Posts Tagged ‘Claudio Ranieri’

Torino 0-1 Juventus: Chiellini Clinches Derby della Mole, Stadio Olimpico Now Waiting for Chelsea (Serie A Matchday 27)

Sunday, March 8th, 2009

Juventus' Giorgio Chiellini celebrates after scoring against Torino during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Turin March 7, 2009. (REUTERS)

They may not play stellar soccer, they may not score lots of goals, but Juventus know just what it takes to win games. With a single goal by Giorgio Chiellini the Bianconeri got the better of Torino in Saturday’s Derby della Mole, keeping their distance to league leaders Inter at 7 points. Torino’s good performance (especially with regards to motivation -derbies can do that to ya- and goalkeeping technique) was not enough to breaking a Granata losing tradition which has now extended to 14 derby years.

But speaking of Juventus, one could almost say it was good night for Claudio Ranieri as well, the Bianconeri manager being able to rest a good number of his starters (Del Piero, Trezeguet, Tiago and Marchionni) and see some welcome returns (Zebina) in preparation of their UCL return leg against Chelsea Tuesday.

Yeah. Almost.

(more…)

Lazio 2-1 Juventus: Biancocelesti Turn It Around at the Olimpico (Coppa Italia Semi-Finals, First Leg)

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

Coppa Italia 2008-09 - SF L1 - Lazio vs. Juventus

At the end of a day dominated by controversy (post-Inter vs. Roma ripples), legal affairs (president Claudio Lotito being indicted) and managerial complaints (Mourinho’s rant), it was nice to see a bit of footy action at Stadio Olimpico Tuesday. And for our greatest delight Lazio vs. Juventus ended up being a vibrant and entertaining match

For the first leg of Coppa Italia‘s Semi-finals, the result was 2-1 to the Biancocelesti: they came back from Marchionni‘s goal with tallies by Pandev and Rocchi, who in Zarate’s absence (suspended) made a key difference among Lazio ranks. Things are still very much open for the second leg (April 22) and Juve will have the opportunity to turn the result around at that time, hoping to field their first half team (not the one overrun by Lazio in the second half).

(more…)

Juventus 1-0 Napoli: “Claudio Marchisio” Wipes Stamford Bridge Tears Away (Serie A Matchday 26)

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, right, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Napoli, at the Olympic Stadium in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.  (AP Photo)

It may not be champagne football, but Juventus know just what to do to pick themselves up. I wouldn’t say the “Stamford Bridge scar is healing” (Gazzetta‘s words, personally I wouldn’t even call it a scar – things are still very open for the second leg) but Saturday the Bianconeri demonstrated once again maximum efficiency with minimum effort: very few shots on target, one goal in the first half, preservation of the lead in the second.

As for Napoli, yesterday marked the 8th consecutive away loss for the Azzurri, a team which in their last 8 matches has been able to score only two points. And while Edy Reja’s boys at least tried to muster some kind of a pride reaction in the second half, it looks like the Neapolitan manager’s tenure at the club is hanging by a very thin thread indeed.

(more…)

Chelsea 1-0 Juventus: Drogba Draws First Blood, Bianconeri Still Hopeful (UEFA Champions League Round of 16, First Leg)

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

UEFA Champions League 2008-09 - Chelsea vs. Juventus

Usually, even the most skilled of managers are incapable of turning a team upside down in a matter of days. And yet, Chelsea victory over Juventus in the Round of 16′s first leg of UEFA Champions League playoffs bears a big mark from the “Goose”.

His secret in two words? Didier Drogba. A lost soul during the Scolari era, the Ivorian international took inspiration from the Dutchman’s arrival and retrieved a confidence and goalscoring form which seemed to have been lost, carrying the Blues & his new manager to a valuable 1-0 victory at home. For Juve this is a scoreline which gives as much hope as it instills fear, for the second leg may be a tricky affair indeed: qualification is still within reach, but let Chelsea score in Turin and it’s bye bye Europe.

(more…)

Palermo 0-2 Juventus: Welcome Back David, Chelsea Here We Come (Serie A Matchday 25)

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

David Trezeguet is back!

May 17, 2008. That is the last time one Mr. David Trezeguet had scored in the Italian Serie A: almost an unthinkable waiting period for a goalscorer of his caliber, but which finally came to an end Saturday night as Juventus overcame Palermo.

And it certainly was no easy feat, as the Bianconeri battled with a motivated, tactically disciplined, and physical Rosanero team, who obtained their fair share of scoring chances but in the end were forced to capitulate against an impenetrable Gigi Buffon and the scoring cynicism of their opponents.

And with Juventus, all three Serie A teams with upcoming UCL mid-week action have gathered full points, something which in terms of team morale should make a big contribution in their favor. “Europe here we come“!

(more…)