La Juve holds out against Aston Villa, the Bologna it's almost out. Wednesday of Champions, after the fat cows of Tuesday, brings us back down to earth after the draw of the Bianconeri a Birmingham (0-0) and the defeat of the red and blues at home against the Lille (1-2). Results that complicate life in terms of qualification, in a cup that is reaping illustrious victims: to date, in fact, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Real Madrid (defeated 2-0 in Liverpool) would only make the playoffs, while PSG would be eliminated altogether.
Aston Villa – Juventus 0-0: The Lady in emergency holds, but it is a record of draws
Yet another no-contest for the Juventus by Thiago Motta, now suffering from a chronic form of "drawitis". In fact, no one has collected more in the season in the five European championships (nine) and the record is also valid for 0-0s (five). A trend that can be extended to the entire calendar year (19) that confirms the difficulties in winning matches, as well as in scoring goals: many thought that the fault was only Allegri's, but evidently the causes are deeper. It must be said that the data also presents positive aspects, in light of an enviable solidity that complicates the life of opponents, often forced to crash against the goal of By Gregorio: just think that the number of clean sheets is the first in Europe together with Inter and Bayern (11), but if the Nerazzurri and the Germans have done well especially in the Champions League and the Bundesliga, Juve has shown continuity in both competitions. The trip to Birmingham then presented several pitfalls and not only for Aston Villa: to complicate Thiago Motta's life, in fact, there were many eight injured (and yesterday it stopped too all in the province of Savona !), a real emergency that wiped out the bench (only four field players) and the possibility of changing the pace of the matches. The result was a tactical and balanced match like at San Siro, but with a decidedly higher pace and quality, for a pleasant product, regardless of the final 0-0. Aston Villa had a few more chances, scaring Di Gregorio both in the first half (first with Watkins, then with the crosspiece chipped by Worthy on a free kick) and in the second (miraculous save by Locatelli on a safe shot by McGinn), even if he made the save of the match Martinez su Conceiçao, saving a header that seemed to be in with a reflex worthy of the world champion he is. In the final, the Lady even risked being mocked, but the Rogers' goal It was rightly disallowed for a foul by Carlos Diego on Di Gregorio (90+3'): sigh of relief for Thiago Motta, even if the draw moves away the objective of the eighth finals, at least in direct form.
Thiago Motta: “We conceded and created little, we remain in the race for qualification”
“We took a point by playing in a compact and balanced manner – the analysis of Thiago Motta -. We conceded very little, but also created little because we were careful not to give Aston Villa what they were looking for. We also had a great chance with Conceicao, it was a good performance and we will continue to fight for qualification. Now we will have Manchester City at home, Club Brugge away and the last one with Benfica at the Stadium, it is an important moment where we must play every game at our best and always try to win. The accounts will then be done on the last day if we need to, there are still many games between the league, Champions League and Coppa Italia and we will always play to do our best. Is Koopmeiners disappointing? He is playing in a difficult position especially in games like these, when he moves back and sees the game more he is more at ease. At this moment he must also give his contribution in a more offensive phase, he can do it because he has the qualities and can also score. He is a special player, different, and he can play many roles, he transmits a lot to the team and knows what needs to be done in all moments of the game: he gives me peace of mind and it is difficult to change him”.
