Marchisio’s double vision

Claudio Marchisio is confident of Juventus’ ability to win a League and Cup double this term, because of their togetherness as a group of players.

The Bianconeri are three League games and one Cup final away from running through the 2011-12 campaign unbeaten.

Ahead of the first of these final games this weekend, Marchisio has taken time to reflect on what could be achieved, as well as hint at what he thinks is the reason behind the side’s turnaround this year.

“We have already achieved Champions League qualification and this is a very important milestone,” expressed the 26-year-old on Juventus Channel today.

“But, we are now fighting for the Scudetto and we want to win it, and then the Coppa Italia too.

“We must stay focused, but even in the most difficult times, this team has already proven to have nerves of steel and to be a united group.

“This is perhaps precisely the reason behind the leap in progress from previous years.”

The midfielder also reflected on the impact the club’s new stadium has had on generating momentum for the team.

“From the first game against Parma there has been a great feeling established with the audience. It is a relationship that has never been seen at other stadiums that Juve have played in.

“‘Our house’ as President [Andrea] Agnelli says, has certainly given us something extra.”

Marchisio then looked ahead to the weekend’s challenge, a trip to relegation-threatened Novara.

“We hope to unlock the game a bit earlier,” remarked the midfielder, in reference to how it took almost 80 minutes for the Bianconeri to score against Cesena in midweek.

“These team, despite being bottom of the table, always try to give everything, both in closing down and in playing on the counter-attack.”

The trip to the Piedmont outfit is also the second consecutive game for the Turin outfit on an artificial playing surface, as the Stadio Silvio Piola has a synthetic pitch, as did the Dino Manuzzi in Cesena on Wednesday.

“On the one hand it is better that [we have the games one after the other], because with the game against Cesena we had the chance to get used to the surface.

“On the other hand, however, it is a type of field that takes away a lot of energy and so we will need even more attention than usual.”