Ciro Ferrara’s Juventus have made a superb start to the new campaign – recording wins over Chievo, Roma and Lazio. The club actually owns the record of consecutive wins at the start of a Serie A season – eight in 1930-31 and 1985-86. It would be a brave man to suggest Ferrara’s charges won’t be halfway to matching that objective after the visit of Livorno.

The Tuscan club, on the other hand, have had a mixed beginning to their return season in the top tier. Goalless home draws with Cagliari and Milan sandwiched a defeat on the road at Napoli and has produced just one goal – courtesy of talismanic striker Cristiano Lucarelli. With their first victory of the new term still to be achieved an away trip to face La Vecchia Signora cannot have been one they will have welcomed.

History offers no encouragement either. In their last three visits to Turin to face the zebra-striped half of the city they have conceded 12 goals – 5-1, 3-0 and 4-2 their recent results. Even at home they have only managed one draw and two defeats since rekindling top Division rivalries with the Bianconeri.

One thing that the Amaranto can list in their positives column is the fact that Juventus had a tough test against French champions Bordeaux in their midweek Champions League tie. The exhilarations of that match may just leave a few tired muscles and aching legs in the Juve camp.

Another factor that may help them out is the injury problems being encountered by Brazilian sensation Diego. The summer arrival from Werder Bremen has made an amazing impact at his new club but suffered a thigh strain against Lazio. The indications are that he will miss the visit of Livorno, although the damage has not turned out to be as bad as first thought so he may just make the final cut.

Juventus’ treatment table will have been running a ticket system this week as defenders Zdenek Grygera and Jonathan Zebina, midfielders Diego, Mohamed Sissoko and Hasan Salihamidzic, plus striker Alessandro Del Piero have all been requiring medical attention ahead of this game. There are doubts too over Fabio Cannavaro and Tiago. Livorno only have defender Nelson Rivas sidelined.

Keep an eye on: Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus) – With Diego stealing the headlines in recent weeks it would be easy to forget that little Seb was meant to be the next big thing in Juve’s future. Don’t be surprised to see him offer a little reminder that he is still out there should he get the nod to fill in for the injured Brazilian.

Last five in Serie A: Juventus (- - W W W) Livorno (- - D L D)

Last season: Not played

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Caceres, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi, Felipe Melo, Marchisio; Giovinco; Iaquinta, Trezeguet

Livorno (probable): De Lucia; Raimondi, Perticone, Miglionico, Vitale; Pulzetti, Mozart, Moro; Candreva; Tavano, Lucarelli

Ref: To follow...

It's obviously a game we have to be winning, even with the players missing there is more than enough to win this game. As with all games like this a goal and lead in the first half is important, particularly after the frustrating game midweek.

I would go with this lineup:





Seba himself knows chances are decreasing for him in this role so he needs a good performance and I really hope he gives one.

By the way this is the Saturday night late game, and is live on ESPN.

Players called up

1 Buffon
2 Caceres
3 Chiellini
6 Grosso
8 Marchisio
9 Iaquinta
11 Amauri
13 Manninger
15 Zebina
16 Camoranesi
17 Trezeguet
18 Poulsen
19 Molinaro
20 Giovinco
21 Grygera
23 Ariaudo
29 De Ceglie
33 Legrottaglie
39 Marrone

I've got a feeling Ciro might rest Grosso for this game, certainly if not this one then Genoa but I'm not sure if Molinaro or Grosso would be better against Genoa as they are very attacking and I think Molinaro is a better defender personally.

I was thinking the same thing. I dont think Grosso will start. We may see Molinaro start and like you have in your line up De Ceglie playing where Marchisio would be. I just hope we dont underestimate Livorno. Anything less then 3 points would be a disaster heading to Genoa mid week which will be a huge game.

I won't be commenting through this as I am just popping out to watch it elsewhere.

Think i'll watch this one, haven't seen any Serie A this season.

Buffon almost screwed up there.

Iaquinta scores.

Marchisio scores a gem.
Beautiful assist from Giovinco too

f**k ! Lucarelli misses a sitter

excellent match, Livorno showing some good spirit despite trailing by two goals.

The scoreline's flattering Juve, it's a very attractive, open game. Buffon has made several really excellent saves, if not for him it could easily be 2-2. Good game.



It was Camoranesi.

Excellent performance from Camoranesi so far, he's assited both goals and is orchestrating Juve's attack. Giovinco and Trezeguet haven't been influential as yet.

Candreva's a good little player.

Its funny seeing Tavano and Lucarelli upfront, on their days they were deadly goalscorers.

Iaqiunta misses a sitter...
nice build up play by Livorno there

HT 2-0

Italy4x you should post some time i know your there.

Lucarelli attacks a camera man
he looks pissed.

i think Giovinco should move more.

Yes Camo started like his boots were tied together, but he can provide assists like those, we have seen it so many times, good for his confidence.

Candreva is a very good player, they did well to get him, but I doubt he will be there beyond this year.

The early goal was key here, Juve looked nervous at the start but Buffon is in sparkling form. See you later

Buffon was epic today, too bad it wasnt Manninger.

Yeah Buffon is just on fire.

Second half was a bit crap, very scrappy, from a Juve perspective it was a bit like 2nd gear with some tiredness but the game was as good as over then, even with the Livorno chances Juve also had glorious ones to make it 4 or 5 goals.

Serie A Week 4 - 19/9/09 (19.45 UK)

Juventus 2 - 0 Livorno

Iaquinta 8 (J), Marchisio 30 (J)

Stadio Olimpico


Vincenzo Iaquinta and Claudio Marchisio's fine lob gave Juventus a fourth consecutive victory, but Gigi Buffon needed heroics against Livorno.

Ciro Ferrara's men were eager to keep hold of their 100 per cent record, but their confidence took a knock following the midweek Champions League draw with Bordeaux. Alessandro Del Piero, Diego, Fabio Cannavaro and Tiago Mendes were out injured. Livorno had conceded 12 goals in their last three visits to Turin.

There was torrential rain in Turin and the Amaranto had a great chance four minutes in. Cristiano Lucarelli's wayward shot turned into an assist for Francesco Tavano, but Gigi Buffon came flying off his line to block with his body.

Moments later Tavano dispossessed Buffon at the byline, but the angle was too narrow to curl it in. At the other end Mauro Camoranesi's fierce strike from the D squirmed just wide.

It was a fiery start and Vincenzo Iaquinta opened the scoring with a towering header from six yards that slotted into the far bottom corner from Camoranesi's cross.

Livoro didn't give in and Buffon had to fingertip an Antonio Candreva cross-shot out from under the bar. Sebastian Giovinco tried to dribble past too many players in the Livorno box to waste a counter, then in the same move Lucarelli did the same thing.

Nico Pulzetti's cross was inches over the head of an unmarked Tavano in the middle, then Candreva flashed an angled drive right across the face of goal.

Trezeguet blasted an audacious volley over, but it was Claudio Marchisio who doubled Juve's lead with a wonderful goal. The youngster charged down the left flank and gathered Camoranesi's through ball for a delightful lob over the goalkeeper.

Livorno had an incredible scoring opportunity as the Candreva slide-rule pass found Lucarelli to run clear on goal, but again Buffon rushed out and used his knee to deflect over the bar. From the corner he performed another crucial save on Diniz.

In first half stoppages Giovinco curled a free kick into the six-yard box for Iaquinta, whose volley was straight at Alfonso De Lucia.

Antonio Filippini replaced Mozart at the break and Livorno had a promising counter. Candreva's slide-rule pass found Filippini at the near post for a spinning cross-shot that might well have slotted into the far top corner had Buffon not got his fingertips to it.

Paolo De Ceglie replaced Giovinco, moving Camoranesi to the trequartista role. Trezeguet came so close to a spectacular strike on 62 minutes, his acrobatic volley smacking the outside of the near post.

Buffon consolidated his spectacular night with a point-blank reaction save on substitute Tomas Danilevicius. Fabio Grosso's free kick curled off target and Trezeguet turned another volley over, this time hitting Marchisio's cross into the ground.

Late on Iaquinta's header was beaten away by De Lucia, but once again Buffon flew to palm out a Candreva snapshot. In stoppages Danilevicius nutmegged Giorgio Chiellini to go on a splendid slalom and drilled just over.

Juventus: Buffon; Grygera, Grosso, Chiellini, Legrottaglie; Poulsen, Camoranesi (Marrone 72), Marchisio; Giovinco (De Ceglie 60); Trezeguet (Amauri 80), Iaquinta

Livorno: De Lucia; Miglionico, Diniz, Pieri, Moro; Mozart (A Filippini 46), Raimondi, Pulzetti; Candreva; Lucarelli (Danilevicius 62), Tavano (Cellerino 69)

Ref: Pierpaoli

Ferrara and Spinelli hail Gigi

Ciro Ferrara confesses Juventus were a little tired and allowed Livorno too many chances, but President Aldo Spinelli hails Gigi Buffon as “the best of all time.”

The 2-0 victory in Turin saw goals from Vincenzo Iaquinta and Claudio Marchisio, but also a series of spectacular saves from the Italian international ‘keeper.

“We did allow Livorno a few too many scoring opportunities,” mused Coach Ferrara after a fourth straight win.

“In my view, at the moment our performances are affected by tiredness. There are so many games to play and we have a lot of internationals, so it isn’t easy to get your energy back when playing constantly.

“We took on a team that played wonderful football. Buffon made some great saves, even if it’s true that we also created more chances. It’s fine with the three points, but we must continue to improve.”

The Juventus shot-stopper also received praise from his opponents, as Livorno President Spinelli thought he was man of the match.

“Buffon is the best goalkeeper of all time,” said the patron. “Players like him and Diego Maradona are simply unique and can never be repeated. I have never seen anything like what he did tonight.

“Buffon saved everything. We fired shots at him from every angle and he was always there. He allowed us nothing.”

Meanwhile, Ferrara was called to comment on the development of youngsters Sebastian Giovinco and Marchisio.

“Sebastian often lets himself get caught with his back to the goal, so he is easier for the defender to mark.

“Clearly Giovinco is very talented and interesting, but every day he must feel like there is something new to learn and improve upon to earn this shirt. That is true of everyone at a club like Juventus, whether they are young or old.

“Marchisio is doing great work and what’s more I can field him in numerous different positions. His technique is also superb.”

http://www.football-italia.net/sep19s.html

My match ratings:

Buffon 9
Grygera 7
Legrottaglie 6
Chiellini 7
Grosso 6
Camoranesi 8 (Marrone 6)
Poulsen 7
Marchisio 7
Giovinco 6
Trezeguet 6 (Amauri 6)
Iaquinta 7

High praise indeed for Superman, well deserved.

I think he certainly has a shout for that claim, but it's hard to compare outfield players across generations, never mind goalkeepers.

Its nice to pick up the three points. Now we have a huge test on Thursday.

I couldent watch this game but I heard Gio was disappointing. I just have a bad feeling that his chances are running out. With Del Piero set to return soon its not looking good.

Mentally he just doesn't look there, he is frustrated because he doesn't play as much as he likes and then when he does play he can't seem to get going, but he is another who is coming back from injury. Add him, Camo and Grygera to the ones out and the fitness of the team is quite poor but we knew this would happen early in the season because Ferrara trained them hard in the summer so that by Feb-March the team is not dead. As Cobolli says, pretty much all of the injuries are from match day wear and tear.

Too bad Trez got so many misses... hope he'll return to scoring in 3 matches...