Preparing for Bayern M?nchen vs Juventus
Mood:  bright
Topic: Champions League
Champions League - 17 Oct 2005 - 8:04 PM

During the UEFA press conference, Fabio Capello talked about tomorrow night’s match: “It will be very important for the two clubs, who are both at full score, as for the ranking as well as for the future in Champions League. The two-time challenge can be fundamental, these are tough matches”.

Talking about their opponents, already met last year, the Bianconeri’s coach said: “This year’s Bayern are far more careful in defence, they conceded only five goals in the last few matches. They’re a more difficult team”German journalists informed him that Bayern lean a lot on the stadium factor this year. And Capello replied: “I don’t think that International players like ours can be any impressed. It’s unquestionable, though, that Bayern can feel more the fans’ support in a stadium like this that does not have the athletics track”.

The team’s conditions are excellent: “We feel good physically and mentally – Capello confirms. We’ve played well so far but this match cannot be compared to any other we’ve played lately”. As expected, he was asked about Kovac, who has been Bayern’s reference man until last year: “Regardless of the fact that he’s playing tomorrow, he’s a player that has been able to prove his worth in the few months spent at Juventus so far as an athlet as well as a man. It’s a very important player for us and he will be so in the future like he has been so far.”

After meeting and beating Club Brugge and Rapid Vienna, on Tuesday night Juventus will play against Bayern M?nchen, who top Champions League Group A alongside the Bianconeri. The set for the challenge will be the futuristic Allianz Arena and the protagonists will be two teams who are both first-ranked in their respective home championships.

On one side, Juventus, who have been able to win every single match played since the beginning of the season, winning six consecutive Serie A matches and earning two wins in Champions League, the away 2-1 against Brugge and the home 3-0 against Rapid Vienna. On the other side, Bayern M?nchen, who won by 1-0 the Champions League matches against Rapid and Brugge, and who are leading Bundesliga, alonside Werder Brema, with seven wins, one draw and one defeat.

In their histories rich in trophies and victories, Juventus and Bayern M?nchen have met only twice in official competitions, namely during last season’s Champions League. And it was Juventus who came out victorious in both occasions, first at the Delle Alpi thanks to a goal by Nedved and then in Munich thanks to a goal by Del Piero, resulted from a splendid action started by Ibrahimovic.

Juventus - Messina 1-0
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Serie A - 15 Oct 2005 - 10:30 PM

Juventus conquer their seventh win out of seven matches in the championship, beating Messina by 1-0 at Delle Alpi thanks to a fantastic Del Piero goal. The Bianconeri control the game, Messina defend. On 3’ minutes, Emerson follows Nedved’s free kick and tries to nod it in but the goalkeeper clears. On 17’ minutes, Del Piero tries a great left-footed shot which ends past the net after being deflected. On 19’ minutes, Nedved crosses from the left flank into the midfield but Mutu can’t find the winning deflection on goal. On 24’ minutes, Juventus take the lead with a terrific goal from Del Piero who, starting from the final third, dribbles four opponents and beats Storari with a left-footed shot (1-0). Messina’s reaction takes shape with Donati’s drive which Abbiati can easily save (29’) and Zoro’s finish that ends out (37’). In the final minutes of the first half, the Bianconeri are still in attack, on 44’ minutes a fine pass from Ibrahimovic to Nedved, who throws it in, is finally saved by the goalkeeper.

The second half too is marked by the Bianconeri. After 8 minutes, Nedved attempts on goal from outside the box but the goalkeeper clears into the corner. Two minutes later, it’s Ibrahimovic’s turn but his shot ends high over the bar (10’). On 13’ minutes, Storari’s two-time save on Nedved then on Ibrahimovic. On 26’ minutes, Camoranesi crosses to Del Piero, but he can’t find the ball. A few seconds later, the midfielder tries a conclusion on goal from outside the area and Storari clears (27’). Juventus is always dangerous and on 28’ minutes Ibrahimovic gets into the box, dribbles an opponent and serves Camoranesi into the area but the shot is saved. On 40’ minutes, Juventus get very close to doubling the score with Trezeguet’s great left-footed shot which hits the post. A thrill for Capello’s side is caused by Muslimovic on 45’ minutes when he tries to nod it in, but the result is saved by Abbiati.

JUVENTUS-MESSINA 1-0
GOALS: 24’pt Del Piero
JUVENTUS: Abbiati, Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Nedved (30’sh Chiellini), Giannichedda, Emerson, Mutu (12’sh Camoranesi), Del Piero (37’sh Trezeguet), Ibrahimovic. Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Kovac, Balzaretti, Blasi, Trezeguet.
MESSINA: Storari, Zoro (28’sh Sculli), Rezaei, Zanchi, Aronica, Cristante, Coppola, Donati, Giamp?, D’Agostino (18’sh Di Napoli), Zampagna (28’sh Muslimovic). Coach: Mutti. Substitutes: Caglioni, Iliev, Fusco, Mamede.
REFEREE: Bergonzi
YELLOW CARDS: 35’pt Thuram, 13’sh Zanchi, 23’sh Cristante, 36’sh Donati, 47’sh Cannavaro, 47’sh Coppola
ATTENDANCE: 30.097
GATE TAKINGS: 398.794

Preparing for Juventus-Messina
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: General
After the break for World Cup qualifications, Juventus are back to the Delle Alpi to meet last year’s revelation, Messina, who ended the 2004/2005 season seventh-ranked. A winning group must not be changed, that’s why Bortolo Mutti’s squad is virtually like last season’s. The only one missing is goalkeeper Eleftheropoulos, now with AS Roma. The man in charge of making goals is still Zampagna, supported by attacking midfielders Giampa, D’Agostino and Iliev.

Unlike last year, though, the Sicilians have had some difficulties at the start of the season. They earned only three points in the first six matchdays, as a result of three draws, and they’re now ranked at the last but one place side by side with Cagliari and Reggina. If not in attack – they have scored six goals as a whole – the problem seems to be in defence: with the 12 goals conceded, Messina’s defence is the weakest in the championship.

We’ll see a head-to-tail match at the Delle Alpi: the team who has always won, Juventus, against one of those who has not so far, Messina. It’s unlikely that Mutti’s squad manages to earn the three points in the very Turin, since Capello’s side has kicked it off winning every single match they’ve played, in the championship as well as in Champions League. In the latest match against Mancini’s Inter, the Bianconeri played a fantastic match, showing great solidity and practicalness in the midfield and defence, and incisiveness in attack.

This is a top quality mixture that allowed the 2005/2006 Juventus to win the first six matches of the championship, which is a real record since the three-point rule for wins has been introduced. Precedents are clearly on Juventus’s side: in fact, the Bianconeri have won every match played at the Delle Alpi against the Sicilians, who will come to Turin with a desperate need of points. In the past, Mutti’s squad has given their utmost against top clubs and was able, last year, to beat Milan at San Siro and Roma and Inter at home. However, Capello’s lads are always hungry for wins and against Messina they’ll be willing to continue the wonderful series of victories.

Juventus - Inter 2-0
Mood:  happy
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Juventus win the big match against Inter thanks to great determination and caution. The two winning goals are signed by Trezeguet and Nedved. Capello’s team takes home the sixth win out of six matches and they are proceeding at full score.

Italy’s derby takes place under the pouring rain but surrounded by a warm support worth of one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the championship. It’s a much struggled match. After 3 minutes, Nedved tries to surprise Julio Cesar with a free kick but the ball gets past the post. Figo replies on 19’ minutes, again on a free kick, but Abbiati saves. On 22’ minutes, Capello’s side takes the lead: Ibrahimovic’s free kick is hit back by the goalkeeper but Trezeguet is well positioned in front of the net and drives the ball back in (1-0). The Delle Alpi bursts into joy, with plenty of cheers for the Frenchman, who scored his 102nd goal for Juventus. One minute later, Ibrahimovic tries to beat Julio Cesar with a shot from the downfield area but it gets out. Inter tries again on 32’ minutes with Figo on a free kick but Abbiati saves once again; following the action, the ball gets to Adriano but Vieira anticipates him in the area, vanishing the Nerazzurri’s attempt in attack. Juventus get more and more in control of the match, being cautious in defence and dangerous in attack. On 34’ minutes, they double the score: a great free kick from the edge of the box for Nedved and the ball gets in (2-0). On 37’ minutes, Abbiati counters Martin’s attempt on goal, assisted by Adriano, then Blasi takes the ball away from the Bianconeri’s area. After 43 minutes, Juventus keep attacking: Ibrahimovic is brought down very toughly by Materazzi, he seems to go out at first but resists and remains on the pitch. Meanwhile, Nedved shoots a free kick but it gets deflected into the corner by the wall. Vieira follows the corner shot by the Czech but the goalkeeper clears his header. Ibrahimovic tries to resist but he just can’t continue to play and makes way to Del Piero.

The start of the second half is hard-fought. Thuram, who had had some muscular problems during the week, must leave the pitch. Kovac replaces him, on Cannavaro’s side. On 11’ minutes, Inter attempt on goal with Adriano’s free kick but the ball gets high over the crossbar. Few minutes later Capello loses Trezeguet too and replaces him with Zalayeta. On 23’ minutes, Recoba’s free kick is cleared in the corner by Abbiati who repeats himself on 34’ minutes with Martins’s drive. Two minutes later, Del Piero’s free kick ends high over the crossbar.

JUVENTUS-INTER 2-0
GOALS: 22’fh Trezeguet, 34’fh Nedved
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Blasi, Thuram (5’sh Kovac), Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Emerson, Vieira, Nedved; Ibrahimovich (46’fh Del Piero), Trezeguet (15’sh Zalayeta). Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Kovac, Chiellini, Giannichedda, Mutu.
INTER: Julio Cesar; Cordoba, Materazzi (37’sh Ze Maria), Samuel, Favalli; Figo (19’sh Recoba), Cambiasso,Pizarro (26’sh Cruz), Stankovic; Adriano, Martins. Coach: Mancini. Substitutes: Toldo, Wome, Solari, Kily Gonzalez.
REFEREE: Paparesta
YELLOW CARDS: 27’fh Cordoba, 31’fh Vieira, 40’fh Materazzi, 50’fh Emerson,
ATTENDANCE: 33.772
PROCEEDINGS: 971.934

David Trezeguet
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: Front Cover

Today's front cover is dedicated to our great striker, David Trezeguet.

Preparing for Juventus - Inter Milan
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: General
Juventus vs Inter: the precedents
All the figures of the challenge against nerazzurri, Italian Cup and Italian Supercup included:

Matches played: 173
Juventus's Wins: 81
Draws: 42
Inter's wins: 50

Goals
Scored: 253
Conceded: 207

The last match:

Won:
Season 2002/03 23rd matchday, March 2nd 2003
Juventus - Inter: 3-0
4? Guglielminpietro (aut.), 34? Nedved, 83? Camoranesi

Drawn:
Season 2001/02 9th matchday, October 27th 2001
Juventus-Inter 0-0

Lost
Season 2004/05 32nd matchday, April 20th 2005
Juventus - Inter 1-0
24? Cruz


Facts & figures
Precendents between Capello and Mancini, Italian Cup and Italian SuperCup included:

Capello's wins: 5
Draws: 4
Mancini's wins: 3

Precedents between Capello and Inter, Italian Cup and Italian SuperCup included:

Capello's win: 8
Draws: 12
Inter's wins: 11

Precedents between Juventus and Mancini, Italian Cup and Italian SuperCup included:

Juventus's wins: 2
Draws: 4
Mancini's wins: 5

Juventus vs Rapid Vienna 3-0
Mood:  happy
Topic: Champions League

On their Champions League home debut, Juventus meet Rapid Vienna. Capello’s side dominates the first 45 minutes and create several scoring occasions, with Nedved, Ibrahimovic twice, Emerson from the distance and Trezeguet’s header. On 18’ minutes, Ibrahimovic puts the ball in, dribbles an opponent, Camoranesi shoots on goal but he misses the target and the ball ends wide of the net. On 26’ minutes, Nedved follows the action carried out by Camoranesi, attempts on goal but the ball is high over the crossbar. The winning goal for the Bianconeri comes one minute later: Zambrotta crosses from the left to Trezeguet who, placed near the goal, puts the ball in and it’s 1-0. On 34’ minutes, a fine action by the Ibrahimovic-Nedved partnership, when the Czech serves Camoranesi into the box and the latter tries the winning conclusion but the ball is past the post.

In the second half Rapid Vienna line up Lawaree, who worries Abbiati on 11’ minutes with a left-footed shot. A few minutes later they get dangerous again with Hofmann, whose shot ends high over the bar. Juventus take the game back under control and it will be so until the end of the match. Following Camoranesi’s corner, the ball gets to Emerson but he shoots it high. On 28’ minutes, Ibrahimovic drives down the whole pitch, gets to the edge of the box and, obstacled by defenders, can still serve Nedved but the Czech’s attempts is too high. After 30 minutes into the second half, there comes another scoring occasion for Capello’s side: Del Piero serves Ibrahimovic but the latter’s shot is cleared by the goalkeeper.
On 36’ minutes, a fine volley from Del Piero gets deflected into the corner. Following the corner shot, Emerson’s shot ends little wide the post. One minute later, the score gets double: Mutu drives down the left flanks, gets into the box and fires a precise left-footed shot that beats Payer (2-0). It’s 40’ minutes when it gets to 3-0: Nedved crosses for Ibrahimovic into the box and the Swede scores with a right-footed shot. He celebrates his first Champions League goal, Juventus do their second win out of two matches which take them to the top of Group A at full score.

JUVENTUS-RAPID VIENNA 3-0
GOALS: 27’fh Trezeguet, 37’sh Mutu, 40’sh Ibrahimovic
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Pessotto, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (20’sh Mutu), Emerson, Giannichedda (38’sh Blasi), Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet (14’sh Del Piero). Coach: Capello. Substitutes: Bonnefoi, Kovac, Chiellini, Blasi, Del Piero, Mutu, Zalayeta.
RAPID VIENNA: Payer; Dober (31’sh Martinez), Valachovic, Bejbl, Adamski; Hofmann, Korsos, Hilinka, Ivanschitz; Kincl, Akangunduz (8’sh Lawaree). Coach: Hickerseberger. Substitutes: Hedl, Labant, Garics, Martinez, Dollinger, Lawaree, Prenner
REFEREE: Hansson (SWE)
YELLOW CARDS: 2'sh Valachovic
ATTENDANCE: 11.156
PROCEEDS: 197.175

Preparing for Juventus-Rapid Vienna
Mood:  suave
Topic: General
The Roster

Coach Capello has called up 21 players for the match against Rapid Vienna:

3 Chiellini
6 Kovac
7 Pessotto
8 Emerson
9 Ibrahimovic
10 Del Piero
11 Nedved
14 Balzaretti
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
18 Mutu
19 Zambrotta
20 Blasi
21 Thuram
22 Bonnefoi
23 Giannichedda
24 Olivera
25 Zalayeta
26 Gladstone
28 Cannavaro
32 Abbiati

The Precedents
UEFA Cup 1971/72 - 24.11.71
Rapid V. Juventus 0-1 (Bettega)

UEFA Cup 1971/72 - 08.12.71
Juventus Rapid V. 4-1 (Bettega (3), Lorenz, Causio ?)

Champions League 16.10.96
Rapid V. Juventus 1-1 (Vieri, Lesiak)

Champions League 30.10.96
Juventus Rapid V. 5-0 (Boksic (2), Montero, Del Piero (2))

Parma vs Juventus 1-2
Topic: Serie A 2005-2006

Fifth wins out of five matches played by Juventus who beat Parma 2-1 at Tardini on the fifth week’s early match. The Bianconeri lead the game during the whole match, although it’s the home side who are first to take the lead on 14’ minutes with Delvecchio. Camoranesi earn the draw and Vieira scores the winning goal.

Turnover at Parma for Capello’s side. Emerson and Nedved are at rest and are substituted respectively by Giannichedda and Mutu. In attack Capello lines up the new Trezeguet-Zalayeta partnership. Italy’s champions set up the game but it’s Parma who take the lead on their first attack. It’s 14’ minutes when Bresciano crosses to Corradi who passes back to Delvecchio and the latter nods it in (1-0). The Bianconeri, before Parma’s advantage, had attacked with Zalayeta, whose fine pass both Trezeguet and Camoranesi got anticipated on (7’) and then with the Frenchman’s attempt on goal which had ended high over the crossbar (10’). They insist with Camoranesi who heads the ball over the crossbar (16’ minutes) and engages the goalkeeper from the distance with a central shot (25’), while Mutu shoots a couple of free kicks from the edge of the box which are both hit back. Parma get dangerous on 28’ minutes with Morfeo’s free kick deflected on the goalline and on 39’ minutes with Simplicio’s shot on goal cleared by Abbiati. Juventus earn a draw one minute before the end of the first half: Vieira serves Camoranesi and the latter’s fantastic right-footed shot beats Lupatelli (1-1).

During the break, Capello replaces Giannichedda with Emerson and also Zalayeta with Ibrahimovic and Mutu with Nedved. The second half’s tempo is faster. At the start, Abbiati is worried by Delvecchio and Bresciano, then it’s the Bianconeri’s turn to attack with Mutu first, whose shot ends high over the crossbar (8’) and then with Camoranesi, whose shot on goal is finally cleared (12’). On 19’ minutes, Vieira passes to Ibrahimovic but his cross for Trezeguet misses the target. On 27’ minutes, Bresciano puts the ball in and Pisano’s attempt on goal is wide of target. On 29’ minutes, Juventus get close to scoring when Nedved’s shot is intercepted by Trezeguet who is eventually anticipated by Contini in front of the net. On 35’ minutes it’s another scoring occasion for Juventus: Zambrotta crosses for Camoranesi who misses the post for little. Two minutes later and it’s time for the deserved advantage, signed by Vieira, who’s at his third goal in five matches: the Frenchman starts the action, assists Ibrahimovic then moves forward to receive the cross shot from the Swede and nods it in. It’s 2-1.


PARMA – JUVENTUS 1-2
GOALS: 14’f.h. Delvecchio, 44’f.h. Camoranesi, 37’s.h. Vieira
PARMA: Lupatelli; Bonera, Cardone (2’s.h. Couto), Contini, Pasquale; Bresciano (31’s.h. P. Cannavaro), Simplicio, Grella; Morfeo; Delvecchio (9’s.h. Pisanu), Corradi. Manager: Beretta. Substitutes: Bucci, P.Cannavaro, Bolano, Descena, Dedic
JUVENTUS: Abbiati; Pessotto, Thuram, F. Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Giannichedda (1’s.h. Emerson), Vieira, Mutu (24’s.h. Nedved); Trezeguet, Zalayeta (11’s.h. Ibrahimovic). Manager:Capello. Substitutes: Chimenti, Kovac, Blasi, Del Piero
REFEREE: Pieri
YELLOW CARDS: 16’f.h. Camoranesi, 23’f.h. Zambrotta, 31’f.h. Bonera, 11’s.h. Pasquale, 42’s.h. Grella, 43’s.h. Emerson

Patrick Vieira
Mood:  lyrical
Topic: Front Cover

Today's front cover is dedicated to the mighty Patrick Vieira.