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Juve set for Scudetto challenge in 2011

Posted by Sumeet Paul on 12/19/2010

Ahead of the winter break, the Bianconeri were held to a 1-1 draw away at Chievo after Fabio Quagliarella’s sensational overhead kick was cancelled out by an injury-time leveller from Sergio Pellissier. However, following Milan’s loss against Roma on Saturday night, Juve can be optimistic that they will provide a credible assault for another Scudetto in 2011 as they lie just 5 points behind the Rossoneri.

After a disappointing season last year, it appears that the 'Old Lady' is set to return to the title-winning fold as they have proved to be real contenders for the Scudetto this term. Gigi Del Neri will have every reason to be pleased with his first six months in the Bianconeri hot-seat, despite an early exit from the Europa League he has proven that he has what it takes to lead this side domestically.

Fabio Quagliarella again underlined his importance and worth in front of goal with a quite sensational goal against Chievo (see below), taking his tally to nine for the season. A quick note for his former side however, with Napoli proving to be real shock league challengers as Edinson Cavani handed them a precious 1-0 win against Lecce leaving them in 2nd place just three points behind AC Milan.

With a ‘2010 Review’ coming your way in due course, are you pleased with the way the year has ended? Following a disastrous season last year, have Juve finally begun to put the embarrassment and disappointment behind them? With the League title well within their reach and the Coppa Italia still up for grabs, perhaps you believe that a domestic double could be on the cards?

Also included in your year review will be my ‘Team of the Year 2010’. Feel free to provide your suggestions, from Giorgio Chiellini to Ale Del Piero – share your opinions. One thing is for sure, I doubt I shall see Amauri at the top of many lists! As always, Forza Juve and here’s to a successful 2011!

Comments

Posted by stephen on 12/20/2010

Disappointing finish to the end of the year, but an overall better performance than last year's, for sure. The win against Chievo was very necessary in my opinion. Full advantage should have been taking considering AC HAD LOST TO ROMA. Yea, we were a man down but there was no need to play the "wounded-animal" game. Now the team is 4th, as compare to 2nd and the race is not to just catch up with AC now, but both lazio and napoli again! We have drawn 8 games now as compared to the teams above us, which all three have drawn 3. Sam is the only side that has more draw than us. My point here, is that these draw matches may have major implications in the long-run as may seriously hamper our scudetto title run. After last season's terrible performance and finish, just finishing in a champion league spot is not enough and I'm sure the players and the fans would agree on this. That being said, I hope we do get some players over this holiday that can help us achieve such goals

Posted by Edoardo on 12/24/2010

First of all I want to say that I was at the Stadio Bentegodi at Verona for the Match and we deserved to win. Anyways we played with giandonato (18) and Sorensen (a great player but he is 18 too). We didn't have a midfielder such as Sissoko or Melo and we missed too many opportunities with Iaquinta and Krasic. Said that, I'd like to add that we played a great match but Bergonzi was awful. I usually avoid talking about refress but Bergonzi is a real scandal. As a Juvenus fan I am proud of this team in this season, we have great fighters in the pitch and if you watch the match you can feel it.

Posted by rudy on 12/28/2010

#1 quaglieralla (sorry i dont know how 2 spell it
#2 delpiero
#3krasic
#4 laquinta
#5 amauri

Posted by Roberto on 12/28/2010

I have to agree with Stephen and fear we have lost too many points with all of the draws thus far to realistically challenge for the Scudetto. Roma has seemed to turn the corner and Inter has two games in hand to help close the gap in points. It seems that we will need to put together a great run in the 2nd half just to stay in position for the Champions League. No one hopes I am wrong more than me. We can not give up on the Scudetto but we will be in fight the rest of the way regardless.

Posted by Sikandar on 12/30/2010

Things are looking good for Juve, and even though this first half of the season ended disappointingly, we've been great so far under Del Neri. Looking forward to an exciting second half..
Krasic has been great on the wing and once he can learn to shoot straight, will be formidable. Quag and aquaman are looking awesome too.
Let's hope we sign some good talents over the transfer period to fill the weak links we have in our team - I'm hearing about Gilardino, and Bologna RB Miguel Britos. Too bad that City is going to get Dzeko, but I don't think we were trying to spend 40 mil anyway, especially not in January.

Also - great to see another indian juve fan, sumeet. Forza Juve!

Posted by Jose on 01/05/2011

obvious inclusions: the talisman Krasic, Del Piero, Quags, Pepe, Acquilani, Melo, Bonucci and Chiellini. The others like Iaquinta i say are up for debate as they need to sharpen up their play, or stay healthy. Amauri needs to go. But boy has the old lady made progress under Del Neri's leadership. Hope we can finish in the top three, but the dream is for the scudetto to return to Torino! Forza Juve, indeed!

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