Lazio V Juventus

A game that was billed as the top of the table clash didn't lack in heart stopping moments, that I can guarantee you, as a Juve fan I was on the edge of my seat! Juventus came into this game unbeaten and remain unbeaten, as they came out 1-0 winners, but it was a hard fought victory and their were a lot of " almost" moments like the one on the 10th minute when a Stephen Lichtsteiner cross met Claudio Marchisio's head only to then go over the bar.

Juve almost went ahead soon after this time with an Andrea Pirlo shot to be parried away and for Lichtsteiner to hit it wide of the post- agonizing to watch! But it wasn't all one way traffic as at the other end Tommaso Rocchi had a cjance, but Buffon with all his guile an experience, stopped it. The goalkeepers at both ends made terrific saves to keep it level, but sooer or later someone was going to falter, and on the 34th minute Federico Marchetti was caught out by a quick counter attack by Juve, Alessandro Matri passed the ball to Simone Pepe who, from 10 yards out couldn't miss and he didn't! Pepe almost double the lead moments later, but he was one on one with the keeper, and this time the keeper prevailed. Lazio were far more aggressive in the secomd half as this would be a chance to be on top of the table, and they increasingly showed their intent when on the 50th minute Hernanes was going to fire a close range shot passed Buffon but Lichtsteiner a former Lazio man, made a last ditch tackle to deny him that opportunity. Again Hernanes' had an opportunity but he was foiled by the woodwork on the hour mark. Seconds later a Miroslave Klose effort was punched away by the great athleticism of Gigi Buffon. Seven minutes from time Matri almost killed the game but his powerful shot went wide of the post. Seconds later he was substituted, one can only guess how demoralizing that must have been for him- coming so close on so many occasions and then to be taken off with 6 minutes remaining.

The game ended with The Old Lady reclaiming top spot with a game in hand, and that game is to be played on Tuesday, that doesn't leave a lot of time to recharge but that the benefit of having such a big squad. The worrying thing at the end of the game was the fact that Marchisio will be suspended because of an accumulation of yellow cards and Pepe and Pirlo looked to be running on one leg so to speak. If that's the case, then Juve best midfield combination looks to be in doubt. Maybe Conte could reintegrate Krasic and use Elia- just a suggestion!