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Around this time of year in seasons gone-by, the Bianconeri have subjected us to nail-biting, edge of your seat moments in a race for the Scudetto finish line. However, despite this not being the case now for a few campaigns, while Milan were busy wrapping up their 18th title in Rome, Juve practically pulled out a shotgun, aimed a direct shot into their right (or left, doesn’t really matter) foot, and ruled themselves out of the race for a spot in next season’s Champions League. All moans and groans aside, does the Old Lady even deserve a seat amongst the best in Europe next year?
Looking back on this overwhelmingly frustrating and verging on the embarrassing season, Gigi Del Neri has guided the club to some notable wins. None of us will forget the 4-0 away win at Udinese, or the victorious visits to Milan and Roma and of course the 1-0 victory in the Derby d’Italia against Inter. However, as is usually the case for most football fans, these are always overshadowed by the negative results, of which there have been many. And I mean many.
Let’s kick off with the ‘disappointing draws’ as I like to call them. Brescia, Chievo, Catania, Cesena and Sampdoria have all taken points off Juve this season. Give or take a few, you would assume that the Bianconeri have been unlucky at times whether it be refereeing decisions or just plain lady luck. However, factor in their ability to self-implode like no other team in Europe, most recently against Chievo on Monday night, then you have yourself a fundamental problem. Two goals in almost a minute, lack of concentration of just an average bunch of players not suited to playing for such a high profile club? Some may even look to the coach and ask whether or not he is in over his head.
Next, we have the ‘disastrous defeats’. Bologna, Bari, Lecce, Parma amongst losses to directs rivals in Napoli, Udinese, Palermo (twice) and Milan. Those notable wins have been all-too infrequent, nullified by these draws and defeats. How long can we work on the basis that they have shown signs of real promise and development, only to be completed wasted the following weekend. Juve’s inconsistent displays are not befitting of a club of their stature, and although it pains me to say it, they don’t even deserve to finish among the top four in Italy this season.
There are still calls for Del Neri to go and another summer clear-out. The problem with that ideology, is who do you replace him with? Do you bank on experience and bring back a Lippi or Capello? Or do you risk it on another up-and-coming and former Bianconero in Antonio Conte?
One thing is for sure, Juve need to employ a new defensive coach. Out of the top ten clubs in Serie A, only Roma and Palermo have conceded more. Juve have conceded 29 goals at home this season, the most out of any club in the league. So it’s all well and good talking about ‘super-ambitious plans’, something I have been guilty of myself, and extending the contract of a legend (Congrats Alex), but in the here and now, the Old Lady is struggling.
You can follow me on Twitter for more Juve and Serie A reaction - @italiafooty
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Comments
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Posted by decina on 05/10/2011
Matri, Krasic, Aquilani, Melo, Pepe, Chielini, Bonucci, Del Piero, Marchisio...we have talent, we have high profile players. What we don't have are winners. Outside of Del Piero, Buffon (and the infrequently used Grosso) is there anyone on this active squad who has tasted victory from any cup trophy? The champions league is for champions, and at the moment, our beloved juve is not a team of champions.
I don't know if we should rehaul our roster, becase we have great talent. I don'tknow if we need a new manager, but what we should do is focus on one campaign, one cup. Let's win next year's coppa, or next year's scudetto. Let's not focus on an improbable treble. Perhaps a lack of europe next year will help guide efforts to one domestic trophy.
To be the juve that we all want, the juve that wins, that doesn't squander 2 goal leads every other weekend, they must focus on being winners. Bring pride and passion to get one trophy, put in all the effort to be that champion. forza juve!!!
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Posted by Pavel Tacchinardi on 05/10/2011
I was, am and continue to be a big Juventus supporter, and I can only say NO. It would devalue Italy's participation in a season where Italian success is crucial..
Everything went wrong. The wrong personnel were signed and sold. The wrong formations played. The only real positive is the emergence of Sorensen and potential capture of Matri.
And for GOODNESS SAKE, BRING BACK GIOVINCO. PERFECT FOR THE LEFT BERTH IN A 4-5-1 with Amauri or Matri.
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Posted by Bogz on 05/11/2011
Simple answer, no we don't deserve to make the top 4.
Del Neri has to go, no questions about it. Even more disappointing than some of those losses have been the draws to Chievo and Cesena where we conceded big leads. That's 4 points right there, which would have us right in the mix again.
Another summer clearout is useless. For how many seasons are we going to clear out players and bring in new ones? Stick with the majority of what we have and bring in 3-4 winners/champions, even if they cost us big money.
So sick of this mid-table mediocrity season after season.
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Posted by Sergio on 05/11/2011
The Juventus of 2010/11 are a disgrace. The grand old lady was built on a reputation of defense and clean sheets, this side leaks goals like a sieve. It's best that they take a year to shore up the sideunder a new coach before inflicting themselves to the likes of Barcelona, Real or ManU
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Posted by Nunzio_Knows on 05/11/2011
Unfortunately, we are all witnessing the death of Italian soccer as we knew it. I used to be a Seria A fan some six, seven ,eight years ago however I cannot bring myself to watch it anymore. There seems to be an undeniable trend that is difficult to ignor and continues to this day in Italian Soccer, which if not rectified, with continue to water down the Seria A. I'm speaking of players who are winding down their careers, unable to keep a starting position at now better and more talented clubs like Juventus,being signed by Italian clubs. It seems like the bit players who had flashes of brilliance 4 seasons ago and the marginalized all gravitate to Italy and are welcomed with open arms by the same clubs who are now realizing they are but a mere shadow of the World Class powerhouses they used to be. It may be decades before my children see this talent cycle come full circle where Italian Soccer can rightly claim to be the best in the world.
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Posted by Tino on 05/11/2011
Do we deserve Champion's League football? With the way we're playing now, the answer's no.
At times there seems to be no fluidity in our play, we look lost when playing and are panicky when the ball gets to our third of the pitch.
For too long Delneri's been too stubborn to vary his tactics going into almost every battle with his "one-size-fits-all" mentality. A statement credited to him a couple of days ago reported him saying he was staying as Juve manager, I can't see anything that backs up that statement in the way the team's performed.
It's not just him though, some of the players have to take a long, hard look at themselves. The loss of a lead against Catania was almost too hard a pill for me to swallow (now I'm glad I missed the Chievo game). I wonder how Nedved and Agnelli felt.
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Posted by chriz on 05/11/2011
As for now, we are no good to be in any International league.... rebuild the squad... about time to bring it youngster and value players...sell off useless players like Melo, Grosso and Sissoko...
we really need a good attacking mid..which i dont knw why we sold off Diego !! come on Juve !!
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Posted by Austin B on 05/11/2011
This season went really downhill when Fabio Quagliarella got hurt. I agree with decina, we have the talent, but something is just not right. There is no excuse to draw two games when you are leading 2-0 up until the middle of the second half.
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Posted by Amedeo on 05/12/2011
I guess that's what happens when you cheat.
Forza Inter!
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Posted by Syarin on 05/13/2011
Just get a few good defenders....but definitely they don't deserve champions league place yet...
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Posted by Francis Pisani on 05/15/2011
Alot of new "Talent" ie Melo, Matri, Aqualani yet very few goals? lack of team attitude, weak fluidity and vision. Camoranesi was a major loss in the midfield! Im afraid Delneri must go, Giovinco & Diego should have stayed!
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Posted by Daniel Duncan on 05/16/2011
Over the current season I have noticed that Juventus inability to consistently perform, and after analyzing the situations I realize we lack the kid of attacking football that our opponents now possess so in conclusion our team NEEDS to make some adjustment to the players by bring in 3 young talented attacking/creative midfielders, 3 defenders, 3 strikers, and get rid of the players who have no talent or their to old to preform at this level(Iquinta, Toni, Martinez, etc)if Juventus intends to challenge for honors in the coming years they need to start by rebuilding a team, something they should of done years ago before back bones starts retired or left (Nedved, Camornesi, etc.) Please before Del retires bring in some young talent and start to groom and develop the kind of squad the fans of Juve wanna see again. Probably no Europe can be a good thing, the club, players, and new signings have less to deal with and can focus on the Italian league & cup this season while developing
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Posted by bebenecio on 05/21/2011
At this moment, Juve don't deserve to be in the UCL...and now with Del Neri leaving, I think that we all can breath easier because this was one the reasons, the club didn't make it and didn't deserve it. He clearly was in over his head. I mean a club that squanders so many leads is lacking direction. I hope that Juve stop squandering money like last season to make bad signings and selling off good players and bring in a mediocre coach. A coach needs experience and results. A good coach is just like buying a big name player...if they get results, then pay the price.
Posted by Ka|ze[R] on 05/24/2011
finally..del neri are out..hoorayyy
Posted by Brian Murdock on 06/15/2011
seriously i would love to c my club back on top and if a shake up is whats gonna make that happen then hell yea...........i've admired delpiero and buffon over the years and now krasic......i ask for all the help for my favourite club
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About
After watching his first Serie A game as a youngster, Sumeet Paul has been an avid fan of Italian football ever since. Offering in-depth and opinionated views, coupled with a humourous element, he has a strong desire to become involved in sports writing. Pairing up his life's two greatest loves; football and talking, he would appreciate any feedback and general football conversation, you can email him at sumeetpaul7@googlemail.com or you can follow him on twitter @italiafooty
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