No deal for Sampdoria and Juventus: based on pre-game statistics, a 0-0 draw was a result almost foretold in advance. On the one hand we had the Blucerchiati, 17^th in the Serie A standings with a goaltotal of 2 goals in 4 matches. On the other, the Bianconeri: 4 goals in as many games, and never more than 1 goal scored in each. On a day when even Cassano and Del Piero (woodwork excluded) weren’t in their best form (much to the contrary of the central backlines, lead by the likes of Mellberg, Chiellini, Accardi, Gastaldello, and Lucchini), a scoreless draw was inevitable.

For either team, is it too early to be talking about ‘crisis’ period? Probably, but consider the following. Although this only their second consecutive draw, a team with clear Scudetto and Champions League ambitions like Juventus would be expected to produce offensive efforts just a tad more convincing. Claudio Ranieri & friends have got injuries to blame, but should also be raising questions as to what isn’t working elsewhere. As for Sampdoria, the squad that marvelled Serie A enthusiasts last year and finished 6^th in the standings, was nowhere to be seen today. This is a team that after 5 matches, is still looking for their first win in the domestic league: when you have someone like Antonio Cassano on the team that should definitely raise some eyebrows.

(From Gazzetta dello Sport): And so, after their 1-1 home draw vs. Catania on Wednesday, Juventus chalked up another counter-performance Saturday at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Their Sampdoria opponents played a solid, compact game, much like they had done on matchday 1 against Inter Milan, and had it not been for the “absence” of Antonio Cassano on the field (was he there today? I didn’t notice…) the Blucerchiati could even have grabbed something more than 1 point. Especially because, much unlike the match vs. Catania, Juventus were virtually uncapable of changing the pace of the game, even giving themselves some defensive scares in the final 15 minutes.

The first half of today’s match could essentially be summarized by two words: “physical“, and “not fun” (ok, that’s three words). Sampdoria’s thick midfield formation (3-5-1-1) essentially relied on the interdiction of Sammarco/Palombo/Franceschini in the middle, coupled with the creative genius of Cassano and the long runs down the right wing of Marius Stankevicius (fresh from his Brescia transfer). The Lithuanian winger gave considerable problems to counterpart Cristian Molinaro, even trying the long-range blast on a couple of occasions (wide).

On the other end, Juventus were having a bit of trouble themselves in producing anything substantial. Both wings were well-defended by Sampdoria, while the presence of Sissoko/Poulsen in central midfield provided plenty of defensive quality but not much penetrating power. So, creative tasks were essentially left to Alessandro Del Piero, who actively tried to make his presence felt: a short-range free-kick (saved by Mirante) and a diagonal shot from inside the box (post) were the main highlights of the first 45 minutes, with the Bianconeri hitting woodwork for the 3rd time in four days. The 0-0 half-time scoreline surprised no one, although Juventus had been a bit more daring perhaps.

In the second half, very little changed in terms of clear scoring chances, although the game’s momentum shifted slightly in favor of Sampdoria. Cassano sent a good 25m free-kick narrowly wide, while Sammarco had a good chance on a headed corner-kick (also wide). Sissoko was becoming Mr. “Iron curtain” in the center, essentially stopping any Blucerchiati offensive dead in its tracks. Of course midway through the half, the fact the home team lost captain Angelo Palombo to injury certainly did not help Walter Mazzarri’s plans, but even so it was obvious a goal today would only come through a brilliant piece of individual effort. Which never arrived. Iaquinta and Bonazzoli got a little bit of playing time in the final minutes, but the scoreline did not budge. 0-0 FT.

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	SAMPDORIA-JUVENTUS 0-0 [Match Highlights]
GOALSCORERS: /
SAMPDORIA (3-5-1-1): Mirante – Lucchini (80’ Bottinelli), Gastaldello, Accardi – Stankevicius, Sammarco, Palombo (74’ Dessena), Franceschini, Pieri – G.Delvecchio (88’ Bonazzoli), Cassano. (bench: Castellazzi, Ziegler, Fornaroli, M.Padalino). Coach: Mazzarri.
JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Manninger – Grygera, Mellberg, Chiellini, Molinaro – Camoranesi, Poulsen, Sissoko, Nedved – Amauri, Del Piero (73’ Iaquinta). (bench: Chimenti, Salihamidzic, Knezevic, Giovinco, De Ceglie, Tiago). All. Ranieri.

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