Hello again Soccer Maniacs!! I feel that in this otherwise dismal season for the Bianconeri, its only right that we take a moment to pause for the Old Lady, also known as the perennial power house we call Juventus. Formerly giants in all aspects of soccer, Juve has boasted Champion’s league titles, Serie A dominance, and a tradition of winning that keeps its faithful holding on in turbulent times such as these. This season has seen line up shifts and glimmers of success followed by seemingly endless streaks of failure. I believe it’s a pretty safe bet to say that it’s a wrap on this season. Perhaps with a bit of heart, Juve could salvage a birth in the Euro’s, but the way things are going right now, its not looking good. What happened??? How did Juve get here? With 41 points thus far this season, Juve currently sit in 7th place, somewhere in the middle of the Serie A, confused and without a strong enough identity this season to do much more than wonder what went wrong. They have been consistently inconsistent with strong victories against the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Lazio. But head scratching losses against such teams as Parma, Lecce, and Bologna have the Bianconeri faithful frustrated.
A strong finish to the end of the season could see the Old Lady rise to somewhere around fourth(possibly) but in my estimation, not much farther. Coach Luigi Del Neri has brought in the traditional 4-4-2 formation this season, but has seen consistent changes in the striker position. Juve has maintained a solid midfield and defense that has been pretty consistent but lacks the star quality and finishing expertise that is necessary to adequately compete at this level. The return from injury of goal keeper Gianluigi Buffon , regarded as one of the best in the world, bolstered the defense but the tremendous lack of goal scoring has all but reduced the club to what it has become this season: a middle tier team in the Serie A.
Consider that Juve currently has a record of 11-8-8 (wins, draws, losses). In its eleven wins this season, Juve posted a 1-0 victory once. Four times they scored twice in a victory, and the remaining six victories were split as Juve scored three goals and four goals. In its wins this season, Juve has averaged 2.7 goals per contest, with a total of 30 goals scored in 11 wins. On the other hand, in its 16 other contests in which they failed to claim victory; Juve has averaged 0.69 goals, scoring only 11 goals through 16 contests. Of those 16 contests, only once have they scored more than one goal. Simply put, you cannot win or hope to be successful without scoring goals in soccer.
So what must happen for Juve to return to form? Solidify the striker position and bring in a play-making talent in the midfield that poses a serious offensive threat! Last season, under coach now former Roma coach Claudio Ranieri, Juve boasted the striking talents of the legendary world class striker David Trezeguet, with Alesandro Del Piero. This striking combination amassed 41 goals in the 2008-2009 season. Trezeguet for some reason was dealt away to La Liga new comer Hercules. He currently has 10 goals and leads his team in scoring this season!!
Trezeguet with Hercules
Winger Sebastian Giovinco, who is on loan at Parma, brought speed and attacking midfielder Diego who currently plays for Wolfsburg brought creative playmaking. While they never quite meshed together to form the championship caliber team hoped for, they were always a threat to score goals. The remaining strikers from last year’s offense are Del Piero, and Vincenzo Iaquinta who have combined to score ten goals in all season play. This includes tournament play as well as regular season. UNACCEPTABLE!!!!
Del Piero
Milos Krasic was a great off season acquisition for the Bianconeri. It seems that all of the offense flows through him as he brings pace and an attacking mentality to the team. With his speed on the outside, he is able to deliver quality crosses into the box that have led the bulk of the goals scored. Other than set plays and corners, Juve’s offense has been virtually non-existent. The lack of quality at the striker position was noticed by the front office and they took action, bringing in Italian National Team striker Fabio Quagliarella. He provided the quality at striker that gave some midseason hope, but alas his season is over after tests revealed he has torn a cruciate knee ligament. Also acquired was striker Allesandro Matri who is proving to be a talent, but not quite the threat that say a Carlos Tevez provides, or the wonderous touches of a David Villa to provide the quantity or quality goals needed. Luca Toni? Why I wonder. He like Del Piero has seen his best days….
Juve would do well to pursue Kaka from Real Madrid who is struggling to maintain a starting position. He would bring the type of attacking midfield play that Juve currently lacks. Combined with gladiators Filepe Melo and Momo Sissoko this could be a dangerous combination. Additionally, they could use an upgrade at striker still. Despite the midseason upgrades, I’m sorry to say that Del Piero MUST GO!!! He has had a wonderful career for Juve, but at 36 years old, he has lost the pace and the magic that made him so wonderous during his career. The right thing to do is to let him go. Throw a great retirement party. Send him out with a bang. If only Juve could bring him in for free kicks (at which he is a master)!!! But lately, passing to Del P has been like passing to a black hole. He lacks the pace, and is usually stripped of the ball or takes some sort of outlandish shot which results in a goal kick…. Face it Juve: WORLD CLASS STRIKER NEEDED. This week, Del Piero is expected to sign a contract extension for next season. With limited roster space and a sore need for more goals, an extension for Del Piero can only mean the Old Lady will continue to sing the blues…..
-PHANTOM WOLF.
So what do you think? Posted comments are appreciated as always and
HAPPY MARCH MANIACS!!!!
HAPPY MARCH MANIACS!!!!
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