There was a relatively rare occurrence at the Juventus Stadium at the weekend: A clean sheet for the home team. Not for five matches had the Serie A title-holders not conceded in front of their own fans. The 2-0 win over Genoa, moreover, was only the second game of Juventus’ last 11 when the opposition had not scored.
These are not characteristic sequences for the Juventus that Antonio Conte has built up over the past two-plus years, the Juve whose scudetti of 2012 and 2013 featured, first, the invincible season, then an even better overall defensive record.
In 2011/12, Juventus yielded only 24 goals in their 38 Serie matches; in 2012/13, they allowed just 20.
Yet, with a quarter of the campaign gone, Juve are averaging more than a goal per game against them, which might partially explain the scowl Conte is wearing, even after a restorative win against Genoa.
He refused to address the media ahead of tonight’s meeting with Catania, wearying of stories of a rift with the club’s sporting director, Beppe Marotta.
“Just concentrate on how the team plays,” Conte said.
The trouble is, he takes umbrage when critical analysis is applied to how Juve defend. Conte, like national team coach Cesare Prandelli, has a stock response to questions over the form of Gigi Buffon, the goalkeeper.
Buffon has had a rough October, by his high standards, at fault in the ambush defeat by Fiorentina – 4-2 winners, from 2-0 down – and still stalked by his moments of vulnerability and sluggishness in the Uefa Champions League against Bayern Munich last season and at the Confederations Cup with Italy in June.
For Conte and Prandelli, Buffon is a peerless leader and custodian, full stop. But Italy’s No 1 will be aware that two other Italian keepers are currently at the top of their respective leagues – Morgan de Sanctis at Roma, and Salvatore Sirigu at Paris Saint-Germain, in France – and that Prandelli will be monitoring their form, too.
Buffon is not the only Juve player under scrutiny.
Giorgio Chiellini conceded a penalty and was sent off in the defeat at Real Madrid a week ago. Chiellini is a combative defender, strong and forthright, but he also uses his arms too willingly when he marks at set pieces.
In Europe, Juve are acquiring a reputation as incorrigible wrestlers in those situations.
One of Conte’s tests is to remind his warriors that the best form of toughness contains a degree of finesse.
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