Juventus 0:0 Salzburg
In many other team sports--especially from an American point of view--a zero-zero result is unacceptable. It means that nothing happened and no one won. In a country entrenched in the Winners & Losers construct, it is intolerable not to have a winner. How can there be a
But not this one. It was so dull that I couldn't find anything worth writing down in my notes. Here's the upshot: Most of the seniors are either broken or cup-tied; the babies are still babies; you can't play old guys twice a week all year long and expect world-class performances every night; Amauri will never be a trequartista; and even if the zebes win their last two matches, they may not make it out of group stage. My friends, the situation in Europe is dire.
the Hairz were there
Here they are: The best Juventus had to offer on Thursday.
at least no one is wearing tights
The grim-looking kid next to Nick is *goes off to look it up* Manuel Giandonato, infant midfielder. I want to be charitable here because he's just a baby, but the truth is that no one stood out as particularly good or particularly bad, including him. *ponder ponder* Uh, he, uh, competed with, uh, Milos Krasic and Claudio Marchisio and held his own in Europe. No one bothered to take any other photos of him, but he's on the list for tomorrow, so maybe we'll see him again soon. He didn't go the whole match and was replaced by Matteo Liviero shortly after the half.
Starting at left back, we had Pepe, who is not a left back.
He was not great. *racks brains* WOW. I can't think of anything mean to say about him this week. He's, um, growing his hair, played which is good, and he played out of position with great enthusiasm and worked pretty hard, so he gets credit for that. He went off at the end forNiccolo Giannetti.
Over on the right was Marcolino, who actually is a right back, but not a very good one.
still waiting for your big game, sweetheart
Leo started in the center. I hope you all remember what he looks like because no one memorialized his presence. Nick got his second start in a row.
*sigh* Poor Nick. I keep wondering what might have been for him last season if not for that big signing from Real Madrid. It looks like he might be going to Bari when his contract runs this summer, but I hope he stays.
The midfield:
It was a bit of a surprise to see Momo because he was supposed to have suffered a knock in training and was not going to play.
Claudio looks like hell.
Either he's trying to make weight, which seems ridiculous, or he's not sleeping properly.
Because this was not a league match, Milos started in his usual place.
He was not feeling it. Not at all.
Oh yeah. He's hurt now too. He was replaced by Marcel Buchel in the 62d.
With Quags cup-tied and Iaquinta injured, Amauri and ADP started on top.
Amauri really isn't healthy yet, and it showed.
He kept ending up in the three-quarter area, where he'd try to handle the ball and run it into the box. This is simply not his strength. He couldn't hold possession long enough to pass the ball, and he couldn't beat his markers to move towards goal.
Maybe he deserves credit for trying to make something happen, but this particular strategy hasn't worked yet this season. Time to try something different.
And yes, he's hurt again.
Which brings us to Il Capitano.
He had a few chances, especially early.
But he pretty obviously slowed down as the game went on.
What a treat it has been to see him play in every game this year!
But he's tired.
Even the children can't go twice a week every week. I know there hasn't been anyone available to spell him, but he's worn out.
We've been asking too much of him. *pats him*
Come home, bb. I've got a hot bath, a fresh pot of tomato soup, and a grilled Fontina sandwich waiting for you.
&hearts
So a little less than 12 hours from now, Juventus meets i Cavallucci Marini of Cesena at the Stadio Olimpico. The call-up sheet has seven primavera on it. Here's the injury list: Buffon, Chiellini, Amauri, Manninger, Traore, Grygera, Martinez, Rinaudo, Krasic, De Ceglie, Legrottaglie.
The good news is that Melo, Iaquinta, and Lanza are back. And the strange news is that Brazzo and Grosso both made the call-up sheet for the first time this season. \o/
1 comment:
I agree that shaking hands and agreeing to disagree, or knowing what Manichaean means, just ain't in our locker. I also agree that Claudio looks bad and needs to give up the meth/crank/whatever's messing him up.
Thought experiment: Force American "volunteers" to watch a series of nil-nil draws. What would happen? I'm thinking Milgram experiment, with fewer guards but the same amount oof panicked violence.
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