03 April 2016
Primavera
It takes a certain mental strength and determination to celebrate a hard-earned cup success in midweek and to then immediately switch attentions back to the league and regain focus for a title push.
As it happens, it would appear that Fabio Grosso’s Primavera possess exactly these qualities and they demonstrated them with aplomb this week, following up Wednesday’s Viareggio Cup final success against Palermo with a 1-0 victory over a competitive Novara side on Saturday.
The Bianconeri, though several places above their lowly visitors in the standings, were made to work hard in an opening half hour that saw presentable opportunities fall for both teams, Guido Vadala, Moise Kean and Oumar Toure all going close for the hosts.
The near misses would be quickly forgotten though as the tie’s ultimately decisive goal would come moments later, Vadala converting coolly from the spot on 33 minutes after Alessio Di Massimo had been felled in the box by Novara’s Alessandro Eleuteri.
With their tails up, Juve pushed hard for a second goal before half time with Di Massimo and Kean both spurning golden chances but in the end, Vadala’s penalty would be all that was required to seal the three points in an uneventful second period.
Next up? The small matter of a Coppa Italia final first-leg encounter with Inter at Juventus Stadium on Thursday night as the hunt for the treble goes on.
Coach Grosso had this to say of his team’s showing at the final whistle: “I had warned the boys to keep their focus particularly after the excitement of the cup win and although we had a few shaky moments, I thought on the whole we played well today.
"We still have plenty left in the tank in spite of what has already been a very intense and energy-sapping campaign. Everyone is looking forward to Thursday night at Juventus Stadium."
U17
There was to be equally good news for Felice Tufano’s U17s, Massimo N’Cede Goh and Simone Mancini both striking after half time to set up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Livorno in Saturday’s other afternoon kick-off.
U15
The final word however goes to Davide Cei’s excellent U15s whose 5-0 thrashing of bottom side Pro Patria on Sunday in Vinovo ensured the weekend would end in the best possible fashion for both the club’s junior and senior teams.
A four-goal salvo courtesy of Andrea Volpatto, Paolo Gozzi and Ibrahima Diallo (two) would end the match as a contest even before the interval with Nar Gade Diop adding a fifth in the second-half to send Juve up to 37 points.
