As one Swedish journalist said about Chiellini, he does a lot but he takes a lot too.
Buy on AliExpress.com
[Serie A] Napoli 1-1 JUVENTUS (March 1, 2013) (13 Viewers)
- Thread starter JCK
- Start date
Buy on AliExpress.com
who cares guys, this shit happens all the time.
its OK for the former "old guards" like Montero & Co to do it, but when someone does it to us he is a scumbag?
its OK for the former "old guards" like Montero & Co to do it, but when someone does it to us he is a scumbag?
I agree with you, and I like Chiellos attitude, he gave as good as he got, it was all a part of the game, no grudges afterwards.
Of course CAvani should have been red carded, but I dont remember anyone calling Montero a scumbag when he punched Di Biagio for example, that is Cam's point and I agree with him.
- - - Updated - - -
TBH COnte sounded very smug about the hair pulling, "Chiellini just wanted to see if he had any hair gel"
I agree with you, and I like Chiellos attitude, he gave as good as he got, it was all a part of the game, no grudges afterwards.
Of course CAvani should have been red carded, but I dont remember anyone calling Montero a scumbag when he punched Di Biagio for example, that is Cam's point and I agree with him.
- - - Updated - - -
TBH COnte sounded very smug about the hair pulling, "Chiellini just wanted to see if he had any hair gel"
Of course CAvani should have been red carded, but I dont remember anyone calling Montero a scumbag when he punched Di Biagio for example, that is Cam's point and I agree with him.
- - - Updated - - -
TBH COnte sounded very smug about the hair pulling, "Chiellini just wanted to see if he had any hair gel"
6 points ahead and quarterfinals CL, with a great striker comming
we definatly need another SS to avoid relegation next season
we definatly need another SS to avoid relegation next season
Just because we are leading Serie A doesn't mean we can't improve certain areas of the team. The attack is a glaring weakness; that is fairly obvious to see. If you are happy with Vucinic and Giovinco, then you are either extremely biased or blind and oblivious to how average our attack is.
Wanting what is best for the team and arguing for further improvements, so we can be even more dominant and have a better chance in Europe doesn't constitute being a merchant of doom.
MOM
Buffon-
Commanded the area well, made a few top drawer saves although almost found himself in hot water when opting to punch a shot away, rather than tip round the post or catch, and presenting an easy chance for the follow-up which Napoli thankfully missed. Busier than he has been for a fair few games. 6.5/10
Chiellini-
Wonderful to have him back in the team. His tenacity, spite, grit, cultured thuggery, strength, pace and natural quality in the challenge both on the ground and in the air...and his goal. In the first half our defence looked incredible, and the main reason was Chiellini's return. Enjoyed an at times tense scrap with Skeletor Cavani, which really should have led to a Yellow for Giorgio and Red for the Uruguayan. Welcome back, kaiser...7.5/10.
Barzagli-
His calmness under pressure is world class. No doubt about it. Since his arrival at the club he has been as much a metronome as Pirlo, albeit from further back in the line-up. A model of consistency and self assurance. 7/10.
Bonucci-
That famous Cure of Bonucci returned today at such an inopportune moment (with us a goal to the good and dominant in the lion's den). Such a shame that his head, glancing at a ball which he had to try block, redirected the ball past Buffon and into the net for 1-1, and combined with the lack of a Red card for Cavani to encourage Napoli hugely. He was out of sorts today, and could well have scored a far more awful own goal had it not been for Buffon's careful positioning and lynx like reflexes. He shouldn't be blamed for the equalizer, but he was far from his best today. 6/10.
Peluso-
One of his best games in our colours so far, and fast becoming not just a reliable back-up, but serious challenger to Asamoah, who may well be focusing more on getting some time in the central midfield area if Frederico continues to show more comfort, poise and talent in the Lwb role. Got forward very well, made some great challenges, never beaten for pace. Starting to look more and more like an intelligent transfer. 7/10.
Lichsteiner-
Conte was always going to opt for the reliability of our Swiss locomotive when facing a team who launched the majority of their attacks down the flanks. Stephan didn't disappoint defensively, as is always the case, yet at the other end, his final ball was more miss than hit. Its the pay-off when choosing him over Isla. The Chilean has the potential to be far more useful in the final third, but defensively, is he anywhere near Lichsteiner??? Probably not, especially when his best form of the Udinese period which prompted us to sign him, was produced in a position closer to a true winger in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. Dependable and never in danger. 7/10.
Marchisio-
Was more involved than perhaps seemed clear, doing much of the leg work in midfield, covering, hustling, linking up play between the back and wings and front men as swiftly as possible. We could have done with seeing more of him in the final third, but it wasn't for lack of effort. He is a smart player, who realizes the importance of cover at the back when others bomb forward. Maybe a touch quieter than we would have liked, but hardly a poor showing. 6.5/10.
Pirlo-
Given a surprising amount of time on the ball, but with our forwards well marshalled and finding it hard to find space to run into, Pirlo's options were always limited. His cross for the goal was marvellous. Struggled a bit in the second half, as the partenopei onslaught came on strong. At times, he shows a worrying tendency to stop running when fouled, or when he believes he has been fouled, preferring to remonstrate with the referee instead of getting on with it and retrieving the lost ball. At some point this will land him, and us, in trouble. Battled well though it wasn't a vintage showing from our regista meravigliosa....6.5/10
Vidal-
Was our brightest star in the first twenty minutes, throwing himself into attack, muscling his way around the midfield and finding himself often in advanced positions. He was closely shadowed by Napoli whenever heading towards the box, but still continued to carve out space and try bring into play our wingbacks and forwards. Seemed to have more opportunity to attack than our other central midfielders. His tenacity remained throughout, digging deeper in the second half to shore things up in front of the defence. 6.5/10
Vucinic-
Did what he could do tear holes in his reputation as a big game player, through missing a chance one on one with the keeper which he really should have scored, then failing to control the ball when put through in the area once again. The highlight of his night was a fair effort from 20 yard out or so, which was never going to truly trouble de sanctis. Didn't seem as involved as his strike partner, yet wasn't subbed until the 85' minute. Whether he is an attacking midfielder or second striker or wing forward, he was below par today, in a game when we needed him to be on song. 5.5/10.
Giovinco-
Got involved all over the pitch, made a few nice dribbles, earned several important free kicks, lost the ball annoyingly in front of our own area and managed a decent shot. Marginally more useful than Mirko through his effort and pace, and he also managed to put a couple of quality crosses into the box...Once he went off I didn't see us scoring other than through a Pogba thunderbolt if he found the chance to shoot from range. Far from awful...6.5/10.
SUBS-
Matri/Pogba/Padoin- N/A
Conclusion
We were in total control in the first half, deservedly taking the lead through a beautiful assist from Pirlo and great leap from Chiellini. Passing well, defensively immense, maintaining possession. Vucinic should have made it 0-2, but his tame shot was saved by De Sanctis. The deflection of Bonucci was cruel, and certainly a case of misfortune rather than quality on the part of Napoli. With that strike, the wind seemed to changed, bringing with it a gust of luck into the Neapolitan sails, which they took great advantage off in the second half and whilst not dominating us, certainly asked several questions which we answered politely without managing to ask any of our own in response. A draw away to our major rivals for the title is fine, especially as our head to head with them is now finished in our favour, giving us the advantage and scudetto if we finish up on equal points come the end of the season.
Matri could have been introduced far sooner, in place of Vucinic. Pogba could have appeared sooner also, but then again, in such a high pressure game, I can understand why Conte was playing it somewhat safe.
Cavani should have been sent off. Vucinic should have scored. We conceded an unlucky goal...did we do enough to merit a victory on our performance?? Probably not. We bossed the first half, they bossed the second. A draw is a fair result.
So with 6 points separating the teams, the toughest games we face on paper are Inter and Lazio away, and AC Milan at home. Whereas Napoli have in turn, AC Milan and Roma away, Inter at home.
Some progress made then, in terms of we took a step closer to the title, kept Napoli the same distance away as they were before the game. The lack of a more adventurous roll of the dice in the second half is better explained by the mister...
Conte-
“Napoli were much more careful after the break, sitting back and leaving us possession in midfield so they could attack the space. Inevitably you have to calculate the options in these games, as there was no need to go crazy on the attack or run unnecessary risks. I consider that a show of maturity from the lads.”
