More than Lazio, Marchetti could. In the 0-0 draw at the Juventus Stadium he was the absolute protagonist, the Lazio goalkeeper ignored (who knows why!) by Prandelli. The ex from Cagliari proved to be an insurmountable wall, even capable of going against the laws of physics. Going to minute 62 is believing: shot by Vidal from outside the area, deflection by Quagliarella with a sure shot, swerve by Marchetti and ball over the crossbar. At that moment Petkovic, who on the eve had said he believed in the venture, must have really thought he could get out of Turin unscathed.
He did it, despite a truly overwhelming black and white dominance. The numbers speak for themselves: 59% ball possession at 41, 12 shots against 3, 1 cross at 0, 11 corners taken at 1. Which prevents us from making a sensible criticism of Juventus and its game, made up of total pressing and geometries, but it brings us once again to the usual question: where could this team get if it had a top-level striker?
It may be trivial, but football is not boxing and the matches are won by the one who scores the most, not the one who plays better. The bianconeri know it, that's why they are already moving ahead of the January transfer market. “We have set up a competitive squad, but we can make improvements – admitted Marotta. – Drogba? I'm not excluding anything, even if we won't make major revolutions and investments". Words spoken before the game and the waste of Giovinco and Quagliarella.
The former gave spectacular plays, punctually frustrated when it came to making them concrete, the latter ate a goal from a beaten goalkeeper. “We had many chances, a match dominated for 90 minutes – sighed Angelo Alessio. – Sometimes we made mistakes, on other occasions the goalkeeper was very good. We are happy with the team's performance, we put Lazio on the ropes, we only regret not having scored”.
Which represents a significant problem, given that Chelsea will arrive in two days. Against the European champions (yesterday stuffed with reserves and defeated 2-1 by West Bromwich) only one result will be needed and to achieve it we will need goals, the ones that were missed last night. Let's just hope that the Bianconeri have kept them for Tuesday.
