I confess that I have difficulty understanding. Football in general, the analyzes that are made. Especially those that are not done. Italian football in Europe has once again made up for bad figures. The best thing of the season at a continental level was Atalanta’s performance, 30 seconds from the sensational victory against PSG packed with champions. Which in general always make a difference. Then there are the alleged “champions”, those inflated by the media and prosecutors and then the “awakening” is always abrupt. Do we want to say it? Italian football has lost its identity by dint of embarking brocchi of every color and nationality. It was a school, it isn’t anymore. We are looking for alibis for this or that coach, for this or that club, for this or that “top player” who then don’t even appear on the playstation.
Nobody talks about the elimination (11 against 10 for 80 minutes) of Juventus’ Primavera by Real Madrid. Nor of the same fate that Inter suffered against the blancos. If the youth sectors are limping there will never be a real turnover. Then you can try to stay at the top without having the (constantly disregarded) claim to win the Cups and Trophies. If you are not able to do more, go for the Ajax model.
Take note of the reality. It should be noted that Mancini’s work in the national team is complicated. Because the various Zaniolo, Barella, Tonali, Mancini are projects of players to be refined. And the various Chiesa, Belotti, Immobile, Bernardeschi, Romagnoli are mid-level players who (so far) have not kept what they promised. Only Donnarumma seems of a higher category. Mancini (Roberto) is good but I would be surprised if he could produce miracles.
I am writing this because Juventus and Inter’s season was disappointing, despite the Bianconeri’s ninth scudetto in a row. Worse than that of Inter “inflated” by the coachmen media but with zero titles, despite Antonio Conte. Napoli was consoled with the Italian Cup, but the season, troubled by the dismissal of Ancelotti and the “revolt” of the team, was not equal to the investments. Lazio did better, winning in the SuperCoppa and certainly penalized in its race towards the Scudetto by the interruption of the pandemic. Rome: new disappointment. Not to mention Milan. The only exception, Atalanta: definitely above all expectations.
Pretending that this didn’t happen is quite unique. Like the countless alibis offered to Maurizio Sarri for an “indecent” season in terms of play. I speak of the game of nothing else. I’m talking about what we saw on the pitch. Not even Inter did shine in terms of play, despite appearing overall more solid than the champions. Appearance? Yes, since Conte’s celebrated defense was made by an expert, productive De Jong, but certainly not a champion.
It is in this context that the choice of Andrea Pirlo, a coach with zero kilometers on the bench, fosters the hope of a good news. For Juve and for Italian football.
It will not be easy. The economic situation of Juve does not allow (and perhaps for one / two seasons will not allow) fancy flights. You will do it with what you have at home, adjusting the ways and timing. Adjusting the management. There is no shortage of hitches: Khedira and Higuain’s heavy contracts weighing on the budget. Players out of the project who don’t want to hear the word termination. It seems that even Sarri does not hear us from this ear. But his is a position, at least it seems to me, it’s different. There is the pride of a discharged man who still has a two-year contract. But not finding a solution with Juventus would be a bad thing: for Juve, but also for him. It would be reasonable for everyone to find the square of the circle: a Sarri paid and out of the loop for two seasons I don’t see him. But the man has great pride: he will not give in easily.
I have no certain market news. Those who say they have them are exaggerating. Dzeko? Sure, but for a season, maximum two. Rather: excuse me President Agnelli if I insist. Gravenberch, second goal in two friendly matches. Today he is a manageable player. Tomorrow it may be out of range. There are no great resources. But someone like the Dutch can “do”. Or does Pirlo not like the young man?
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