retired_brianrt

Nick knew his players needed to bounce back from the Treviso draw, and the next game, away at 20th place Crotone, gave them a perfect opportunity to do that. Trezeguet picked up a slight knock the day before the game, so Bojinov took his place in the starting line-up. The Bojinov-Del Piero combination hadn't played together before, and they seemed to be unable to click where they were running to, and couldn't pick up each other's motions and movements. Due to this, it was the first time this season that Juventus hadn't scored a first half goal, Crotone managing to do what Treviso did and nullify the Juve attacking force. Nick's team talk seemed to work wonders for his side, as they came out looking more relaxed and more focused. Chance after chance was created, and it wasn't until the 72nd minute that the opening goal came, Bojinov picking up the loose ball and ramming it home past the stranded Crotone keeper. Bojinov, who had really picked up his game after half-time and shown why he was so highly coveted had managed to add a second goal in the 84th minute, being released by Del Piero and rounding the keeper before finishing the move and guaranteeing another three points for his team.

A trip to Spezia was next on the agenda for Nick's side, and as he expected it was a cruise, with his side controlling the game with ease and composure, but again only managing to convert two of their many chances. Del Piero was back to his very best in this match, scoring a wonderful goal just after the half hour mark, beating 4 defenders and chipping the ball beautifully over the oncoming Spezia 'keeper. Bojinov, who had started the season in spectacular fashion, had two guilt edged opportunities to double the lead before half time, missing both one-on-one chances, which had been unlike him this season. The second goal did come eventually, and it was the main man Del Piero again, converting the penalty which Camoranesi had won when he jinked into the box and was taken down by the defender. Nick's side could have had two or three more before the final whistle, Bojinov and Del Piero the guilty parties, but a 2-0 win was more than good enough for Nick and his side to take themselves off the bottom of the table for the first time this season.

October 2006 Summary
(Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)

Cesena 0-2 Juventus Halmosi (3) Bojinov (45)
Juventus 3-1 Vicenza Del Piero (31,45) Camoranesi (52)
Juventus 0-0 Treviso
Crotone 0-2 Juventus Bojinov (72,84)
Spezia 0-2 Juventus Del Piero (31,pen 66)

League Position : 20th

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Another good month for Nick and his side saw them move into positive points, taking themselves off the bottom of the table to be precise. This was achieved with relative ease, no defeats, seven wins and three draws, and now Nick was able to focus his team fully on the task in hand, the task of gaining promotion back to Serie A. Nick was delighted to see that Alessandro Del Piero's opening goal against Spezia was voted goal of the month, which was an added bonus to such a good month. November was a busy month, a total of 7 games, including the first two legs of the Coppa Italia First Round, in which Juventus had drawn Serie A side Chievo, by no means an easy game but certainly a winnable one. Before that though, they had two league games to be concerned about, both games against promotion contenders, Napoli and Piacenza. Napoli were sitting pretty at the top of the table, having lost just one of their first 7 games, and this was thanks mainly in part to Christian Bucchi's goals, 9 of them in 7 league games. Nick knew that this would be the most testing challenge of his management career so far, an away trip to Naples to face the league leaders in a game that Nick would quite happily have taken a point from. As it turned out, it was not only his team's best performance of the season but it was their most comfortable, a 3-0 win that Nick was delighted with. Napoli didn't even create any chances all game, having no shots on target, and when Juve went forward they didn't look like they could resist the attacking prowess of Nick's side. Trezeguet scored the first two goals, on the 33rd and 45th minutes, both goals due to superb, free-flowing moves, and when it cam down to the one-on-ones Trezeguet was lethal, burying both chances deep in the net. The third goal came ten minutes from the end, substitute Marco Marchionni tapping the ball home from 4 yards out to guarantee his side a terrific three points.

Piacenza were the visitors to the Olimpico for the next league game, and they were sitting in 5th, having had indifferent form throughout the season to date. It was to be another simple victory for Nick and his side, who ran the game, dominating the midfield with tough tackles and accurate passing, Giuliano Giannichedda and Matteo Paro both putting in world class performances. It was Paro who set up the opener after 13 minutes, feeding the slide rule pass through to Trezeguet who rounded the 'keeper and put his team into the lead. Trezeguet's strike partner Del Piero was the man who doubled Juve's lead, recieving the ball after a one-two with Trezeguet and firing home from the edge of the area, and it was a goal that was to secure yet another win and another three points for Juventus. They could, and probably should have scored more but once the points are secure the goals are not as important, its points that count at this moment in time, and Nick knew his side needed points. Nick was also pleased that his side had managed to keep five clean sheets in a row, as clean sheets, and not conceding goals was a key factor in securing points. The Coppa Italia provided a welcome break from the league games for a period, and allowed Nick to rest a few of his major players, and blood a few youngsters. Chievo were one of the top Serie A sides, so Nick knew it would not be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but he wanted the younger players to grab the cup match by the scruff of the neck and earn their places in the team. It turned out that it was an easier game than Nick had imagined, his side running out 3-0 winners and putting one foot in the next round. Del Piero gave Juventus the lead on 8 minutes, before Giannichedda doubled that lead almost half an hour later. Del Piero would add a third 7 minutes from the end to secure the win for his side, and Nick was pleased with another win and a 6th successive clean sheet.

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Ten days later, Nick and his side visited Pescara, who were sitting level on points with Juventus in 16th place, and a win would see Nick's side leapfrog them. It was yet another game that Juve dominated, but it was a game that they could not find the breakthrough in, and somehow only came away with one point instead of the full quota of three. It was another early goal that gave them the lead, Del Piero curling a free kick-home from 20 yards out. Del Piero should have added two more, and Matteo Paro, Pavel Nedved and Giuliano Giannichedda all wasted good chances to put the game beyond doubt, and they paid for those misses dearly when Pescara equalised in the 76th minute, the striker running forward and slotting the ball underneath Buffon to give his side the most undeserved point that they will get all season. Frustration had begun to creep in, Nick was bemused as to why his side seemed unable to capitalise on the many chances they created in games, having not scored more than 3 goals in a league game, and he really needed to get his scouts looking for a top-class striker, or maybe even one for the future. Rimini visited the Olimpico three days later, with Nick looking for his side to return to winning ways after the slip-up against Pescara. This was exactly what happened, a comfortable 2-0 win seeing off the hard working opponents. The opening goal came from an unlikely source, right back Jonathan Zebina breaking forward and finishing the 5 man move with a lovely placed shot past the keeper's outstretched right hand. There were no more goals in the first half, although yet again Nick's side had chances, but it wasn't until just after the hour mark that the lead was doubled, Valeri Bojinov slamming the ball home from Nedved's cross to put the game beyond doubt, and return Juventus back to winning ways.

The end of the month was approaching, and Nick knew that a win in the league game against Brescia would lift them up to mid-table, and leave them creeping ever closer to the top, and the promotion places. Brescia was going to be a tough place to go, it always has been, and Nick fielded his strongest possible side, with Trezeguet and Del Piero starting up-front. Trezeguet didn't last long, being taken off and replaced by Bojinov after 24 minutes, by which time his team were already in-front thanks to Del Piero's 6th minute strike, after he had beaten three men and slotted past the keeper. Bojinov added some pace to the attck, and it was his pace that set up Del Piero's and the team's second on 33 minutes, his pace doing the work before he fed the ball through for Del Piero to hit across the keeper and double his side's lead. The next goal was to come from Brescia, who pulled one back on 54 minutes through a Boumsong own goal, which in all fairness, he was trying to clear, so it wasn't his fault, but it didn't matter as Del Piero added his side's third and completed his hat-trick in the process, completing the win for his side and giving them another undefeated month in the league. Nick had taken the opportunity to give a few of the senior pro's a rest for the second leg of the Coppa Italia, in which they were 3-0 in front from the first leg, and with a team of inexperienced and second eleven players Juve secured a 1-0 win, and a 4-0 aggregate win, Del Piero, the on-form player of the moment, and the only senior player in the starting line-up, was the man who scored the winner, rounding the keeper on 23 minutes and slotting the ball home to send his side into the next round.

November 2006 Summary
(Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers only listed)

Napoli 0-3 Juventus Trezeguet (33,45) Marchionni (80)
Juventus 2-0 Piacenza Trezeguet (13) Del Piero (32)
Pescara 1-1 Juventus Del Piero (6)
Juventus 2-0 Rimini Zebina (19) Bojinov (61)
Brescia 1-3 Juventus Del Piero (6,33,69)

Coppa Italia 1st Round, 1st Leg
Chievo 0-3 Juventus Del Piero (8,83) Giannichedda (37)
Coppa Italia 1st Round, 2nd Leg
Juventus 1-0 Chievo Del Piero (23)

League Position : 10th

retired_brianrt

After a busy November Nick had guided his side into a comfortable 10th place in the league, 14 points off the league leaders Napoli. The Christmas and New Year period was going to be crucial, as it is in any country, and Nick knew that his side needed a good month and for results to go their way, the teams at the top dropping points etc. With only 4 games this month it was going to be vital to pick up as many points as possible, if not a full quota of 12 points from 12. Nick had also managed to add £3.6 million to the transfer funds, Fabrizio Miccoli agreeing a move to Spanish side Mallorca, which would go through at the end of his current loan deal on July 1st. Nick had enough money to spend in the January transfer window to add a few reinforcements to the squad to bolster their promotion push. The first game they had to contend with was the visit of Verona to the Olimpico, a game which Nick expected to receive a tough test in. Verona had some good attacking players and his defence would need to be at their best. His side started well, which had been a common feature of their season, but a flurry of 3 goals in 7 minutes was what put the game out of reach for Juventus. Del Piero gave them the lead on 12 minutes, and Palladino, starting in place of Nedved on the left wing, doubled the lead three minutes later. Trezeguet scored the third after 19 minutes, heading highest to power in Palladino's cross, and that third goal left Verona shell shocked, they didn't know what had hit them. Credit where credit is due though, they rallied back and pulled one back just after half time, on 48 minutes, and they could have scored a second just after that. Instead it was Dagoberto, Trezeguet's half-time replacement, who fired in a 4th goal to seal an emphatic win and give his side all three points, and a great start to the month.

Nick and his side travelled to Bologna for their next game, another game in which he expected a difficult test. This time however, it was exactly as he had imagined, with Bologna coming out all guns blazing, stunning Nick's side by taking the lead after 34 seconds. They carried this start into the opening half an hour, and taking a leaf out of Juventus' book they created several good chances, not managing to take any of them. Bologna did pay for this however, as Dagoberto equalised for his side on 35 minutes, curling the ball home after cutting inside the defender. Nick's side took control of the game after this, and it was right on half time that they took the lead, Dagoberto turning provider for Alessandro Del Piero to run onto his pass and lash the ball past the on-rushing Bologna 'keeper. Neither side could find a breakthrough in the second half, and despite Bologna's pushing and pressing, Juventus held on to their lead and claimed another three points, three points that pushed them further up the table to 8th place.

Another former Serie A side, Lecce, were the next visitors to the Olimpico, and they seemed determined to hand Juventus their first defeat in all competitions this season. They started the game better than the home side, who were surprisingly sluggish and slow out of the traps. It took 34 minutes before Juve had a shot, Del Piero striking the foot of the post, but by that time they were a goal behind, former Juventus defender Nicola Legrottaglie rising highest to head home from a corner after 14 minutes. Juventus seemed to wake up after that, and they managed to create some good chances towards the end of the first half. Nick gave his side a rollicking in the dressing room, telling them that he felt a win was no more than acceptable, and his side duly responded, dominating the second period, although they didn't find the back of the Lecce net till the 80th minute, through an Alessandro Del Piero penalty, which was won by substitute Valeri Bojinov after a mazy run into the box. 1-1 was how the match stayed, which in the circumstances was not a bad result for Nick's side, although they needed every win they could get to push their way to the top of the Serie B table. The final game of the month, and the final match before the 3 week winter rest period was a trip to face Modena, one of Nick's former clubs where he was a coach, in fact it was his first coaching job. He received a warm welcome from the Modena crowd, although he wasn't sure how much of a good reception he would get if he took all three points back with his Juventus side. It wasn't an exciting game, and it was probably the worst performance they had given under Nick's management, but the key factor to the match was that they got the result, a scrappy and hard-working 1-0 victory, thanks to Alessandro Del Piero's 40th minute strike, curling it past the keeper and in off the post. There wasn't much more action in the remainder of the game, and Nick's side continued their ascent up the table, with a three week break to relax and recharge their batteries.

December 2006 Summary
(Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)

Juventus 4-1 Verona Del Piero (12) Palladino (15) Trezeguet (19) Dagoberto (58)
Bologna 1-2 Juventus Dagoberto (35) Del Piero (45)
Juventus 1-1 Lecce Del Piero (pen 80)
Modena 0-1 Juventus Del Piero (40)

League Position : 8th

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Nick had three weeks to find transfer options to strengthen the squad, which was looking a bit thin on the ground at the moment, and options were needed to add to the promotion push. The league table was looking better than it was when Nick took over, and he was confident that his team could push on further and advance into the promotion places, and maybe even come out of the season as champions, which would be a fantastic achievement after being 17 points down on the rest of the division. Nick had been given some scout reports on players that his backroom staff felt would be good enough to step into the squad and provide useful back-up for the season, and there was two players in particular that caught Nick's eye. They were two 17 year olds, who Nick believed would be two hot prospects, but they would need a fair amount of money to be prised away from their clubs. Gabriel Obertan, a young French winger from Bordeaux and Daniel Sturridge, a young English striker from Man City, who were both excellent prospects for the future. Enquiries were made to both of their clubs, and offers were duly made for the hot prospects. Offers were made for two other players aswell, a £1.9 million offer for Borussia Dortmund defender Florian Kringe and a £500k offer for Lyn midfielder Kevin Larsen, both of whom were able back-ups for the club. Nick had also sent his chief scout to scour the loan list for any able back-ups to bolster the relatively small squad he had at his disposal.

Serie B Standings December 2006
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> PL W D L GD PTS1. Napoli 19 11 5 3 +12 38 2. Genoa 19 10 6 3 +8 363. Lecce 19 10 4 5 +9 344. Frosinone 19 9 5 5 +1 325. Bologna 19 9 5 5 -1 326. Brescia 19 9 4 6 +6 317. Mantova 19 8 7 4 +3 318. Juventus 19 14 5 0 +27 30</pre>

With the transfer window rapidly approaching, Nick was trying his hardest to get the deals he had in negotiation done in time so that the new members of the squad could join up straightaway with the team and join in with training immediately. Having looked at the fixture list for January it was clear that the extra bodies coming in the January window would be useful, with Nick's side playing a total of 8 games in the month, including 4 Coppa Italia games, which Nick had the intention on fielding weaker sides in. The Quarter-Final had drawn them against Palermo, the current 5th place side in Serie A, so that would be a tough encounter, but Nick's main priority for the month was picking up as many points a possible in the 4 league games they would be playing, and a successful month could see them move into 3rd place, if all results go their way when they have to. Nick was growing ever more confident that his side could pick up wins in the vast majority of their games, which would see them getting closer and closer to the reality of promotion.

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Coming up to the first game of 2007, Nick was a happy man. All of his new signings had found their feet at the club, with the youngster Obertan and Sturridge looking really impressive, while the back-up players were getting to know the squad and gel with their new team-mates. There was a lot of transfer talk in the papers about top European clubs wanting certain Juventus players such as Zebina, Trezeguet, Buffon and a few others, but until Nick had an offer in black and white in front of him then he wasn't going to pay any attention to the rumours. Nick was happy with the new signings he had made, and he felt they were all able back-ups and could play in the first team easily if they were required to. Florian Kringe was a versatile defender from Dortmund, and he could play on either side or in the holding midfield role. Nick would use him mainly as cover for the full-backs but he could easily step into midfield if need be. Gabi was a central midfielder signed on loan from Atletico, and at 19 he was still very raw, although the talent he did possess was in abundance. Being rated very highly at Atletico is no bad thing, as some of the young players to come through their ranks is amazing, and Nick felt Gabi could be one for the future. He would provide excellent cover for the central midfield, aswell as providing a more attacking option. Young Norwegian Kevin Larsen joined for £500k, and he is another one tipped for a bright future. Although currently behind Nedved and Halmosi in the pecking it shouldn't be long before he steps up and takes his stand for a regular spot in the side. The other two newcomers were the two 17 year olds, French winger Gabriel Obertan and explosive English striker Daniel Sturridge. These were two exceptional prospects, who were widely tipped to have a bright future in the game, and Nick felt he was the man to guide them through their careers. He was happy with his squad now, and he felt he had enough strength in depth to cover the worst injury crisis.

January Transfer Window Round-Up
Transfers In

Florian Kringe from Dortmund £1.9mil
Kevin Larsen from Lyn £500k
Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux £3.2mil
Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City £5mil
Gabi from Atletico Loan

The opening game of 2007 saw Bari make the trip down to the Olimpico, another tough looking game for Nick's side. It did turn out to be tough, but in a way, it was the best performance that Juventus had given this season. They were resolute in defence, blocking, tackling and generally getting in the way of every Bari move, and although attacking wise they had given better showings of themselves previously throughout the season it didn't matter, because David Trezeguet's 20th minute strike did the job, and earned Nick and his side a valuable three points to start the year off with. The four teams above Juventus all failed to pick up maximum points, and this lapse saw Nick's side move up into 4th place, crawling ever closer to the promotion spots. The man who scored the winner against Bari, David Trezeguet, had been the subject of constant transfer talk throughout the transfer window. Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester United were the teams that were supposedly interested in securing his services. Until Nick had received a bid and spoken to the player then he was not going to comment on the rumours to the press. It was later that day that Manchester United made an offer, tabling a bid of £10.5 million pounds. Due to the financial situation, and the way the board were urging him to do so, Nick felt it would be best for all parties concerned if the offer was accepted. It was, and it took Trezeguet less than 48 hours to complete his move north to England. He would be missed, as he was a valuable asset, but Nick was a hundred percent positive that Valeri Bojinov could step up to the plate and take Trezeguet's place in the team.

retired_amyslack

Nice one sherm. I was thinking of giving Juve a go myself so I'll be really interested to see how you get on.

retired_brianrt

BobBev - I'd never tried the Italian League, so I thought I would ease myself into the game with Juve. It's a lot of fun, one of the more enjoyable games I've played in a while. I would strongly recommend it. Thanks for the support anyway, hopefully I'll be able to beep you interested

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The Coppa Italia Quarter Final was the next outing that Nick's side had, with a trip to Serie A side Palermo. Nick knew he would have tough test, but he felt his players would come up trumps and provide a good performance, and a decent result to carry into the second leg. Palermo had other ideas however, and took he game to Juve. After dominating the midfield from the word go, and controlling the game with short sharp passing, they managed to find the breakthrough in the final 5 minutes of the first half, Makinwa breaking through and using his pace to beat the defence and lift the ball over the on-coming Buffon. Although Nick's side tried and tried, they just couldn't break down the stubborn, workman like defence of Palermo, who had only conceded 4 goals at home all season coming into the match. They were not to concede a fifth, as they hold on for a 1-0 win to take back to the Olimpico in a week's time, and to hand Nick his first taste of defeat as a manager. In between cup games though, Nick and his side travelled to Frosinone, who had been the division's surprise package. Having expected to be somewhere near the bottom of the table, and battling relegation, Frosinone had surprised everybody and were sitting pretty in 4th place, just 3 points behind the leaders. They had lost just one game at home all season, and that was to league leaders Napoli, so Nick knew that a point would be a good result for his side, and three points would be a terrific win for them. Alessandro Del Piero had picked up a knock in training, so Raffaele Palladino took his place up front alongside Valeri Bojinov, while Dagoberto started in the central midfield role alongside Giuliano Giannichedda, giving a balance of defence and attack. The game itself was rather dire, with just two chances on goal being created before the macth sprung into life right on half time. With the Juve back-line having pushed right up, and the Frosinone attack ready to pounce, Younes Kaboul intercepted a loose pass and carried the ball to within shooting range at 30 yards out. When he saw there wasn't really much on he pulled his right boot back and hit a screamer into the top right hand corner, which left his team-mates, his boss and the fans speechless. That was the moment in which the game turned, and from there Juve pushed on, grabbing a second and decisive goal right on full time, Valeri Bojinov turning and firing past the keeper.

The second leg of the Palermo game, at the Olimpico, was a game which Nick was looking forward to, as he felt his side could progress on into the Semi-Finals. This notion was all but scuppered after just 3 minutes of the match, Makinwa setting up Corini to give Palermo a 1-0 lead on the night and send them 2 goals clear on aggregate. This woke Nick's team up from a slumber, and they burst into life in the tie. Valeri Bojinov scoring 3 minutes later to bring his side back into the game. Dagoberto, starting in midfield in place of Giannichedda, was the man who levelled the tie up, playing a one-two with Bojinov before rifling home a thunderous drive from the edge of the area. At half time, Nick encouraged his players to keep it going, and really secure the tie in this match, and they did just that, with two more goals in the second half from Dagoberto in the 46th minute and Bojinov right on full time, both scoring their second goals of the game and sealing an emphatic victory for Juventus, to secure their place in the Semi-Finals. Three days later, after the emotion and delight of the Palermo game, Nick took his side down to Albinoleffe, looking to do the double over them. At the halfway stage of the season, Juve were sitting in 4th place in the table, on 36 points, just 4 behind leaders Napoli. It was a good looking table, especially considering the fact that Juve had started on -17 points, and Nick was extremely confident that his boys could go on to gain an automatic promotion push, maybe even win the Serie B title. Albinoleffe hadn't put up much of a fight on the opening day of the season, and it was virtually the same here. Nick's side never had to get out of second gear, cruising to a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Matteo Paro and Dagoberto, his third in two games. Albinoleffe did score near the end, but it wasn't enough to stop Juve cruising to another three points and moving 3rd in the table.

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The Serie A leaders, and defending Champions Inter Milan were the next team on the agenda, and a trip to the San Siro beckoned, in what was being tipped to be an intriguing Semi-Final tie in the Coppa Italia. Nick told his side that even though they were the best team in Italy right now, they weren't invincible, and he gave his boys every chance of beating them. It just needed a good, solid start so that they could push on from that and try and gain a lead significant enough for the second leg. Inter had other ideas, and they came out like a house on fire, taking the lead on 7 minuets, Adriano rifling home his 25th goal of the season. Five minutes later, Juve were level, a Dagoberto cross punched to the edge of the area and Valeri Bojinov pouncing on the rebound to draw his team level, and give them a vital away goal. Adriano scored his, and his teams second on 34 minutes, after picking up Maicon's pass and hitting the ball across Buffon into the far corner. He completed his hat-trick 4 minutes later, this time rising highest to head home a corner, and Inter almost had the job done. They didn't quite, because on 43 minutes, Dagoberto was left alone to score an easy chance and bring the defecit to one goal, aswell as giving Juve their second away goal. 3-2 was how it stayed, and it was a result, and a performance, that Nick and his team could be extremely proud of.

Triestina were the next visitors to the Olimpico for Juve's final league match of the month. A win could see them climb above Genoa into 2nd place, which is just where they wanted to be. They started well in the game too, the in-form striker Dagoberto forcing the keeper to make a couple of good saves, before Bojinov struck the bar late on in that half. It was all square and goalless at half time, and despite Juve's best efforts, that was how it stayed at full-time, the Triestina 'keeper having earned a man of the match award for his efforts in that second half, which included denying Ginnichedda, Bojinov, Dagoberto and substitute Palladino in the last minute of the match. The draw saw them stay 3rd, just 4 points behind the league leaders, and with the best goal difference in the league promotion was beginning to look like a real possibility for Nick's side. The final game of the month, which saw Inter visit the Olimpico for the 2nd leg of the Semi Final, was a bit of a dull affair, with only 5 shots on target throughout the game. Three of these found the back of the net though, and Inter were the team who ventured into the Coppa Italia final. The game was not without controversy though, Younes Kaboul being sent off in the 9th minute for allegedly using an elbow, when replays seemed to suggest it was an accident. After this, Juve were always going to struggle, and Inter took advantage of their numbers advantage, Crespo turning the ball home for a 4-2 aggregate lead. Matteo Paro did pull one back in the 65th minute however, and his side were pressing and pressing after this, but they just could not find the equaliser, instead being caught on the counter and Goran Slavkovski guaranteeing Inter a place in the final. It was a brave effort, and Nick was proud of his side.

January 2007 Summary
Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)

Juventus 1-0 Bari Trezeguet (20)
Frosinone 0-2 Juventus Kaboul (45) Bojinov (90)
Albinoleffe 1-2 Juventus Paro (29) Dagoberto (84)
Juventus 0-0 Triestina

Coppa Italia Q.F 1st Leg
Palermo 1-0 Juventus
Coppa Italia Q.F 2nd Leg
Juventus 4-1 Palermo Bojinov (6,90) Dagoberto (33,46)

Coppa Italia S.F 1st Leg
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus Bojinov (12) Dagoberto (43)
Coppa Italia S.F 2nd Leg
Juventus 1-2 Inter Milan Paro (65) : Kaboul sent off (9)

League Position : 3rd

retired_brianrt

Coming into February, all was going well for Nick and his Juventus side. They were unbeaten in 23 league games, and having disposed of the 17 point penalty with ease, they quickly moved up the table, now finding themselves in third place. The team was starting to gel, although they were still not putting enough chances away, and just occasionally they seemed to lack the finishing touch in front of goal, with only Del Piero and Bojinov (along with the departed Trezeguet) reaching double figures for the season. Nick was delighted with the impact that his £4 million pound centre back Younes Kaboul had had on the side, using his power and his terrific aerial ability to control defensive areas, and chipping in with a couple of important goals. His 30 yard strike against Frosinone had earned him 2nd place in the goal of the month award, only stopped from getting first place by a wonderful bicycle kick from Arezzo striker Rey Volpato (who was on loan from Juventus). The first game of the month saw an away trip to Mantova, and it was a game in which Dagoberto and Bojinov continued their surprisingly fruitful partnership, each grabbing a goal as Nick's side maintained their unbeaten run. Both goals came in the first half, Bojinov opening the scoring on 6 minutes after taking Dagoberto's pass, and Dagoberto receiving a through ball from Matteo Paro before slotting home underneath the keeper. There was a blow for Nick, left winger Peter Halmosi coming off with what appeared to be a thigh injury, so that meant Kevin Larsen would have to step up and take his place.

A home game was up next, with the visit of promotion rivals Genoa. They had been on good form of late, having not lost in their previous 7 matches, but if Nick hadn't have known this before the match there was no way he would have been able to tell, Genoa were awful, second to every ball, sluggish in the pass and slow to the tackle, and they paid for their poor start dearly, Juve racing into a two goal lead, with goals from Kevin Larsen and Raffaele Palladino, which left them 2 up after 22 minutes. Larsen gave his side the lead on 4 minutes, cutting in from the left and hitting a hard, low shot across the Genoa 'keeper Guardelben. It was Guardalben's error that allowed a second, he spilled Bojinov's original shot and Palladino followed up to ram home his third goal of the season. They should have scored more, and gone in at half time with a 3 or 4 goal lead, but a 2 goal lead was what they managed. Genoa came out and played much better in the second half, getting their reward when Figueroa picked up the loose ball, turned and fired into the bottom corner on 68 minutes to give his team hope. Juventus should have wrapped it up from there, Camoranesi, Palladino and Paro all missing guilt-edged chances to seal the three points. It was a controversial goal that secured Genoa a point, as the goal scorer Figueroa was standing at least 5 yards offside, but the linesman never put his flag up, and he went on to guarantee his side a point with his 87th minute equaliser. Nick was absolutely furious with the Genoa equaliser, and he made no bones in complaining to the Italian F.A about it. They obviously felt that Nick had a point, as they were quiet on the matter and chose not to give Nick a warning. It was things like that decision that left Nick and other managers tearing their hair out. How difficult was it to raise the flag for offside? It could be two dropped points that would come back to haunt Nick, if his side missed out on promotion by a point for example, or something like that, and he just couldn't understand why officials got major decisions wrong. He couldn't afford to dwell on the decision, and neither could his team, they needed to pick up maximum points from their remaining two games in the month. He had also sent his scouts to have a look around different continents to see if any players would fit the bill for next season, in terms of strengthening the squad for the Serie A campaign, especially now promotion was becoming a real possibility.