Post by LaDolceViita on Oct 29, 2005 19:12:57 GMT -5
Since I'm an analyst by profession my job is to identify strength and weakness, but most of all, the underlying trend in question. All games won thus far by Juve with exception of Inter, has been against weaker teams. At least on paper to begin with. Nonetheless, a serious weak trend may have developed that I think is important to identify. Juve has now lost against 2 strong teams that on paper are worthy opponents. Both Bayern and Milan are CL contenders, and they both have good individual players who can do some real damage as a whole team.
So, what's the trend in question? The possible idea here is that Juves TRUE strength has not been tested until the games against Bayern and Milan. In both games Juve players lacked intensity, proper aggressiveness, strong passing skills among all players, or the majority of them. In both games, Juve lacked a well functioning midfield without Viera. Vieras performance tonight against Milan should be disregarded for the purpose of not being fit to play 100% off a 4-5 week injury. Thus, without Viera, what does Juve's Midfield have in terms of being able to build a stong setup from the centre? Juve can survive against weaker teams, but that will not fly against strong teams playing for the championship titel.
The concern here is that Juve have lost 2 games against 2 strong teams that can match Juve on paper, and they have done so in a HUGE WAY - Not 1-0, or 2-0, but in a big way with 3-0 in the first half against Milan, and Bayern with 2-0 in the first half, which by the way should/could have been 4-0 in the first half. A new trend, or just coincidence ? Its one thing to loose 1-0, or max 2-0, but to be down by 3-0, or 2-0 in the first half against strong teams, does raise some serious thinking of the true strength, especially if Juve wants to win the CL. Yes, there are two 45 minute halfs, but the idea to be down by 3-0, or 2-0, is not a trend I'm comfortable with if this Juve team wants to win the CL. This Wendesday against Bayern will show how much of this pattern is just a coincidence, or if its a trend to truly be concerned with.