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Galatasaray-Juventus Preview: Turkish champions must beat Bianconeri to progress

The Serie A titleholders need only a point to qualify for the knockout stage but will face a typically hostile reception in Istanbul

Galatasaray host Juventus a winner-takes-all Champions League clash at the Turk Telekom Arena on Tuesday night.

However, while Antonio Conte's men have just one win from five Group B fixtures so far, three draws sees the Serie A champions occupy the second qualifying spot behind Real Madrid, two points ahead of their hosts, meaning a draw would be good enough for the Bianconeri to progress to the knockout stage.

Furthermore, the Italians have been on an impressive run of form of late and are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions.

That said, Gala's nine-game unbeaten home record against Italian opponents will be a cause of some concern for the men from Turin.

Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini - a boyhood Juventus fan - took charge of the Turkish champions for the first time in the reverse fixture on October 2 and has a record of five wins, nine draws and five defeats against the Old Lady as a coach.

The matchday two fixture between these sides ended 2-2, with Didier Drogba putting the visitors ahead before late goals from Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella appeared to have given the Serie A titleholders the three points - only for Umut Bulut to fire home two minutes from time to snatch a draw.

Drogba has history when it comes to eliminating Juventus from the Champions League, scoring in both games as Chelsea beat the Serie A club 3-2 over two legs in the round of 16 in 2008-09.

The most significant piece of team news is the absence of Bianconeri playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who is set to be out until next month with knee ligament damage, though Galatasaray will be without long-term absentee Hamit Altintop.

Speaking after his side's 4-1 defeat against Madrid a fortnight ago, Mancini said of the qualification showdown with Juve: "We will definitely need the support of our fans.

"They have to back us until the final whistle and we are certain that it will be like that. We will try to get the three points with the famous pressure that Galatasaray fans create."

http://www.goal.com/en/match/122466/galatasaray-vs-juventus/preview

- Juventus Galatasaray

Juve Coppa clash moved forward

Juventus will make their Coppa Italia debut this season on December 18, the League have confirmed.

The Bianconeri will host Serie B side Avellino on Wednesday December 18, after the second-tier side overcame Frosinone.

The game was originally scheduled for January 9, but has been moved forward.

I think this thread can be just renamed 'The Arena' where all the press talk and FI reports can be posted here.

On matchdays i think 90% of them prefer separate threads.Another suggestion anyway.

Yea agreed. There should be a separate matchday threads. This should be just for the press talk or reports

Ok I like it

but why all this threads about Juventus now? i saw all players

it brings me out in a nettle-rash

The best club in Italy deserves more threads

Robespierre wrote:but why all this threads about Juventus now? i saw all players

it brings me out in a nettle-rash

I think its about time Juventus section became more organized and presentable.We actually have a decent amount of fans here but all this while it looked like a glorified transfer rumor/FI page.I think with these player threads now,it should induce more activity.(Or atleast i hope).

Whats Fl page?

salmano9 wrote:Whats Fl page?

Football-Italia news page which is what the forum had reduced to with all those postless threads.

Juventus captain Gigi Buffon was interviewed by Sky Sport 24, he analyzed Juve’s chances in the match in Istanbul against Galatasaray:”Certainly the fact that we have two of out three results at our disposal is a nice advantage, but we can’t count on that too much. We are facing a team like Galatasaray that is used to winning in their country, so they certainly have a winning mentality to always try to play their game. Had we found a defensive opponent who didn’t want to play offensively it would have been an indisputable advantage, this isn’t really the case but we are confident”

Marotta: 'Juve experience key'


Juventus director general Beppe Marotta assures they “have the experience to deal with” the fiery Galatasaray fans.

The Bianconeri are in Istanbul this evening for the Champions League Group B game and will qualify if they avoid defeat.

Click here for the line-ups, it kicks off at 19.45 GMT.

“We know it’s a cauldron and the fans are able to express all their emotion. Gigi Buffon’s response was emblematic when he said the fans don’t score goals,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia on the touchline.

“We have players with a great deal of experience who know how to deal with these situations. We will play open and attacking football, as is Antonio Conte’s style.

“Galatasaray need a victory and we certainly won’t be playing for a draw. I hope it will be an entertaining game and that we get a positive result.”

There were concerns ahead of the match due to snow and even hail over Istanbul, but the situation appears to be calming down and the pitch is in good condition.

In a variation to the date and time of the Bianconeri’s next fixture, Antonio Conte’s men will now be taking on Sassuolo at Juventus Stadium on Sunday 15 December at 18.30 CET rather than the 20.45 CET kick-off on Saturday 14 December originally planned.

One thing that remains unchanged for the encounter with the Neroverdi is the presence of the thousands of children who will fill the Tribuna Sud as part of the “Gioca con me…Tifa con me” initiative.

Zaza: 'Sassuolo can upset Juve'


Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza is confident they can cause problems for Juventus in Sunday’s rescheduled game.

The fixture was originally set to be played at 19.45 GMT on Saturday, but was put back to 17.30 GMT Sunday after Juve’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray had to be concluded on Wednesday due to snow.

“A match like this is special for anyone and few of us have played at the Juventus Stadium,” said Zaza, who is co-owned by the Bianconeri.

“Without doubt it will be very emotional to step in to this temple of Italian football. This season Sassuolo have already faced all the big clubs and our Coach will give us the right instructions to challenge Juventus.

“In this game we need courage and moving it to Sunday means we’ll have one more day to prepare. At this moment the Bianconeri are the strongest side, but they are not invincible and Sassuolo have nothing to lose.

“Therefore my teammates and I will give our all to achieve something extraordinary.”

There is a heavy blow for Sassuolo, as star forward Domenico Berardi is suspended.

“He is capable of making the difference at any moment, even though he is only 19 years old, but we’ll try to ensure he is not too badly missed,” added Zaza.

Lippi: Juventus will return


Marcello Lippi is certain former club Juventus will return to being a powerhouse of the European game.

Speaking to the Gazzetta dello Sport after the Old Lady were knocked out of the Champions League this week, the Guangzhou Evergrande boss predicted a bright future for the Old Lady.

“Very justly and with dignity, Coach Antonio Conte admitted in Istanbul that qualification has been lost in the initial two matches,” Lippi stated following the 1-0 defeat.

“Juventus, however, are a team worthy of the quarter-finals and not the Europa League. All of this is disappointing.

“They feel like they are in another dimension compared to Galatasaray and they are right.

“The elimination of Juventus is a major hiccup, but I remain convinced that within a couple of years they will be back to being competitive in Europe.

“Meanwhile, in Italy, I don’t know who could take the Scudetto away from them…”

Lippi won Scudetti and the Champions League with Juventus over two stints with the club.

Gigi Buffon insists he is not the only reason why Juventus have now kept eight League clean sheets in a row.

The Old Lady beat Sassuolo 4-0 on Sunday which allowed the custodian to extend his unbeaten record in goal to 730 minutes.

“The credit has to go all round for our eight straight victories without conceding,” the Italian international noted.

“This also goes to our strikers – who are our first defenders.”

Buffon hasn’t picked the ball out of the net domestically since Giuseppe Rossi netted past him in a 4-2 win for Fiorentina. The Viola’s four goals all came in the space of 16 second half minutes.

Juventus dominated in Turin on Sunday, just a matter of days after their Champions League dream vanished in the snow of Istanbul.

“It was a great response after Wednesday,” Buffon added. “It seems like it’s always taken for granted, but that’s certainly not the case and to win you always have to suffer.

“We were stung by the elimination, but know there's another trophy – the Europa League – which we’ll do our best to win in Turin.”

Di Francesco: 'Juve were superior'

Sassuolo boss Eusebio Di Francesco admits “Juventus were superior” in a 4-0 hammering.

“We had started well, but there was a big difference in quality between the two teams. They have such great physical strength, technique and ability to cut through defences,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“We tried to attack, as we usually do, but it was difficult to come here and get points. We gave away opportunities and that was something we could ill afford.

“In order to build a team, Sassuolo spent a certain amount of money and Juve spent far more. Therefore, it’s normal to see such a big gap.

“However, we cannot afford to make any mistakes in these situations and Juventus were superior. Without Domenico Berardi, I didn’t have any alternatives for that side of the trident, so I changed system.

“Juventus play one-on-one even from the back three, so it’s not easy to play against the Bianconeri.”

Nedved wanted to avoid Turkey return
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Juventus director Pavel Nedved isn’t overly enthusiastic about a Europa League trip to Trabzonspor in the last 32.

After being knocked out of the Champions League at Galatasaray last week, the Old Lady will return to Turkey in February.

“I’m not that happy about having to go to Turkey again,” Nedved told TMW on Monday. “Things haven’t gone too well for us there in the recent past.

“It will be a tough and long away trip. We will have to find the right motivation to play it as Juventus.”

Reaching the Final, to be staged at the Juventus Stadium, is now a target for the Old Lady but they could face rivals Fiorentina in the last 16 if they both progress.

“Fiorentina? Let us just think about one game at a time,” the former Czech international continued.

“The Europa League is not a competition that you should under-estimate, there are good sides who are tough to take on.

“We have to take it step by step.”

Juve, at home first, will play Trabzonspor on February 20 and 27.

Juventus to make Coppa changes


Juventus boss Antonio Conte is expected to make a number of changes to his strongest side against Avellino in the Coppa Italia.

The Old Lady will entertain the Serie B outfit at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night and the Coach wants to give some fringe players action.

According to reports, goalkeeper Gigi Buffon will be rested, thus allowing Marco Storari an opportunity with the gloves.

In defence, Martin Caceres and Federico Peluso may be used in place of Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini.

Simone Padoin and Paolo De Ceglie could get a chance in midfield.

Fabio Quagliarella is expected to start in attack alongside Sebastian Giovinco if the latter recovers from a foot injury.

The President of Trabzonspor is overjoyed at picking Juventus in the Europa League. “They can be eliminated by a Turkish side again!”

The Bianconeri were knocked out of the Champions League by Galatasaray and will return to Turkey in February.

“I wouldn’t see this as an unlucky draw,” said President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu.

“After having faced Lazio in the first round, I wanted with all my heart to face another Italian team. Juve were knocked out of the Champions League by a Turkish team and we can give them the pleasure of being eliminated by a Turkish side again!

“We believe in our chances and usually do well against Italian opponents. If we are at the top of our game, then we can beat Juventus home and away, as we have many fans and playing the first leg in Turin can be an advantage. If we get a good result there, we can hope for a draw on our own turf.”

Trabzonspor assistant manager Hami Mandirali is also looking forward to the challenge of the Juventus Stadium.

“We are ready to face a colossus that until last week was in the Champions League. We do not fear Juventus and it will be wonderful to take them on. We’ll do everything to make Trabzonspor fans proud of us on the European stage.”

Vincenzo Montella is disappointed with Fiorentina’s Europa League draw, as they could face Juventus in the next round.

The Viola will play Esbjerg in February and the Bianconeri take on Trabzonspor, but their paths are due to cross if they both progress.

“Esbjerg are a good side and playing in Denmark in February certainly won’t be easy,” declared Coach Montella.

“The climactic conditions in the away leg will certainly have an effect on the tie, but must not represent an alibi.

“As for the possibility of an Italian derby, we’ll have to see if both teams get through their respective rounds.

“Assuming it does go well, it would’ve been better to face an Italian side a bit further down the road.”

There had already been talk of a potential Juventus-Fiorentina Final, especially as it will be played in Turin.

Oh yeah this time in Torino they'll get their net full with goals

S wrote:

The home of 2006 World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso was raided by police this morning in the latest betting match-fixing twist.

The Cremona based investigators, as part of their next step in their lengthy inquiry, have placed the Milan legend under investigation for alleged wrongdoing.

Cristian Brocchi, a former midfielder with Milan and Lazio, also had his property searched by the authorities on Tuesday.

The Gazzetta dello Sport writes that four men, believed to have been acting as intermediaries between players and betting syndicates, were arrested today for questioning.

The Gazzetta also writes that authorities are taking a close look at a number of top-flight games involving Milan, Juventus and Inter.

Those under the microscope are Milan-Lazio, Chievo-Milan [both February 2011], the March 2011 Milan-Bari, Juve-Lazio [April 2012] and Palermo-Inter [April 2013].

They would do anything to bring this Juve down