13th- 20th December

Club News

Juventus to face Dortmund – Its official – Juventus will face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 of the Champions League. The first leg will be played on 24th February 2015 at the Juventus stadium with the away leg in Germany on  18th March.

 

Goal line technology – The governing body of Italian football (FIGC)  has agreed to investigate the feasibility of goal-line technology in Serie A. “The FIGC has the objective of having technology into the calendar in time for next season. The cost will be borne by the clubs” A statement read.

Barzagli Returns – Andrea has returned to the Juventus squad and makes the trip to Doha for the Italian Super Cup. “I hope to return to the field soon, It’s hard to watch the games on television. My hope is that I’ll be back soon.” Barzagli told the official Juventus website.

Team lands in Doha ahead of the Super Coppa –  Juve have named the squad travelling to Doha for the Super Coppa final: 1 Buffon 3 Chiellini 4 Caceres 5 Ogbonna 6 Pogba 7 Pepe 8 Marchisio 9 Morata 10 Tevez 11 Coman 12 Giovinco 14 Llorente 15 Barzagli 19 Bonucci 20 Padoin 21 Pirlo 23 Vidal 24 Vitale 26 Lichtsteiner 30 Storari 33 Evra 34 Rubinho 37 Pereyra 38 Mattiello 39 Marrone 41 Romagna 77 Audero

Allegri on tactics – Coach Max Allegri gave an open and honest interview where he talked about the changes in Italian football and declared ‘there’s nothing scientific about football.’


Gran Gala Del Calcio –  Juve were the big winners at the Gran Gala del Calcio picking up the award for team of the year while 7 Juve players were named in the best XI. – Click here to read the full story.

Juve appeal ban – Juve successfully appealed coach Max Allegri’s one match ban. The Juve boss was given a €10,000 fine and let off with an official warning.

Juve set points record – The Bianconeri break their own record (set in 2012) for most points accrued in a calendar year in Serie A.

 

Lichtsteiner agrees new Juve deal ? – Sky Italia are reporting that Stephan Lichtsteiner has finally agreed a new deal with Juventus, taking him up to 2017 with an option to renew for a year longer.  

 

Transfer News

Gabbiadini to Napoli – Manolo Gabbiadini has played down his expected move to Napoli declaring “Lately there has been too much talk, so I prefer to do my talking on the pitch, play the way I know how and try to score goals.” [Sky Sport Italia]

Zaza to Juve in January – Juventus could push for Simone Zaza to join them in January although there are conflicting reports saying Beppe Marotta met with Sassuolo’s sporting director and agreed to a transfer for  June 2015. Juventus are also interested in bringing back Domenico Berardi and signing Šime Vrsaljko. [Calciomercatoweb]

 

Podolski on loan ?  – Juventus are interested in taking Lukas Podolski on loan for the remainder of the season [Calciomercatoweb]

 

Tevez to Boca ? – Boca President Daniel Angelici was in Italy for a dinner with Carlos Tevez and Andrea Agnelli and talked about the possibility of El Apache returning to Argentina.

“We discussed his return to Boca, without giving a precise date. He has a contract until 2016 and we respect Juve. However, if Carlos did want to come back earlier, we’d make an effort to ensure he finishes his career at his home.”  [Football Italia]

Giovinco on the way out – Sebastian Giovinco’s time at Juventus could be over, at least that’s what his agent seems to be insinuating. Andrea D’Amico (who rarely stops talking to the press) had this to say about his clients lack of playing time:

“The final word comes down to [Coach Max] Allegri, but it’s only normal that when a player has these qualities and sees himself rewarded in such small measure, he will feel angry within himself about his position.”

Napoli and Fiorentina are both reported to be interested in the player.  [Football Italia]

Kramaric costs €10m, and wants to play – Andrej Kramaric has renewed his contract with Rijeka and will now cost at least €10m. The player confirmed he could leave Croatia, but only if he’s starting matches: “Sitting on the bench is not an option, I want to ensure that I’ll play” – [Tuttosport/Sportske Novosti]

Deniz Hummet on Juve’s radar? – Juventus could make a move for Malmo’s Deniz Hummet. Besiktas are also interested in the 18-year old striker.

 

Rolando a Juve target – Juventus are looking at the option of bringing in another centre-back in the January transfer window. Porto’s Rolando is first on the Bianconeri’s list. [Gianluca Di Marzio]

Juve move for Dennis Praet – Juventus emissaries met with the agent of Dennis Praet to discuss a possible transfer. Praet is a 20 year old play-maker – Juve scouted him during Anderlecht’s match against Borussia Dortmund. [Calciomercato.com]    

Match results/Upcoming fixtures

Juventus 1 – 1 Sampdoria –  Juve were made to pay for their wasted chances as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Sampdoria. Goals from Patrice Evra and Manolo Gabbiadini  

 

Cagliari 1 – 3 Juventus – Arturo Vidal scored a wonder-goal while Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente were also on the score sheet for Juve’s demolition of Zeman’s Cagliari.

 

Supercoppa Italiana – As if i need to remind you, the SuperCoppa Italiana takes place on Monday 22nd December, kick off at 17:00 GMT.

 

 

Quotes of the week

Max Allegri following Juve’s 1-1 draw against Sampdoria: “Samp are very dangerous on the counter-attack and we conceded on that situation. It’s a pity. The team gave its all and was coming off several games played at a high intensity.” [Sky Sport Italia]

Patrice Evra on his first goal in Juve colours: “I am happy to have scored, but disappointed by the result, as we had the game in hand during the first half. If we’d scored another goal, it would’ve been over.” [Sky Sport Italia]

Raul on Del Piero:

 

Pavel Nedved speaks about Juve’s chances against Dortmund  – “We can play at their same level because they are not invincible and we want to qualify for the next round.” [Sky Sport Italia]

Jurgen Klopp on the facing  Juventus : “It is a beautiful tie, but it will be a huge challenge” [Football Italia]

Conte speaks on his success: “I owe everything to the players and the club [Juventus]. My rapport with Juve now? Normal. ” [Football Italia]

Andrea Agnelli on Antonio Conte: “He is perhaps a bit touchy, especially when you tell him that something isn’t going the way that he wants it to.” [Football Italia]  

 

Injuries

Kwadwo Asamoah and Romulo are both recovering from their respective surgeries – Both players expected back in 3 months time.

Andrea Barzagli, Martin Caceres and Luca Marrone have recovered from their respective injuries and all 3 are in the squad that travelled to Doha for the SuperCoppa.    

 

…and finally

Another video, this week from @ArfixStudios – A Paul Pogba compilation:

While tweet of the week goes to @AramushaHime