[ITA] Serie A 2008/2009 (40 Viewers)
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Thursday 22 January, 2009
Blog: Stage fright
Do Juventus lack the edge to win the Scudetto? Giovanni Spinella thinks their last two games hold the answer
No matter how Claudio Ranieri spins it, last Sunday night Juventus lost a golden opportunity to bring themselves within one point of front-runners Inter. The Juve Coach was right to praise Lazio and underline their attacking threat, but any true title contender must still win games like this.
What disturbed fans and anyone who wants to see a real fight for the Scudetto was Juventus’ remissive attitude, especially in the first 30 minutes of the game when Lazio could have easily gone 2-0 up.
Juve were slow and overwhelmed in the midfield by the home side. Such comportment was all the more remarkable when you consider that the Bianconeri were going into the game already knowing Inter’s result – a thudding 3-1 defeat at Atalanta.
This wasn’t the first time Juventus behaved in such a manner. The previous week, when Inter drew at home to Cagliari on the Saturday, Juventus struggled against Siena far more than was acceptable and indeed only won thanks to a stunning free-kick from their captain Alessandro Del Piero.
In both games Juve showed what could be described as stage fright, an unconscious fear when called to narrow the gap and seriously position themselves as League contenders.
It was as if the pressure of expectation was a mental stumbling block, an additional weight. That this is indeed all in their heads can be confirmed by their breezy 3-0 victory over Catania in the Coppa Italia tie where Juventus were impressive and dominant.
It was around this time last year when the side dropped points in a string of draws and defeats that knocked the Bianconeri out of the title race. This year Juve’s January has started better, with the gap from the top actually narrowing.
But this is arguably as much due to Inter’s faltering as to the Turinese side’s skill and they can’t keep on counting on such favours from the Milanese. If and when Inter resume their solidity Juventus will be hard-pressed to keep up – especially if they show the attitude seen against Lazio.
A winning side knows how to win, be it pretty or ugly, and never passes up an opportunity to gain the three points. If Juventus can’t reacquire this mentality then the Scudetto won’t be returning to Turin any time soon.
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:melayyanandmessi: :melayyanandmessi:
Blog: Stage fright
Do Juventus lack the edge to win the Scudetto? Giovanni Spinella thinks their last two games hold the answer
No matter how Claudio Ranieri spins it, last Sunday night Juventus lost a golden opportunity to bring themselves within one point of front-runners Inter. The Juve Coach was right to praise Lazio and underline their attacking threat, but any true title contender must still win games like this.
What disturbed fans and anyone who wants to see a real fight for the Scudetto was Juventus’ remissive attitude, especially in the first 30 minutes of the game when Lazio could have easily gone 2-0 up.
Juve were slow and overwhelmed in the midfield by the home side. Such comportment was all the more remarkable when you consider that the Bianconeri were going into the game already knowing Inter’s result – a thudding 3-1 defeat at Atalanta.
This wasn’t the first time Juventus behaved in such a manner. The previous week, when Inter drew at home to Cagliari on the Saturday, Juventus struggled against Siena far more than was acceptable and indeed only won thanks to a stunning free-kick from their captain Alessandro Del Piero.
In both games Juve showed what could be described as stage fright, an unconscious fear when called to narrow the gap and seriously position themselves as League contenders.
It was as if the pressure of expectation was a mental stumbling block, an additional weight. That this is indeed all in their heads can be confirmed by their breezy 3-0 victory over Catania in the Coppa Italia tie where Juventus were impressive and dominant.
It was around this time last year when the side dropped points in a string of draws and defeats that knocked the Bianconeri out of the title race. This year Juve’s January has started better, with the gap from the top actually narrowing.
But this is arguably as much due to Inter’s faltering as to the Turinese side’s skill and they can’t keep on counting on such favours from the Milanese. If and when Inter resume their solidity Juventus will be hard-pressed to keep up – especially if they show the attitude seen against Lazio.
A winning side knows how to win, be it pretty or ugly, and never passes up an opportunity to gain the three points. If Juventus can’t reacquire this mentality then the Scudetto won’t be returning to Turin any time soon.
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:melayyanandmessi: :melayyanandmessi:
No, last year we werent good enough. We would be closer if they didnt get some decisions going their way. But we werent scudetti candidates at al. Its more like Roma that were hard done, becaue they were so close, even if they are mentality chokers, without those mistakes they would have the chance to equal or go ahead.
Friday 23 January, 2009
There are reports that Ronaldinho will be dropped for the second consecutive match as Milan visit Bologna.
The Brazilian is their second top scorer in Serie A this season with seven goals, but was left on the bench for last week’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina.
It is now rumoured that Carlo Ancelotti is planning a similar tactic for Sunday’s tricky trip to the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Ronaldinho is said to be in relatively poor form and could be dropped in favour of Clarence Seedorf and Kaka supporting Alexandre Pato.
The Rossoneri played two games between ranks in the snow today at the Milanello training ground.
Marco Borriello, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze and Gennaro Gattuso are the only remaining injury absentees, but Marek Jankulovski sits out a ban against Bologna.
There are reports that Ronaldinho will be dropped for the second consecutive match as Milan visit Bologna.
The Brazilian is their second top scorer in Serie A this season with seven goals, but was left on the bench for last week’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina.
It is now rumoured that Carlo Ancelotti is planning a similar tactic for Sunday’s tricky trip to the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Ronaldinho is said to be in relatively poor form and could be dropped in favour of Clarence Seedorf and Kaka supporting Alexandre Pato.
The Rossoneri played two games between ranks in the snow today at the Milanello training ground.
Marco Borriello, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze and Gennaro Gattuso are the only remaining injury absentees, but Marek Jankulovski sits out a ban against Bologna.
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