Did Juventus throw away the title by drawing 0-0 in Parma after the scorless home draw with Siena? The Bianconeri continue to struggle in front of goal at an alarming pace which could cost coach Antonio Conte and his players the dream of winning the Serie A title. There are a number of factors but below is a list of some of the major concerns which were on display against Parma:

1) Vucinic: For the umpteenth time summer signing Mirko Vucinic failed to score while making wrong decisions or rushing his shots. Vucinic has managed only 3 goals in 16 league matches which is certainly not what the Bianconeri management and supporters were hoping for. Vucinic’s shot selection was questionable against Parma and this is perhaps due to a lack in confidence.

He was Juve’s most notable summer capture but he has failed to deliver. One thing is for sure: if Juve’s management expected Vucinic to contribute at least 15 goals a season then they might be off the mark because the attacker has not managed more than 14 goals in Serie A during his best season with Roma while he scored 19 goals in one Serie A campaign for Lecce.

2) The Forwards: The forwards at the disposal of coach Conte might be strong on paper but none of them appear ready to guarantee 15 goals a season for various reasons. The legendary Alessandro Del Piero is nearing the end of his historic journey in Bianconeri colors while Fabio Quagliarella is still trying to get back to his best after an injury-plagued year.

Considering Vucinic’s well-documented lack of scoring, there is tremendous pressure on Alessandro Matri to deliver the goals. Matri has been solid, if not spectacular, yet he remains Juve’s best hope for goals (at least among the attackers). Matri has scored 9 goals and assisted on 3 others. January signing Marco Borriello cannot be assessed at this stage.

3) Fatigue Factor: There are 16 matches left for the Bianconeri this season yet some players appear to be tired or lacking the cutting edge at this stage of the season. After a scintillating start, both Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal have slowed down. Marchisio was exceptional early in the season and has managed to score 6 goals in the league yet he seems to be tired and had to deal with minor injuries in recent weeks.

Simone Pepe is another player performing below his early season form when he scored 5 goals in Serie A. The incisive runs and aggressive play of both Marchisio and Pepe had been decisive in Juve’s rise to the top of the standings. Since the duo started facing fatigue, fitness and injury issues, the performances of the Bianconeri have declined.

4) Possession Game: Coach Conte seems to insist on following an approach similar to that of Barcelona. Juve’s midfield is a mix of talented, skilled and hardworking players yet the club does not have someone of Xavi’s or Cesc Fabregas’s caliber. However, Juve’s midfield has to be considered as one of the best in Europe. The combination of Marchisio, Vidal and Pepe along with the masterful Andrea Pirlo has turned the Bianconeri from an average side to a challenger capable of keeping possession and pressuring opponents.

One thing Barca has been suffering from is the lack of a scoring punch (for a number of reasons such as the lack of a genuine centre-forward) and it seems Conte’s team is facing the same problem. While Matri qualifies as a centre-forward and the same can be said of Borriello, both attackers do not have the physical presence to trouble opponents. Matri is not an aggressive player while Borriello is short on match fitness having settled for the bench most of the season (both with Roma and now Juve).

Against Siena and then Parma, the Bianconeri players possessed the ball for 70% and 63% of the time respectively but could not translate this dominance into a single goal. It appears Conte’s Juve adopted the possession game of Barca but unfortunately took along some of the few negative aspects attributed to such a style such as the lack of a killer instinct. The Barca style of play highlights patience and keeping the ball but seems to suffer from inefficiency and at times appears toothless in front of goal.

5) Undefeated Record: At times the Bianconeri and their coach Conte appear more concerned about preserving their unbeaten record as opposed to pushing harder for victories. In recent weeks there has been talk of how Perguia lost the Serie A title to Milan decades ago despite going the entire season without a single defeat in the league. While Juve employ a patient approach even against weaker opponents, there seems to be a fear factor involved, in particular in the last 20 minutes of matches. The Bianconeri seemed a bit rattled towards the end against both Siena and Parma.

Talk of going through the whole season undefeated has surfaced at times and some are even making comparisons between the current Juve team and that infamous Perugia side. A Bianconeri loss can perhaps open the floodgates and allow the players to perform more freely and with less pressure. Against Parma, Emanuele Giaccherini should have played more minutes because he tends to take up more dangerous positions and creates more scoring opportunities when compared to the less dangerous Marcelo Estigarribia.

6) Conte’s System: Coach Conte relies on three midfielders who might be different in style yet who can all interchange positions on the field. These three midfielders will ultimately decide whether the Bianconeri can win the league title. The influential trio, namely Pirlo, Marchisio and Vidal, do not have a replacement on the squad and no one comes close to their talent level when they are forced to miss a match, are underperforming or playing while unfit.

Pepe’s injury has somewhat exposed Juve but the presence of Giaccerini and Estigarribia can somewhat compensate for the winger’s absence; however, no one on the Juve squad can take Pirlo’s or Marchisio’s place in the starting lineup. Even Vidal has no replacement on the bench. The fact all three play at the same time means whenever there is a suspension or a forced absence, the Bianconeri will likely struggle to compensate for the costly absence.

Milan and Juventus are currently the top two teams in the Italian league with the Rossoneri ahead by two points but the Serie A champions have played two more matches than their rivals Juventus. Juve’s positive run, the club is undefeated this season in official play, is due to a number of factors such as a solid defensive record and a midfield marshaled by veteran Andrea Pirlo with the aid of Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal.

As for Milan, the league champions are dependent on the volatile star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and an experienced squad spearheaded by savvy veterans such as Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf.

Below is a glance at what makes Antonio Conte’s Bianconeri prime candidates for the Italian league title:

1) Hunger: There is a hunger among established Juve players, particularly Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini, who have yet to win a major trophy with the club. In addition, Pirlo has a point to prove after his free transfer from Milan during the summer.

2) Balance: The proper blend between the old and the young players. Older stars such as Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon offer the experience and stability needed at a prestigious club (such as Juve) while emerging players such as Vidal and Marchisio provide the energy and enthusiasm.

3) Pirlo: Midfielder Andrea Pirlo has been one of the most successful stories of this season after some pundits and fans wrote him off following his reduced role with Milan due to injury in 2010-11. Pirlo has been both decisive and crucial in leading Juve’s charge with his pinpoint passing, calm demeanor and his ability to keep the ball as well as dictate the game when needed. While Vidal provides non-stop running and Marchisio knocks in crucial goals such as his late winning double against Milan, the rejuvenated Pirlo orchestrates the attacks and serves as the focal point of Juve’s possession game.

4) Spirit: Prior to Calciopoli, the Juve squads were often defined by their fighting spirit and other related intangibles. Juve players often conjured their never-die attitude to pull famous wins and avoid defeats in some tight clashes. The determination and dedication were hallmarks of the Marcello Lippi era yet the Bianconeri lost such priceless qualities in the previous couple of years. During this season, former Juve captain Conte, who played under Lippi, has worked hard on restoring the club’s pride. Conte has done a phenomenal job up to this point and it would not be surprising to see Juve end up with the title once the season is over. One great example of Juve’s fight was the 3-3 draw with Napoli after the Bianconeri trailed 1-3 to the dangerous Partenopei side.

5) Stadium: The new Juventus arena has been a decisive factor in helping the club with the supporters playing a positive role in spurring the players forward when the visiting teams were attempting to force a draw on the Bianconeri. Juve did draw 4 home games but these games came against weaker sides which opted to close shop and pack their area in order to prevent the Bianconeri from scoring.

Below is a list of factors which could tip the title in Milan’s favor:

1) Ibrahimovic: The Swedish star has weighed in with 15 goals and 4 assists in league play. Zlatan is Milan’s focal point in attack and is often the key player when the Rossoneri are looking for an opening against tough opponents.

2) Experience: The Rossoneri squad is composed of experienced players in every position starting with goalkeeper Christian Abbiati and centre-back Nesta as well as midfielders Massimo Ambrosini and Mark Van Bommel. These players have won the league title last season so they have the knowledge of what is needed to win trophies.

3) Depth: Despite the injuries and absence of key players such as Antonio Cassano (heart issue), Alexandre Pato (injury) and now Ibrahimovic (suspension- did not feature against Udinese), the Rossoneri squad has shown it is deep enough to cope with such emergencies. The Rossoneri have been without injured goalkeeper Abbiati as well as Alberto Aquilani, Gennaro Gattuso and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

4) Attack: The Rossoneri have Serie A’s best attack having registered 45 goals, 8 more goals than Lazio, while by comparison Juve have managed only 33 goals.

5) Nocerino: The midfielder signed from Palermo was signed to replace the aging Gattuso yet Antonio Nocerino has proven to be a very important player for Milan having played 20 league matches so far, including 19 as a starter. However, the biggest surprise has been Nocerino’s scoring exploits as the midfielder, not known for his goals, has managed to register 7 goals so far.

Juventus have scored 29 goals in 18 league matches which is not very impressive but by no means is it a disastrous figure considering only two clubs in Serie A have scored more: Milan and Napoli.

The figures do not lie and a closer look reveals the Bianconeri have scored 10 goals in 3 matches meaning the club managed only 19 goals in the other 15 games. This explains why the Bianconeri have drawn 8 out of the 18 matches played. The Juventus attack needs a more lethal striker with summer signing Mirko Vucinic struggling to find the back of the net with any consistency.

Alessandro Matri is the club’s top scorer and has been in fine form yet he remains the only proven attacking threat in the squad considering club legend Alessandro Del Piero is nearing the end of his journey while Fabio Quagliarella has been hindered by injuries.

The Bianconeri are desperate to offload veterans Vincenzo Iaquinta, Luca Toni and Amauri as the three strikers have failed to impress and have not been used by coach Antonio Conte. In addition to Juve’s inconsistent and indecisive attack, coach Conte has a few other issues to contend with if the Bianconeri are to return to glory:

1) Lack of midfield alternatives: There is an urgent need for a quality midfielder to cover for the impressive trio Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo. The coach’s tactics dictate that the three midfielders start each game yet there is not a single reliable substitute capable of contributing at the same level if any one of them is missing. Milos Krasic is a winger and has struggled all season with the Serbian’s move away from Turin becoming a very plausible option with every passing round of fixtures.

2) Hard-working wingers: Utility player Simone Pepe who has practically played on the right and left wings as well as deputized as a right-back does not have a true replacement within the squad. Pepe is not the most talented of players yet there is no doubting his effort and his determination. This season he has shown vast improvement from his first one with the Bianconeri.

Despite having the speed, Krasic does not put the work as hard and is one dimensional so he cannot be seen as an ideal replacement. In addition, Dutch signing Eljero Elia has so far failed to impress Conte and has barely played for the club prompting some to wonder why he was even signed to begin with.

3) Need for a centre-back: Andrea Barzagli has over-performed yet his defensive partner Leonardo Bonucci continues to disappoint in the sense he has not shown much improvement from last season. Bonucci has been guilty of some unacceptable mistakes such as his wayward and poor clearance which led to Cagliari’s equalizer through Andrea Cossu last weekend.

The club’s best centre-back Giorgio Chiellini is being used as a left-back emphasizing Juve’s need for a quality centre-back to challenge for honors. While summer signing Stephan Lichtsteiner has performed fairly well and is a huge improvement compared to Marco Motta in the right-back position, the Bianconeri do not have any other reliable full-backs in their squad. This explains why the club is being linked with former player Martin Caceres who can play in more than one position at the back.

While the club’s defensive record is the best in the league with just 12 goals conceded so far, this impressive stat is perhaps misleading since it gives credit to the defenders while overlooking the role played by the midfielders. Vidal has been a massive influence in midfield and his non-stop running has seen him go back and retrieve the ball on countless occasions. The same can be said of Simone Pepe and Marchisio while the presence of Pirlo must not be underestimated.

Last season, Felipe Melo had his best year in Juve colors yet he remained a liability when it came to passing which meant he regularly gave away the ball after winning it. The current trio of midfielders are all better passers and have the ability to not just keep the ball but surge forward to create scoring threats.

In addition, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is gradually returning to form and has made a number of impressive saves this season. Barzagli, Chiellini and Bonucci were all with the club last season but, once again, the main difference is the enhanced quality of the club’s midfield.

For the Bianconeri to achieve glory they need to acquire a proven scorer in addition to a quality centre-back and a midfielder who can properly replace the likes of Marchisio and Vidal.

Roma legend and skipper Francesco Totti broke the Serie A scoring record for a single club after managing to score a quick double on Saturday during the 5-1 win over Cesena. The two goals scored by Totti brought his tally to 211 goals with the Giallorossi in the Italian top flight.

Totti has now played 486 times in Serie A and scored 211 goals to beat the record of Swedish legend Gunnar Nordahl who managed to score 210 goals for Milan in league play. However, he trails Nordahl in overall scoring in Serie A since the Swedish legend managed 225 goals to rank 2nd on the all-time list while Totti is in 5th place and in need of 5 more goals to tie both Giuseppe Meazza and Jose Altafini.

Totti will have the chance to probably rise as high as 2nd place on the list if he continues to play since he needs 14 goals to tie Nordahl but he is far behind the all-time top scorer in Serie A who is Silvio Piola with 274 goals.

Totti deserves all the praise for his efforts, scoring record and loyalty to Roma spanning around two decades. Like the legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini, Totti has only played for one club. Totti’s scoring record for a single club in Serie A must serve as an example for those who doubt they can play at a high level once they go over the age of 30. Francesco is 35-years-old and will likely play on for another couple of seasons.

Totti has also contributed to the Italian cause helping the Azzurri reach the final of Euro 2000 and winning World Cup 2006. His best season was 2006-07 when he managed to score 26 goals in 35 league matches.

The current table shows Inter in 5th place yet the Nerazzurri have a greater chance of competing for the league title than Udinese or Lazio who are currently above them in the standings. Inter’s players have the necessary experience and the quality players to challenge for titles while both Udinese and Lazio are lacking in terms of experience and the killer instinct needed to win difficult matches.

The Nerazzurri have yet to benefit from the signing of Diego Forlan who has been sidelined due to injury for the most part while key player Wesley Sneijder has been dealing with injury and fitness issues for the majority of the season. Sneijder might have also been distracted by rumors of a potential transfer to the English Premier League to join some of the elite clubs such as Manchester United.

With the dust settled on those rumors and Sneijder certain of finishing the season with Inter, this could serve as a major boost for the club’s title hopes. Sneijder was one of the best players not just in Italy but the world when Jose Mourinho was in charge at Inter and the Dutch star was also one of most important players during South Africa 2010 when the Netherlands reached the World Cup final.

Inter possess experience and the winning mentality in abundance with a squad including skipper Javier Zanetti, midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and striker Diego Milito. Argentine attacker Milito scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over bitter city rivals Milan. This precious victory will provide tremendous boost for the squad’s confidence and will allow coach Claudio Ranieri to remain optimistic for the remainder of the season. While Inter’s resurgence has not gone unnoticed, common sense dictates that the Serie A title will go to either neighbors Milan or eternal rivals Juventus.

Milan’s injury list which has deprived the club of two key attacking options in the shape of Antonio Cassano and Alexandre Pato has had a negative effect on the club’s title defense yet the Rossoneri are a mere point behind Juventus in the league standings. This is a strong testament to the club’s pool of talent with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng helping to offset the crucial absences. Cassano had a heart procedure and his return date has yet to be set while Pato will likely be out for 3 to 4 weeks.

The Rossoneri remain the favorites for the title because they have a more talented squad than the Bianconeri. Milan’s squad contains a number of proven players such as Thiago Silva, Robinho and Alessandro Nesta. While the loss to Inter in the city derby was a damaging blow, the overall effect on the league standings has been minimal. Milan’s European adventure might be the one major hindrance which could likely benefit league leaders Juventus.

The Bianconeri are focused on the domestic front since Juve failed to qualify to Europe following a dismal season. With coach Antonio Conte leading the charge, the Bianconeri have been able to avoid defeat in 18 league matches so far. The draw against Napoli showed how determined the squad is under the guidance of Conte. The presence of a former Bianconeri player at the coaching helm has been a bonus for Juve even if a similar experiment with Ciro Ferrara failed in the recent past. The circumstances are quite different today as opposed to during Ferrara’s unsuccessful spell. Ferrara was inexperienced and an unproven tactician when he took over as a coach while Conte had already be then helped two clubs earn promotion from Serie B to Italy’s elite Serie A.

Conte’s aggressive approach, fighting spirit and determination as both a former midfielder and a coach have been transmitted to his starting XI as evident in the playing style of midfielders Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio as well as winger Simone Pepe. Unsurprisingly, Conte’s greatest influence has been felt amongst the club’s midfielders such as Marchisio and the rejuvenated maestro Andre Pirlo.

It would be unwise to bet against Conte’s side remaining at the top when the season’s final whistle is heard but who is brave enough to bet against Milan’s Ibrahimovic? The next few months will be interesting and the clash between the top two clubs on February 26th will be one to keep an eye on.

Despite the importance of club football, Euro 2012 dominates the majority of the continent’s players’ thoughts going into the second half of the season. Italian football has had it’s share of ups and downs over the last decade, with the elation of winning the World Cup in 2006 counteracted by scandal in the domestic game; Italy need a strong performance in the tournament.

Cesare Prandelli has a wealth of talent at his disposal, and with Serie A more competitive than ever, Euro 2012 betting odds state that Italy stand a real chance of success in Ukraine and Poland. Despite the Azzurri’s qualities, a tough Group C awaits, with Croatia, Republic of Ireland and current world champions Spain standing between them and the knockout stages. Vicente del Bosque’s men will provide the toughest test, and it is important that Prandelli gets team selection correct; but who will be in the squad for the competition?

Goalkeepers

Although Prandelli has some tough choices to make throughout his squad, the decision of which goalkeeper to play is an easy one. Gianluigi Buffon is still one of the best keepers in European football, and his form for Juventus this season has been a key reason for the Turin club’s unbeaten start to the campaign. Morgan de Sanctis, Salvatore Sirigu and new Palermo signing Emiliano Viviano will battle it out for the backup position.

Defence

Italian football is famed for its dependable and disciplined rearguard, and former greats such as Nesta, Cannavaro and Baresi have typified the type of solid players that have been nurtured in the country. Giorgio Chiellini has matured as a player over the last number of years and will be one of the first names on the Italian teamsheet if fit. Mattia Cassani, Andrea Barzagli and Andrea Ranocchia will be in contention to partner Chiellini; don’t write off Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro to make the grade if his current form continues either.

At left back Federico Balzaretti will be in direct competition with Domenico Criscito, with the Palermo man likely to get the nod. On the other flank AC Milan youngster Ignazio Abate has forced his way into the national set-up, but Prandelli also has the option of playing Christian Maggio at the back.

Midfield

Italy have a blend of young, promising talents and experienced stalwarts to choose from in the centre of the park. Old heads Daniele de Rossi and Andrea Pirlo will be key figures in the national set up, with Simone Pepe and Antonio Nocerino also in the international mix. Claudio Marchisio is in great form and has turned into an important player for Juventus and Italy, whilst Alberto Aquilani will go if fit.

Ricardo Montolivo has lost some of the form that made him a target for AC Milan and now is at risk of missing out, whilst Sebastian Giovinco is on the borderline of inclusion or expulsion.

Attack

Italy have a multitude of attacking players that could make the difference in a close game, but inevitably a number of players will miss out. Manchester City’s temperamental forward Mario Balotelli has emerged as first choice striker, and could either be the saviour or villain of the piece. Alessandro Matri has shown excellent form for Juventus over the last 12 months, but competition for places in Turin could threaten his starting place.

Giampaolo Pazzini is starting to step up to he plate at Inter, and with Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi both likely to miss the tournament through health concerns and injury, should make the squad. Marco Borriello, Alberto Gilardino and Pablo Osvaldo are also in the mix, but at least one or two of these will miss out. An outside choice is veteran Antonio di Natale, who continues to hit the net for Udinese.

Likely line-up: Buffon, Balzeretti, Chiellini, Barzagli, Abate, Pirlo, De Rossi, Aquilani, Marchisio, Balotelli, Matri
Subs: De Sanctis, Maggio, Ranocchia, Pepe, Montolivo, Nocerino, Pazzini

Italy stand a real chance of making the latter stages of the European Championships, but Prandelli must get the mix of his side right amid a plethora of top drawer players. Spain will provide tough opposition in the pool stage, but with an exciting squad at his disposal Prandelli may follow in the footsteps of Marcello Lippi, and lead the nation to international glory.

A photo of AC Milan’s home shirt for the 2012-13 season has been leaked on the Internet.

Designed and manufactured by Adidas, the new AC Milan shirt is a retro design with the famous black and red stripes as well as an old-fashioned collar. The collar looks closer to a old rugby shirt than a soccer shirt, but I love it. I have a feeling that this is going to be a massive hit when it comes out next year.

What do you think of AC Milan’s new home shirt? Share your opinion in the comments section below.

With reports emerging about an agreement between Milan and Manchester City outcast Carlos Tevez, there are many who believe the Argentina striker will be a big addition to the star studded Rossoneri squad. However, the Citizens have yet to negotiate with Milan and there is no guarantee the transfer will go through during the January window. Below are some of the positive outcomes from adding the talented Tevez:

1) Tevez is a proven talent having managed an impressive 43 goals in just 65 English Premier League matches. The 27-year-old has the skills and the ability to dribble past the best of defensive lines in Europe and the world. At 27, he is nearing the peak and he can excel if provided with the proper platform to perform.

2) If Milan do not sign him, there were reports both Inter and Juventus can be potential club destinations. Thus, by signing Tevez, the Rossoneri will ensure two of their bitter rivals will not be adding a dangerous attacking weapon.

3) Players from Argentina tend to settle down and succeed in Serie A if they are talented and dedicated. There are many examples of stars hailing from Argentina who have achieved success in the Italian league such as Javier Zanetti and Gabriel Batistuta. Tevez will likely find it easier to settle down in Italy than in England where he has language issues and cultural barriers to overcome.

4) Despite boasting the likes of Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks, the Rossoneri need a frequent goalscorer considering Pato’s extended absences due to injury and Robinho’s inaccuracy in front of goal. Only Ibrahimovic has been an undisputed goal threat since joining Milan.

Pato has missed a large chunk of last season and has had to recover early this season so his playing time has been greatly limited. As for Robinho, it took him quite an extended stretch of matches to hit top form last season but what has plagued him since joining the Rossoneri is the fact he has missed a plethora of easy goals due to miscues or wrong decisions. If Tevez keeps up with his scoring trend with City, then Milan will have solved the need to find a reliable scoring partner for Ibrahimovic.

5) Milan will sell more tickets, gain more exposure and expanding on their marketing brand, whether through the sale of club merchandise or TV viewership by adding a talented and controversial figure such as Tevez.

On the flip side, there are some risks associated with the signing of the Argentina striker and below are some of the main ones:

a) Tevez has been a disruptive figure in England as he has shown little sensitivity to the fans of Manchester United when he accepted to join their city neighbors City, but to make it worse he has not been a positive influence in the dressing room of the Citizens. It did appear that Tevez rejected manager Roberto Mancini’s order to go on as a substitute and this could cause problems in Milan where coach Massimiliano Allegri is not as experienced as Mancini despite winning the Serie A title last season.

In addition, Tevez has often voiced his displeasure about being in England and, on more than one occasion, he claimed he was homesick. Do the Rossoneri want to sign a player who could jump ship at any point of the season?

b) The addition of Tevez could damage the susceptible harmony between the strikers already present on Milan’s roster. Swedish star Ibrahimovic is renowned for his volatile temperament and is not an easy character to get along with while Robinho is not immune to throwing tantrums and being moody. As for Pato, the addition of Tevez could signal the end of his tenure with Milan as the Rossoneri will not be able to play all four attacking player, particularly with Kevin-Prince Boateng showing massive improvement from last season. The four attackers cannot be on the pitch together because they will create an imbalanced lineup lacking in structure and defensive ability.

c) Milan will likely have to pay a large sum to secure the signature of Tevez and that could hurt the club’s budget when considering the club’s need for other reinforcements at the end of the season. The Rossoneri will need to look for younger players, particularly in midfield and on the defensive end. Alessandro Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Massimo Ambrosini and Mark van Bommel are well into their 30s while squad players Mario Yepes and Daniele Bonera are also above 30.

Thus, the club will need to buy at least one young talent to compete for midfield positions as well as a young defensive player who will compensate for the older defenders. Milan’s problems are not in attack so it might be wiser to invest the money elsewhere.

d) Tevez might not be able to settle quick in both the city of Milan and amongst his new teammates considering his habit of running out his welcome at different clubs. Tevez might become more of a distraction than a welcome addition if he fails to settle down and if he does not find the back of the net on a regular basis. An unhappy Tevez can bring undesired attention to Milanello.

Overall, the signing of Tevez, if indeed his move gets the nod from City’s directors, will add another attacking threat to the Rossoneri lineup forcing opponents to adjust their plans to restrict and contain a very talented player capable of scoring some fantastic goals. On the other hand, Tevez brings with him uncertainty and a lot of unknowns as well as excess baggage from his previous stops in Europe, specifically the Premier League.

The return of Juventus as a force in Italian football has coincided with the arrival of Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer and with former club captain Antonio Conte assuming control of coaching duties. Both Pirlo and Conte have been influential in Juve’s rise with the former Milan midfielder proving indispensable in several matches while coach Antonio has helped revive the squad’s damaged spirit.

Conte has been able to create a sense of belief amongst his players while not only boosting their confidence but also instilling the values normally associated the famous kit of the Old Lady.

It would be unfair to exclude a number of other players from praise after the club’s impressive start to the season, but there are two starters who deserve a lot of credit for Juve’s position at the table of the Serie A table. The two aforementioned players are former Udinese winger Simone Pepe and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal. Pepe was signed on a permanent basis this season after a one-year loan spell which could be deemed as above average but not too impressive.

During the summer there were reports Juve were going to cash-in on the player they signed from Udinese but coach Conte convinced Pepe to stay in Turin. This might prove as one of the summer’s best moves as Pepe has become integral to the coach’s plans with his dynamic, non-stop running as well as his versatility. Pepe can operate on both flanks and can even revert to a full-back position when needed.

Pepe has already managed to score four goals this season to match his total from the previous year. His movement and his tireless running have been crucial factors in sustaining the impressive start to Juve’s season through the intense energy level in midfield provided by Pepe along with Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. The energetic trio compensate for Pirlo’s inability to cover much space in midfield as a result of his age and decline in stamina. The hard work of the three players allows Pirlo to move freely and to operate at a pace most convenient to his declining physical attributes. Besides freeing the influential Pirlo, Pepe and Vidal have been able to contribute on the offensive end as well.

While Pepe tends to struggle with his crossing at times, Vidal is relied upon to drive the Juve team forward while ensuring the Bianconeri retrieve the ball quick when it is lost. Vidal, like Pepe, deserves credit for his tireless running but what he adds to the equation is his ability to force opponents to make quick decisions while challenging them for possession. Vidal also provides impetus with his runs towards the opposing penalty box and has proven to be a successful passer of the ball in small space. Vidal might not be renowned for his long-range or pinpoint passing but his short-range passing is definitely an upgrade on former Juve anchorman Felipe Melo.

Vidal has contributed three assists and scored on two occasions in 12 matches, including nine starts and three substitute appearances in Serie A. His performances this season have given the Bianconeri fans something to smile about after a few years plagued by defensive midfielders incapable of retaining possession or properly passing the ball, in particular Christian Poulsen, Momo Sissoko and Melo who all failed to win the fans while wearing the Bianconeri’s famous shirt.

Together Vidal and Pepe have formed the dynamic half of an impressive partnership in midfield with Marchisio and Pirlo. While the experienced Pirlo control the match’s tempo and provides incisive passes for the attackers, Marchisio has become well accustomed to popping up inside the opponent’s penalty box to score goals or create scoring opportunities. The four players have been instrumental in Juve’s rise but Pepe often receives less praise than he deserves. Pepe might not get the praise usually reserved for the likes of Pirlo and Marchisio, but he has certainly been as decisive for the club. No one can forget his late equaliser against Napoli which helped the Bianconeri achieve a precious draw and maintain their unbeaten record since the beginning of the season.

Against Cesena, Pirlo was suspended but Pepe, Marchisio and Vidal all compensated for his absence by scoring, in the case of the latter two, and through their tremendous effort, particularly Pepe who did not stop running. When the season is over, the Bianconeri’s final position will be heavily influenced by the performances of the midfield quartet. Pepe in particular must be applauded because he has allowed the Bianconeri fans to forget about Milos Krasic who has struggled for form in this early stretch of the season after a positive start to his Juve career during the 2010-11 season.

If the Bianconeri do win Serie A, then much of the credit deserves to go the midfield with special attention reserved to the likes of Pepe and Vidal as well as Marchisio and Pirlo ofcourse. Conte, a midfielder during his playing days, must be proud to be coaching such a productive group and must have no qualms if any of the four had partnered him when he was still an active player.

Several Italian coaches have successfully worked outside Italy in the last few years including former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti who succeeded in achieving a historic double in his first season in charge in London by leading the Blues to the English Premiership title and the FA Cup trophy. Ancelotti would be relieved of his duties at the end of the following season despite finishing second in the league. Chelsea had long set sights on winning the elusive Champions League, so without an extended run in the European competition coupled with the failure to win a domestic title doomed Ancelotti’s fate.

Roberto Mancini took over as Manchester City boss towards the end of 2009 replacing Mark Hughes who failed to impress and was duly sacked as manager of the Citizens. Mancini brings a strong CV as a player but more importantly as a winning coach. Mancini won the Italian Serie A title three time as coach of Inter. Since taking over manage of the Citizens, Mancini was able to win the FA Cup last season while finishing inside the top four in the Premiership to guarantee qualification to the Champions League. This season the Citizens are undefeated in Premier League action and are five points ahead of  city rivals Manchester United.

Fabio Capello was appointed as England manager in 2008 and the strict disciplinarian known as ‘Don Fabio’ has a decent record of 28 wins and 6 losses in 42 matches in charge of the Three Lions. However, Capello’s reign has not been all smooth with a disappointing World Cup in South Africa when the English were hammered by the Germans (regardless of the ‘goal’ which was never awarded to England). Capello’s tenure will be judged once England’s journey in Euro 2012 is over. Capello’s time can be summarized as promising during the qualifiers yet disappointing during the World Cup because the Three Lions only managed to draw against both the United States and Algeria. However, England managed to defeat both Spain and Sweden by the same scoreline of 1-0 in recent friendlies to end 2011 without suffering a single defeat.

Perhaps one of the proudest managers at the moment is none other than the highly decorated Giovanni Trapattoni who won league titles in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria. Trapattoni succeeded in leading the Republic of Ireland into their first major tournament since World Cup 1994 (the Irish were managed by Jack Charlton) and qualifying to Euro 2012 marks the first European championship the Irish will be competing in since Euro 1988. This must be extremely special for Trapattoni since the Irish were unjustly eliminated from contention for World Cup 2010 when Frenchman Thierry Henry used his hand to assist on the equalizer scored by William Gallas in Paris in the return leg of the playoff match between the two sides.

Marcello Lippi is currently unemployed but has hinted on more than one occasion that he would like to take charge of a non-Italian team and possibly a national team with a chance of making World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Despite his disappointing World Cup in 2010 during his second stint with the Azzurri, Lippi’s accomplishments cannot be diminished considering he won the Champions League with Juventus and the World Cup with Italy in Germany 2006. Alberto Zaccheroni is in charge of the Japanese national team and he was able to lead Japan to a historic fourth title in the Asian Cup following a 1-0 win over Australia in 2011 in Qatar.

The next 12 months promise to be an exciting one for Italian coaches outside Italy with Mancini primed to fight for the Premiership title while both Capello and Trapattoni will lead England and Ireland respectively during Euro 2012. In addition, it would not be surprising to see one of Ancelotti or Lippi take over a prominent coaching job in 2012.