24 August 2015
The Bianconeri saw in this season’s Serie A campaign with yesterday’s 1-0 home defeat to Udinese, a result they will be justified in feeling could have gone another way with greater precision in the final third.
Sixty-six per cent possession and 21 shots on goal, compared to Udinese’s respective figures of 34 and six, show Massimiliano Allegri’s men spent large spells of the game knocking firmly on the door, only to be caught cold by Cyril Thereau’s matchwinner on 78 minutes – the Zebrette’s first shot on target.
It was the Old Lady’s third home Serie A reverse at Juventus Stadium, a venue from which only Inter and Sampdoria have departed with all three points, the last defeat coming as far back as 6 January 2013.
With the physical presence of Mario Mandzukic offering a new dimension in attacking areas, a figure of 34 crosses, the highest number of deliveries since January’s meeting with Chievo, shows Juventus favoured the flanks as they endeavoured to find what ultimately proved to be an elusive breakthrough.* *
The Croatian forward led the way in terms of shots on goal with four efforts across the 90 minutes, while Giorgio Chiellini enjoyed the most touches (92) and played the greatest number of passes (71).
