As Inter Milan seem to be weakening, the Turin side will hope to capitalise and return to the top of Serie A
It's been a fascinating year in the world of football. We've witnessed the financial and logistical disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Super League debacle, spats involving players, coaches, executives, and this summer some of the most newsworthy transfers in history. Juventus, like many top clubs, have been embroiled in various dramas and the subject of many headlines. More and more people now know the name Andrea Agnelli. Everybody is talking about Cristiano Ronaldo and his next destination. The iconic Andrea Pirlo was sacked and replaced by former boss Massimiliano Allegri after only one season in charge. Inter Milan finally broke the club's nine year stranglehold on the Scudetto. It's been a rollercoaster of a year for everyone and Juventus were no different.
We caught up with Aleandro Fancello from the Bianconeri Zone fan page and Giovanni, one of the hosts of the Turin Giants Podcast, to get their thoughts on some of the pressing issues facing fans of The Old Lady this season.
Q. Why didn't things quite work out for Andrea Pirlo last season?
Aleandro: I would say "experience", the pressure was tremendous with Ronaldo in the team and the "win now mode" being put on the team as a label, this coupled with many young players coming in like Kulusevski, Chiesa, etc. In addition, missing Dybala for almost a whole season didn't help. Personally, my expectations were not high when he was announced, and the fact that he still often went for a 4-4-2 even though we clearly had problems confirms that he lacked the experience to make other choices.
Juventus sack Andrea Pirlo ahead of Massimiliano Allegri’s imminent returnhttps://t.co/JNf6w1ZqfH
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 28, 2021
Q. What was the reaction among fans to the European Super League debacle?
Giovanni: Casual fans reacted with misplaced romanticism for a version of the sport of years gone by. Obviously this is a sports-business and an evolution is/will be necessary if global fans are to get a good product. The teams need to find a sustainability and resiliency in finance long-term. The "Big 6" of the English Premier League and PSG can’t stand for the “people’s football”. This was a wake up call that a change is needed.
Q. Andrea Agnelli has quite a negative reputation in the UK. How is he viewed by Juventus supporters?
Aleandro: Andrea Agnelli is super loved by a large proportion of Italian/Juve supporters. There is a section that does not like the commercial direction that Agnelli has taken the club - new logo, expensive tickets and no longer any atmosphere in the stadium. But in the end, Juventus is one of the only teams that has been in the hands of one owner, the Agnelli family, for a century now and that bond with a large part of the supporters is strong and can take a lot. We were in a dark period with 7th places until he became President of Juventus. The rest is history with a total reversal and the dominance of Italian football.
A year ago, Andrea Agnelli questioned whether teams like Atalanta ought to have direct access to Europe's top competition. On Sunday, his Juventus lost to Atalanta, hours before announcing their plan to join a competition that would freeze such sides out: https://t.co/P1emBz9iR1
— Nicky Bandini (@NickyBandini) April 19, 2021
Q. Do you see Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the club during this transfer window? What will his Juventus legacy look like?
Giovanni: I don't see him leaving. We got one of the two goats of the past generation and he helped elevate the commercial status of the club. He also helped us on the field tremendously. It's too bad that there were a few decisions based on hubris by a few people that didn’t allow Juve to realize its full potential and all the implications of a signing like that. Covid-19 changed the transfer market, most likely financially preventing anyone from acquiring Ronaldo and his high wages.
Q. How optimistic are fans about the return of Massimiliano Allegri?
Aleandro: Most of them are very optimistic but also realistic. Allegri is a top coach and certainly an upgrade in comparison to Sarri and Pirlo. He's someone who can bring back stability, something we didn't have the past two seasons.
Q. Who are fans most excited by this season? Who are the ones-to-watch so to speak?
Giovanni: Dybala establishing himself as a top tier talent consistently. He has lacked consistency and people may blame coaches but it has been partly on him. He seems to have grown. More than anything we are excited about the growth potential of the entire squad.
(☀️) Paulo Dybala's 🇦🇷 contract extension is near, as work is in progress with his agent Jorge Antun. [@FabrizioRomano] #Juventus pic.twitter.com/Cy53Tj5kW4
— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) August 23, 2021
Q. What are fans expecting from the squad this season?
Aleandro: Stability on and off the field. A team that clicks and where there is a clear way of playing. The last two years have been a bit all over the place, you could never be sure what to expect. With Allegri we almost always knew what we could expect even if some called it boring. What would represent success? Scudetto, Coppa Italia and a decent Champions League run (Quarter Final) and to not be embarrassed by Lyon, Porto, Ajax, etc.
Juventus began their Serie A campaign with a 2-2 draw away at Udinese last weekend. Next up they face Empoli at home this Saturday, a match you can watch via live stream. It is yet to be seen whether Allegri's return will provide the boost Juventus need to compete again at the very highest level, but with the squad they have and the experience of the coach, you'd be foolish to bet against them.
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