Some interesting transfer targets. Looking forward to see which deals come trough.

A lot of interesting deals going on. Nedved looks so...happy in that picture!

Congrats on keeping Vidal, he's a top player. Would be nice to see you bring in them youngsters, particularly Papa and Verratti, both are really good.
That's a very interesting pose there from Nedved, I must say

@Red Devil: Thank you, I hope that all of those plus another will go through.

@James: He looks happy indeed :). He looks very happy indeed

@Rablador: Thanks man, he was receiving interest from stinky Tots and I was like.. HEELL NA. The youngsters would add some competition to the vets, so I am deciding who to bring.. Papa and Verratti are the deals I am crossing my fingers to happen

Papadopoulos, Verratti and Luca Savelloni all look like good players, hope you can sign them

Champions League Semi-Final Draw Preview

Juventus, who is currently managed by a former player, Pavel Nedved, have secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the Champions League, after beating Manchester United 3-0 at home, and securing a clean-sheet at Old Trafford. With the Champions League competitiveness rising every year, any team can make it to the end, and these final four teams, have proved it.

Juventus Logo

Juventus for much, were a team that could slide in perhaps to the Quarter-Finals, where they would be torn apart by another team, but this year, they still hold on to their unbeaten run throughout the whole season. Boasting attacking players like Cavani, Jovetic, Vucinic and Giovinco, Juventus have done a marvelous job to reach this year's semi-finals, beating teams like last year runner-up, Bayern Munich. Not only dismantling Bayern in the Group Stages, but they also beat Barcelona and Manchester United, two of the biggest favorites this season. Whether they will face Galatasaray, Manchester City or Valencia will be determined by the next draw, that will be held in London, England.

Mirko Vucinic

Vucinic celebrating his goal in this year's Champions League edition.

One of the surprises this season to reach the final four is definitely Galasataray, who added players like last year's Champions League winner Didier Drogba and former Real Madrid playmaker Wesley Sneijder. Not only that, but they already had world-class goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera in their ranks, who has only conceded 11 goals in 10 appearances, managing to have 4 clean-sheets in this year's competition.

Galatasaray's Logo

Galasataray, who managed to finish first in their group, faced A.C. Milan in the b, and beating them 9-3 in aggregate. As for neutral football fans that watched the A.C. Milan and Galasataray match, they have added already 200 new club members. But, their 'Cinderella' story seemed to come to an end, as the Turkish giants drew nouve rich Paris Saint Germain, who had brought in Armenian star, Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar in the summer transfer window. However, it would be mean to be, as Galasataray beat the capital team, in an aggregate score of 5-1, something that only Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal came close to doing (beating them 4-0 and 4-1 respectively) in the competition. Whether they will face Manchester City, Juventus or Valencia, their chances and hopes will be high, after some eye-catching performances.

Didier Drogba

Drogba playing in the Champions League with Galatasaray.

Next up is Manchester City, who are owned by Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and managed by Italian manager, Roberto Mancini. Perhaps the richest team in the world, failed to pass on from the Group Stages for two years in a row, but as many say,'The third time is the charm'. Having to face Real Madrid, Anderletch and Nordsjaeland to go through, the Manchester based club earned their ticket to the Knockout Round with 16 points, winning 5, and drawing 1.

Manchester City's Logo

But, many believe that the experience from their summer signing and former Ballon D'Or winner, Ricardo Kaka, was the pushing factor that has led the side so far in the Champions League. Beating Bayern and English rivals, Chelsea to reach the semi-finals. Now, they have become the favorites to win this year's competition and their first Champions League in their third appearance.

Ricardo Kaka

Kaka answering a few questions about his recent move from Real Madrid to Manchester City.

Valencia, who are being lead by now former Zenit manager, Luciano Spalleti, will be hopeful to reach the final, as they have close knit bunch. Without making any type of signings, (thanks to the fact that their finances aren't good at the moment) Valencia have been rotated with the current players they have in their ranks, which is also the youngsters. Without many star players like they had some years ago, (David Silva, Juan Mata, David Villa, etc.) they have beaten teams like Fenerbahce and A.C. Milan in the Group Stages. They will be crossing their fingers to draw either Galasataray or Juventus who are the weakest teams in the final four.

Valencia's Logo

For the last final semi-finalist to earn their place, they had to go on and beat Dinamo and Zenit, which are perhaps the easiest teams that were available in the Knockout Round and Quarter-Final respectively. But, this year, they have fallen off in their league expectations, currently being in the bottom half of the table, settling for a 13th place current spot in the Liga BBVA. Knowing that their only entrance to any European competition will be by winning the Champions League, Valencia might be pushing any team to search for the extra money.

Roberto Soldado

Soldado as captain and scoring in the Dinamo rout earlier this season.

Some days later..

UEFA Champions League Semi Final Draw

Welcome to this year's Champions League Semi Final Draw in the city of London! The final four of this year's edition will be all from different countries, with Italy, England, Turkey and Spain having a participant in the semi-final. Juventus, Manchester City, Galasataray and Valencia are the teams that are fighting to win the ultimate European crown. Who will win the 2012-2013 Champions League Edition?

Semi-Final #1

Manchester City
Galatasaray

Semi-Final #2

Valencia
Juventus F.C.

I see a Juventus vs. Manchester City final in the offing!

Very well written update, and as Emma said I'm thinking Man City will get to the final, as much as I'd like to see a Gala win on aggregate!


Oh, and one last thing.....MY 700TH POST! Here's to another 9 billion and 4 eh?

Fantastic few updates, I must catch up properly You should get past Valencia and then Gala and/or City easily

You should be able to get through against Valencia... you can do it

Keep this up, and you'll get a SOTM nomination, but that shouldn't be on your mind for now! Good updates!

Put a man marker on Soldado you'll be fine. Hoping to see a Juve - City final as I hate Gala

@Neal: It might be probable, but Galatasaray are on fire!

@Rablador: Thank you baba, my 1615 post goes to you and these other people :P. Pfftttt... Valencia are easy :P.

@Walter: You better catch up, 8 year old kid

@Wellsy: Yeah, this year I could win every competition there is.

@Seni: Hahaha, thanks :), whether I am nominated or not, isn't of my concern now.. *whispers* You'll pass me the crown when I win it on October ;).

@Jack: Hahaaha, haterz gunna hate

April: Too Many Fixtures

Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Sakho, Chiellini, Bonucci, Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio, Asamoah, Lichsteiner, Cavani, Jovetic

Stevan Jovetic (4,85) and Arturo Vidal (12)

Subs Isla, Pogba and Pepe

Leonardo Bonucci (9.0)

After beating the all-might Barcelona to face yet another European giant, that was lead to perhaps the best manager in the game, Sir Alex Ferguson, a spectacle was in store for the Juventus, Manchester United and neutral fans. Fielding the best team available, the team started connecting well, making good, crisp passes before Jovetic slammed a shot into De Gea's goal. Not long after that Manchester United's holding midfielder, Sandro, suspiciously fouled Bonucci in the penalty area. But, as always, 'Rey' Vidal was there to take the penalty, where he sent De Gea to the other side. After a fantastic first half, various key players like Pirlo, Asamoah and
Lichsteiner. The game did slow down, but I pushed my players to keep going, to put a foot in the semi-finals. It was perfect timing, as Jovetic scored a rebound from the Spanish goalkeeper. Now, we had the task to head on to Old Trafford and secure a draw, or even better, a win.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Sakho, Chiellini, Bonucci, Pirlo, Marchisio, Vidal, Isla, Asamoah, Cavani, Jovetic

Claudio Marchisio (21) and Andrea Pirlo (35) Mamadou Sakho (42)

Subs Pogba, Marrone and Bertolacci

Mamadou Sakho (8.5)

After being given a space of three days to face another team, Udinese, the team responded even better to the United win, beating Udinese 3-1. Even though we dominated the whole match, (with 60% possession) we struggled to get our shots on target, (17 shots, but 7 on target) but we are Juventus F.C. We don't give up, and we sure as hell don't give up, even if the match is not going our way. With Marchisio scoring a freak goal, the team anxiously wanted more, as Sakho got his tally over 12 goals this season, an astonishing mark for a defender. Before entering half-time, Pirlo curled in a perfect free-kick, beating Brkic. Even though the strikers failed to score, the team worked as if they knew each other their whole life, something I had wanted since day one.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Sakho, Chiellini, Bonucci, Pirlo, Marchisio, Vidal, Isla, Pepe, Vucinic, Cavani

None

Subs Bertolacci, Pogba and Marrone

Mamadou Sakho (8.0)

With a three goal difference, we headed to Manchester with a weaker team, as Asamoah and Lichsteiner were rested, and out-going player, Simone Pepe replaced Asamoah in the team sheet. Throughout the match, we had a great deal of domination. With that said, we entered half-time with a 0-0 score, something that was better than trailing by the one. I told the team,"If you want to reach the semi-finals or even the final, you must work for it, earn it. I know you are capable and let's show that old fuck of Alex Ferguson that his team and club are below us!" The team roared into excitement, and most importantly, held the 0-0 draw, with the heroics of Sakho, Pirlo and many more players.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Sakho, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio, Isla, Asamoah, Jovetic, Cavani

Mamadou Sakho (78)

Subs Marrone, Pogba and Bertolacci

Edinson Cavani (9.9)

After qualifying for the Champions League semi-finals, we payed Lazio a visit, who were deep down in the table, fighting to rise up. So, after Petkovic was sacked, and Sannino was employed, they made great strides, getting up to 12th in the table. This new looking Lazio was very offensive, and with Lazio and many other Italian teams following Conte's and my footsteps into a three man defense, it was a very hard match to get into, even with our strike force. With Jovetic and Cavani failing to communicate throughout the match, the savior would be once again, French defender, Mamadou Sakho. Scoring from a set-piece, we secured a very important match and bagged three points, looking for a record points in the first season.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sakho, Pogba, Vidal, Marchisio, Padoin, Isla, Jovetic, Cavani

Andrea Pirlo (35)

Subs Asamoah, Bertolacci, Marrone

Mattia Perin (7.7)

With the team excited to secure another goal-fest against Pescara, who were in the brink of relegation, our strikers failed to score, for a third match in a row. Our work rate and passing were bad, and we paid as co-owned youngster, Gianluca Caprari, beating Buffon to the ball, where he just scored the goal alone. After that, the team woke up, with Pirlo curling a free-kick into Perin's right corner. But, not much happened throughout the whole match, where I let my players know, that these type of matches and results were unacceptable, to teams that we should be adding to our goal tally.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Caceres, Amorebieta, Peluso, Pogba, Marrone, Bertolacci, Padoin, Pepe, Jovetic, Immobile

Luca Marrone (29) and Simone Padoin (62)

Subs Bonucci, Chiellini, Vucinic

Andrea Poli (8.8)

Perhaps resting some players ahead of two key fixtures (Inter and Valencia), I decided to change the whole team, except for Gigi Buffon, who will always star in the first team if he can. We started the game brightly, with Immobile, Bertolacci and Marrone all clicking well. They made some passes that few experienced players could do, and with Marrone being left alone in the penalty area, he punished the Sampdoria defense. After Caceres got injured before half-time, Chiellini was thrown in, to stabilize the defense. But, it wasn't meant to be, as on loan Atalanta defender Federico Peluso, got himself an early bath in the first 10 minutes of the second half, which led to Jovetic being subbed out, and Bonucci entering the fray. After having a man on top, Immobile was left without support, and would lose any chance handed to him. But Padoin, who was very active in every play would go on and score, perhaps securing the match, but it wasn't meant to be. Goals by Macnelly Torres and midfielder Andrea Poli in the second half to take a very important point back to Genoa, as Sampdoria are currently fighting to remain in the Serie A.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sakho, Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio, Asamoah, Isla, Vucinic, Cavani

Mamadou Sakho (8) Edinson Cavani (48,85) & Andrea Pirlo (66)

Subs Pogba, Peluso, Jovetic

Edinson Cavani (8.8)

As we got Valencia in the semi-finals of the Champions League, I felt better, as Galatasaray and Manchester City were teams that had very hard draws this year, and had prevailed. Starting out well, the team found themselves attacking constantly, and fighting for the ball back, successfully. As we pushed more, and more, Sakho scored another header goal, which would rise his tally to 14 in a Juventus shirt. Not long after, Diego Alves was forced to make an incredible save from Pirlo, who was close to score perhaps this year's edition of the best Champions League goal. After half-time, the team entered the fray, fresh and seemed more precise with every pass and every shot. After a series of tremendous saves, Cavani ended the team's no-goals from any striker for four matches. Dominating, and with the team expressing their desire to extend their lead, got a foul really close to the penalty area, where Pirlo would take the free-kick. Diego Alves, previously saving a fantastic effort by Pirlo himself couldn't reach the ball, as Pirlo put straight into the top corner, which any goalkeeper has a hard time saving.


Juventus starting XI (3-1-4-2) Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sakho, Pirlo, Vidal, Marchisio, Asamoah, Lichsteiner, Vucinic, Cavani

Arturo Vidal (34)

Subs Pogba, Pepe, Padoin

Javier Zanetti (8.0)

For the second Derby D'Italia of the season, we were confident, as we had a foot into the Final of the Champions League. As the game went on, Pirlo felt a twist in his ankle, and without taking any risks, he was subbed off, and Pogba was brought on. Not long after Pirlo exited the field, Cavani was fouled in the penalty area, where 'Rey' Vidal took the penalty and made the fans roar. But, celebrations were put on hold as the Argentinian veteran Diego Milito would go on and score some minutes after. All throughout the match we dominated, but Handanovic, as always, is fantastic.

Player of the Month

The player of the month has to be our uprising defender, Mamadou Sakho, who has impressed throughout the year, but more importantly, this month. With 4 goals and helping out with 3 clean sheets, he definitely deserves to win this month's player of the month.

Still can't beat Inter, we are just too good