ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Juventus FC

Posted by Sumeet Paul on 09/12/2011

You’ve waited all summer. Bets have been placed, fantasy football teams submitted and all that’s left is for the season to kick-off. Nervous, excited and hesitant all wrapped into one. Will Conte get it right? Will the team gel with all the new arrivals? Will Amauri ever leave? Of course they will, well except Amauri, but you can’t have everything! The Bianconeri brushed aside all the doubts with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Parma in Turin on Sunday, and with it, set the standard for the rest of the season.

Ruthless, unforgiving and non-stop, this was a performance with the Conte Factor. There was no let-up for Franco Colomba’s side, as Juve began life at their new home with an impressive show. With no less than ten Italians in the starting line-up, it was left to Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner to open the scoring, with Simone Pepe adding a second before debutant Arturo Vidal struck a wonderful volley and Claudio Marchisio wrapped it up with a sublime finish. It all ended with a little disappointment as Paolo De Ceglie was sent off before old boy Sebastian Giovinco netted yet again against his former employers from the penalty spot. Undeserving of the merciless jeering he experienced throughout the game, it was nice to see Seba score, this time thankfully it was no more than a consolation.

New stadium, new coach, same old Pirlo. ‘L’architetto’ was as classy as ever, delivering his trademark pinpoint passes all game long and providing assists for both Lichtsteiner and Marchisio. Milan felt the 32-year-old didn’t fit into their system under Massimiliano Allegri, the Azzurri ace has most definitely found his place in the black and white jersey judging on this performance. Granted there will be tougher tests to come, but it would have been a delight to watch, even for some Milan fans, to see the magnificent Pirlo at work.

In their new surroundings, Juventus looked a new side. Their desire, willingness to run and sweat for the team all came rushing back. Having stuck to his poker face with great professionalism, even Conte broke out with a smile after Marchisio added a fourth. The former midfield general will return to Siena next weekend, with sentiment pushed firmly aside, he will undoubtedly hope for more of the same.

Constantly reminded by the commentators during the game of Juve’s lack of European football this season, Serie A is undeniably the priority. While Milan, Inter and Napoli face Champions League opposition in mid-week, the Old Lady has time to recover and prepare. However, isn’t all this talk just a little premature? Admittedly, it was almost a statement to the rest of Serie A, but it’s still early days in Conte’s tenure and fans must remain quietly optimistic. Having Scudetto ambitions is one thing, but to expect a title challenge this season would be overly confident. Having said that, it makes a change to turn those doubts into a sense of belief that maybe, just maybe, something exciting is brewing in Turin.

Who impressed you the most on Sunday? Were you happy with Conte’s tactics and overall approach to the game? What can this Juve side achieve this season? Leave your answers and comments below, and as always, Forza Juve!

Also a quick note on the quite simply, thrilling weekend that Serie A provided. 35 goals, seven debutant goalscorers with shocks and upsets galore. I think i'll need the week to recover before it starts all over again next Saturday! Great to have calcio back!

Follow me on Twitter @italiafooty for all the news on Juventus and Serie A.

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Comments

Posted by Simon Phukan on 09/12/2011

Pirlo was obviously the most impressive however I must admit that Marchisio worked very hard, Pepe was excellent, so did Leichsteiner & evergreen Del Piero...Defence was solid and also I loved they way Juve approached the game....hungry for more...

Though it is early days but I have seen the hunger of old Juve in this performance which was missing in the last couple of years....Even when Juve was up 3-0 its was great to see Conte urging the team to attack...for more...to kill the game

And the best thing that happened is the Stadium...the fans are so close to that action...getting behing the team which is definately the real home advantage....Overall it was an excellent game...Forza Juve!

Posted by Bert on 09/12/2011

Pirlo was his usual self. I was a little suprised, Krasic and Vidal didn't start, but the results say it doesn't matter!

Posted by Ben on 09/12/2011

I was suprised Vidal didn't start and was worried for Juve but Pirlo was the crucial factor in the midfield, fans were excellent, pitch, not so much but a posotive start for Juve they can build on, with Inter in demise this could be Juve's chance to build a strong title challenge.

Posted by bernoo on 09/13/2011

I feel sorry for Amuari, I think if he's loyal and committed to prove his worth, then Juve should give him a chance.

Posted by Daniel Duncan on 09/15/2011

All in all Juve was fantastic, Pirlo was extraordinary in the midfield, the whole team was working hard and pressing the game throughout the 90 min, it really was fantastic to see. The new player brought back life to juve and the new stadium was ah great motivation for everyone. I have really no complaints about the game. I hope they do well in the coming games and I believe now we have ah really great chance of challenging for the title. Although I still think Amuri, Toni & Iaquinta should not be there, the summer should of seen their exits and some of the youth players(Pasquato & Giandonato) should of been integrated into the Juve squad.Nevertheless I wish all the best for Juve in the coming season. Juve, Juve, Juve, Forza Juve!

Posted by Jose P on 09/19/2011

@bernoo
how can you feel sorry for amauri? the guy doesn't do anything and makes millions of dollars. he's a skidmark on our otherwise frosty campaign thus far. screw him!!!

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