Napoli V Juventus

This rescheduled fixture did not disappointed- it was an edge of your seat game. Napoli had the reputation as the "giant killers" having beaten both of the Milan clubs but still they weren't able to end Juventus' undefeated run. Napoli are not a side to be taken lightly as they were held at Atlanta and wanted blood, and to prove to their critics that they do have what it takes to be taken seriously. Juve had a slice of luck, as the goal machine known as Edison Cavani was not in the side, however, they didn't count on Pandev netting a brace and Hamsik scoring.


This was always going to be a heated game as people from Naples traditionally don't like teams from the north, and the fans were doing their bit to influence the game by whistling and booing every time a Juve player touched the ball. Napoli pushed Juve in the first half and they got a penalty after 15 minutes which Hamsik took and scored only to realise that he had to retake it, he then missed the second one and Juve were let off the hook, but not for long as Marek Hamsik who felt a huge injustice was done, scored the opener. Juventus went into the break leading by two goals, now the old Juve would have panicked and lost their heads, but this team came out with a fighting spirit that reminded me of the 2002/03 squad.
Alessandro Matri can finally get rid of the chip on his shoulder as he surpassed Claudio Marchisio, by scoring on the 48th minute. But even with 60% possession, Juve looked as though they might lose their record of being unbeaten as Pandev restored Napoli's 2 goal cushion following some errors from the defence, most notable Leonardo Bonucci, who looked rather "out of sorts" and may be on his way out as Juve have conceded more goal then they have scored, sooner or later something will have to be done about this because it could lead to their undoing.
Through sheer determination and great teamwork they managed a draw but at what cost? Juve will be without Andrea Pirlo due to a pile up of yellow cards, they were without Marchisio for the same reason. During this game The Old Lady racked up 5 yellow cards which means Bonucci, Vidal, Chiellini and Pepe are just 1 card away from a suspension. They have to keep their emotions in check because these unnecessary cards build up!
The player that impressed me the most was perhaps Stephen Lichtsteiner, towards the end of the game he looked as though he was struggling to breath. It came as no surprise as he ram himself into the ground. His running knew no bounds and it was encouraging to see, I just hope Juventus don't run out of steam, because the Christmas break is coming up and this is usual followed by a dip in form by Juve.

The return of Milan..

Last nights game was a wake up call to anyone who thought the Rosonerri were a one hit wonder, as the came out of the game as 4-0 victors. Okay it was against Chievo, but the way they dominated possession and pressured the opponent's goal was impressive, that's the least you can say!
Milan had over 60% possession and had 5 shots on goal with 4 of them hitting the back of the net, and all goals came in the fist half with Thiago Silva scoring a thunderbolt on the 8th, Zlatam doubled it on the 16th minute while Pato made it 3-0 on the 33rd minute, being in the right place in the right time all he had to do was slot it in, and then he was brought down in the box and on 44 minutes Zlatan converted the penalty to seal the win before half time.
In the second half Milan were still attacking but Chievo were also, The Flying Donkeys knew they had to go for it, but even with Chievo playing harder they had no chance at turning this around. Allegri used this as a chance to give some playing time to Urby and Stephen- what did they have to lose?
All credit goes to Milan with their impressive display but some should be given to Chievo, after all they did stop Milan from scoring even more and limited their defeat to 4.
With Milan just one point behind Juve, this is a time where everything counts and complete concentration must be kept, because Milan will now be running on this high and may be impossible to contain.

Lazio V Juventus

A game that was billed as the top of the table clash didn't lack in heart stopping moments, that I can guarantee you, as a Juve fan I was on the edge of my seat! Juventus came into this game unbeaten and remain unbeaten, as they came out 1-0 winners, but it was a hard fought victory and their were a lot of " almost" moments like the one on the 10th minute when a Stephen Lichtsteiner cross met Claudio Marchisio's head only to then go over the bar.

Juve almost went ahead soon after this time with an Andrea Pirlo shot to be parried away and for Lichtsteiner to hit it wide of the post- agonizing to watch! But it wasn't all one way traffic as at the other end Tommaso Rocchi had a cjance, but Buffon with all his guile an experience, stopped it. The goalkeepers at both ends made terrific saves to keep it level, but sooer or later someone was going to falter, and on the 34th minute Federico Marchetti was caught out by a quick counter attack by Juve, Alessandro Matri passed the ball to Simone Pepe who, from 10 yards out couldn't miss and he didn't! Pepe almost double the lead moments later, but he was one on one with the keeper, and this time the keeper prevailed. Lazio were far more aggressive in the secomd half as this would be a chance to be on top of the table, and they increasingly showed their intent when on the 50th minute Hernanes was going to fire a close range shot passed Buffon but Lichtsteiner a former Lazio man, made a last ditch tackle to deny him that opportunity. Again Hernanes' had an opportunity but he was foiled by the woodwork on the hour mark. Seconds later a Miroslave Klose effort was punched away by the great athleticism of Gigi Buffon. Seven minutes from time Matri almost killed the game but his powerful shot went wide of the post. Seconds later he was substituted, one can only guess how demoralizing that must have been for him- coming so close on so many occasions and then to be taken off with 6 minutes remaining.

The game ended with The Old Lady reclaiming top spot with a game in hand, and that game is to be played on Tuesday, that doesn't leave a lot of time to recharge but that the benefit of having such a big squad. The worrying thing at the end of the game was the fact that Marchisio will be suspended because of an accumulation of yellow cards and Pepe and Pirlo looked to be running on one leg so to speak. If that's the case, then Juve best midfield combination looks to be in doubt. Maybe Conte could reintegrate Krasic and use Elia- just a suggestion!

Juventus V Palermo

Juventus were haunted by this particular adversary, having not beaten them at home since November 25 2007, they were long overdue a win, And they got it, in some style if I might say, beating Palermo 3-0 goals from Simone Pepe, Alessandro Matri and Octobers MVP: Claudio Marchisio. But it was hardly a walk in the park, Palermo came out with all guns blazing and both sides had the chance to go ahead in the first half. The only thing that did trouble me was how Krasic was left out yet again and he wasn't even on the bench, it seems as though he might be on his way out which hardly seems fair as he is an undoubted talent.

Juve had chances early on when Giorgio Chiellini got on the end of an Andrea Pirlo cross but he miss timed his jump and shouldered the ball wide and after 8 minutes Marchisio's powerful shot just went wide of the post- being Marchisio you would have bet money that It was going to go in after all, he is know for the spectacular goals this season.

Palermo also had their fair amount of chances, most notable Joseph Ilic's left footed shot that would have surely would have troubles any other keeper but not Gianluigi Buffon who made a tremendous save to deny Palermo the chance to go ahead. The game was fairly even but then a sublime cross from Chiellini found the head of Pepe, and on the 20th minute they were in the lead. Mirku Vucinic had so attempts on goal but they bore no fruit and Juve went in at half time leading by 1 goal. The second half saw an energised Juve who would score within 3 minutes of the restart, a Stephen Lichtsteiner, who had been so energetic in the first half, he set up Matri who calmly slotted the ball in on 48 minutes to double the lead. A somewhat desperate Palermo continues the fight but it wasn't enough as Vucinic helped orchestrate the third goal. Vucinic fired the shot on goal which Matri intelligently let go through his legs for Marchisio to put the final nail in Palermo's coffin.

Juve are back on to with a game still to play, but this was a game that could have put a spanner in the works. Juve have the momentum and mentality to collect another win next week against Lazio.

Fiorentina V Milan

A game not for the faint hearted, as right at the end of the game it could have been one by either side, but most of the talk will be about how Seedorf had a goal wrongly chalked off as off side in the first half and how nearly the return of Pato coincided with a goal. There was no doubt that both sides wanted all three points but the stats would prove that Milan had the pedigree and patience to hold on to the ball longer as they had over 60% possession, but with only one shot good enough to trouble the keeper, maybe the loss of Cassano will force Galliani to open up the purse strings in the January transfer window.

The longer it went on goalless the more the home side were growing in confidence, the passes were more accurate and they were have the ball for longer portions of the game, but like Milan they were lacking the finishing touch as shoots were being attempted from anywhere.

The problem that Milan are still facing is the Midfield, Massimo Ambrosini does not have the legs to run back and forth, as it became obvious when he was continually outrun by the Viola players, lucky for him it didn't cost them but it is still an area of concern. This game was always going to be a tough one as it was played in Florence and the homecrowd to make it known when they are displeased, maybe this had an affect on the players and officials, but all I can say is that the result in this game and the game between Lazio and Napoli is hugely beneficial to Juventus and their journey back to the top!