Equal in everything. In the classification position, in points, in goals scored (3 each) and in those conceded (immaculate box for both). Juventus and Roma pick up where they left off: by winning. They do it differently and, above all, against different opponents but even in this, if you look closely, the balance is in perfect equality. In fact, on the first matchday it was the Bianconeri who had faced a more affordable opponent while the Giallorossi had seen it against Montella's formidable Fiorentina. Yesterday roles reversed, with the Italian champions receiving Stramaccioni's mangy Udinese and Roma on the field of the newly promoted Empoli.
The first page, in this case, belongs to the Lady, capable of crushing the Friulians just like in Conte's time. Well, we were waiting at the gate for Massimiliano Allegri (and with us all the black and white people) and the response was decidedly positive. His Juve plays very well just like that of his illustrious predecessor: the malicious say it with a smile, suggesting that the reasons for these performances are to be found in Conte's work, but this is a note of merit. Why revolutionize an almost perfect machine, capable not later than four months ago of winning the third consecutive by smashing all sorts of records? Changing just to do it doesn't make any sense and in fact the bianconeri fly.
But now I'm able to overwhelm my opponents even with the second lines, definitely stronger than a year ago. Pereyra and Evra, for example, made their debut at the Stadium with a devastating personality, not making us regret Vidal and Asamoah at all. The same goes for Caceres and Marchisio, respectively lined up in place of Barzagli and Pirlo, a little less for Ogbonna but on the other hand you can't have everything. Forced shift instead for Tevez and even here we need to understand the good Allegri: not even 8 minutes of play and the Apache has stamped the card, immediately directed the match on the right path.
Udinese practically didn't exist in the first half and if the result remained in the balance it was only thanks to Juve's imprecision. In the second half, however, the pace dropped slightly and the Lady almost risked the insult. When Bubnjic scored, the Stadium was thrilled, but the linesman was very good (and lucky) to cancel for a millimeter offside. An escaped danger and shortly after (75') Marchisio's 2-0 arrived, thus embellishing the excellent game with a nice right-footed shot from outside the box. “We played well and conceded little – thought Allegri. – However, we need to improve the management of the race, you can't always attack at top speed. When you're ahead, you also need to know how to administer."
In this, Garcia's Roma seem slightly ahead, capable of conquering Empoli despite a rather massive turnover. Other than head only to the championship, as declared by the French coach on the eve, the training choices (outside Totti, Gervinho and Iturbe, inside Destro, Ljajic and Florenzi) have shown the opposite. It is no coincidence that the Giallorossi offered an ordinary performance, without infamy and without praise, but completely sufficient to win and manage their forces in the best possible way in view of the European commitment. It was an own goal by goalkeeper Sepe that decided, who deflected a right-footed shot by Nainggolan into his own goal that ended up on the post, but with a bit more precision the result could have been more rounded. In fact, Maicon had two very chances to score on his right foot, the rest of the match was managed without too many worries. “The essential thing was the three points and they arrived – smiled satisfied Garcia. – Six points out of six are a good start, even if Juve remain favourites. Now we can think about the Champions League”.
Yes, because the cup with big ears will arrive this week and we will begin to understand something more about the actual value of the "leaders". Juve will start on Tuesday evening against Malmoe, Roma will close on Wednesday against CSKA Moscow. And perhaps, at least for once, both will be able to wish each other the victory of the rival.
