ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Juventus FC

Posted by Sumeet Paul on 05/28/2011

Following another disappointing and largely inconsistent campaign, the Old Lady will be a notable absentee from both the Champions and Europa League draws later this summer. A seventh-place finish not only ends thoughts of Europe, but also draws Gigi Del Neri’s tenure at the club to a close. A year on from their first attempt at an ambitious rebuilding of the club, what now for the Bianconeri?

Del Neri’s announcement inevitably led to huge speculation over who will occupy the managerial hot-seat next season. Director general Beppe Marotta has all but confirmed that the task will be handed to former Bianconero Antonio Conte, fresh from achieving another promotion with Serie B outfit Siena. Conte’s appointment has divided opinion since its circulation some consider it another disaster in the making after Ciro Ferrara’s stint, while others believe he’s the man to bring back the winning mentality to the club. Either way, the Juve icon has a huge task waiting for him in Turin.

Pirlo joins Juventus after 10 years in Milan ©Getty Images

While the city has been full of doom and gloom since the end of the season, one man has single-handedly lifted spirits with his arrival earlier this week. Two-time Scudetto and World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo joins on a free transfer from rivals Milan, stating that ‘Juventus, alongside Inter and AC Milan, are the most important team in Italy, Europe and the World. I want to win, this team is the one with the most will and motivation. The club want to get back to the years of the past with wins in Europe and Italy.’

Great words from the man dubbed as ‘the Maestro’ by Rossoneri tifosi, but it will be down to his actions and those of his new team-mates on the pitch as to whether his vision for the club becomes a reality. Marotta maintains that the club has the same appeal as it has enjoyed over the years, and appears to be working hard to bring in what he describes as ‘champions’ this summer. It's all lovely and cosy to say all the right words, but rather than hear these great speeches from the likes of Conte demanding 'blood sweat and tears for this shirt', in boxing terms; 'No more talking, it's time to walk the walk'.

Pirlo was swiftly followed through the arrival lounge at Aeroporto di Torino by Reto Ziegler who offers a viable solution to that troublesome left-back position. Is he Juventus class? We’ll leave that debate for another time. So, to conclude: Are you happy with the appointment of Conte? Who would you like to see join Pirlo in Turin this summer? And finally, will Juventus be in a position to compete again next season?

All-in-all, with the highs and lows of another fascinating season in Serie A sending me to the depths of despair to delirium and back, it has again been a pleasure following the Bianconeri through the campaign. The end of the 2010/11 season marks my second year as ESPN Soccernet Correspondent for Juventus, and I hope you have all enjoyed my posts. Hopefully this time next year we will celebrating some sort of achievement, but until then I will be keeping you updated throughout the summer with the progress that the club is making in the transfer market.

For more reaction to Juventus and Serie A news, you can follow me on Twitter at @italiafooty. Arrivederci for now!

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Comments

Posted by Daniel Duncan on 05/29/2011

The rebuilding of Juve has been pushed back for to long, this period of time should of been taking place since after 2006 scandal. It was at that time they should of sort a replacement for Nedved and other key players which were coming of retirement age. For now they need some players who can both attack and create those opportunities and that is Juve weakness cuz they have nobody to fill that role. Now today while football around the globe has grown in the style and class, it is time for Juve to take a script out of the Barcelona book. Today it has become more economical & financially suitable to develop players, since the current transfer market is boom bombarded with exorbitant prices. I would say to Juve, the players u bring in today & have currently use them to develop the young ones in the in the youth system, and create a brighter tomorrow. Therefore it is a must, that they take advantage of the likes of Del, Pirlo, etc. before its to late.

Posted by Tim on 05/29/2011

I've heard that Michel Bastos (Lyon) and Gabriel Heinze (Marseille) are done deals for Juventus. Is this true? Also, Juventus needs one more CB as Barzagli isn't quite good enough

Posted by val dinardo on 05/30/2011

Ihave been a juve tifossi for over 43 years but do not remember quite a poor back to back seasons as we have witnessed ,calciopoli was the undoing of the old lady,Morrati and inter milan have benefeted from that,we must not forget that juve are the most successful club in italy.Antonio conti was a warrior as a player,but the trials of past players with little top flight coaching experiance has been tried and it has failed,for me del neri was a no starter along with zacharoni,their not defence statagists.two seasons have been waisted in my opinion and the sporting director should resign.Carlo ancelotti would be fitting for a return,good experiance also with his time at chelsea would benefit juve.There has been too many bad choices in payers coming in and out,sometimes it seems like panic buying and let good young players like Giovinco for eg/ go out on loan.they must target beppi rossi to start,and make the defence a prime priority,just as in the lippi days and beyond that era .

Posted by Miguel Munoz on 05/31/2011

This is not the right appointment for the Old Lady. Juve have the players to run with a 4-4-2 formation or a 4-4-1-1. Conte is a coach who likes to play with two defensive midfielders and if there is one thing Juve has demonstrated, it's that Melo and Sissoko are not the right players for the team. Marchisio and Pirlo could fill the central midfield roles but being able to acquire Aquilani at 8 million pounds is a steal. They should act on that and make the deal permanent before someone else, i.e. AC Milan make a move for him. 3 Italian international midfielders would be great, and as far as left mid, Pirlo and Marchisio have shown that they can play along that side, but even then Juve are on the verge of sealing a deal for Michel Bastos. Ziegler is a good temporary fix at left back but De Ceglie should be the rightful left back once he is back to 100% match fitness. That leaves right back where Andreas Beck, or Zaccardo would be good. A big name like Aguero would help in the offense.

Posted by andreset8 on 06/01/2011

vargas from fiorentina! great player will be perfect to see mi favorite player on my favorite team !

Posted by Tomtin121162 on 06/02/2011

In my opinion, we need some solid attacking players. Del piero and matri are okay but not good enough. Del piero is getting old and I still love him but his performances have lacked. Inquinta is still okay but he is plagued with always getting injured. Milos is still good and machisio is good on the wings. Like you guys said above, we need some solid defensive players. Chelinni (sp lol) can only do so much. We need some solid lb and rbs. I just hope conte can do a good job because old juve players in the past who have managed a team usually don't do so well..... I HOPE JUVE CAN WINNNNNNNNN

Posted by Nunzio_Knows on 06/02/2011

The Rebuilding of Juventus

1)For the love of GOD, get rid of Amauri(0 gaols in 2011.......Iaquinta(4 goals in 2011) and Luca Toni(2 goals in 2011)

2)If Manchester United can scout and sign Chicarito for 7 million pounds why can`t Juventus`s scouts find "Energetic young talent with an impressive skill set"????

3)Rather than sign players that are in the twilight of their careers and that have nothing to play for like Pirlo(Seria A winner/Champions League winner and World Cup winner)- they should be signing YOUNG fire breathing talented kids who bust a lung RUNNING!!!!!!

4)Look to The Barclays Championship for YOUNG spirited talent who give their all running up and down the wings ALL game long!!!

5)Sign HUNGRY players that are FIT TO WEAR THE JUVENTUS SHIRT!!!!! It's time to retool...Iaquinta OUT/ Luca Toni OUT/ Qualglarella OUT/ Del Piero OUT!!!!!

If you have a sentimental attachment to old tools at a garage sale.....you're destined to take them back into the garage.

Posted by Simon on 06/03/2011

Only time will tell if Conte can succeed however he is a Juve legend with Scudetto and Champions league under his belt. Also, he has played enough in a Juve shirt especially during the glory days to know the the "Winning Mentality" at Juve....

Having said that we have to wait and watch how he will deliver as a Manager...Ofcourse we need some big signings this summer....Pirlo has a great history but last season he did not played enough due to his injury..so I am sceptical about it....And well, Reto Ziegler..??

Lets see who are the Champions Moretta and Agnelli can woo to Juve knowing that they are out of Europe next season

Posted by GranJuveTorino on 06/03/2011

I disagree with you Nunzio on the beleif that we should get rid of del piero. while he may not be near what he used to be he still offers a talented sub who can be a great leader/mentor on the team. quagliarella should stay too imo...if you watched early in the season this guy was scoring regularly and was really carrying the team(along with milos). toni and iaquinta should go along with pepe cissokho and martinez. i would like to see us sign a talented attacker like aguero sanchez or pastore. also we should sign a rb and cb along with another cm like inler. i do like pirlo coming in because he adds a great passer in the center of midfield which is crucial in the build up and for that lethal last pass. also, if we could somehow steal either neymar ganso or lukaku from the other major clubs i think this would be great for the future (and now for that matter). feel like matri should return due to his finishing ability unless management plan on replacing him with a better man up front.

Posted by Naylor Montevior on 06/03/2011

Even with my love for Juve, I simply cannot understand how "Rebuilding" is coming along.

If you've all noticed, the 3 recent signings are all "FREE TRANSFERS" !!! Does Juve really have nothing to spend?!! Are we not suppose to be one of the Top 10 profitable FCs in the world?!!

No doubt Pirlo is able to provide a creative spark,but he's getting on his years. Milos is fantastic, but he needs an equally good counterpart on the other flank to tango.

Throw out Luca Toni and Amauri, they're both a waste of time. We need a younger version of the old Del Piero: a schemer, skillful on the ball and someone who is fast.

Juve is not a Retirement Home for old folks.
Juve needs quality young players and not passe old farts. Be daring to play the youngsters from the academy, and you might discover gems.

LONG LIVE JUVE~!!!

Posted by Billy Lowe on 06/04/2011

Juve! Juve! Juve!

I do remember when I grew up in the 90s, as a kid and tifoso of Juve, everybody said that I had good choice. There was the upcoming in shape of other teams alongside Europe (Man-United, Arsenal, Inter, Valencia, Olympic Marseille, Ajax, etc...). Beside that the Old Lady was the best team in the world (over Real Madrid, Milan AC, Bayern Munchen, etc...), do you guys remember the late 90s at the champions league! I wish the staff directors and the players give our dream back to us. Since after the plea of 2006, lot of soccer fans forget the name of JUVENTUS and all its successes, so NOW is our moment, let's stand firm, give blood and tears the way that we can have our pride back!!! JUVE will not fall, he will survive and he will be back!!!

GOD BLESS YOU JUVE, CIAO!

Posted by forzaaaJUVE on 06/06/2011

1. we need a dynamic forward. while we have matri who can finish, he is more out of the poachers mold and we need someone who can pass and dribble as well as finish like Naylor said a young version of Del Piero when he had some pace to go along with his technical ability.

2. a cb or develop sorensen for that spot. we cannot rely solely on chiellini for defense

3. a dynamic full back, de ceglie coming back could help and ziegler isnt bad but michel bastos comes to mind here or we could even use him to run the flank opposite krasic

4. flank opposite milos, bastos could play here as well as a player like sanchez form udinese, also ive heard dzudzak(sp?) being thrown around which would be nice.

5. the scudetto and a return to dominance domestically that can lead us to european glory!

FORZA JUVEEEE

Posted by Marc on 06/18/2011

First, we all know that Juventus has been building a new stadium and that alone cost them LOTS of money. They will get good players but we HAVE to be patient on that matter because it will take them a long time before doing that. They have to sell tickets and get as many good sponsors to their stadium and also, they need to scout better. The problem with Juventus is that it is the ONLY big club in Italy that supports NATIVE ITALIAN players! They prefer getting Italian players over a foreign! Bear in mind that DECENT Italian players are not really available very much around and they are very few. Scouting better is what Juventus as a club needs to do. Patience and we will see!

Posted by Mounir on 09/26/2011

Juventus need ingenious System to rebuild it ownself, the Tactic ist still defensiv and the middelfield ist still umpty...may be should Juventus take some Lessons from NBA tacticals ...

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