Juventus vs. Baba Ganoush: CL Preview

By: roberto | October 20th, 2009

NMHP_eng

We’re unbeaten at home in this competition since 2004, and they’ve never won in any of their previous four Champions League games away from home. If history can teach us anything, I would have stayed awake during it’s class. I’m not taking anything for granted tonight.

“We worked on something different but I want to wait and see until tomorrow. Choices are made according to the particular moment of the team and something according to the opponent we will be playing against. I want to keep everyone in suspense, ready, careful, concentrated and mean”.

“I saw them [Maccabi Haifa F.C.] play and I think they are a very organized team, very linear and well placed on the field. Certain elements are high in quality. They lost the first match at home but they played well in the first half. Against Bordeaux they lost in the dying minutes after having created a number of opportunities. It is a team that should be respected with very young fullbacks, some of which were born in 1991″. Ciro Ferrara

juventus.com

The suspense is killing me Ciro. 4-3-1-2 or the 4-2-3-1? Just tell me you’re employing strippers in our line up for their prepubescent fullbacks. I knew having Legrottaglie on the team would come in handy. But seriously, put Giovinco on the pitch you fucker. No Diego, No Giovinco, No party.

Maccabi Haifa

Eyal Meshumar and John Culma returned from injury at the weekend and are available for selection. Eyal Golasa is out with a hip complaint. Biram Kayal is suspended for two games. Captain Yaniv Katan is out of contention after having complained of a bout of flu against Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Amir Edri is still out, Tsepo Masilela and Shlomi Arbeitman are doubtful.

Vladimir Dvalishvili will be the dangerman. The highly-rated Georgian hitman scored twice on Saturday against Hapoel Beer-Sheva and he will be eager to do the damage against the Old Lady. Probable Starting XI: Davidovitch, Masilela, Keinan, Meshumar, Teixeira, Boccoli, Culma, Dutra, Arbeitman, Dvalishvili, Ghadir.

goal.com

Bottom line, we need the three points here and I couldn’t care less how we go about it. Tonight we dine on humus and lightly toasted pitas, mmmmmmm. For links, so far there’s only this from myp2p.eu.

IERI… OGGI… DOMANI… SEMPRE JUVE!!!

Some Related Juventus Posts:

Category: Coach, Competitions, Players, Previews & Reviews, Team News

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Ivo

Melo has only suffered a bruise to the ankle, so he will be back in a week at most. GOOD NEWS!

Zebina seems to be out for about a month, not that it matters too much. The only thing that hurts us there is that we are throwing money in the dark by paying him and not playing him but not much we can do there.

Plus, once Caceres gets a couple 90 minute games under his belt, he will link up so well with Camoranesi on the right I can just see it. I say we play Caceres for his quickness and technique, and Grygera against teams we need to defend cuz he is somewhat of a better defender.

Btw, Melo and Sissoko played super solidly last night, I think 4-2-3-1 is the way to go. Also, Giovinco wasn't half bad. Our midfield just needs to score more. THat will take the pressure of the strikers a bit.
georg

I don't think buying a striker is the solution. as we heve good strikers but not on form.
transfer window is in januari, things can change a lot till then...

i think when all 3 on form,amauri is the best for the 4-2-3-1 formation as he can hold on the ball much better then the other strikers, wich is extremely important if you play 1 striker supported by 3 attacking midfielders.

Iaquinta is a nice substitute, very good striker , but truly he lacks class needed for a team who wants silverware.

and trez, its painfull to see he still has lots of qualities, but his merciless clinical finishing is simply not the same anymore...
a 'normal' trez should have bagged a brace yesterday WITH HIS EYES CLOSED. if we keep the 4-2-3-1 (which i hope, the more technical gifted creative players you field , the better)
juve must considder to sell him, dont forget del piero will also return,...
agiamba

i hope we do not need to buy any strikers during the january window, we should focus on fullbacks.

I'm not sure we need any new signings in January, but next summer it should be defense (CB+RB) and maybe a midfielder. Our strikers are top notch, they just need to go out in Vinovo and work on shooting all week for the next few weeks.
j

bad news is there are not many in the market... and i just remember roma is linked with van nistenrooy, maybe we can get him on loan during january, he's a scoring machine and i think his career is over there.
j

yea its worrying, we are touted as challengers to inter, but we are still not there yet, so for now we just aim for 3 points every match regardless of the performance.

the strikers are all not on form which is gong to be a headache for us. i hope we do not need to buy any strikers during the january window, we should focus on fullbacks. anyway i dont think villareal will sell, they are struggling in the liga i believe and so will need rossi, he will be not be cheap either. we are linked with the french striker right, the one arsenal is also targetting, isit chamakh or gignac?

buffon has been saving the team on too many occasions, i saw the save early in the game, that was very quick reflexes! and someone mention about casillas, and i would have to agree, both casillas and dida-ster are no match for gigi! i thought our defence is pretty good during the ranieri days? whats wrong with the grosso-cannavaro-chellini-zebina/grygera/caceres partnership?

maybe we should buy a new centre back or a densive full back...
Sam

Yeha i too would agree i would prefer Rossi any day.
papai

HolyMann, Actually Poulsen should play further up the field, and not as a holding/DM. For his NT, he plays as a Playmaking CM, and plays very decently too. The problem is that he is not a natural defensive minded player. So, instead of a 4-1-3-2, i would prefer a 4-1-4-1 with Poulsen playing.
However, i think the 4-2-3-1 is the most balanced formation currently, and should not be abandoned. PDC can play as a DM until Melo returns.

Sam, I know that Dzeko wont be staying at Wolfburg forever, but I was talking about the Jan transfer window. For our immediate problems, I cannot see a better alternative than Rossi. We need a quality technical striker who can bury a game.
mohd

lets go for cavani of plermo in January the possibility of baying him is greater than dzeco and can play in the cl unlike dzeco
HolyMann

"when position" i meant possession
HolyMann

"Especially with melo going down supposedly, we need to play the 4-2-3-1 system."

i would argue against that, unless Tiago takes his place, i dont want to see Poulsen on the field..

call me crazy, since Melo, Marchisio and Tiago are out, i would love to see a 4-1-3-2 done, sissoko can be left alone infront of the defenders, when position is with us Camoranesi + Giovinco can carry the ball forward to Diego and the strikers, and when ball is with the opposition, they'll have to help with the defending...should Iaquinta + Trezeguet start(im not ruling Amauri out here) with Camo + Gio + Diego behind them both, imagine our chances

i do admit we'll suffer quite a bit with the oppositions offense, but its still an exciting formation
Sam

Papai, looking at Dzeko's class do you really think he will remain at Wolfburg? He will go to a Manutd, Juve, Real etc.

And giovinco's game was impressive if this didnt impress Ciro to keep his starting spot, then what does he expect of him no one knows. Especially with melo going down supposedly, we need to play the 4-2-3-1 system.
papai

I doubt that they will sell Dzeko, although he would be one of the best solutions to our problems. The guy is on fire at the moment. But somehow I am hoping rossi rediscovers his form and dons the bianconeri.

Amauri will fetch the best price, and lets face it, he is currently our third best striker. And, I m getting fed up of his daily Azurri drama - on current form Gila is streets ahead of him. Iaq with his work rate and Trez with his class should hold on to the squad.
Joe

solid game. i agree that Buffon should not have to keep bailing us out....his save in the opening min. of the game was nothing short of amazing, i almost made it completely obvious that i was watching the game on my laptop in class and not paying attention to my finance lecture....by the way i also thought Giovinco played really well too. someone said it before 3/4 wins for Italian teams...we needed it! FINALMENTE!!
Sam

Im sure we wont go out and buy a striker in the mid season market, but end of season, i really think Dzeko is a possiblity.
hant00

i'm rooting for dzeko then, despite he would be cup-tied. but who should be kicked?
papai

Come January, we will need to find a true finisher, at the top of his game. It will be difficult, but that is our only chance of winning any silver this season.
HolyMann

the loss of a DM will definitely hurt us, but at least Sissoko is back, but if Felipe is out, means Poulsen will have more playing time (damn it), i really want Tiago back, he was playing quite well with the new formation.

and yes, we need to find a solution for those terrible finishings, although i still dont thing Trezeguet is back at his best just yet, but its wrong to rely on one player...Sienna next, here's for another 3 points
Sam

Yeh reported that he might be out for a while :( thats why the guy was crying, i really hope he recover quickly.
josh

good play by juve using using this new 4-2-3-1 formation.
i guess they need some time to adapt and click with each other. However, juve definitely need a new RB
al

Amen, Amen!
I am really worried about Melo. Speedy recovery, Felipe.
Amen

Dutra needs to be banned from football. BANNED for life seriously
agiamba

So I just finished watching the game on replay, and I'm pretty satisfied. The formation worked well, Zebina still sucks, and it's 3 points in the bag. Lack of efficiency in front of goal is still hurting us, our defense did not play 100% but I think they played "relatively good." With Bordeaux beating Bayern, I suppose we should focus on eliminating Bayern from the competition, it looks like it'll be us or them for that 2nd spot.
mohd

well first thanks god for the win it was very important and i expected to be difficult match but we have to improve our game and not carry this mentality that makes the player think that one goal is enough because i don't know if you notes but it is been like this scoring only one goal then relax it is not right we have to fight to score anther goal and not to become buffon dependent
Daniel

Just wait to put that midfield feeding Del Piero. It would be a dream come true.
mobb^x3

diego/gio/camo midfield has no sense with such strikers as iaq,amauri,trez. I guess they've forgotten how to score...and they don't know how to FINISH! it's a terrible thing. That's why im in a bad mood :(
ooBia

I'm extremely pleased with the diego/gio/camo midfield..

congratulations to every Juve fan :)
HolyMann

Buffon is the reason i started backing Juventus....im speechless...

btw, did anyone see Casillas's performances....disgusting how some can actually compare him to Buffon
Sofia

so maccabi haifa were playing for blood. hopefully melo is ok...seriously im surprised they finished with 10 men. that ref was WAY too whistle happy, he called way too many fouls even when there was barely any contact made. good result even if our performance was not AMAZING! good to see giovinco getting the full match:) oh well, a win is a win.
buffon=saviour, god, superman, w.e other synonym you can think of.
ooBia

all i want to say is: Buffon's rating = 10/10
Nnahoj

Well Jorid, what would you suggest other than investing in some new strikers? Because we're a decent way into the season and none of the current ones can consistently hit the back of the net. If it keeps up, then we'll only end up dropping more and more points. What other logical solution is there?
Gabriella (ASR)

Job done. Congrats.
georg

haha milan mercato 15m €
real mercato 270m €
real clearly dont hav it with italian teams.
about juve. if the strikers start finishing i think this formation will do just fine ,in time
Jorid

3 points is 3 points, but honestly: How hard is it to put the damn ball in? Agree with Nnahoj. Not necessarily about needing a new striker, but if we don't start capitalizing A.S.A.P then we are going to fuck ourselves over. Real Madrid once again showed what kind of losers they are. Congrats to Milan
Sam Dj

this is disappointing..sure we get the 3 points, but how long will buffon keep bailing us out?
Jack

Buffon on fire yet again
Calisi

Nice 3/4 wins for Italy, Inter drew yesterday.
Papai

3 points atlast...

but our inability to kill off games will come back to haunt us tonight, if we do not by an A grade striker. Hopefully Gio will be a regular now after this lion hearted performance.

A big LOL @ Perez and Pellegrini
Sam Dj

damn, it's 3-2 for milan at bernabeu
Sam

Fuck me my heart just jumped
Jack

HAHA

Real Madrid's 2009 transfers >200M euro
Milan 0 euro

Milan beating Madrid priceless