2007-08: Where It Ended
Not too much was expected of Juventus when they returned to the top flight last season, following their Calciopoli-imposed exile in Serie B.
A whole host of world class players from Fabio Capello’s squad were no longer around – the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira, the latter two who had strengthened direct rivals Inter.
Sporting director Alessio Secco made a number of blunders in the transfer market, attempting to sell Giorgio Chiellini, who proved to be a colossus, and spending big on Tiago and Sergio Almiron, both of whom flopped terribly.
Despite all this, and a whole host of dubious refereeing decisions, which some estimates say lost them more than 10 points to Inter, Juventus largely performed above expectations, and they finished in a highly respectable third position in Serie A.
The Bianconeri had the best record in direct confrontations with the top teams, remaining unbeaten, and defeating, Inter, Roma and Milan. However, their shaky record against the smaller outfits eventually cost them a title challenge.
All in all though it had been a successful first season back in Serie A. Juventus had qualified for the Champions League, which was their objective, and they had built the foundations for a 2008/09 title challenge.
Summer Activity
Ask any average Juventus fan whether they are happy with Juventus’ summer transfer campaign, and they will respond with a resounding ‘no’.
Throughout the second half of last season, the Old Lady management promised some big signings, and in particular a top class centre midfielder. However, those who have eventually arrived have not really set the pulses racing.
The big money purchase was Brazilian striker Amauri, who joined from Palermo for a whopping €22.6m. The 27-year-old had impressed since joining the Rosanero from Chievo in 2006, but many feel that such a sum of money for a player who is unproven at the very top level was unnecessary, especially given the presence of Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alex Del Piero and David Trezeguet, the latter two being the top two scorers in Serie A last season.
Having failed in their pursuit of primary centre midfield targets Alberto Aquilani and Xabi Alonso, Juventus finally settled for Sevilla’s Christian Poulsen for €9.75m. The Dane, famous for his spitting incident with Francesco Totti at Euro 2004, will add extra muscle to the Juve midfield, but again he didn’t impress many supporters, who were anticipating a big name.
Other arrivals include defender Olof Mellberg, from Aston Villa on a free transfer, and Dario Knezevic on loan from Livorno, as well as goalkeepers Antonio Chimenti and Alex Manninger (both Udinese), and talented Swedish teenager Alnin Ekdal from Brommapojkarna.
Finally, three more young talents, Sebastian Giovinco, Claudio Marchisio and Paolo De Ceglie, all Under-21 internationals with big futures ahead of them, have returned from loan spells, and will be part of the first team squad this season.
A number of young prospects have left the club though, with Azzurrini captain Antonio Nocerino joining Palermo, as part of the Amauri deal, for €7.5m. Davide Lanzafame also moves to Sicily in a co-ownership deal, while Italy international Raffaele Palladino moves to Genoa in a similar arrangement, as does Rey Volpato to Bari.
Other notable departures are Guglielmo Stendardo, who moves back to Lazio after his six-month loan spell ended, and Almiron, who joins Fiorentina on a one-year loan. Previous deputy goalkeeper Emanuele Belardi, who has been replaced by Manninger, has left for Udinese.
Analysis And Prognosis
The main question that everyone will be asking is – can Juventus win the Scudetto this season? And just how well can they do in the Champions League?
Football is so unpredictable that this is never an easy question to answer. However, what is clear is that Juventus have a number of strengths and weaknesses, and if the former proves to outweigh the latter then there is a good chance of success.
On the positive side, Juventus have the best array of attackers in Italy, and one of the best in Europe. Del Piero and Trezeguet, despite their age, are guaranteed to score goals, and were first and second in the Capocannoniere charts last term. Then of course there is World Cup winner Iaquinta, new signing Amauri, and also Italy Under-21 sensation Sebastian Giovinco.
Juve also possess the world’s best goalkeeper in Gianluigi Buffon, who will always win you an extra 5-10 points a season, as well as other proven winners in Giorgio Chiellini and Mauro Camoranesi. The former has developed into possibly Italy’s best defender, and he was an absolute colossus during Euro 2008, famously keeping Fernando Torres and David Villa at bay in the Spain quarter final.
Other Bianconero strengths include their willpower and never-say-die attitude, while late injury time goals are always guaranteed.
As for weaknesses, there are two possible problems. First of all the defence looks suspect. With the exception of Chiellini, none of the back four inspires confidence, and indeed none would get into the Milan, Inter and Roma defences, or any of the big Champions League challengers. Chiellini recently suffered an injury that will rule him out for six-to-eight weeks. If the 24-year-old is forced to miss extended periods of the season, Juve’s chances of silverware will drop considerably.
Another issue is a possible lack of technical quality in the middle third. The midfield is built around the muscles of Poulsen and Momo Sissoko, who will offer defensive protection, but they are unlikely to provide much offensive quality. This is where Mauro Camoranesi becomes so important. The 31-year-old missed most of the first half of last season due to injury, but he played most of the second half, and Juve looked so much more menacing with him in the team. Camoranesi provides that bit of guile and creativity, but when he is missing Juve can appear rather predictable.
If Chiellini and Camoranesi can remain fit for most of season, then they have a great chance of challenging for the top honours, but this is a big ask given that there could be 50+ games to play.
It is also important to mention coach Claudio Ranieri, who is regarded as something of a ‘loser’, having never won a championship or major European trophy during his career. Could this count against Juventus? And what about the added pressure of the Champions League? Last season, Juve only had Serie A to worry about. This time they will be fighting on two fronts.
Prediction
Achievements: Title challenge and Champions League quarter final
Key Man: Gianluigi Buffon
One To Watch: Sebastian Giovinco
Coach: Claudio Ranieri
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico (27,500)
2007/08 Position: 3rd 2007/08
Record: P-38 W-20 D-12 L-6 GF-72 GA-37 Pts-72
Players In: Mellberg (Aston Villa), Giovinco (Empoli), Marchisio (Empoli), Amauri (Palermo), Ekdal (Brommapojkarna), De Ceglie (Siena), Knezevic (Livorno), Poulsen (Sevilla), Chimenti (Udinese), Manninger (Udinese)
Players Out: Nocerino (Palermo), Stendardo (Lazio), Volpato (Bari), Palladino (Genoa), Cuneaz (Mantova), Essabr (Vicenza), Del Prete (Siena), Olivera (Genoa), Almiron (Fiorentina), Belardi (Udinese)
Possible Line-Up: Buffon, Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro, Sissoko, Poulsen, Nedved, Camoranesi, Del Piero, Trezeguet.
