JUVENTUS F.C. - 2008-2009

Marchisio is turning out to be a great prospect for the team. He was really very impressive against Napoli last evening & I hope Ranieri plays him in the match against Chelsea. He is really good with his passing & works tirelessly to close down the spaces. I see him and Poulsen forming a good midfield partnership for us.

You should get Cigarini and Dessena as well, that'd be a nice italian midfield diamond at a future Juventus with Marchisio anchoring, Cigarini and Dessena, and Giovinco at the apex,

Just a shame C.Zanetti's been missing this season, i despise Poulsen, but Sissoko has had some impressive performances and scored some good goals, Against Chelsea Ranieri should be looking to play Iaquinta and Amauri in a trident, it'd keep the opposition narrow and also allow Juventus to compete better physically against the chelsea defence

Tarun wrote:Marchisio is turning out to be a great prospect for the team. He was really very impressive against Napoli last evening & I hope Ranieri plays him in the match against Chelsea. He is really good with his passing & works tirelessly to close down the spaces. I see him and Poulsen forming a good midfield partnership for us.

Marchioso is so much better than Sissoko and Poulsen

Pirlo, how I wish that Ranieri plays the trident. Or at least gives it a try in games where tactical outmaneuvering can influence games immensely...like the one against Chelsea. He is content and obsessed with the 4-4-2. I agree that it will make a great attack with DP supporting Iaquinta & Amauri.

Pirlo wrote:Against Chelsea Ranieri should be looking to play Iaquinta and Amauri in a trident, it'd keep the opposition narrow and also allow Juventus to compete better physically against the chelsea defence

Marchisio always had the potential.

Tarun wrote:It must be a rumor. I doubt if it will happen. There have been other names associated as well like Malouda, Ribery etc.

But anyway, how is Stewart Downing as a player

borocooper wrote:How excited are you about the prospect of having the Stewart Downing at your club?

I think he would fail under the pressure to be quite honest.

He's good..works hard, excellent crosser when he's at his best, good striker of the ball, good delivery from free kicks..keeps the ball well. Just not sure he's got the mentality to play somewhere like Juventus.

Lower tier to the big guns player Boro, someone like Villa/Everton in EPL etc.

Yeah, I think he'd probably do really well under someone like O'Neill, who would drum the confidence into him. They dont need him though with having Young.

Terrible news for Juventus ahead of the Chelsea showdown, as Momo Sissoko has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

Yeah. He is one player who would have been very useful in clamping down Lampard and Ballack. The problem is that Marchisio is not fit as well. So it looks like Ranieri will have to field Poulsen & Tiago in the central midfield

--The Duck-- wrote:Terrible news for Juventus ahead of the Chelsea showdown, as Momo Sissoko has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

you guys really need Marchisio for this one... any chance he might play?? Poulsen+Tiago will be a disaster.

Tarun wrote:Yeah. He is one player who would have been very useful in clamping down Lampard and Ballack. The problem is that Marchisio is not fit as well. So it looks like Ranieri will have to field Poulsen & Tiago in the central midfield

--The Duck-- wrote:Terrible news for Juventus ahead of the Chelsea showdown, as Momo Sissoko has fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

Apparantly Marchionni is struggling aswell.

So a likely midfield of Nedved, Poulsen, Tiago and Salihamidzic which doesn't sound too convincing.

All the Italian sides are struggling with injuries!

Marchisio might be available as he is trying to get fit on time. But otherwise our midfield looks like a disaster at the moment.

Goal.com ratings for Juventus Vs Bologna

JUVENTUS

Buffon: 7.0- Will not be too happy that Mutarelli’s shot beat him through the legs but made a world class reflex save on Di Vaio in the 51st minute.

Molinaro: 7.0- Made a wonderful tackle to deny Bombardini in the fourth minute and was solid as a rock for the rest of the match.

Chiellini: 8.0- His powerful forward run won the corner kick that led to Salihamidzic’s goal and kept Di Vaio in his back pocket as well.

Mellberg: 7.0- Calm and composed at the back this evening even when Bologna opened the scoring.

Grygera: 7.0- Managed to gallop forward on occasion and his deliveries were top notch more often than not.

Salihamidzic: 8.0- His glancing header brought the match onto level terms and he also had a hand in the other three goals. Easily the best match of his injury-stricken season.

Marchisio: 7.5- After a fairly pedestrian first half, he stormed back to take over the midfield in the second 45 minutes and the floodgates opened up in the process.

Tiago: 5.0- He was caught in possession one time too many and missed a glorious chance in the 37 minute and was mercifully substituted to start the second half

Giovinco: 8.5- The pint-sized playmaker caused Bologna all sorts of problems on the left-hand side and was deservedly rewarded with a goal tonight. He was the man of the match. Simply mesmerising this evening.

Iaquinta: 7.0- You could tell he desperately he wanted to add his name to the score-sheet but it was not to be. Did pick up an assist when he set up Giovinco nicely for Juve’s second goal of the game.

Del Piero: 8.0- Missed an absolute sitter in the 38th minute but atoned for that error with two goals that put the match beyomd Bologna, and could have had a hat-trick if his shot did not hit the upright late in the game

SUBS: Poulsen (46”) 7.5, Daud (88”) NA Immobile (90”) NA

It's good to see Salihamidzic & Poulsen putting in some fine performances when the regular midfield is stuck with injuries

Sunday 15 March, 2009

Blog: Giovinco Generation

Instead of shelling out millions for Diego, Susy Campanale asks why Juventus don’t build their future around Sebastian Giovinco?
On Saturday evening we saw the birth of a new era for Juventus. It is fitting then that it should emerge in the baby-faced features of Sebastian Giovinco, a player who with the right guidance can become the Alessandro Del Piero for the next generation, or more aptly a Kaka or Roberto Baggio.

Against Bologna he was absolutely everywhere taking men on, providing assists, scoring goals and whipping in set plays, but above all else he loaded the struggling team on to his tiny shoulders and carried them back from the brink. This boy is ready to lead.

Giovinco has incredible talent, this is clear to all, but he has so far been trapped in the ugly Italian desire for tactical clarity. Baggio was famously dubbed ‘a 9 and a half’ because he didn’t quite fit into either role, but the Atomic Ant is even less easy to pin down. Trequartista, support striker or wide midfielder, he can cover them all. Yet perhaps the player he reminds me of the most is Kaka – that ability to run with the ball at breakneck speed, give the side a change of pace and absolutely terrify the opposition are all hallmarks of the Brazilian’s game.

Giovinco cannot defend very well, nor has he much stamina, so he would do better protected by an already-existing muscular midfield, letting Momo Sissoko be his Gennaro Gattuso. His introduction sparked Juve to life in the final half-hour against Chelsea, so who knows what would’ve happened if he had come on at half-time when heads were bowed and time was still on their side?

With the team ageing and in need of a radical overhaul, it is Claudio Ranieri’s duty to build the side around Giovinco and his fellow academy products Claudio Marchisio and Paolo De Ceglie. Juventus always pride themselves on being the only club side that can survive on its own income without the need for a benevolent patron, so why not construct a team from its own youth system? They were forced to do so in Serie B post-Calciopoli and discovered wonderful new talents that otherwise would’ve been lost to the endless loan spells around the country.

The millions proposed for transfer target Diego would be ill spent, especially as Ranieri has already complained he doesn’t fit into the tactical system. Imagine the Bianconeri side that could emerge with Giovinco, Del Piero and Amauri protected by an aggressive midfield. At last Juve could use the real characteristics of Italian football – ball to feet, quick passing and technique instead of trying to battle Premier League sides in a physical duel they’ll never win. It’s time we got back to what makes calcio great, starting from Giovinco.

-Channel4-

Rumors going around that Juventus might be looking at Malouda as a LW replacement for Nedved.

Silva nearly a Juventino
Thursday 19 March, 2009
Juventus are reportedly very close to making Valencia winger David Silva their first summer signing, according to the Italian Press.

The Bianconeri have long been admirers of Silva who was a member of the Spain squad that won Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco has announced his intention to bring the 23-year-old to Turin on several occasions.

Valencia are in grave financial trouble and are planning to sell their biggest stars this summer to raise some much needed capital.

Los Che are reportedly in debt to the tune of £450m and have had to postpone the construction of a new stadium.

Valencia want any deal done quickly and are believed to be holding out for £16m, which is said to suit Juventus.

The Turin giants have reportedly set £20m aside to replace the 36-year-old Pavel Nedved, who will retire at the end of the season.

Silva is contracted to Valencia until 2013 and receives a salary of £2.5m, a wage Juventus are confident they can match.

Having suffered an ankle injury at the start of the season, Silva has made just 15 appearances for Los Che in 2008-09.

-Channel4-

He will go for more than 16 million thats for sure.

The Easter Bunny wrote:He will go for more than 16 million thats for sure.

No way

The Easter Bunny wrote:He will go for more than 16 million thats for sure.

Maybe, but Valencia are in financial crisis. They probably have to sell, and they will also in all likelyhood listen to the transfer wishes of their players. So if Silva wants to join Juve, 16 million could be an amount Valencia might accept.

It'll be closer to 20m IMO, but maybe the increased amount will be via performance-linked bonuses. Last year Barça were willing to pay 22m, so if he's on sale for 16 then I'm pretty sure we won't just stand around and let Juve get a bargain.

kas wrote:It'll be closer to 20m IMO, but maybe the increased amount will be via performance-linked bonuses. Last year Barça were willing to pay 22m, so if he's on sale for 16 then I'm pretty sure we won't just stand around and let Juve get a bargain.

I really like Silva, but I just can't see him fitting in at Inter.... I hope you guys get him instead of Juve, he is such a good player.

Silva could replace Nedved, it would be a great move for Juve if they can get him...

Yeah, if I'm being honest we don't really need Silva, as he's quite similar to Iniesta. But Guardiola and Txiki both like him a lot, so if we get the chance to move Hleb on (and I'd get rid of Gudjohnsen too as his contract expires next year), then IMO we should definitely look into adding Silva to the squad. At least his goalscoring record is no worse than Gudjohnsen's, and definitely better than Iniesta and Hleb.

bluenine wrote:

kas wrote:It'll be closer to 20m IMO, but maybe the increased amount will be via performance-linked bonuses. Last year Barça were willing to pay 22m, so if he's on sale for 16 then I'm pretty sure we won't just stand around and let Juve get a bargain.

I really like Silva, but I just can't see him fitting in at Inter.... I hope you guys get him instead of Juve, he is such a good player.

Silva could replace Nedved, it would be a great move for Juve if they can get him...

Apparantly, Juve are trying to talk Nedved out of retirement!

They need to move on - he will be 37 next season.

I'd still be suprised if he leaves Spain, but we shall see.

Why so little faith in Giovinco? If Juve had started him against Chelsea they may have won the game (not necessarily the tie). I love Nedved; he was a fantastic footballer + a model pro, but seriously he is well past it now, and every time I see him play only reaffirms that.

Also didn't Juve buy Iago Falque who is about 18/19 - Silva doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Juve should buy another CM + CB + RB (all first choice ones)

--------Sissoko
-----Marchisio------CM
------------Giovinco
Amauari-------------DP

Maybe Giovinco can replace Delps in a bit, but that would be a pretty decent lineup providing the CM is of a high quality.

Cant see Silva leaving same either, it will go to Barca/real or settle for a club like sevilla.

If he does leave it will be for liverpool.

Lago is aces, but stupid to think he would get 1st team football in italy before he did at barca, should have followed cesc to arsenal are stay at the club, it would be nice to have a proper winger in the team.

Calidad, I love the formation you proposed but Ranieri is very reluctant to let go of his favorite 4-4-2.

Regarding Giovinco, it's not a matter of faith as he is getting regular playing time for a while now. If Ranieri plays the midfield diamond then Giovinco could have easily slotted into the team, but he usually comes on for Nedved who is still performing so well.

Calidad wrote:I'd still be suprised if he leaves Spain, but we shall see.

Why so little faith in Giovinco? If Juve had started him against Chelsea they may have won the game (not necessarily the tie). I love Nedved; he was a fantastic footballer + a model pro, but seriously he is well past it now, and every time I see him play only reaffirms that.

Also didn't Juve buy Iago Falque who is about 18/19 - Silva doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Juve should buy another CM + CB + RB (all first choice ones)

--------Sissoko
-----Marchisio------CM
------------Giovinco
Amauari-------------DP

Maybe Giovinco can replace Delps in a bit, but that would be a pretty decent lineup providing the CM is of a high quality.

Cassano's agent has apparently been caught house hunting in Turin, hmm...

I don't know why they'd go for Cassano. They already have Del Piero and Giovinco.

Maybe he's signing with Torino.

Why wouldn't any club like a flexible game changer in their team? They'd be stacked in the Trequartista position and would have an interchangible front quartet:

Cassano---Amauri---Giovinco
----------Del Piero---------

etc.