A second side in black and white stripes arrives at Eastlands this week. Only this time it contains Joey Barton rather than Del Piero.
Roberto Mancini will be looking for victory following last weekend’s morale boosting win over Chelsea. A repeat of the defeat to Sunderland which followed the triumph over Liverpool needs to be avoided.
Continue Reading →This was a game where both sides appeared to start out believing the other was there for the taking, before realising a mutual respect that saw them settle for a draw.
Aside from Del Piero cracking a free-kick against the bar, the competitive edge to this game was to be found in the first half. Juventus defied talk of their demise by flying out of the blocks with some slick passing and movement, the like of which we’re unaccustomed to in our domestic football.
Continue Reading →Hart – Not the best of nights for Joe, being caught out as the ball bounced under his outstretched hand for the goal. Del Piero’s free kick against the bar should also have been tipped over. 6
Zabaleta (Boyata 46) – Not many wingers get the better of Pablo, but Krasic was a slippery opponent. The Argentine was typically fearless in one crunching 50-50 with Chiellini which he did well to survive intact. 6
Continue Reading →Tonight sees Juventus visit Eastlands as the biggest continental club we’ve played, outside of the Thomas Cook Trophy, since the 70’s. Back then Juve were lead from the back by Dino Zoff and managed by Giovanni Trappatoni – a manager who now sees more of Shay Given than we do.
The current Juve side may not be one of their greatest as they undergo a rebuilding process, both on and off the pitch. However the Agnelli family have dug deep once again to allow the signing of Krasic. Like ourselves, they are currently attempting to assimilate a host of new signings, though their start to the season has been less satisfactory than ours.
Continue Reading →