Campioni!!!!! (24 Viewers)

[Rainforest Liu]

December gave Juventus two wins over Lazio and Bologna, which were particularly precious as they were achieved right when the athletic condition dropped. After all, such a drop had to be expected since the lads hadn’t stopped ever since they played Champions League qualifications in August; they had been keeping the pace high and could qualify in advance to Europe’s last 16 as well as top the table in the Italian championship.





On the 14th matchday at Delle Alpi, it was Lazio to first get the advantage thanks to a masterpiece by Pandev but Juventus’s prompt reaction was forceful and finally conquered the three points, with goals by Olivera and Ibrahimovic.




It was time for a showdown in Bologna too and the win was achieved after a much struggled match. Less than 5 minutes before the end, Nedved literally froze the Dall’Ara stadium with a beautiful free kick.




The last match of 2004 was also the most eagerly awaited one: Milan came to town and they were already bound to be the only rivals for Juventus in the Scudetto race.




The challenge was far from being spectacular and although the Rossoneri showed a better athletic condition, Capello’s lads showed their character and determination and that caused the match to be finally well balanced, ending with a 0-0. That allowed the Bianconeri to spend the Christmas break with 4 points clear on top of the table.

 

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[Rainforest Liu]

The new year, on Epiphany day (Jan, 6th), opened with the 90’s classical match: Parma vs Juventus.




Times had changed since the Emilia-based club used to compete with the Bianconeri for Scudetto and Cups and now the Gialloblu were not in their golden times anymore; nevertheless they remained tricky opponents, to the extent that Capello’s side could not go any further than a 1-1 draw at Tardini stadium.




They started winning again on the last but one matchday of the first leg, in a spectacular match, rich of goals, against Livorno: on the Bianconeri’s side, goals were scored by Del Piero, Ibrahimovic and Camoranesi twice, while for the Amaranto, the target was hit by Vidigal and Melara. The final 4-2 result, after the draw earned by Milan in Palermo, gave Juventus the title of Winter Champions and that happened one matchday in advance.




The 19th matchday saw the comeback of Trezeguet on the field after the shoulder surgery but it was not a happy day in Cagliari:



after taking the lead with Emerson’s header on goal, Capello’s lads conceded the draw on the very last minute of the match.




The draw for Cagliari was sealed by Zola who, far from being a giant, could overcome them all and head the ball in.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

The second leg opened with two convincing wins against Brescia by 2-0 and against Atalanta by 2-1, which paired with two defeats for Milan against Livorno and Bologna.




Therefore, the Bianconeri increased their advantage in the table up to 8 points clear and seemed to be out of reach.




Unfortunately, the unforeseeable happened: Juventus lost two consecutive matches, against Sampdoria and Palermo and, in the time of only two matchdays, the gap with Milan was reduced to two mere points.




Such advantage could be kept safe on the 24th matchday, when they beated Udinese at Delle Alpi by 2-1, but it was swept away on the following Sunday.




The lads missed Trezeguet again, stopped by a flu, and the team could not earn anything more than a goalless draw against Messina.




Such result allowed Milan, after winning over Lazio, to catch the top of the table. This marked the beginning of the most exciting nip and tuck race of the last few years and it was destined to continue, except for a very short break in April, until the face-to-face clash.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Once reached by Milan on top of the table, Juventus got back their vigour and determination and had one thrilling win after another. 3-0 against Siena, with Del Piero as protagonist, scoring two goals one of which with a spectacular backheel shot.




2-1 against Roma: a nerve-wracking match, where yellow cards and fouls dominated, and the result was finally sealed by a header on goal by Cannavaro and the penalty converted by Del Piero.




1-0 at Chievo’s home, achieved at the end, when Olivera broke the tie, after a match played constantly in attack.




1-0 against Reggina, with a winning goal scored by Del Piero, after hitting the post twice in three minutes’ time.




The four consecutive victories for the Bianconeri were echoed by the ones achieved by Milan, who did not give up and stayed alongside at the first place in the ranking. The break caused by World Cup qualifications did not brought good news for Juventus: Trezeguet, playing for his national team, got a hard blow to his ankle and the injury forced him to stop again.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

April started with another classical challenge: on the early Saturday match scheduled for the 30th matchday, Juventus were to meet Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi.




The match was spectacular and the Bianconeri were constantly forced to fight back: the Viola took the lead three times, with Pazzini, Chiellini and Dainelli and for three times the Bianconeri fought back to earn a draw thanks to Del Piero first and then Ibrahimovic twice.




The final 3-3 result did not made a difference in the table as Milan were held to a 1-1 away at Brescia and they too conquered only one point.




The following Sunday, on the contrary, Capello’s lads were given the illusion to take a definitive advantage over the Rossoneri: the three goals scored in Turin by Ibrahimovic along with those by Appiah and Nedved thrashed Lecce while Milan slipped at Siena.





The three-point advantage, though, would only last a week. In fact, on the 32nd matchday, the Rossoneri won over Chievo while Juve lost to Inter at home, as the latter managed to take advantage of the only scoring occasion of their match.



And it was not only the result to be negative: Ibrahimovic, who had already been booked, got disqualified for three matchdays in a row after the tv proof for an alleged reaction foul on Cordoba. Thus the Swede had to miss the crucial face-to-face match against Milan, scheduled on the 35th matchday.




Both clubs got to the event still side by side on top of the table: the Rossoneri beated Parma and Fiorentina, while Juventus won over Lazio at the Olimpico, with a goal by Nedved, and Bologna at Delle Alpi thanks to goals by Cannavaro and Zalayeta.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

The 35th matchday was on May, 8th. Juventus and Milan came to meet face to face in the crucial match to win the championship. And not only that: considering how the last few years, except for Lazio’s and Roma’s wins, the Scudetto had always been an affair reserved to Bianconeri and Rossoneri, the challenge at San Siro was bound to be the real showdown.

The venue was sold out and looked spectacular. Capello chose again the Del Piero-Trezeguet partnership, fielding Trezeguet from the very first minute for the first time after the break caused by his ankle problems. Emerson was flanked by Appiah centrefield. Ancelotti leaned on the attacking pair Shevchenko-Tomasson.





Juventus started well, controlling the attacks by Rossoneri and got dangerous in attack as well, thus taking the lead on 29’ minutes: Del Piero moved forward to the left flank, crossed to the midfield but Gattuso hit back. The ball sored back to the Captain and he served Trezeguet with a perfect reverse kick and the Frenchman headed it in and beated Dida.





Capello’s side kept attacking and got close to a double score when, on 36’ minutes, Del Piero, served by Camoranesi, shot a powerful drive from the edge of the box and Dida cleared in a two-time intervention. It was a more aggressive Milan to start the second half: on 12’ minutes Inzaghi, who substituted Tomasson, got close to drawing when, assisted by Shevchenko, came face to face with Buffon.





The Bianconeri’s goalkeeper was great at keeping guard of the goal and flick the ball clear and Inzaghi, on his clearance, still missed the target. After Milan failing their occasion, Juventus got vigourous again like it was in the first half and returned in control of the game.





On 17’ minutes, Trezeguet served Emerson who hooked the ball but his left-footed shot hit the outside of the net and on 20’ minutes, after Birindelli’s free kick, Del Piero’s header hit the crossbar. Then it was Nedved to attempt on goal but his first shot was wide of target and the second was successfully countered by Dida.





Milan attacked again in the final minutes, once again with Inzaghi, whose header was saved by Buffon. The way the No.1 exulted after that clearance symbolized the determination the Bianconeri had in facing and winning the most important match. Three matchdays were still to come and Juventus virtually sewed the 28th Scudetto on their shirts.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Ferrara reaches another prestigious achievement: he’s the third player winning 8 championships from the introduction of the single grouping (1929/30). All three players won in the black & white jersey.
Here they are:

Ferrari Giovanni:
5 shields with Juventus:
1930/31, 1931/32, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35
2 shields with Ambrosiana-Inter:
1937/38, 1939/40
1 shield with Bologna:
1940/41

Furino Giuseppe:
8 shields with Juventus:
1971/72, 1972/73, 1974/75, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1981/82, 1983/84

Ferrara Ciro:
2 shields with Napoli:
1986/87, 1989/90
6 shields with Juventus:
1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05

Counting also multiple groupings, another unique bianconero joins the club of ‘Eight’. Virginio Rosetta:
2 shields with Pro Vercelli:
1920/21, 1921/22
6 shields with Juventus:
1925/26, 1930/31,1931/32, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35

 

[Rainforest Liu]

A hundred years have passed….but we’re still the same! A hundred years ago Juventus won its first Italian title, on April 9th 1905, today wins its 28th championship shield.
A well celebrated birthday, then, where we want to pay tribute to the pioneers: Armano, Durante, Mazzia, Walty, Goccione, Diment, Barberis, Varetti, Forlano, Squair, Donna, Ferraris, Mario. Here’s the listing of 1905, the first generation of bianconeri champions.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

If Ferrara made it into history with his eighth personal shield, six of which in a black & white jersey, climbing to six are also Del Piero and Tacchinardi, that became champions ever in a black & white jersey.

In the team we also have first timers: Cannavaro, extraordinary 32 years old champion that before joining the bianconeri just came closer to the title without giving himself the satisfaction of winning it. Finally youngsters Appiah, Blasi and Kapo. Also Masiello took pride in debuting in Serie A against Inter. Mutu, whom always worked harder, couldn’t contribute the way he wanted because of disqualification.

 

[arc]

++ [ originally posted by Rainforest Liu ] ++
If Ferrara made it into history with his eighth personal shield, six of which in a black & white jersey, climbing to six are also Del Piero and Tacchinardi,

In the team we also have first timers: Cannavaro

for taccdinardi
for ferrara
for del piero

 

[Rainforest Liu]

The 28th bianconeri’s tricolour is the first for Juventus’ President Franzo Grande Stevens. Before him, bianconeri’s presidents were:

Dick Alfredo 1 1905
Agnelli Edoardo 6 1925/26, 1930/31, 1931/32
1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35
Agnelli Giovanni 2 1949/50, 1951/52
Agnelli Umberto 3 1957/58, 1959/60, 1960/61
Catella Vittore 1 1966/67
Boniperti Giampiero 9 1971/72, 1972/73, 1974/75
1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81
1981/82, 1983/84, 1985/86
Caissotti Di Chiusano
Vittorio 5 1994/95, 1996/97, 1997/98,
2001/02, 2002/03

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Fabio Capello is the first manager winning a championship shield in three different cities: Milan (with A.C.Milan, four shields), Rome and Turin. Managers who won in two different cities are:

Veisz:
1929/30 (Bologna)


1935/36 and 1936/37 (Bologna)




Bernardini:
1955/56 (Fiorentina)


1963/64 (Bologna)




Trapattoni:
6 shields with Juventus and Inter (1988/89)




Liedholm:
1978/79 (Milan)


1982/83 (Roma)


Furthermore, the coach achieved shield victory on his first year as bianconero: skillfulness showed in the past by:

Carcano 1930/31
Bertolini-Sarosi 1951/52
Brocic 1957/58
Trapattoni 1976/77
Lippi 1994/95

 

[Rainforest Liu]

With this championship shield, in the special ranking of Juventus’ players with more club victories, Del Piero, Ferrara and Tacchinardi reached the great Gaetano Scirea with 14 victories.

Trophies won:


Scirea 14
Del Piero 14
Ferrara 14
Tacchinardi 14
Cabrini 13
Conte 13
Brio 12



In the victories count included are: Italian Championship, Italian Supercup, Italian Cup, Champions League/Cup of Champions, European Supercup, UEFA Cup, Intertoto Tournament, Intercontinental Cup, Cup of Cups.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

It’s been a championship lived on top of the table from the very first matchday. The nip and tuck race with Milan has been months long and was resolved by an exciting win, achieved with the determination typical of a top team.




Re-live the steps of the way that led the Bianconeri to be crowned champions.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Winning against Milan at San Siro excited the Bianconeri, who were going to meet Parma home at Delle Alpi on the following Sunday.



The Emilia-based club were sorted out in 23 minutes time: Del Piero and Ibrahimovic sealed the result right away, both with headers, taking the best advantage of the flying start of the squad.




Meanwhile, Milan took the lead twice at Lecce but as many times they got reached on a draw by the home side. Juventus increased the advantage to 5 points clears and Scudetto was just a stone’s throw away. To conquer it the Bianconeri did not even need to get on the field: Milan, due to their Champions League schedule, anticipated their 37th week’s match to Friday and they were stopped by Palermo. The gap in the table could not be filled anymore and Juventus can finally celebrate their triumph: Italy’s Champions for the 28th time.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

He wins his sixth Italian championship, the seventh title, including the triumph in the Spanish championship leading Real: Fabio Capello is more than ever the most winning manager in Europe. On his first year at Juventus he goes straight for the major target, gets hold of the top of the table at the very first leg and never leaves it ever since. He applies the turnover, but with good judgement: changes have to be made to add vigour to the team, not to alter the balance in it. He moulds Juventus completely after himself: a solid and concrete team but, most of all born to win.

Capello as a number one, okay, but on his side operated a precious group of experts, solid specialists that gave their fundamental contribution for this exceptional tricolour success. In pole position the three men that Capello brought along: Italo Galbiati, representing the coach’s real ‘right hand’, the goalkeepers’ trainer Franco Tancredi and the athletic trainer Massimo Neri.

Then the team that Fabio found in-house at Juventus: deputy manager Giancarlo Corradini, the athletic trainer Andrea Scanavino who works with Neri, Aldo Esposito, supported early in the season by Luigi Pochettino, and the three mass physiotherapists: first mention for Sergio ‘moustache’ Giunta, Dario Garbiero and Mauro Caudana. And obviously the medical staff supervision by Dr. Riccardo Agricola and Dr. Antonio Giordano.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Juventus’s strenght has always been the team’s determination and solidity and the conquest of the Scudetto bases on such prerequisites: on a united group, made of unique champions as for their technical and human qualities.
So, discover, one by one, the protagonists of the 28th Scudetto.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Stephen Appiah

Competition in the midfield is ruthless, but coach Capello applies a wise turnover and Stephen finds his space, especially early and late in the season. In the last few games he’s in ideal shape and gives himself the satisfaction of scoring a great goal against Lecce, setting off the exciting bianconeri’s five winning series.





Manuele Blasi

Manuele is Juventus’s tireless man in the midfield. He puts his lungs and muscles at the team’s disposal, running after opponents all across the playground and regaining a great deal of balls. He’s a tough but fair player, always precious in the area of the field he’s playing in. He’s constantly evolving and the experience in the Bianconeri’s outfit made him mature a lot.



Mauro German Camoranesi

His was a season to remember. Mauro is at the height of maturity and his constancy of performance is impressive. He can dribble opponents like few others can and provide for precious assists; he’s also reinvented himself as a striker, scoring four goals.



Emerson

He was last summer’s most sought-after man and his arrival has been fundamental for Capello’s plans in the midfield. He’s always said to be an atypical Brazilian as his play is more practical that spectacular; actually, Emerson can mix his Brazilian talent to the pragmatism typical of a smart midfielder and El Puma’s grit. He’s a kind guy, a model professional but most of all a total champion.




Narcisse Olivier Kapo Obou

Kapo could not play much during this season also because of two injuries quite long to recover but when he was fielded on the playground he proved he’s got talent. On the 10th matchday, he scored what could have been a precious goal to earn the draw at Reggio Calabria but that goals was disallowed. He’s young and he’ll have time to show his worth.





Pavel Nedved

Nedved’s has been quite an unlucky season: first, the injury during Uefa Euro 2004 in Portugal, then the hard blow he got in Madrid forced him to stay off the playground for quite a long time. A warrior like he is is not certainly someone who can be easily stopped by difficulties. Pavel uses to train very hard and every time he comes back he’s stronger and more determined than before and, in the end, his name appears six times on the list of scorers.





Ruben Olivera

The ‘chicken’, as he’s used to be called by friends and teammates, is one of this year’s revelations. He started very well at the beginning of the season and it has soon shown how precious he can be in such a long and demanding season. When he’s been called in, Ruben has never been disappointing, on the contrary he’s proved to have a remarkable personality and, most of all, to be able to score crucial goals.






Alessio Tacchinardi

“Tacchi” is one of the old guard, he knows that when you’re part of Juventus your place on the playground is never guaranteed and he proves to be a model professional in accepting coach Capello’s decisions and most of all in being always ready when he’s called in, giving his precious contribution of experience.

 

[Rainforest Liu]

Alessandro Del Piero

The captain, the symbol, the most beloved player: no one more than Del Piero is the image of winning Juventus. Once again, Alex makes everybody agree and he succeeds in an important season, made of goals and assists but also hard work and sacrifice. A more and more complete champion, capable of unique play: the overhead pass to Trezeguet’s head that thrashed Milan sums up all of his class and intelligence in playing football.





Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He’s a phenomenon: Zlatan signed on the last day of the market but he perfectly fit the team’s organization at once. He didn’t waste time: he scored at his first appearance in the season at Brescia and made display of masterful shots. He’s an eclectic striker, who likes to play in different positions upfront but can be also penetrating on goal. He’s got a powerful shot, a dizzying dribbling, a clear vision of the game.. Ibrahimovic has got what it needs, age too, to become the number one in the world.






Adrian Mutu

Although he could not get on the field, he’s always trained hard and recovered the athletic condition that will allow him to have a great start next season, so that he can show again that play of his which made him one of the strongest strikers in Europe.





David Trezeguet

An injury, first, then a shoulder surgery, a flu and then again his ankle. Trezeguet’s year has been an ordeal but in spite of bad luck David has managed to put his mark on the championship. And what a mark! He came back on the playground as a first choice after the latest injury to take part to the crucial match with Milan and he punished the Rossoneri with a header that has already become part of history.





Marcelo Zalayeta

Top goalscorer, powerful and relentless, Marcelo could finally find the role he deserved and show his worth. No matter if he’s called in as a first choice or if he substitutes a teammate during the match, “Zala” aims at goal as few others. When Trezeguet was injured, he became the main forward; the pressure was high but Marcelo handled it as a real champion and could give his contribution of goals and assists to conquer the 28th scudetto.

 

[Lilianna]

this pic is always pleasant to look at!