Minus four. Juventus also overcomes the Cesena trap and really begins to look forward to the scudetto number 28 (or 30, depending on your tastes). It wasn't as easy as the standings might suggest, but on the other hand championships are won in this way, taking away points on the treacherous provincial fields. A year ago these days Milan won a similar match in Brescia, which on balance proved to be decisive. Let's be clear, at Manuzzi we haven't seen the glittering Juve of the last period, the one capable of tearing Inter, Naples, Lazio and Rome to pieces in one bite, which is physiological and, perhaps, even predictable. The midweek match is always a risk, and it is no coincidence that Juventus experienced its most difficult moment precisely in that phase of the season in which they played every three days. Marco Borriello decided the match (and probably not only that…). Yes, exactly him, who in his last appearance at the Juventus Stadium had been booed by the black and white people, who have never really forgiven him for the refusal in the summer of 2010. The former Roma (and Milan) center forward broke through the goal of the Cesena 10 minutes from the end, with an anger that perfectly represents the spirit of Juventus.
THE MATCH
Module and formation confirmed for Antonio Conte, who this time did not give any last-minute surprises. Al Manuzzi is 3-5-2, with Caceres replacing Lichtsteiner and Matri alongside Vucinic. Cesena responds with a 4-3-1-2 which, as often happens in the Italian provinces of football, soon turns into a 10-1, in the sense that 10 are behind the ball line and only one remains in front. However, it's difficult to ask for more from a team at the bottom of the standings, without Mutu and Iaquinta to boot. The game is likely to unlock immediately and on balance it is a good thing that this does not happen. In fact, after 8 minutes, the referee awarded Juve a penalty for a handball by Moras: a pity, however, that it all happened outside the area! Almost resigned to the umpteenth fiery post match, instead we witness the second consecutive error from the penalty spot by Pirlo, who after having his penalty saved by Curci (only to then reiterate on the net after the rebound), hits the post to Antonioli's right. It remains 0-0, the controversies return to the attic. Juve plays well, Cesena responds as best they can. In the 36th minute De Ceglie had the ball to give him the lead, but his header went off the outside of the crossbar. In the second half, the bianconeri immediately start strong: Matri kicks with a sure shot but Antonioli, in two stages, manages to clear the ball on the goal line. Juve insisted and crushed Cesena in their own half, but they were given clean chances. Perhaps reassured by the similar result at San Siro, the bianconeri press but the malice is not that of the best opportunities. Conte also understands this, playing his last cards in the 74th minute: Matri and De Ceglie out, Del Piero and Borriello in. The first, on a free-kick, forces Antonioli to make yet another save as far as possible, while the second is more precise. In the 79th minute he receives a pass from Vucinic and first of all he shoots on goal with his right foot: Antonioli remains motionless, Juve are in the lead. A few minutes later comes the news of Milan's lead, but all in all it counts for little. Juventus has won again and sees the Italian finish line ever closer.
THE REACTIONS
The great protagonist is Marco Borriello, therefore Antonio Conte begins the interviews by talking about him: “I say it sincerely, he is someone who deserves a lot. It arrived in an uninspiring condition, he worked hard to catch up, I also used it to help him with that. He's sorry for how much he's been mistreated to date, we've talked and I know what qualities he has. He deserves this for what he does in training and on the pitch." The Juventus coach then spoke about the match, certainly more complicated than expected: “If we had scored the penalty straight away, things would have changed, because they would have been forced to reveal themselves. Today it was really difficult with 11 men behind the ball, this is a good test of maturity. We sweated a lot against a team that gave everything to stop us." Now the Scudetto is really close and not even Conte can hide anymore: “We are sitting at a laden table, we were not used to it and now we want to eat. In the past years we have witnessed other people's banquets, now the kids are hungry. The occasion is extraordinary, unique, there is a desire to write history and the pen is already on the table”.
