And in the fifth match, Juve took over Europe. Little Nordsjaelland doesn't want it, but this success against Chelsea is quite another thing. For the caliber of the opponent, for the importance of the stakes, for the delicacy of the moment. So let's consider it a starting point in the European journey of the black and whites, who at this point have all the credentials to play it in the spring, perhaps with the help of a top player up front. Oh my god, not that this team needs it that much.
The attack (the best in Serie A) won't have the striker par excellence (even if Quagliarella, with yesterday's goal, made it to 9 this season), but it works damn well, because everyone manages to make themselves dangerous. But the key to the Bianconeri's successes lies in pressing and in the organization of the game. In this sense, the comparison with the reigning European champions Chelsea was merciless. Right from the start Juve attacked the blues with impressive competitive malice, almost as if they thought they were facing Nordsjaelland. But on the pitch, at least in theory, there was the team that, just 6 months ago, had raised the prestigious Champions League to the sky. The black and white fury could have turned into a goal already after 4 minutes, if Cech hadn't deflected Lichtsteiner's close-range touch onto the post. The script looked like the one already seen against Lazio on Saturday, but Chelsea have much more quality than Petkovic's men, as shown by Oscar in the 9th minute, stopped only by a great Buffon. Beautiful, vibrant and above all poised match, until the 38th minute. Pirlo's shot was deflected by Quagliarella: the Stadium, mindful of Marchetti's save, held its breath, but this time Cech was unable to do anything. The lead is like an adrenaline rush, and Juve nearly double a minute later through Lichtsteiner, but Cole saves on the line. Emotions followed one another and in the next action it was Chelsea who came close to scoring, with Mata stopped by a great Buffon. Thus ends a splendid first half, played better by Juve but with a dangerous Chelsea side. In the second half, however, the score changes and the Bianconeri crush the English. The knockout blow comes in the 60th minute with a stone from Vidal, deflected by the innocent Ramires. It's a blow for Di Matteo, who tries to overturn the formation by inserting Moses and Torres. The Italian coach seriously risks his job, also because the choice to play without forwards weighs heavily in the defeat of the blues: who knows Abramovich's face when reading the lineups...
But these are not Juve's problems, which, tarantolated as in the best nights, continue to attack. And in fact the third goal arrives, thanks to a solo by Giovinco, who has just come on for Vucinic. At Cakir's final whistle, the Stadium explodes: qualification is not yet mathematical, but Shakhtar's victory in Denmark will allow the black and whites to pass even with a draw.
“First of all, a huge thank you to our wonderful audience, they gave us a big hand – began Alessio at the press conference. – We are happy, it is clear that winning like this, against Chelsea, makes us believe more and more in our potential. we will play qualification against Shakhtar; tonight's is a piece, an important step, but we haven't done anything yet. I absolutely do not consider it a formality. We have to go there and play the game, like we did tonight, without expecting anything in particular."
However, we will think about this only in a few hours. Because now is the time to rejoice and enjoy this wonderful European enterprise.
