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Games against Arezzo and Cesena closed out February, with both sides mid-table and looking like their seasons may be petering out. Juventus visited Arezzo first and once again it was a game that they controlled with ease and composure, working hard and securing a comfortable 2-0 win, with the goals coming from Valeri Bojinov and the returning Alessandro Del Piero. It was Del Piero who set up the opener for his strike partner, getting the ball from Giannichedda and whipping a cross in for Bojinov to head home. The Bulgarian striker had been in lethal form this season, and took his tally to 15 goals for the campaign, and he had really flourished, particularly since Trezeguet's departure, where he made one of the striker's roles his own. Del Piero scored the second on 66 minutes, stealing the ball from the toes of a defender and breaking through to power it home past the keeper. Both Bojinov and Del Piero could have had more goals, and Paro and Giannichedda both missed good chances, but a 2-0 win was more than good enough for Nick, and his side leapfrogged Genoa into 2nd and just a point behind the leaders Napoli. Cesena were the visitors to the Olimpico for the final game of the month, and they were desperately in need of points to move away from the relegation zone they were in danger of being sucked into. Nick was determined that his side would get another positive result, and that is exactly what they did, an easy 3-0 victory keeping their unbeaten record in tact and level on points with Napoli, therefore top of the table on goal difference. Del Piero started the game with a bang, putting Juve in front after just 21 seconds, the quickest goal of the season so far. He doubled the lead with a penalty 2 minutes before half-time, a penalty which he had won, his hanging cross being handled in the area by a Cesena defender. Mauro Camoranesi added a third 6 minutes after the interval to wrap up the points and send the Old Lady top for the first time this season. Things were looking bright for Nick, and his team were doing the business, getting results and playing attractive football.
February 2007 Summary Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)
March started with a trip to Vicenza, and it was a game that came very close to giving Nick and his Juventus side their first taste of defeat in Serie B. Vicenza, buoyed by their manager and the support of their fans, took the game to Juventus, and created several good opportunities. hitting a post, having a header cleared off the line and forcing Buffon to make three good saves. Juventus had their fair share of chances too, Del Piero and Bojinov missing two each, and Matteo Paro curled a shot just over. A goal did come eventually, and it came in the second minute of stoppage time, Valeri Bojinov picking up the ball from Camoranesi's through ball and firing it into the bottom corner to guarantee his side three points that they probably didn't deserve. Nick wasn't going to complain, three points is three points at the end of the day, but he knew his team would need to play better than that at this at this stage of the season. Their next game was probably the most important of the season so far, 1st vs. 2nd, Juventsu vs. Napoli, and a game that could go a long way to determining the Serie B Champion's. The game, at the Olimpico, had come at a good time, with the Juve defence playing well and having conceded just two goals in their last five games, Nick was confident they could pick up all three points. Juventus started the better of the two sides, creating several good chances in the first half, but being unable to finish the chances, the Napoli defence holding firm and resisting the force of the Juve attack. The second half was more of the same, Juventus pushing forward and creating chance after chance, but the Napoli defence held firm, holding out for a 0-0 draw, and nullifying the Juventus attack.
A trip to Treviso was next on the agenda, and Nick expected his side to return to winning ways in this game against the 14th placed side. Del Piero wasn't fully fit so Nick didn't risk him, instead playing Palladino in his place. Treviso started out with 10 men behind the ball, obviously playing for a point, so Nick decided to play the diamond formation, trying to make a different formation, therefore creating more chances. Treviso, playing a 5-3-2 formation, and for the second game in succession, they were unable to find the back of the opposition net. Bojinov missed three good chances, and Paro and Giannichedda both had good chances, but it didn't matter what they tried, Nick's side were left frustrated, with a second goalless draw in successive games. Nick was unable to put his finger on why his side were finding it so difficult to find the back of the net in the last three games. This was the case in the next game against Crotone, although they did manage to get back to winning ways, Valeri Bojinov's 31st minute strike giving his team all three points, but they could have still had 4 or 5 more. Still, Nick wasn't going to complain, because his side had three points, returning to the winning ways and moving two points clear at the top of the table.
03-17-2007, 08:03 PM
Juventus - Bribes, Scandal and Match-fixing - The afterthought and the new era Post #23
mark wilson27 - Thanks for the support, and good luck with your own Juventus story, I think you will find it as enjoyable as any game you'll have played on FM
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The final game of the month saw Nick and his side visit Piacenza, a side who many had expected to be challenging up at the top of the table but who were languishing in 11th place after a topsy-turvy season. Nick wanted his side to add another nail in the coffin and take all three points from the match. The 14th minute provided the opening goal, Dagoberto latching onto Giannichedda's through ball and firing the ball underneath the on-rushing Piacenza 'keeper. Dagoberto had the best chance of the half, on 38 minutes, hitting the post after beating three men. The second half saw much of the same, Juve dominating the match and having the best chances, although the only goal came on 55 minutes, Del Piero curling a left footed shot past the 'keeper to score his teams second goal and secure all three points, to keep his team at the top the league and bring them ever so closer to the dream of promotion.
The day before the Piacenza game, the board had approached Nick and offered him an extension to his contract, albeit only a one year rolling extension due to the perilous financial situation of the club, but Nick accepted straightaway, signing the contract within seconds of reading it, and committing his signature to the club for another year. The board, the fans and the players were delighted that such a talented young manager was committed to the club and that he would be plying his trade with the Old Lady of Turin.
March 2007 Summary (Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)
With just 10 games left in the season every point would count, so Nick knew his side needed to win every game possible to secure promotion as early as they could. Spezia were the first visitors of the month to Olimpico, and Nick wanted his defence to carry on their terrific recent record, having not conceded in their last 7 games. With no left winger's available for the game, Nick had to draft in young Paolo De Ceglie for the match, but he had confidence in his ability. It took 11 minutes for the scoring to be opened, Del Piero beating his man to the ball before volleying home at the far post to put his side in front. 4 minutes later it was 2-0, debutant Paolo De Ceglie driving into the area before firing home across the 'keeper. Chances came and went throughout the game, Del Piero and Bojinov missing two chances a piece, before the game was finally settled on 66 minutes, Raffaele Palladino securing the points for his side with a 15 yard strike into the bottom corner. Palladino could have added another on 85 minutes, forcing the keeper to make a good save but 3-0 was more than good enough for Nick, to wrap up three points and keep them in 1st place in the table.
Another home game was next, against bottom side Bologna, who had had an awful season, which had seen them lose two managers and several thousand fans. Nick still didn't expect an easy game though, and he expected Bologna to come at his side, knowing full well that they needed the points as much, if not more than his own side. This is exactly what happened, Bologna and Juve both coming at each other, creating chances and both 'keeper's being forced to make good saves. The best chance of the match fell to midfielder Matteo Paro, breaking the offside trap of the Bologna defence and hitting the ball across the 'keeper, only for it to creep inches past the post and deny Paro and Juventus the first goal. Just as Nick was resigning himself to a goalless draw, his team proved that they had tricks up their sleeves, as a scramble in the box saw the ball come loose for Raffaele Palladino, who turned and slammed home in the 87th minute to give his team the three points, which in hindsight they probably just about deserved. With Napoli losing at home to Genoa, Nick's side moved 5 points clear at the top of the table, and there was breathing space between the third placed Albinoleffe too.
03-18-2007, 06:28 PM
Juventus - Bribes, Scandal and Match-fixing - The afterthought and the new era Post #26
A visit to Rimini was the next game for Nick and his side to contend with, and he knew that a win would keep up their promotion hopes and bring them ever closer. They were not the best team in the league, but they were also not the worst team, and Nick knew that away from home it is always difficult to gain wins, when the home team have their fans behind them and will attack and go for the win. De Ceglie came in at left back as Chiellini picked up a slight strain, and Bojinov and Palladino kept their places up-front. Paro was a dominant force in central midfield, and he was the key to Juventus' creativity, Giannichedda had the best chance of the first 45 minutes, playing a lovely one-two with Paro before firing a shot that forced the Rimini 'keeper to fingertip the ball round the post. It wasn't a game for the neutral, but Rimini clearly wanted a point from the match. No matter what Juve tried, they could not break down the stubborn Rimini defence, and the home side came away with a point that they richly deserved, and as good a point that they will ever have earned.
Pescara were the visitors to Olimpico for the final game of the month, and Nick wanted his side to hammer home their advantage at the top of the table and show the rest of Italy that they meant business, and were determined to show Serie A teams that they wouldn't be a walkover next season. Two minutes into the match, Dagoberto did this, firing home from the edge of the area to give his side the lead. Pescara didn't offer much resistance to Juve, and the second goal came on 39 minutes, Kevin Larsen volleying home from 7 yards to double his side's lead. Pescara did pull a goal back after 78 minutes, but it didn't mean anything to the result and Juve kept their lead at their top of the table, keeping their promotion push on course and Nick was delighted to keep the board happy.
April 2007 Summary (Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)
An away trip to Verona started May off, and it was a game that Nick expected to be tough. Verona were a decent side, with several good players and if they won this game then Nick would be delighted with three points. He fielded his strongest possible eleven, with Del Piero and Bojinov starting upfront, and Kevin Larsen taking his place on the left wing. It was Larsen who opened the scoring on 27 minutes, with his second goal in as many games, picking up the loose ball and slotting home past the hapless Verona keeper. The lead was doubled 6 minutes into the 2nd half, Dagoberto continuing his recent good form and heading home from Del Piero's cross to put his side two ahead. Verona did pull a goal back late on in the match, Kevin Larsen's back pass falling too short and the striker nipping in to round Buffon and score for his team, but the game finished 2-1. The win meant that all Nick's side needed to do was win any one of their next 5 games to secure promotion back to Serie A, and what better place to do than at home in front of your own fans, which is where their next game was, and where they intended to secure the promotion clinching win.
Brescia were the visitors for the all important game, and from the start they seemed inclined to stop Nick and his side from getting the promotion. They even had the audacity to take the lead after 8 minutes, the Brescia midfielder lofting a ball over the top for the striker to head into the net past Buffon. Juve did get back into the match though, Valeri Bojinov scoring right before half time to even things up. Nick's side came out all guns blazing in the second half, and they got their reward on 67 minutes, Bojinov scoring the teams second and doubling his tally for the match in the process. He should have completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later, curling the ball past the 'keeper but clipping the post rather than hitting the back of the net. Missing that chance cost his side too, as Brescia broke on the counter attack after 84 minutes to snatch a late and completely undeserved equaliser and foil the promotion hopes, for this game at least. Nick knew they needed to get it secured as quickly as possible, so he planned ahead for the trip to Lecce in the hope his side could secure promotion to the top flight in that game.
03-18-2007, 07:52 PM
Juventus - Bribes, Scandal and Match-fixing - The afterthought and the new era Post #28
The trip to Lecce turned out to be the game that all the fans and everybody on the backroom staff had wanted, the win that secured promotion back to Serie A at the first time of asking. By no means did the game come easy, Lecce constantly asking questions of the Juve defence and at one point, dominating for a period where they could have had 3 or 4 goals, but Nick's side held firm and strong and did their job, securing promotion to Serie A. It was Juve who opened the scoring, Del Piero curling home from a tight angle after robbing Leggrotaglie of the ball. In the first half they could have extended the lead to 2 or 3-0, but as it was they didn't manage to score again, and Lecce punished them, equalising in the 67th minute, right in the middle of a period where they could have sealed the win and handed Juve their first league defeat. As it was, they didn't, and Nick's side displayed their quality and their fighting spirit, Dagoberto snatching the winner on 78 minutes, beating his man in the air and heading home past the keeper. Lecce hit a post late on, but Juve held on for their most important win of the season.
The champagne couldn't flow too much, as they still had a league title to secure, but Nick allowed himself a few celebratory drinks. Two more wins and they would be crowned Champions, a tremendous feat, especially having had the 17 point deficit. Modena were the visitors to the Olimpico, and they didn't manage to spoil the Juve party, succumbing to goals from Del Piero and Camoranesi, both scoring free-kicks and bringing Juve one win away from the league title. Del Piero converted his free kick on 22 minutes, winning in on the edge of the area and curling it home, while Camoranesi's was a cross that missed everyone and found its way into the bottom corner of the Modena goal, sealing a 2-0 win and crowning a glorious month of football
May 2007 Summary (Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)
With just two games left in the season, Nick's side needed one more win to guarantee the Serie B title. The penultimate game of the season was at Olimpico, Frosinone the visitors. They had started the season well and at one point had been well in the playoff hunt but they had slowly faded away and were sitting in a comfortable mid-table position. Nick knew promotion was wrapped up, so he had taken the opportunity to start a few of his reserve team and under 20's in the match, as he was confident that they would do the job. It proved to be a good decision on Nick's part, as it was one of his under 20's that secured the win. Daniel Sturridge scoring his teams two goals, his first ever senior goals. The first one, on 13 minutes, was a typical strikers goal, he utilised his pace to beat the last Frosinone defender and slot the ball home underneath the keeper. The second goal was different, a 5 man team move before the final ball from Gabriel Obertan across the box to Sturridge to head the ball home and give his side a two goal advantage. There were other chances for Juve, and Frosinone were unable to cope with the Juve attack. They didn't find a third goal though, but it didn't matter. The two goal win was good enough for Nick and his side to secure the Serie B title. The final game of the season saw Nick and his Juventus side travel to Bari, with their 41 game undefeated run, and looking to extend it to 42, and an unbeaten league season. At half time, they were 1-0 in front, a 43rd minute own goal from Mora giving Juventus the lead. 6 minutes after half time, Dagoberto made it 2-0, racing clear and lifting the ball over the oncoming 'keeper. The game was settled on 77 minutes, Giuliano Giannichedda hitting a 25 yard shot into the roof of the net to seal the 3 goal win and guarantee themselves an unbeaten season.
June 2007 Summary (Serie B unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)
After such a terrific season in Serie B Nick was determined to keep this run going into Serie A, and he had his sights set on particular players to strengthen the squad for Serie A, Nick knew he needed a big squad. The only problem for him, and for the players, was the problem of expectations for next season. With the quality of players in his squad, and the quality of players he was hoping to attract, then he felt that a European spot was not beyond his team. He did know however, that with the financial situation as it is, the board would be satisfied with a mid-table place, merely staying in the division would be good enough for them. He was ambitious, as were his team, and he felt that a top 6 finish and a European place was not above his team. He also knew that this would bring in great financial implications, as would a good Coppa Italia run.
The Italian F.A had sent a fax through to Nick with a list of the awards for the season, and it was pleasing to see that 5 of his title winning team had made it into the team of the year. Gianluigi Buffon, Younes Kaboul, Giorgio Chiellini, Mauro Camoranesi and Alessandro Del Piero had all made the starting line up in the team of the year. Nick had also earned the manager of the year award, a feat which he deserved after an unbeaten league campaign, and he was delighted that the team's form had been recognised in the F.A awards. He now had to build for the next season and try to sign some players that would push them onto the next step in Serie A, and maybe even push for that European place that Nick felt they were capable of getting into.
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