20 February 2016
Statistics can often say whatever you want them to and it is worth bearing that in mind before looking back at Friday evening’s 0-0 draw with Roberto Donadoni’s compact and competitive Bologna.
Take this for example: yesterday’s stalemate spelt the end of Juventus’ extraordinary winning streak- a run that took them from 12th place in mid-autumn to top spot by early February – but still produced their seventh consecutive league clean sheet and of course, ensured that they remain unbeaten since a 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo on 28 October.
Last night’s encounter then could be viewed either way and a closer inspection at the key statistics and numbers from the game will lead to the same conclusion.
Once again, a backline of Patrice Evra, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Stephan Lichtsteiner succeeded in limiting their in-form and tenacious opponents to a single Mattia Destro long-range shot on target.
On the other hand, that effort was more than the Bianconeri managed despite arguably creating the game’s most presentable opportunities with Evra and Paul Pogba both going close with half-volleys either side of the interval.
As for the match as a whole, given the measured and calculated approaches of its two competitors, a first draw in six meetings between Juve and the Rossoblu was a fair result.
Although the home side’s tendency to play more directly – a substantial 17 per cent of their overall passes were classified as “long” – produced an interesting clash of styles with their more precise visitors (who completed just under 200 more passes at a substantially higher completion rate (87 per cent vs. 79.2 per cent), there was little else separating the two teams, particularly in midfield.
Not for the first time this season and certainly not for the last, Claudio Marchisio was the Old Lady’s most consistent performer, using the ball as efficiently as ever, supplying 91 passes with his 121 touches of the ball in his deep-lying role.
Further forward, the thrust in central areas was provided by Paul Pogba whose four attempts at goal (more than any other player on the field), four tackles and 11 recoveries of possession provided further evidence of the Frenchman’s all-round, all-action qualities.
A difficult evening overall then for the league leaders but one, as stressed by Massimiliano Allegri in his post-match interview, that should do little to detract from their magical winter run.
Next up, Bayern Munich.
