Posts Tagged ‘Claudio Marchisio’

Juventus 1-0 Napoli: “Claudio Marchisio” Wipes Stamford Bridge Tears Away (Serie A Matchday 26)

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, right, celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Napoli, at the Olympic Stadium in Turin, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009.  (AP Photo)

It may not be champagne football, but Juventus know just what to do to pick themselves up. I wouldn’t say the “Stamford Bridge scar is healing” (Gazzetta‘s words, personally I wouldn’t even call it a scar – things are still very open for the second leg) but Saturday the Bianconeri demonstrated once again maximum efficiency with minimum effort: very few shots on target, one goal in the first half, preservation of the lead in the second.

As for Napoli, yesterday marked the 8th consecutive away loss for the Azzurri, a team which in their last 8 matches has been able to score only two points. And while Edy Reja’s boys at least tried to muster some kind of a pride reaction in the second half, it looks like the Neapolitan manager’s tenure at the club is hanging by a very thin thread indeed.

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Juventus 1-0 Fiorentina: Marchisio Puts Bianconeri on Top (Serie A Matchday 20)

Sunday, January 25th, 2009

The Bianconeri can pat themselves on the back. After a long climb the Old Lady reached the peak of Serie A, planting her flag at the top; some very much needed black & white colours to break the monotony of a landscape of Neroazzurro. And even if this satisfaction is short-lived (the José-boys may or may not resume their climb 24 hours later), it’s something that in terms of team morale has enormous intrinsic value. It’s a battle cry for the troops, and a clear message to the bitter rivals: “Inter Beware”.

As for the match itself, it should come as no surprises that Juventus vs. Fiorentina was the theater once again of a valiant battle; a game fought on all parts of the field, without many goals but plenty of scoring chances on either side. And the usual little zest of controversy. Indeed, La Viola may feel hard-done by a penalty non-call to Jovetic and a (wrongly) disallowed goal by Gilardino.

Juve won’t care though, the Bianconeri reached their goal: 3 points and the temporary 1st place of Serie A. Together with a big bonus: the return of their nº1 goalkeeper in net. And say all you want about Manninger’s extremely satisfactory sub role so far… the Old Lady just isn’t the same without Gigi Buffon. If you don’t believe me, just ask the Viola strikers…

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