Soccer Fan Blog

Gigi Buffon may one of the best goalkeepers in the world but defense isn’t a one-man job. Juventus’ much beloved transfer guru Alessio Secco
certainly did a hatchet job in this area; stats don’t lie. This season the ‘Wall of Turin’ has indeed been built of stick and string in a figurative sense. Just look at how many goals the
defense has shipped all because of stupid little errors. Don’t even get me started on Grygera and the Siena game…

Difensori centrale

Fabio Cannavaro

The return of Il Capitano Nazionale caused much controversy in the Bianconeri camp. He’s had some good matches mixed in with some utterly
terrible matches. There were days when his experience complemented Giorgio Chiellini’s grit but there were also days when his age was exploited by pacey forwards.

Highlight reel: He had some pretty good games but I’d say locking up Bobby Zamora in the Europa League tie against Fulham at the
Olimpico

Gag Reel: Getting a pretty harsh sending-off at Craven Cottage. That red card coupled by the absence of Chiellini caused the entire defense
to crumble like a house of cards and we all know what happened after that.

Giorgio Chiellini

Definitely a real bargain buy. He was signed some five or six seasons ago for less than €7 million. Time and time again, Chiello has more
than justified why he won the Serie A Defender of the Year award twice in a row. It’s no surprise we conceded almost a dozen goals in the 4 or 5 games he missed through injury.

Highlight reel: Many…but I’d go for his winner against Cagliari. The result allowed us to save face and kept us in contention for a
European spot.

Gag reel: There’s not too many. His worst game of the season is probably the away game at Catania. A rare off-day from the usually solid
centre back.

Nicola Legrottaglie

With the return of Cannavaro, Legro found himself on the bench more often than not, thus breaking up the effective partnership he had formed
with Chiellini last season. He hasn’t been free from mistakes either but what endeared to the Bianconeri fans more than Grosso or Zebina is that he plays with a lot of passion and isn’t one who
gives in easily.

Highlight Reel: Scoring less than 10 minutes after kickoff in the Europa League match against Fulham in Turin

Gag Reel: Hard to say. He makes mistakes but rarely pulls off spectacular blunders like Zebina does

Terzini

Martín Cáceres

I listed him under fullbacks since that’s where he played for most of the season. The loan signing from Barca started the season well but
has been one of the many unlucky victims of the injury curse. He plays with a lot of passion but still has much to learn like all young defenders. The potential is there and it remains to be
seen whether Bettega is able to sign him permanently at a bargain price.

Highlight Reel: Making a goal-scoring debut at Lazio. Marchisio’s in-field cross is nodded down by Amauri and the right back slotted the
loose ball home……past his own Uruguay teammate Fernando Muslera of all people.

Gag Reel: I have yet to decide

Paolo De Ceglie

The youngster has had an up and down season. His true potential has yet to be fulfilled as he hasn’t been given much continuity unlike
fellow youth product Claudio Marchisio. He obviously still needs to fine-tune his defensive and positioning skills. 

Highlight Reel: Probably the Bari game at home. Although he got caught out by Alvarez several times, he did put in some good tackles and
contributed offensively much more than Fabio Grosso does, could’ve gotten himself a hat-trick of assists or more had it not been for Amauri’s horrific misses.

Gag Reel: Between the Fulham game at Craven Cottage or the Siena match at home. He wasn’t helped by the fact that his fellow defenders were
all putting in horror shows of their own on both occasions.

Zdeněk
Grgyera

Grygera found himself as a back-up due to Ciro Ferrara’s preference to play Cáceres and later Zebina when the Uruguayan was out injured.
There isn’t much to be said about him as he has come under much fire for his own dip in form and injury issues. Credit to the Czech international for not lashing out at fans like a certain
Brazilian.

Highlight Reel: I suppose keeping a clean sheet against Ajax will suffice.

Gag Reel: His horror show against Siena. We were 3-1 up but he gave away a penalty and the relegation-battlers (at that time) were able to
stage an incredible come back to steal 2 points away from us.

Fabio Grosso

The other Fabio has certainly had a memorable season. He was in and out of the starting line-up thanks to competition from the younger De
Ceglie. Like Cannavaro, he’s had some good moments mixed with some terrible games. Also, he came under some criticism for his lack of interest in club games as compared to international
matches.

Highlight Reel: Scoring the winner against Fiorentina. Beautiful finish that any striker would’ve been proud of. Amauri (ahem), were you
watching?

Gag Reel: Too many to name…. 

Jonathan Zebina

If Chiellini is the ultimate Juventino defender, then Zebina epitomizes the opposite. He has not had the best of seasons and is certainly
past his prime. Who can forget that memorable little altercation he had with Juve fans during that Fulham game.

Highlight reel: His goal against Fulham to put Juve 2-0 up. He charged past the Fulham midfield and volleyed the ball straight into the back
of the net from out of nowhere leaving us fans with our mouths dropped wide open in pleasant surprise.

Gag reel: Too many to count. Probably between getting himself sent off and doing the cazzo sign to the crowd in the Europa League match away
at Fulham or nearly scoring an own-goal against Bari (thankfully Cannavaro and Buffon were nice about it)

Note: Post is open to editing and updates. I will do update at the end of the season