her 😛

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:43 pm

            Haha. Log in > post > log out > log in > post > log out > log in. You’ll have a busy life from now on.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:45 pm

            I know right xD Better learn her to type

    • Avatar
      LMJuveDK April 24, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      dancing with dogs is cool… thumbs up

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Bonucci has really struggled this game

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Pabos on.

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Osvaldo, I hope he can do something here, wanted Llorente more

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    WTF

  • Avatar
    LMJuveDK April 24, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    today i read on a danish juventus site that juventus has agreed terms with Alexis Sanchez and Barcelona, and they just need a medical and the signature. Anyone heard more of this???

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      Just rumours

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      A guy who seems to be a master of guessing transfers said this. It’s just rumours, but it might be true.

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Oh cmon

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Welllll wow…

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    We have an away goal. It’s fine.

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    You gotta close that down bonucci

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:47 pm

      It was well done by Benfica though. He should’ve closed it down, but didn’t expect the guy to let it go.

  • Avatar
    Munhuu_Juve April 24, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    I guess Bonnuci failed again

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    Classic osvaldo

  • Avatar
    DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    What is it with Marchisio and failing in these situations

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:51 pm

    marchisio………….

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    OH COME ON

  • Avatar
    Forza_afyounis_juve April 24, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    Fkn marchisio cant shoot or give a descent pass dis game

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      He gave a great ball just now…

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      Are you serious? Our 3 best chances as well our goal came from marchisio playing fantastic balls..

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    Wtf Chiello

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    Caceres has been by far our best defender today

    • Avatar
      JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      chiellini has been better

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:57 pm

        Think we can all agree Bonucci was the worst

        • Avatar
          JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:57 pm

          true

        • Avatar
          Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:00 pm

          Bonucci made the 2 mistakes leading to the goals but caceres wasn’t much better, his mistakes just weren’t punished. Still I’d say bonucci shades the worst defender contest for today

          • Avatar
            JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:01 pm

            caceres had a couple bad touches but he was solid defensively. made good blocks and tackles. bonucci made a ton of silly fouls, poor passes, and stood around a lot.

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:03 pm

            Caceres could’ve and should’ve given away a penalty got beaten by his man far too often. He made a few good blocks and tackles but he was far from solid. Bonucci only conceded one foul so hardly a ton.. But yeah his passing was certainly off today

          • Avatar
            JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:16 pm

            It wasnt a penalty. The guy was on his way down before he even touched caceres. The ref gave one foul against bonucci but on replays they showed he was constantly pulling shirts and holding players. This was bonucci’s worst game since conte’s first season. He was absolutely atrocious

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:20 pm

            It was, it was a dramatic dive (which is what saved us probably) but caceres moved across his path.. Its a penalty. Yes he was but that can’t be used against him or chiellini would be one of the worst defenders in the world because he is constantly doing it. When you get caught its bad defending, when you don’t its pretty good defending. Bonucci was dreadful today, no denying that but caceres wasn’t far behind him.

          • Avatar
            JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:24 pm

            Even the commentators said it wasnt a pk. Yea chiello does it too but he doesnt just stand there and do it. He’ll be running and he’ll give the guy a sneaky pull. Bonucci was just standing there and holding the guy. He was just begging for a booking

          • Avatar
            ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 9:35 pm

            LOOOL. Man, you’re blinded by your hate of Caceres. Why do I ever bother arguing with you anymore… I’m sure if it was Ogbonna you would have been arguing the complete opposite.

            Both commentators I was listening to agreed that Caceres was the only solid center back for us. He shut down his man whenever he got the chance to. The only mistakes he made was with his passing and control. Other than that, he was the only one shining in the defense.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:03 pm

            Bonucci just didn’t do anything to help the team today and caused the goals, he just wasnt good today. Caceres did better, at least imo. If you refer to the penalty thing, it seems everyone thinks otherwise about it

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:07 pm

            He did do better but only by way of his mistakes were punished. As for the penalty, we were lucky for it not to be given as he moved across the attacking player. Of course everyone thinks otherwise because it was against us, if it was the other way on wed all be outraged it wasn’t given.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:11 pm

            The fan in me agrees if it was reversed I’d be angry too, but looking at it as neutral as I can be, that wasnt a penalty. That attacker took a happy dive, didn’t even try to get around Caceres, just crashed in and fell over right away. Probably the reason he didnt get a penalty, the dive was too obvious

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:13 pm

            He was running round him and caceres moved across him and blocked his run, therefore it’s a penalty, simple as. Yes he went down easy but that doesn’t take away from the fact it was a penalty. As you say the over dramatic dive is probably what saved us.

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Lol were you watching the right game?

      • Avatar
        ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 9:09 pm

        Yes I was, were you?

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:58 pm

      I actually have to agree with Marc on this one today. Caceres made alot of mistakes but wasn’t punished for it. Chiellini was the best defender today. Caceres did save our asses in the final minute though.

      • Avatar
        BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 10:22 pm

        Dat pun, save our asses, I see what you did there

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 10:25 pm

          Not his ass moment 😛 He blocked a dangerous shot in the end.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 10:27 pm

            I know but this was too good to ignore xD

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    I still see us winning though.

  • Avatar
    Forza_afyounis_juve April 24, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    Datz a shit result so many chances wasted
    N why d fk would u put osvaldo

    • Avatar
      Peter April 24, 2014 at 8:57 pm

      Here’s a set of vowels for you, please use them: a e i u o

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:56 pm

        Hahaha

  • Avatar
    BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    Disappointing to lose today but the tie is far from over, we can still turn this around at home

  • Avatar
    LMJuveDK April 24, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    I dislike our 3-5-2 formation more and more. This game gave me eye diarrhea…….

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      That sounds gross lol

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    fuck sassuolo. we can play isla, peluso and a bunch of youth players. rest the starters for benfica

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      First game ever where we all want to see Padoin start 😛

      • Avatar
        Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:04 pm

        Still no

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:05 pm

          Wasnt really serious about it but I do agree that we should play a B team

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:08 pm

            Should play a youth player over padoin, still sassuolo aren’t a bad team and we don’t want to throw away points by playing reserve teams.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:09 pm

            I would like a youth player, but Conte isn’t going to field one, so I’m okay with Padoin since he’s the last player I want to see against Benfica. Sassuolo are in relegation and even our B team should win the game with ease

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:11 pm

            Obviously we won’t as serie a has issues with players under 21
            Actually Sassuolo aren’t in the relegation zone and have bean milan and a number of other good teams so there is no ease about the game with them

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:14 pm

            Thats like the only thing I like in the German league, youngsters can play so much there. If only we did the same, I’d love Juve even better. They are in a relegation fight though and Berardi won’t play anyway, Sassuolo is pretty much the easiest opponent in the league imo. Since they are new to serie a and we dispatched them with ease in the first game as well

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:17 pm

            They’ve grown a lot since the first game if you watch them, they have good players all over the pitch and don’t rely on berardi as much for goals now so are certainly a threat. I wouldn’t play a complete reserve side but we can certainly take this opportunity to rest players

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:21 pm

            Yeah I didn’t mean an entire B team, but certainly half the team should be rested. Havent followed Sassuolo and I dont mean to trashtalk them, but Juve is miles better. I really want to beat Benfica, nobody cares about the result against Sassuolo. Prefer a win ofc but we can lose and still become champs, I’m not worried about the scudetto

          • Avatar
            JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:22 pm

            The midfield needs to be reserves. Peluso and isla outwide and none of pirlo, pogba, or marchisio starting

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:23 pm

            Will Vidal not be back for the second leg?

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:23 pm

            Should be, but not 100% certain yet

          • Avatar
            JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:25 pm

            They had to bring in medics from chile because his pain wont go away.

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:55 pm

            BOUY!!!! oh wait 🙁

  • Avatar
    B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    Better than losing 1-0 though.
    Seriously, i always complain about the formation but damn this shit has to stop. Juve played good football today, but if a someone misplaces a pass in attack and benfica starts countering then Juve are fucked. We got lucky that benfica didn’t finish some counters. This 3man defence has to stop

  • Avatar
    Peter April 24, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    It’s not a shame for a pot2-3 team to loose against a pot1 team anyway.. right..?

  • Avatar
    ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    Oh and Osvaldo is utter bullshit.

    • Avatar
      LMJuveDK April 24, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      true

    • Avatar
      ImSoCool12345 April 24, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      I seriously think putting him in ruined our morale and caused the goal. That’s how shit he is.

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:54 pm

        I don’t believe that.

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      Can’t control a ball but is one heck of a finisher if he manages to get it under control

  • Avatar
    JuventusBuffon April 24, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    I wasnt able to watch the game for 30min, then I downloaded a flash browser on my phone and started watching on feed2all, then just as the first half ends my phone died. I frantically searched for 15 min for a nearby charger and couldn’t find one, I finally asked my dad if I could use his phone (which like mine is also an s3). And then thankfully I was able to watch the entire 2nd half. I went through hell trying to watch this game, we better freaking win in Turin

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Marchisio really picked up in the second half but his shooting is still poor. He couldve had a couple goals

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      Yeah especially in the last 15minutes he was dominating, too bad he couldnt make it count. First half was poor though

      • Avatar
        Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 9:22 pm

        He wasn’t poor in the first half, just wasn’t as involved as in the second

        • Avatar
          BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:24 pm

          He didnt do much in the first half, nothing I can recall at least

        • Avatar
          JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:26 pm

          He was completely absent. Thats called being poor. There was a completely different marchisio in the second half

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 10:19 pm

            He set up a few decent chances in the first half..

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 10:21 pm

            There were no decent chances in the first half

          • Avatar
            Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 11:35 pm

            And just who set that up..? Thats right, Marchisio with a beautiful ball.

          • Avatar
            BelgianJuventino April 25, 2014 at 9:41 am

            One failed chance makes a decent half then?

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:53 pm

      You know who’s shooting is poor? Chiellini. We knew that already but he proved it once again. Why is always him who gets those chances..

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    OptaPaolo: Benfica scored 2 goals from just 2 shots on target. Joke.

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 24, 2014 at 9:25 pm

      Thats a depressing stat

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 24, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    all the coaches tend to opt for marking pogba instead of pirlo now

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:52 pm

      Because Pogba is the one who makes us dangerous.

      • Avatar
        Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 10:18 pm

        Pirlo is what makes us tick and by far our biggest threat. Notice when he plays bad, the team plays bad. If pogba plays bad, Pogba plays bad.

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 10:21 pm

          Pirlo gives passes through the air, Pogba over the ground. They both are huge threats, but Pogba adds so much when he plays well.

  • Avatar
    B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    No more vucinic in the return leg. Llorente and Tevez should start upfront. Juve can win this.

    • Avatar
      B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 9:39 pm

      And conte should change the fuckin formation ! He changed formation against Madrid and although Juve lost one of those two games, they played really nice. You could clearly see that when Juve lost possession today the flanks were wide open because Asa or Licht weren’t back on time. When defending, a lot depends on them. Surely when they get hit on the counter against wing-players with pace. I know that we can’t say that everything depends on a formation but I swear that this Juve could be more competitive in Europe.

      • Avatar
        DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 9:51 pm

        We should have tied the loss against Madrid and won the draw.

        • Avatar
          B1anconer0 April 24, 2014 at 9:58 pm

          Yup, the loss was because of that stupid backpass from caceres to buffon i think. It was actually conte’s fault because you saw him pointing that caceres had to backpass. I’m just saying that a 4-3-3 worked there, and now he sometimes says that we don’t have the players for a 4-3-3.

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 10:06 pm

            No that was the draw. We came back after going 1-2 down. The loss was a bullshit penalty call involving Chiellini and i think something wasn’t given to us in offense.

          • Avatar
            B1anconer0 April 25, 2014 at 10:43 pm

            Yup, true. That stupid dive from Ronaldo where Chiellini got a red card for. Juve should buy a quality lb imo.

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 10:09 pm

            We should have won that draw because we totally controlled Madrid before that backpass. We were playing great. It was Conte’s fault indeed and Caceres went to full shit after that backpass before giving the assist for the 2-2 i think.

          • Avatar
            DutchJuve April 24, 2014 at 10:17 pm

            Oh and to get to your point, i completely agree with that. I was so happy back then that we used the 4-3-3 and it worked great. We really need Lichtsteiner in the defense. Though who do we put on LB? Chiellini so we can play all 3 of Chiellini Barzagli and Bonucci, or Caceres and bench one of Barzagli or Bonucci?

  • Avatar
    Marc Dominic Zaroli April 24, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    For those of you who don’t know how immobile plays, here is a few of his better moments

    https://youtu.be/NBJ8Fa_AOQ0

    • Avatar
      Peter April 24, 2014 at 10:36 pm

      Well, I was right about the dubstep part.

      Thanks for posting it. He seems alright now. 😛

    • Avatar
      tpick April 25, 2014 at 1:48 am

      He needs to come back. Out of all of the forwards we own/co-own, he is clearly the best. He’s also ready for a bigger challenge, and a better team around him.

    • Avatar
      DutchJuve April 25, 2014 at 4:13 pm

      The 2nd goal in this video was similiar to the ball Chiellini got yesterday. Ciro scored it very skillfully. Also great video. Nicely made.

  • Avatar
    tpick April 25, 2014 at 12:04 am

    Missed the match, but from what I saw on whoscored we outplayed them. I’ve also seen some comments that we need a change of form to a 4-3-3, which is something we need but rather to a 4-5-1.
    Pirlo-marchisio
    Vidal-tevez-pogba
    Llorente. That puts all of our strengths on the pitch, takes pressure off pirlo and opens space for him and others, it also commits marchisio to playing defensive mid which takes pressure off of the cbs and allows the fullbacks to both push up, which would create a 3-5-2 in all out attack. We should, however, stick with the 3-5-2 in Italy, because bitches can’t handle it.

  • Avatar
    adp1974 April 25, 2014 at 12:07 am

    We suck.

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 25, 2014 at 12:31 am

      Optimistic as always

      • Avatar
        adp1974 April 25, 2014 at 1:43 am

        always content with mediocrity as usual … thats for fans who are glory hunters and indifferent when they lose.

        we lost… in europe again, in a 2nd tier comeptition which was made for beer league teams from poland …

        losing to the portuguese and becoming a 5th ranked league in europe would be disastrous…… are you ok with that?

        I’m not.

        • Avatar
          JuventusBuffon April 25, 2014 at 1:48 am

          3 words: It’s not over.

        • Avatar
          Hanna April 25, 2014 at 1:52 am

          i agree with you, im not satisfied, Benfica players were all tired up in the second half and we could defeat them. although i disagree when you say that EL is for beer league teams from Poland. and let’s not forget that Benfica is a strong team too and Gaitan and Salvio were injured, two best players of their squad.

          let’s work and win the second leg

        • Avatar
          JuventusVidal April 25, 2014 at 2:51 am

          actually, glory hunters are those who only support ‘their team’ when they win…

        • Avatar
          Marc Dominic Zaroli April 25, 2014 at 3:17 pm

          You only show up when there are negative things to say.. I don’t think anyone here is okay with us losing by you seem to thrive on the negativity which is odd for some who ‘supports’ the team.

        • Avatar
          DutchJuve April 25, 2014 at 4:04 pm

          You kind of missed the definition of glory hunter. They support a team that always wins and would switch to the next best team when their team seems to have lost it even just a little bit. I don’t think any of the people here are like that.

  • Avatar
    RUDY ARIS April 25, 2014 at 1:22 am

    i would just like to point out that Bonucci failed. Big. We have an away goal though, we are very much alive. We wont let benfica play like this at the Arena.

    • Avatar
      Marc Dominic Zaroli April 25, 2014 at 1:25 am

      Well you’re a few hours late to the party

      • Avatar
        RUDY ARIS April 25, 2014 at 2:50 am

        yeah, I had to work, it was a good game, just had some lapses in defense and didn’t finish some good chances.

  • Avatar
    JuventusBuffon April 25, 2014 at 1:46 am

    I’m very glad that we’re being linked with Alexis Sanchez this summer, we are in desperate need for technical, pacey wingers like him. Hopefully Vidal can talk him in to it at the World Cup lol.

    • Avatar
      RUDY ARIS April 25, 2014 at 2:51 am

      that would be awesome, but he has to keep his shorts on properly. I get so annoyed when he pulls the short legs up like CR.

    • Avatar
      JuventusVidal April 25, 2014 at 2:52 am

      put him and shaqiri on the wings and immobile in the middle and we’d have such an explosive attack omfg

      • Avatar
        JuventusBuffon April 25, 2014 at 10:42 am

        That does sound amazing!

      • Avatar
        ImSoCool12345 April 25, 2014 at 10:45 am

        Shaqiri isn’t worth it IMO. Tevez can play fine on the wing.

        • Avatar
          JuventusVidal April 25, 2014 at 10:57 am

          Tevez doesnt play well on the wing. He doesnt have the tactical ability to adapt there. It didnt work at man utd, man city, or argentina and for the two RM games he either faded out of the game or struggled to do anything worthwhile. We need wingers. Shaqiri is a really creative player and is similar to tevez in the sense that he is small but strong

  • Avatar
    JuventusVidal April 25, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Vidal might need surgery on his knee and could be out for up to a month

    • Avatar
      BelgianJuventino April 25, 2014 at 6:02 pm

      Argh this sucks

  • Avatar
    Guest April 25, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    .