PREVIEW: Napoli vs Juventus

Matter Of Pride

With eight Serie A rounds remaining before the end of the 2013/14 league season and twenty points separating them from leaders Juventus, it is fair to say that Napoli’s hopes of winning this year’s Scudetto are all but gone. However, second place before the end of the festivities is not an impossible task for Rafael Benitez and his boys as they are just six points off Roma’s pace. A good win against the Bianconeri in front of their own fans might just be what they need.

Napoli do not have a good record against Juventus, as they have just won one of the past six games that pitted the two sides against each other, and that was in May 2012 – almost two years ago. Nonetheless, their San Paolo stadium has been a strong fortress whenever Juventus visited, as the Partenopei won four and drew two of the last six games that were disputed in Naples.

Realising that an assault on second place is still possible, winger Jose Callejon has urged his team-mates to put on a good display against the league champions in order to accomplish their task.

“The match against Juventus is an important game for us and for all of Naples. We all know that it is a particular and special game for our fans. We would like to do well because we have the goal of second place and we will try until the end. There are still many points to play for and we will fight until the end of the race”, declared the Spanish winger.


Anything But Easy

Despite having won the corresponding fixture earlier this season 3-0 in Turin, Juventus appreciate that facing the Partenopei will always remain a difficult match, even with the vast gap in points between the two sides. Juventus are undefeated in their last 22 league games – with their last loss being a 4-2 setback against Fiorentina last October – but Antonio Conte’s men know that it will take something extra on their behalf to come up with the spoils against Napoli.

The gap between the two teams might be a big one, but midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes that Napoli will still present themselves as quality opponents when the two clubs take the pitch on Sunday night.

“We’ve played a great season so far, but we haven’t won anything yet. Napoli are a strong side, and out there on the field the difference in points will count for nothing on Sunday. They wanted to win the Turin fixture, but we tackled the challenge in the best possible way knowing that it was a clash with one of our close rivals”, commented the AC Milan legend.

Juventus have kept a clean sheet in their last three away Serie A games, but replicating this feat against Napoli will be hard as the side command one of Italy’s best attacking units with 57 goals.

Recent form

Napoli:
Napoli 2-2 FC Porto (20/03; Europa League)
Napoli 0-1 Fiorentina (23/03; Serie A)
Catania 2-4 Napoli (26/03; Serie A)

Juventus:
Fiorentina 0-1 Juventus (20/03; Europa League)
Catania 0-1 Juventus (23/03; Serie A)
Juventus 2-1 Parma (26/03; Serie A)


Key absences

Napoli: Dries Mertens; Valon Behrami; Christian Maggio; Rafael; Juan Zuniga

Juventus: Angelo Ogbonna; Federico Peluso; Andrea Barzagli


Players to watch

Napoli – Gonzalo Higuain: The striker will be his side’s focal point when they meet the Bianconeri for this one. On his day, the Argentine is one of the best forwards in the world, and his coach will be hoping that day will coincide with this upcoming Sunday.

Juventus – Carlos Tevez: Higuain’s countryman will be playing for the opposition, with both trying to impress Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, even if Tevez seems firmly out of his plans. Tevez managed his side’s two goals against Fiorentina recently and he will be expected to do more of the same against Napoli.


Match Prediction

This game is important for Juventus as a win against direct rivals will boost their confidence. Napoli have no hope of winning the Scudetto anymore, with only bragging rights – and an eye on second place – left for them. However given Juventus’ form, the visitors might prove to be a hard task for them. Napoli 1-2 Juventus.

Source: insidefutbol

LIVERPOOL FANS INSPIRED US! - Henderson

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has praised the Anfield fans after the Reds bulldozed North London side Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 at Anfield to go top of the Premier League table.

Brendan Rodgers' men started quickly on home turf and a dangerous cross was turned into his own net by Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul in just the second minute.

And asked why Liverpool are always able to start so quickly Henderson pointed to the crowd.

"I think the crowd were outstanding again today; they lifted us yet again from the off", Henderson told Sky Sports.

"We've got good togetherness and we started really well."

The midfielder also explained the side knew how important the win was as it took them top of the table.

"Obviously we knew today was important to get the three points", he said.

"But we've just got to focus on what we've been doing of late, working hard."

ODEMWINGIE IS HAPPY HERE - Mark Huges

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes praised the match winning performance of Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie in Saturday's 1-0 win over Hull City.

Odemwingie, 32, lit up a lacklustre affair at the Britannia Stadium, pouncing on a loose pass from Ahmed Elmohamady before finishing a mazy run with a fierce left-foot strike past a despairing Steve Harper in the Hull goal.

Hughes was thrilled with the strike by the Nigerian, and believes the striker is thriving due to being "happy in his environment".

"We're pleased with what he's producing," Hughes said. "He's obviously come in and he wasn't a risk really because he's an accomplished Premier League player who has scored goals at this level so we know what we were getting.

"But you always hope the period of going to a new club, settling down and getting used to who's around you in the dressing room is short.

"In fairness to Peter he's come in and seamlessly picked up some outstanding form. I think that comes in being happy in his environment and happy in the players that surround him.

"We're reaping the benefits because he's a major factor in us winning today."

If you are Coach Stephen Keshi, will you take Odemwingie to Brazil?

CHELSEA HAVE LOST THE TITLE - José Mourinho

Crystal Palace beat Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday, thanks to an own goal by John Terry. Depending on the weekend’s other results, Chelsea could slip down to third place by the time Sunday evening rolls around.

José Mourinho had this to say after the match on Saturday ”Crystal Palace deserved the victory, they fought for their lives. We had good chances and their goalkeeper made some good saves in the first half. But their spirit was stronger, their desire was stronger and their commitment was stronger. That disappoints me, but it’s a defeat that we can only blame ourselves for.”

The Blues’ boss went on, lashing out at his players a bit. ”Some of our players are not comfortable in these types of matches, like Stoke away, Newcastle away and Everton away. Can I change this? I don’t know. My defenders are phenomenal, but in other positions we have players that can be in trouble.”

It seems as though the tactician is saying that some of his players lack a certain toughness, that they’re able to be bullied around by sides that play a more physical game. Those players, he implies, will need to step it up – or perhaps risk losing their spot at Chelsea.

But it may be too late to succeed this season. After the loss, Mourinho said, “Now we have lost our chance of finishing first. Now we depend too much on other results.”

Do you agree with Mr José Mourinho?

MANCHESTER UNITED TAKEOVER BID FRONTED BY BECKS & "CLASS OF '92"

The Manchester United "Class of '92" are set to front a multi-billion pound takeover of the club, according to The Sun.

Former United players David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville, along with current star Ryan Giggs looks set to lead a mega deal bankrolled by Arab oil money.

If reports are to believed, the Glazers - who purchased the Red Devils in 2005 - are ready to sell the Old Trafford outfit.

A source told The Sun: “The Glazers have lost interest. Everyone knows the club is effectively for sale.

“It’s just a question of getting the right price where they recoup their money and make a bit to save face.”

United legend Beckham looks set to play a huge role in the deal, having spent time at Qatari-owned Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain before retiring from the game at the end of the 2012/13 season.

And with the proposed £2bn takeover of Manchester United looking set to be funded by the Qatari royal family, it remains to be seen as to whether Beckham and Co. step up their interest in the club.

Despite Manchester United's on pitch troubles this season, the club rose two percent to $16.14 on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday, meaning United are now valued at $2.6billion.

What is your take? Will this "Class of '92" takeover bid move the club forward?

RCD Espanyol - FC Barcelona: Thrilling Catalan derby win (0-1)

A hectic Catalan derby at Espanyol's Cornella- El Prat stadium ended with a 1-0 win for Barcelona as a third vital Leo Messi penalty in one week saw Barcelona climb to the top of the La Liga table. It was a typically tense and physical derby game  - made even more difficult by the strong wind at the ground throughout the game.

Both Messi and Neymar blew chances to give Barça an early lead and after those early wobbles, Espanyol tightened up and it took a Messi penalty after Javi Lopez handled in the box to put the visitors ahead late on. Once Espanyol keeper Kiko Casilla had been sent off soon after, Martino’s men were able to hold on to their lead and take the points.

The win saw Barcelona go top of the league by two points over Atlético who play Bilbao later in the day, while Barcelona extended their lead over Real Madrid to five points ahead of Rayo Vallecano's trip to the Bernabéu.

[A.M.A]

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL NEWS

***Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes Arsenal are 'a million miles away' from winning the Premier League.

***Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed they're close to agreeing a new deal with Lionel Messi. Fresh from his El Clasico hat-trick, it emerged this week that Messi's father, Jorge, and Bartomeu had broke their impasse over a new deal.

***Former Leeds United and Liverpool winger Harry Kewell announced his retirement on Wednesday after almost two decades in professional football. The 35-year-old Australian returned to his homeland this season to play with Melbourne Heart in the A-League in a last-ditch attempt to go to this year's World Cup finals in Brazil.

***Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp hinted Bayern Munich could be set to dominate the Bundesliga like never before after Tuesday's title triumph. Bayern wrapped up the 2013/14 German league title with a 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin, after second-placed Dortmund were held to a scoreless draw in the Revierderby by Schalke.

***Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini reserved special praise for his defenders after the 3-0 derby triumph over rivals United on Teusday night.

***Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney admitted the club have lost their fear factor at Old Trafford after they slumped to a 3-0 derby defeat against Manchester City. (TEAMtalk)

***Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer paid credit to Pep Guardiola after they won their 24th German title on Tuesday.

***Bayern Munich defender Dante has ended speculation over a possible move to Manchester United by signing a new deal with the European champions. (Daily Mirror)

***Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes Ross Barkley's stunning goal at Newcastle United was typical of his quality. Barkley opened the scoring for Everton in the 3-0 win at St James' Park on Tuesday.

***AC Milan management are keen to drive down the asking price of Adel Taarabt. The midfielder is on-loan to the end of the season from QPR and can sign permanently in June.

***Neil Warnock has rejected the opportunity to replace sacked Billy Davies as manager of Nottingham Forest because he would not have the final say on transfers. (The Sun)

***Juventus are reportedly prepared to sell Paul Pogba this summer - for €80 MILLION. Report says Juve are willing to discuss the sale of Pogba with suitors PSG, but will insist on a Serie A record €80 million. (Tuttosport)

***Gary Neville says Manchester United are suffering an "identity crisis". United were outclassed 3-0 at home by Manchester City last night. Former skipper Neville said: “They need to have a rethink about where they are going. There is no pace and power going forward. "At the moment they have an identity crisis.” (TribalFootball)

***Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna looks set to sign for Manchester City this summer after rejecting a £9million offer from Inter. (Daily Star)

Good Morning Fabulous Football Lovers. Have a lovely day ahead. #OneLOve [A.M.A]