HANDSOME POINTS!!

The Old Lady is doing better now. Two games against teams with dangerous wingers and creative attackers, the Bianconeri stood firm.

First against City, Juve were thought to be in for a battering down the flanks, with Adam Johnson the tormentor in-chief. Though he scored, Juventus were the ones with the best opportunity for a late winner through the ever-green ADP. Mannninger was very good, and so were our defensive pairing.

Then in the Derby, it was a certain Eto’o and one Sneijder who were supposed to destroy us. Placing Marchisio on the left flank to foil Maicon’s movements worked wonders and prevented the exploitation of De Ceglie and Motta. And even though we missed his grit in the middle, a certain born-again Melo alongside the more creative Aquillani kept things ticking alright. The flying Serb was sensational in both games and got a few shots on target.
In the end, two games that could have ended up in us conceding so many goals ended up earning us two crucial points and respect. They were a pair of handsome points!!

BLOND BOMBSHELL

(Krasic13, 34, 71, Bonucci 57)JUVE 4-2 CAGLIARI(Matri 20, 81)

Del Neri was right. We are Krasic-dependant. Can you imagine what it would have been like had we lost another 2 points, even worse still 3? The Old Lady, since the beginning of the season is showing that she can indeed score goals. Unfortunately, the only problem was at the back. However, if we can always outscore our opponents, we definitely have a chance of winning. Again, poor display by our full-backs allowed Lazarri enough space to exploit a poor Bonucci at the back for Matri to score twice. But a fantastic hat-trick from Milos ensured we did not suffer the defence setback. Melo was excellent alongside a timid Aquillani, but upfront Amauri-Iaq gave us more options in more than one way. Who is that Leandro? Ariaudo would have been better. But Storari is proving inept at deputizing for GIGI. Maninger deserves more space. But all the same, Forza Milos!! Forza Juve.

Winners Grinners

Juve 1-0 Maccabi

eThanks to whoever made Ciro see  the light. A new look Juve completed the task against Maccabi Haifa. The Bianconeri finally manage a win after 5 games in all competitions. The saying that defenders win you championships couldn’t be better portrayed. Stunning saves by Super Gigi and a powerful header by Chiellini won us the game.

So many positives tonights. Giovinco-Diego-Camo looked wonderful, and played wonderful. Diego provided the assist, and Giovinco caused all sorts of troubles. He won a lot of fouls for the side. Though the team was comfortable on the whole, it never managed to close the game with so many chances. Come on SIENA!!!

DRAW DRAW DRAW DEFEAT

Palermo 2-0 Juventus

It had to get worse. And i hope it doesn’t get any worse. Juve succumbed to the first defeat under Ciro, despite promising hope of a spectacular. Goals from alleged Juve target, Cavani and Juve old pupil, Miccoli sank the Old Lady from the first half.

It was an interesting starting line up, with Amauri back in the side, despite a lackluster season so far. Curiously enough, Giovinco did not even come on when Diego was not producing. In need of a goal, Ferrara brought on Paolo, and though i wished he would play, never in this circumstance. Trailing by two goals, i don’t think the best is to bring on a defender, no matter how attacking-minded they are. So Seba sat and watched, as Trez and Grygera came on to no effect on the score line. In the end, he took off Camo and i think played a 4-3-3 formation, with no creativity in the side. It is in a game like this that managers worth their salt show their worth. I don’t think Ciro did that. Too bad, and even Buffon couldn’t help out.

A Point Of Hope

Bayern 0-0 Juventus

At the Allianze Arena, Juve emerged with a point after a good display in the second half. Despite not been too spectacular in the first period, risking it all to ‘ROBBERY’ and Muller, the second half saw what a determined Juve could cause any top team in Europe.

To begin with, Ciro sent out a very attacking-minded team, just as i predicted, and i salute him for his bravery. Diego retained his spot from the weekend, but had to be replaced by Poulsen, who is beginning to have alot of play time with the Old Lady. That might change with the arrival of Momo. The impressive Camo and resilient Claudio and mega bucks Melo completed the midfield. This has been Ciro’s first choice midfield. At the back, my prediction came to pass, as Grygera got the nod over Zebina, and Leg comfortably deputised for Azzuri captain Cana, with Grosso at the left back.

Up front, Trez partnered Iaq, and they had a decent game by any standard, both going very close to scoring. There is still hope as we have back-to-back games against Israel giants Maccabi, and i wouldn’t be surprised to see us top should we take our chances after round 4, given Bayern and Bordeaux face-off in the next two rounds.

Only A Draw

Juve 1-1 Bologna (Trez, Adailton)

Match day 6 produced an unexpected result. Juve were held at home by Bologna to a 1-1 draw, thanks to goals from Trezegol and Adailton. As expected, David started, but surprisingly alongside Amauri, while Diego also returned to the side. At the back, Molinaro and Zebina had rare run-ins, while Poulsen dropped to the bench to make way for The Class Act, Last Samurai. Despite good play by the Old Lady, they could only boast of a real poacher’s finish by The Fox in the Box mid way through the first period. The Bianconeri created lots of chances for Davis and Amauri, but again, they couldn’t convert them. Then in the 3rd minute of stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, a Molinaro lapse in concentration allowed Adailton to slip in at the back post to grab a draw.

Trez on The Mark!!

Genoa 2-2 Juventus

After a pulsating game of football, the Bianconeri lost one and kept one. First, they lost their 100% record start to the season, and kept the unbeaten streak. Iaquinta is proving to be the first choice striker for the Old Lady, and i am happy for him. He should have doubled his tally if he had scored before listening to the referee’s decision, early on in the second half. But he actually scored, and was adjudged to have been offside. I have seen those given, i have to say. But given a game we played with no central midfielders on the bench at a difficult venue, it was the right result.

SUPERMAN RETURNS!!!

He has proven what an excellent keeper he is. Clearly the best player on the pitch by a mile. Only seconded by The Last Samurai, Camo. Iaq has continued his good form, and it is good to see him scoring important goals. His only problem perhaps, is the number of chances he spurns. Trez is still not sharp enough and didn’t take his chances. Marchisio has certainly improved. That is what talent can blossom into, when given the necessary play time. Giovinco did not have a very good game and had only 60 minutes of play time. This was his chance to stake a claim on a position behind the strikers. If Momo, Tiago and Melo return, Camo might surpass him to Diego’s substitute.

The Only Problem!!!

With Gigi the best performer, it tells us that our midfield was not solid. In the absence of Melo, perhaps Poulsen did not do enough, may be due to lack of fitness or something. We don’t want Gigi to be the best performer in Genoa. We want our strikers and midfielders to do that.

Debut Delight!! (Caceres 72, Trezeguet 90+)

The Roman conquest continues. On match day three, the Bianconeri defeat the other club from the capital, Lazio. Though the Roman club was missing Zarate and Rocchi, they gave the Old Lady a tough game, especially as they had the Juventus nemesis in the form of Cruz. The first half ended in a stalemate, but the highlight was the injury to star man, Diego. He was replaced by The Atomic Ant, and he also had a very good game. Incidentally, Caceres was making his debut, as was Grosso. Meanwhile, Trezegol was making his ‘debut’ under new coach Ferrara. While Martin scored in the middle of the second half, Trez showed his poaching instincts to ponce on an Amauri-parried shot in the last minute of stoppage time. The goal really gave David a boost, even though i doubt if he would have started, had Ale been fit. Nonetheless, he did purpot to the fact that, he might reconsider his position decision to leave, which is very unlikely. What this gives us is 100% record, with 9 pts out of 9.

Brazil Beat Italy

Brazil 3-1 Italy (25th Diego, 34th De Rossi, 67th Diego, 93rd Melo)

Vintage display by the Old Lady. In the weekend which saw Inter destroy Milan, it was left for the Bianconeri to show what they really were made of. Against a very determined Roma side, confident from 10-4 aggragate score against  Koisce, Juventus came out victorious. Thanks to goals from Diego (2) and Melo, the ever presence of the Samba boys was felt. Amauri was fantastic, hitting the woodwork, while super Gigi performed a stunning stop on Totti.

Again, Iaq was preferred to both Ale and Trezegol but never disappointed. In midfield, Marchisio and Melo provided the cover needed by an impressive Tiago on the day. Canna and Chiel combined really well, but the latter was pushed to left back to make way for Nicola.

Overall, Juventus played well and got three preciuos points. That’s six points in the bag.