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Juventus Squad Statistics 2006/07
(All games included in all competitions)

Gianluigi Buffon, Gk 48 apps, 30 cln, 7.50 avg.
Marcelo Grohe, GK 2 apps, 1 cln, 7.00

Felice Piccolo, DRC 4(4) apps, 0 gls, 7.00
Jonathan Zebina, DRC,WBR 39(2) apps, 1 gls, 7.20
Jean-Alain Boumsong, DC 43(2) apps, 0 gls, 7.13
Younes Kaboul, DC,DM 43 apps, 2 gls, 7.21
Igor Tudor, DC,DM 17(16) apps, 1 gls, 7.04
Giorgio Chiellini, D/WBL 48(2) apps, 0 gls, 7.20
Peter Halmosi, D/AML 20(10) apps, 1 gls, 7.23
Kevin Larsen, D/AML 7 apps, 3 gls, 7.14
Florian Kringe, WBRL,DM 8(7) apps, 0 gls, 6.87
Paolo De Ceglie, WB/AML 2(1) apps, 1 gls, 6.67

Giuliano Giannichedda, DM 16(9) apps, 2 gls, 7.00
Matteo Paro, DM 36(3) apps, 3 gls, 7.23
Cristiano Zanetti, DM 21(3) apps, 1 gls, 7.08
Gabi, MC 16(3) apps, 0 gls, 7.21
Mauro Camoranesi, AMR 32 apps, 4 gls, 7.47
Marco Marchionni, AMR 17(7) apps, 1 gls, 7.04
Pavel Nedved, AMRLC 22(2) apps, 2 gls, 7.42
Gabriel Obertan, AMR 4(1) apps, 0 gls, 7.00

Alessandro Del Piero, AMLC,FC 35(2) apps, 28 gls, 7.57
Rafaelle Palladino, AML,ST 13(10) apps, 5 gls, 7.00
Dagoberto, AM/FC 19(15) apps, 13 gls, 7.06
Valeri Bojinov, ST 22(18) apps, 18 gls, 7.08
Daniel Sturridge, ST 4 apps, 2 gls, 7.00

The Juventus midfield in particular had been extremely influential in gaining promotion to Serie A, all contributing with goals, assists and good performances. Obviously the goals from Del Piero, Bojinov and Dagoberto had been crucial, and the vital contributions from the two full backs Zebina and Chiellini and the two centre backs Kabould and Boumsong. These players would be the mainstay of the team that would play in Serie A, and they would be the main players that would guide Nick's side into a position that befitted their status and the quality of the players they had in the squad.

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Nick had sent his scouts out looking for players that would be good enough to add depth to the squad for the up-coming Serie A season. There wasn't a main area to strengthen really, he just wanted to add depth to every area of the squad. Nick had made offers for two players that he had been tracking since he joined Juventus in 2006, and these offers had been accepted. One of them was for 18 year old central defender Sidnei, who was currently playing for Internacional in Brazil, and he had a minimum fee release clause of £550k, which Nick was more than happy to offer for a player who was one for the future, a centre back that would be at the forefront of his Juventus plans for a long time to come. He had also made a £170k offer for Central's 18 year old attacking midfielder Emiliano Vecchio, another young player who had a massive future in the game, and one who would be a major player in the Juventus squad in years to come. His scouts had been sent to browse the free transfer list and loan list for players that would fit the profile of the squad players Nick was on the lookout for. Nick had been given a few options by his scouts, and one that particularly interested him was Didier Digard, who was at Ascoli but had found himself out of the first team squad, and Nick felt that Digard would provide excellent cover for his centre backs in the squad. He had also seen a former Juventus player, Christian Vieri, available on the free transfer market, and he would provide an able back-up to the strikers that were going to be the first choice. With Juventus listed as a former club of his, Nick didn't feel it would be difficult to entice Vieri to the Olimpico, and a contract was duly offered to the former Italian international.

Several more offers had been made for players, with Kennedy Bakircioglu, Tijani Bel Aid and Emra Tahirovic, all accepting contracts as back-up players at the club. The loan list was being scoured carefully, and there were several good players that Nick anted to add to his squad. He had been impressed with Gabi, who he had on loan from January to the end of the season, and had been impressive in his 19 appearances for the club, and Nick had no hesitation in approaching Atletico about taking him on loan for the season. There were two other players from Atletico that Nick felt would add good depth to the squad, Mario Suarez and Roberto Batres, both could play in midfield but Batres could play up-front if he needed to, and Nick duly made season long loan offers for both players. He had also approached Ascoli about the possibility of taking Didier Digard on loan, which they had not had a problem with allowing Juve to do, and Dogard quickly agreed to the move. Nick had noticed that a lot of co-ownership deals were due for revival, but the only one he was really interested in was striker Valeri Bojinov's, and he was competing for his services with Fiorentina. An offer of £4,5 million pounds was enough to secure his services permanently, as Fiorentina offered £2 million, and Juventus' form player from the back of last season was a permanent Juventus player.

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With not long to go before the start of the new season, Nick was happy with his squad and his new additions, and with friendly games in place, he was more than happy that his side were ready for the new campaign. After assesing the squad, and pencilling in his starting eleven, he felt that two players returning from loans out of the club could do a job for the side. Andrea Gasbarroni and Ruben Olivera were both extremely good players, and could both play anywhere across the midfield, so Nick didn't have a problem drafting them into the first team squad this season. The transfers were all completed, Nick was happy with his signings and felt that they would provide cover (and even first team duties) for the team in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

Transfers In

Sidnei from Internacional £550k
Emiliano Vecchio from Central £170k
Emra Tahirovic from Halmstad £250k

Loans In

Mario Suarez from Atletico Loan
Gabi from Atletico Loan
Roberto Batres from Atletico Loan
Didier Digard from Ascoli Loan

Free Transfers In

Christian Vieri Free Transfer
Kennedy Bakircioglu Free Transfer
Tijani Bel Aid Free Transfer

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Nick had only arranged 4 friendlies for his side, and he wasn't at all bothered about the results, or the performance, he just wanted his side to gain match fitness and to get themselves ready for the start of the season. A home game against Lyon was first, and they put a good side out, as did Nick, and it turned out to be a good game for the fans to watch. Dagoberto opened the scoring in the first 43 seconds, beating the Lyon defence to the ball and rounding the 'keeper before slotting home. Both sides managed to create chances, and they wanted to win the game for their fans, but Dagoberto secured a good pre-season win for his side with a goal straight after half time, hitting the ball from the edge of the area into the bottom corner after just 23 seconds of the half. He could, and probably should have had his hat-trick soon after, hitting the post with a header from a Camoranesi corner, but it didn't matter, and Nick was pleased his side had put a good showing up for the 16,000 fans in the Olimpico. The second friendly was against FC Bornhelm, an away game that didn't attract the fans, as it wasn't a glamorous game, but it was another good run-out for his team. A simple three goal win was started after nine minutes, Del Piero curling home a free-kick from 25 yards. It was three minutes later that the lead was doubled, Matteo Paro hitting a low shot from the corner of the area across the Bornhelm keeper. They created many more chances, and could have been in double figures by the time Guiseppe Sculli netted a third in the 90th minute. The younger players who had played had given a good account of themselves, and many of them would start in the next friendly too.

A visit to Randers F.C was next on the agenda, and it was a game that saw 6 of the younger players start. They put up another good account of themselves, and it was Sculli who set up Camoranesi for the opening goal, feeding a slide-rule pass through for the Italian to ram the ball home. Sculli had two good chances himself, while Daniel Sturridge hit a post just before half time. The second goal came 13 minutes from full time, new signing Christian Vieri scoring a trademark header, beating his marker in the air and powering the ball home. There were no more goals in the match, but Nick could not fault the performance of his side so far. Their fitness was really coming on and he felt his side would be more than ready for the start of the new season. Milan Reserves provided opposition for the final friendly match, and just like last year, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, Raffaele Palladino scoring his team's goal just before half-time, while Marco Borriello scored for Milan Reserves on 76 minutes. It wasn't a great game, not that anybody expected it to be, but Nick and his side had earned good experience and had been in an unbeaten pre-season campaign, and were going into the new season in a run of form.

Pre-Season Round Up
(Juventus scorers listed only)

Juventus 2-0 Lyon Dagoberto (1,46)
FC Bornhelm 0-3 Juventus Del Piero (9) Paro (12) Sculli (90)
Randers FC 0-2 Juventus Camoranesi (15) Vieri (77)
Milan Reserves 1-1 Juventus Palladino (43)

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The draw for the first qualifying round of the Coppa Italia had drawn Nick's side against minnows Sassari Torres, a game which Juventus' under 20's should win, but Nick was taking no gambles, and played a strong side in the game. Vieri started the match up-front along with Valeri Bojinov, while Igor Tudor started in the centre of defence with Didier Digard due to the suspension of Younes Kaboul after his sending off against Inter Milan in last year's competition. Sassari Torres almost looked in awe of their more illustrious opponents, and it didn't take long for Nick's side to take the lead, Christian Vieri converting Mauro Camoranesi's cross. It was Ruben Olivera who made the second goal, his left wing cross finding the head of Igor Tudor who doubled the lead on 20 minutes. It was only 7 more minutes till the match was sealed, Christian Vieri scoring his second goal and his teams third, breaking through the Torres defence and finishing calmly into the bottom corner. Camoranesi made it 4 on the half hour, curling a shot home from just inside the box. Just after half time, 46 seconds into his substitute appearance, Del Piero scored his side's 5th goal, and Bojinov put the icing on the cake after 61 minutes, flashing a shot across the 'keeper into the far corner. There were no more goals, but the 6 goal win was reminiscent of their opening game under Nick last season, also a 6-0 win, against Martina.

Juventus' 1st round win saw them meet fellow Serie A side Siena in the next round, a game which was a lot more difficult than the opener. Siena, although they had survived relegation by just a point last season, were still a good side, but yet again Nick and his team got off to a great start, Valeri Bojinov putting them in front after 8 minutes. Bojinov doubled the lead right on half time, capitalising on a mistake by Daniel Andersson and rounding the keeper to slot into the empty net. Siena did pull one back after 87 minutes but it wasn't enough, and Juventus were one more game away from the Coppa Italia, which could provide some much needed revenue. An away game against Napoli was the third round draw that Juventus earned, and this game was not about great team performances, or lovely passing moves, but it was all about one man. Valeri Bojinov scored all four of the Juve goals, and Napoli looked unable to cope with him. He used his pace and power to destroy the hapless Napoli defence, scoring goals in the 18th, 36th, 78th and 86th minutes to guarantee his side a place in the Coppa Italia. The first two goals were poachers efforts, finishing from a parried shot and heading home from 6 yards. For the third goal Bojinov beat the defence and slotted underneath the on-rushing Iezzo. His 4th goal was free-kick from the edge of the area, curling it into the bottom corner to seal a top notch performance from him and his side.

August 2007 Summary
(Juventus scorers listed only)

Coppa Italia 1st Qualifying Round
Sassari Torres 0-6 Juventus Vieri (7,27) Tudor (20) Camoranesi (30) Del Piero (46) Bojinov (61)
Coppa Italia 2nd Qualifying Round
Juventus 2-1 Siena Bojinov (8,45)
Coppa Italia 3rd Qualifying Round
Napoli 0-4 Juventus Bojinov (18,36,78,86)

retired_manragh

Nice work, it will be interesting to see how you go in the big league, looking forward to seeing it develop

retired_brianrt

Panpardus - Well I still think my squad is good enough for Serie A but we will have to see where I end up after the season. Thanks for the support : thup :
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A home game against Roma opened up Nick's first ever Serie A campaign, and although it was a chance for them to get off to a winning start, Nick knew that it would be a difficult game, Roma were a recognised Serie A side, and they were one of the most successful in history. Nick had his strongest team available to him, and he decided to field his best side. Del Piero picked up a slight strain in his groin the day before the game, meaning Christian Vieri stepped in to start the Roma game. Vieri it was that gave his team a lead, heading home a Mauro Camoranesi cross after 35 minutes. Both sides had chances before that Vieri goal, and they both had a couple of good chances before half time. Just after half time Roma equalised, Francesco Totti racing through the Juve defence and slotting underneath Buffon. The turning point came on 58 minutes, Philippe Mexes sent off for his second bookable offence. It was 7 minutes after this, on 65 minutes, that Nick's side regained the lead, Jonathan Zebina striking a shot across the goal and into the far corner. Bojinov sealed the game 2 minutes later, racing through and latching onto Younes Kaboul's clearance before firing the ball low into the bottom corner. A 3-1 win gave Nick and his side an excellent start to their return to Serie A.

Livorno were up next, also a home game, and one that Nick didn't think would be as tough a test as the Roma game. He was right, and after 18 minutes Del Piero set them on the way, curling a ball through the defence and into the top corner of the net. However, whatever they tried after this, they could not find the back of the net again. Del Piero, Bojinov, Dagoberto, Gabi and Zebina all missed good chances, the best ones falling to Bojinov and Gabi. The chances kept coming, and the Livorno 'keeper kept beating the shots away, and the defence held firm. They got their rewards in the 4th minute of injury time, Cristiano Lucarelli hitting a shot from a tight angle and beating Buffon to earn his team a point.

retired_w0lfpack1

Now we get to the good stuff! Congrats on the opening-day win...

retired_brianrt

Amaroq - Thanks for the support, and it certainly was a good win against Roma. Hopefully I'll pick a few more up along the way
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A trip to Sampdoria would provide another difficult test, and Nick was disappointed with the loss of Bojinov in training before the game, meaning that Del Piero and Dagoberto started up-front. Sampdoria had some excellent players, and one of the best midfields in the league. It wasn't their midfield that put them in the league though, it was their new striker from Manchester United, French international Louis Saha putting Sampdoria in the lead from a Gianluigi Buffon mistake, his kick not going far enough and Saha returning the ball back over his head and putting his side in the lead. Juventus did get back into the match, equalising on the 27th minute, Younes Kaboul firing the ball home from the edge of the area after it came loose from a corner. Sampdoria seemed to get a new lease of life after this, and took the lead straight back on 36 minutes, Emiliano Bonazzoli beating the Juve defence and slotting the ball home underneath Buffon. Both sides had more chances after this, and they could have gone in at half time 5 a piece. As it was, they went in 2-2, Ruben Olivera, who had caused all sorts of problems for Sampdoria, picked up the ball and ran 25 yards, before curling the ball home from 30 yards, a genuine contender for the goal of the season. Juve started the better of the sides in the second half, starting well and they could have scored two or three in the first 5 minutes of the half. As it was, it was Sampdoria that scored the third goal, a corner swing across and Saha rising to head home his second goal, and his teams third. Neither side managed to find the back of the net after this, and Sampdoria managed to hang on to claim an impressive 3-2 win and keep up their 100% record.

The second away trip and final game of the month saw a visit to Fiorentina, Valeri Bojinov's old club. Bojinov regained his place for this match, and he seemed to be really up for the match, intent on showing them why they should have kept him. Fiorentina started the better side, creating a couple of good chances, the bets falling to Luca Toni, but throughout the half they could not find the breakthrough. The breakthrough came to Nick's side, and it was inevitably Bojinov that scored, receiving the ball from Giuliano Giannichedda and slotting the ball underneath the keeper, sending his team in ahead at the interval. Juve came out searching for a second, and with their attacking prowess and constant pressing, they were open to a Fiorentina attack. This is exactly what happened, Fiorentina breaking on the counter and Luca Toni finishing the move on 78 minutes, to guarantee his side a point which they deserved in all fairness. It had been a slightly disappointing month, even with the Roma win, and Nick knew his side needed to make the most of their home games to have a good season

September 2007 Summary
(Serie A unless stated, Juventus scorers listed only)

Juventus 3-1 Roma Vieri (35) Zebina (65) Bojinov (67)
Juventus 1-1 Livorno Del Piero (18)
Sampdoria 3-2 Juventus Kaboul (27) Olivera (43)
Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus Bojinov (45)

League Position : 8th

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After such a disappointing month, with only 1 win from 4 games, Nick knew his side need to perform much better. The first game of the month was the toughest test in Nick's rather short managerial career to date, a trip to the San Siro to face last season's runners up Inter Milan. The game would be difficult enough with 11 men, but the referee seemed intent on causing Juve all sorts of problems from the opening whistle. The 4th minute saw the decision that probably cost Juve any sort of result that was positive, Gianluigi Buffon sent off for bringing down Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It was decision that, although Nick felt it was a little harsh, he could understand the reason why it was given. Ibrahimovic converted the penalty to give Juve a serious mountain to climb. Inter doubled their lead after 34 minutes, Adriano racing onto a clearance from Materazzi and sliding the ball underneath substitute keeper Marcelo Grohe. Nick didn't really know what to say to his side, he knew it was unlikely that they would get anything from the game. There was worse to come in the second half, as Inter were to double their advantage, Ibrahimovic grabbing his second goal on 67 minutes before Materazzi headed home a corner on 78 minutes to grab his teams 4th, and give Nick and his Juve side a hammering, and something that did not feel good to Nick, and probably his players felt the same. Two minutes after the 4th goal, Jonathan Zebina was sent off for a second bookable offence to reduce Juve to 9 men.

A home game against Parma was a perfect opportunity for the team to get back on track with a win and a good performance, which is exactly what they did. Del Piero gave them a lead after 7 minutes, heading home Bojinov's parried shot. Bojinov himself scored on the half hour, converting Del Piero's cross easily to double the lead. It was only a minute after the second that Bojinov scored the third, racing clear through the Parma defence that was like a sieve, just leaking goals. Gabi, the loan signing from Atletico, was the man who scored the 4th, on the hour, a lovely curling effort into the far corner to seal Juve's second victory of the season. They weren't finished there though, Bojinov completing his hat-trick with his teams 5th goal, a volley from the edge of the area to guarantee their biggest league win under Nick's guidance.