Serie A Special: Juventus FC must not count their chickens following San Siro triumph
On Saturday, Juventus visited Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for a mouth watering fixture. Despite a host of top stars sitting out the match due to injury, the match was a highly enthralling affair. Juventus were dealt a severe blow when Giorgio Chiellini was ruled
out with an injury during the pre-match warm-up. It seemed like Rossoneri would celebrate Halloween in ideal fashion as Bianconeri faithful took to prayers. Despite Milan missing the likes of Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva and Ambrosini, Rossoneri were odds-on favourites
to triumph on their home ground.
The match started with electric pace and Milan created a plethora of chances in the early stages with Ibrahimovic hitting the woodwork with a brilliant curling effort. For all their dominance, Davioli were unable to finish of their moves
and Bianconeri promptly punished them for their profligacy. Fabio Quagliarella got Juventus a surprise lead with a brilliantly time header. Rossoneri looked shocked for the rest of the half and couldn’t conjure much from that point on.
Rossoneri defensive woes were highlighted yet again when Luca Antonini made a mess of simplest of headers. Sissoko was let through on goal, even though the Malian couldn’t find a decent finish, the ball dropped to Del Piero on the edge
of the box, Alessandro showed all his class with a rocket of a shot that ended on the back of the net. Ibrahimovic’s goal in the dying stages was thus a mere consolation.
Following Bianconeri’s triumph, many have tipped Juventus to be one of the favourites to land the Scudetto. Taking nothing away from Juventus’ victory, Bianconeri must not take too much out of this result; Milan was a victim of its own
prolificacy, rather than a Bianconeri dominance.
Ibrahimovic and co created ample opportunities in the first half to establish a sustainable lead. Had the chances been put to bed, Milan would have run away with the game as early as the twentieth minute. Juventus are a ‘work-in-progress’
and still need to go a long way before they can be tipped as the title favourites. The full back positions at Turin are still in need of world class replacements while the left midfield awaits a certain Antonio Cassano.
However, Juventus are on the right track. The Melo-Aquilani partnership is blossoming in to one of the best in the league. Krasic has been simply devastating on the right wing while Del Piero is rolling back his years with some inspired
performances. But, Juve still lack adequate replacements at the back. In Chiellini’s absence, the defence looks shaky and unable to cope with towering strikers. On Saturday, Ibra was a handful for both Bonucci and Legrotaglie and only some wayward finishing
saved them the blushes. Del Neri has been playing Marchisio on the left wing; a position he is not made to play in - it’s a criminal waste of his talents. Juventus still need a world class forward in the mould of Edin Dzeko; a player who can score in excess
of 20 league goals a season.
However, Cassano’s falling out with the club might work in Bianconeri favour. Should Sampdoria rescind his contract, Juventus are favourites to land the mercurial forward. A signing of such magnitude will completely turn the tables on
rest of the chasing back. But until and unless something solid materialises, Cassano’s signature would be wishful thinking. Juve must not get ahead of themselves and Del Neri must warn his men against complacency. Granted, success lies in the DNA of Turin
giants, Juventus will land a much awaited title sooner or later; such is the pedigree of this club. But this is not their season - Inter, Lazio and even AC Milan has a better chance of fighting for the title in the long run.
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