Only in 1965-66 did the Bianconeri reach double figures of
An incurable disease, the draw. With the 2-2 draw against Fiorentina, Juve established its new record for draws in a championship after 18 days: 11, compared to no defeats, it’s true, but also only 7 victories. The only time before this in which it had reached double figures of Scudetto only in the following season, after a 6-year drought. The record in the calendar year, however, had already been largely surpassed a month ago (with the 18th in Lecce). In the meantime, 3 more arrived (Bologna, Venezia and Fiorentina, all at the Stadium), with the total rising to 21. Only Perugia in 1979, with 22, had done worse. But then, as in the 1960s, a draw was half a victory. Now it’s half a defeat.
the record stages
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Rome, Empoli, Naples, Cagliari, Inter, Parma, Milan, Lecce, Bologna, Venice and Fiorentina, the stages of the worsening of the disease. And if at the beginning the symptoms were above all offensive lack and inefficiency in creating dangers at the opponent’s goal, they have now become defensive fragility and an inability to close out or manage the match. Since the draw at San Siro with the Nerazzurri, Juve have been unable to take advantage of their advantage 4 times, losing 8 points. Combined with the 2 previously against Cagliari they make 10, clearly the worst score of the big teams: 3 more than Lazio, 4 more than Atalanta, 6 more than Inter and even 8 more than league leaders Napoli. Even this (but not only) explains the 9 point gap from the top.
the precedent of the inter
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Since Serie A returned to 20 teams (2004-05 season) there is only one team that had drawn more matches than Thiago Motta’s Juve after 18 matchdays: Inter 2004-05 coached by Roberto Mancini, who had arrived at 12, of which 6 consecutive. And do you know how it ended? Third, qualified for the Champions League. But only after recovering from draw: in the next 20 matches, in fact, the Nerazzurri “only” drew 6, winning 12 and losing 2. Thiago Motta, now, has the task of imitating him and finding the medicine.
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