CL: Juventus - Real Madrid (7 Viewers)
- Thread starter -Kinas-
- Start date
I think it's exactly the same as what happened to us under Lippi in his first period here. There was a lot of success but we would always lose 3-0 to Sampdoria or something, just to dent an otherwise fine season.
Apparently, this happens to Real as well, as they've been beaten pretty bad by Mallorca before, also appeared toothless in some other games this year. But it happens and I don't think it helps us at all. We're just back from a rather miserable performance in Rome and our minds are set on Real. Could well be the same for them. All it does is expose their weaknesses, but throughout this season their defence has been shaky and we know that. I have no doubt they will apply all the due concentration and effort when facing us, it won't be any easier just cause they got smacked this weekend.
Our chances are slim and Mallorca's triumph doesn't change that.
My two cents.
Apparently, this happens to Real as well, as they've been beaten pretty bad by Mallorca before, also appeared toothless in some other games this year. But it happens and I don't think it helps us at all. We're just back from a rather miserable performance in Rome and our minds are set on Real. Could well be the same for them. All it does is expose their weaknesses, but throughout this season their defence has been shaky and we know that. I have no doubt they will apply all the due concentration and effort when facing us, it won't be any easier just cause they got smacked this weekend.
Our chances are slim and Mallorca's triumph doesn't change that.
My two cents.
Another impeccable match preview...
===
3.5.2003
The "Real" Relish
Posted by Alex | Austin Osoroh
Naturally, no one expected it to be a soft shoe shuffle, but neither was it a performance so wobbly to flutter faint hearts. After about 114 minutes Birandelli, bearing down the right flank crossed and Zalayeta swept home to stun expectant home fans inside the very cauldron of a hostile Nou Camp. It was the less probable that just happened! A ten man Juve had finally sunk mighty, unbeaten - so far in this season's champions' league - Barcelona F.C! For every Juve faithful anywhere on the planet the thrill of those moments was greeted in resounding cheers and jubilation. After a long and seemingly fruitless waiting, a semi finals berth had once again been secured. Truly, it was an occasion that merited ecstatic excitement, but however, the dust of the euphoria finally settled to reveal yet another formidable foe straddling the Bianconeri's path to the finals in Manchester. Surely, it must seem to most Juve fans that opposition cannot come any tougher than the waiting challenge. Because Real Madrid F.C are a side bristling with some of the world's finest talents and as defending champions, they are bound to be puffed up for this clash. But can Juventus F.C. dare to dream of reclaiming her glory as Europe's best team without expecting to scalp teams like Real Madrid? Coach Marcelo Lippi and his squad must be spoiling for this test and undoubtedly, the overcoming of Barcelona is nothing short of a wonder boost for psyche, spirit and ability. Nevertheless confronting a team parading names like Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul and Roberto Carlos clearly calls for astute tactics and sturdier determination. So whatever strategy Coach Lippi and his staff settles for must potentially favor a Juve triumph.
Even before the shrill of the referee's kickoff whistle it is glaringly obvious that the most decisive battles will be fought in the midfield and along the flanks. Opponents who allow the Spanish giants to dominate the midfield and rule the wings invariably bemoan their fate afterwards. And for Juve fans the prayer would be, may the suspension of Davids and Montero from the semi finals first leg not haunt the teams chances of making the final eventually. Because this would be a game for battlers who can win balls from the opposition. Indeed Manchester United can testify to this because their quarterfinal first leg tie was a bitter lesson when they allowed Real so much time and space on the ball. Once the rugged duo of Makelele and Conceicao imposed their will on the midfield it gave the trio of Zidane, Figo and Raul enough rein to waltz out wave after wave of attack. By the end no one was surprised by the 3-1 scoreline which handed the advantage of the tie to the defending champions. So for Juve on the night, harassing, containing and hustling Real out of their rhythm must be the key defensive tasks. In addition Juve's defence must keep vigil against the individual brilliance and creativity of players in the mould of Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul and Guti who can turn a game in one single magical moment. As for the flanks stalwarts like Thuram and Birandelli would have to work their socks off in stifling the forays of Roberto Carlos and Ivan Helguera in their push to support and supply the Real attack. Obviously, Gianluca Zambrotta must be highly favored for the right side of midfield over Mauro Camoneresi because of the former's defensive abilities, and Alesio Tacharnadi would have to push forward more than usual during the Bianconeri's offensives. Also, the nature of Real's defence dictates that a striker assume more than the customary role of waiting to be fed with crosses and passes. During the second leg of the quarterfinal Van Nisteloory exposed the brittleness of the defence by drifting infield and running with the ball at the defenders. Apparently, the cardinal characteristic of Real's play, which is largely direct and sweeping attack is also the team's Achilles heel. For one, the defence is very vulnerable to any opposition's swift counter attacks because the absences of the wing backs who are prone to joining in Real's attacks. Secondly, players like Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo are more attuned to playing in the attack than contributing significantly to the defence. Therefore the deductions would be for Juve to neutralize Real's defensive midfielders, and this duty falls on the shoulders of Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero. Fortuitously for Juve, another of the Madridistas soft underbelly is the central defence. Old warhorse like Fernando Hierro is far from his defensive best and certainty slower while youthful replacements like Pavon and Cambiasso are yet to show impeccable reliability. A Trezeguet or Zalayeta ought to welcome the prospect of outwitting the central defenders.
Another probable headache for Coach Lippi must be the sight of his defence committing fouls anywhere around the penalty box. Goalkeeper Buffon must brace up to the abilities of personalities such as Carlos, Hierro and Figo from free kick situations which can be reduced to a minimum if Thuram and his ilk can be cleaner in their tackles and challenges. Again that underemployed tactical option of long range shooting that midfielders like Camoneresi and Tacharnadi had variously resorted to for good dividends in previous European encounters must be deployed against a goal keeper of Iker Casillas reach and vulnerability. Conversely, Buffon must also be on alert for the long-range threats posed by the quartet of Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane and Roberto Carlos.
Since Coach Vincente Del Bosque's side are not particularly renowned for their defensive strength it is easily predictable that on the greenery of both the Del Alpi and Santiago Bernabeu they would exhibit their customary penchant for attack. This presumption is strongly backed by the range of attacking potentials and options at the disposal of Coach Del Bosque. So that ignominious feature of needlessly giving the ball to the opposition, which have so blighted the Old Lady's play this season cannot be repeated against a team like Real Madrid.
Perhaps, and logically too, a likely formation Coach Lippi might adopt against a team with Real's playing pattern would be a 4-2-3-1 that can quickly retract into a 4-5-1on the defensive. Being a team with proven defensive credentials the choice of the back four would most likely be a roll call of ageless Ferarra in tandem with Mark Juliano while Thuram and Birandelli are deployed wide. The defensive labors of the midfield may lie with Conte and Zambrotta and leave the trio of Nedved, Del Piero and Tacharnadi to provide the creative and visionary platform for attack. Depending largely on fitness and form a Trezeguet or Divaio or Zalayeta will be given a poacher's license to stalk the Real defence for any opportunity of goals. Considering the potentials and playing style of both teams it is highly unlikely for either of both legs of this tie to end in a scoreless draw. To every Juventus fan however, what it is most important is that the Old Lady of Turin ultimately triumph, and this is an achievable feat. Not also in the least, this semifinal presents Juventus F.C with a golden opportunity to exorcize the ghost of that 97/98 season final in Amsterdam.
By Austin Osoroh
===
3.5.2003
The "Real" Relish
Posted by Alex | Austin Osoroh
Naturally, no one expected it to be a soft shoe shuffle, but neither was it a performance so wobbly to flutter faint hearts. After about 114 minutes Birandelli, bearing down the right flank crossed and Zalayeta swept home to stun expectant home fans inside the very cauldron of a hostile Nou Camp. It was the less probable that just happened! A ten man Juve had finally sunk mighty, unbeaten - so far in this season's champions' league - Barcelona F.C! For every Juve faithful anywhere on the planet the thrill of those moments was greeted in resounding cheers and jubilation. After a long and seemingly fruitless waiting, a semi finals berth had once again been secured. Truly, it was an occasion that merited ecstatic excitement, but however, the dust of the euphoria finally settled to reveal yet another formidable foe straddling the Bianconeri's path to the finals in Manchester. Surely, it must seem to most Juve fans that opposition cannot come any tougher than the waiting challenge. Because Real Madrid F.C are a side bristling with some of the world's finest talents and as defending champions, they are bound to be puffed up for this clash. But can Juventus F.C. dare to dream of reclaiming her glory as Europe's best team without expecting to scalp teams like Real Madrid? Coach Marcelo Lippi and his squad must be spoiling for this test and undoubtedly, the overcoming of Barcelona is nothing short of a wonder boost for psyche, spirit and ability. Nevertheless confronting a team parading names like Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul and Roberto Carlos clearly calls for astute tactics and sturdier determination. So whatever strategy Coach Lippi and his staff settles for must potentially favor a Juve triumph.
Even before the shrill of the referee's kickoff whistle it is glaringly obvious that the most decisive battles will be fought in the midfield and along the flanks. Opponents who allow the Spanish giants to dominate the midfield and rule the wings invariably bemoan their fate afterwards. And for Juve fans the prayer would be, may the suspension of Davids and Montero from the semi finals first leg not haunt the teams chances of making the final eventually. Because this would be a game for battlers who can win balls from the opposition. Indeed Manchester United can testify to this because their quarterfinal first leg tie was a bitter lesson when they allowed Real so much time and space on the ball. Once the rugged duo of Makelele and Conceicao imposed their will on the midfield it gave the trio of Zidane, Figo and Raul enough rein to waltz out wave after wave of attack. By the end no one was surprised by the 3-1 scoreline which handed the advantage of the tie to the defending champions. So for Juve on the night, harassing, containing and hustling Real out of their rhythm must be the key defensive tasks. In addition Juve's defence must keep vigil against the individual brilliance and creativity of players in the mould of Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul and Guti who can turn a game in one single magical moment. As for the flanks stalwarts like Thuram and Birandelli would have to work their socks off in stifling the forays of Roberto Carlos and Ivan Helguera in their push to support and supply the Real attack. Obviously, Gianluca Zambrotta must be highly favored for the right side of midfield over Mauro Camoneresi because of the former's defensive abilities, and Alesio Tacharnadi would have to push forward more than usual during the Bianconeri's offensives. Also, the nature of Real's defence dictates that a striker assume more than the customary role of waiting to be fed with crosses and passes. During the second leg of the quarterfinal Van Nisteloory exposed the brittleness of the defence by drifting infield and running with the ball at the defenders. Apparently, the cardinal characteristic of Real's play, which is largely direct and sweeping attack is also the team's Achilles heel. For one, the defence is very vulnerable to any opposition's swift counter attacks because the absences of the wing backs who are prone to joining in Real's attacks. Secondly, players like Ronaldo, Zidane and Figo are more attuned to playing in the attack than contributing significantly to the defence. Therefore the deductions would be for Juve to neutralize Real's defensive midfielders, and this duty falls on the shoulders of Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero. Fortuitously for Juve, another of the Madridistas soft underbelly is the central defence. Old warhorse like Fernando Hierro is far from his defensive best and certainty slower while youthful replacements like Pavon and Cambiasso are yet to show impeccable reliability. A Trezeguet or Zalayeta ought to welcome the prospect of outwitting the central defenders.
Another probable headache for Coach Lippi must be the sight of his defence committing fouls anywhere around the penalty box. Goalkeeper Buffon must brace up to the abilities of personalities such as Carlos, Hierro and Figo from free kick situations which can be reduced to a minimum if Thuram and his ilk can be cleaner in their tackles and challenges. Again that underemployed tactical option of long range shooting that midfielders like Camoneresi and Tacharnadi had variously resorted to for good dividends in previous European encounters must be deployed against a goal keeper of Iker Casillas reach and vulnerability. Conversely, Buffon must also be on alert for the long-range threats posed by the quartet of Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane and Roberto Carlos.
Since Coach Vincente Del Bosque's side are not particularly renowned for their defensive strength it is easily predictable that on the greenery of both the Del Alpi and Santiago Bernabeu they would exhibit their customary penchant for attack. This presumption is strongly backed by the range of attacking potentials and options at the disposal of Coach Del Bosque. So that ignominious feature of needlessly giving the ball to the opposition, which have so blighted the Old Lady's play this season cannot be repeated against a team like Real Madrid.
Perhaps, and logically too, a likely formation Coach Lippi might adopt against a team with Real's playing pattern would be a 4-2-3-1 that can quickly retract into a 4-5-1on the defensive. Being a team with proven defensive credentials the choice of the back four would most likely be a roll call of ageless Ferarra in tandem with Mark Juliano while Thuram and Birandelli are deployed wide. The defensive labors of the midfield may lie with Conte and Zambrotta and leave the trio of Nedved, Del Piero and Tacharnadi to provide the creative and visionary platform for attack. Depending largely on fitness and form a Trezeguet or Divaio or Zalayeta will be given a poacher's license to stalk the Real defence for any opportunity of goals. Considering the potentials and playing style of both teams it is highly unlikely for either of both legs of this tie to end in a scoreless draw. To every Juventus fan however, what it is most important is that the Old Lady of Turin ultimately triumph, and this is an achievable feat. Not also in the least, this semifinal presents Juventus F.C with a golden opportunity to exorcize the ghost of that 97/98 season final in Amsterdam.
By Austin Osoroh
