Hi, guys. I haven't posted for a while. Can anyone tell me why we need to field such a strong line-up when we have the huge game against Atletico in a few weeks time? No disrespect to Atalanta, but I think this should have been a game where Allegri gives most of the first-teamers a rest. Chiellini's injury is a case in point.
Because Atalanta is a tough team to beat and this is a knock out game, Juve wants to win whatever it can.
The Coppa Italia shouldn't be a priority at this point. I would have kept the powder dry for the Champions League.
Atalanta's first goal is evident of the bigger problem of this game. Yes, Cancelo absolutely made a mistake, but look right before that. There was nobody to pass to. Nobody making a run, people literally just standing around and they were all covered. So what happens, he tries doing something to get away from the guy that's on him because there's nowhere to pass to, he losses it and Rugani thinks, hey, I'll just stay back here as he comes towards me and "defend" from 15 feet away. Rugani should have been closing in on him once Cancelo lost the ball. This team has gotten lazy, no effort. The midfield needs to be addressed.
Every game should be a priority, especially at this point of the season. Juve has a stacked team, yet injuries aside they haven't been playing like a stacked team.
Let's call a spade a spade. Irrespective of the results, we have largely played like shit for a good part of the season, especially when you consider the players we have. We are routinely getting bailed out by great individual efforts. I'm not sure how anyone can pay close attention to this team and not be concerned about Champions League, where we will actually face good teams. FFS we have played two above average teams in the last few days and gotten our asses kicked. What happens when we play Atletico Madrid, Barca, etc.?
Rugani was close there. The attacking play is more encouraging this half but the defense is in shambles.
When a Juve player has the ball, Atalanta presses them. When an Atalanta player has the ball, Juve players give them all the time and space they want.