Juventus: New Season, New Look.
After failing to qualify for UEFA Champions League for two successive seasons,the most coveted Italian team lies is in shackles. However, the club moving into their new stadium brings hope for the “Juve tasci”.
This summer, Juventus have been very busy in the transfer mercato. So far a fee of over 70 million Euros is estimated to be spent on adding reinforcement to the squad.
Manager
Antonio Conte has been appointed as the manager of Juventus for the forthcoming season. Juventus have had a spree of unsuccessful managers since they got promoted back into the Serie-A. After a shambolic season, the board decided to look for a new manager. The “Il Capitano” returned to the club,a well known legend was picked by the board as the gaffer for the upcoming season. Conte portrays an attacking style.The former Siena manager normally uses a 4-2-4(offensive 4-4-2) or a 4-3-3 formation.
Antonio Conte with Andrea Agnelli.
Defence
The main flaw with the Juventus team in the past few seasons was the lack of quality fullbacks. The likes of Zebina and Grosso were far from being convincing in the fullback position. Beppe Marotta and Antonio Conte have added quality players in these positions for Juventus.
Reto Ziegler was a free agent since Sampdoria were relegated. Ziegler joint Juventus on a free transfer. Ziegler is two footed and can play on both the flanks, although he specialises at left back. He’s been very impressive with Sampdoria for a couple of seasons. It is yet to be seen, if Conte chooses Ziegler to injury prone Paolo De Ceglie at left back.
Stephan Lichtsteiner joined Juventus for a fee of 10 M€ from Lazio. He is one of the best right backs in Italy at present. After having a successful season with Lazio, he decided to move to the “Black and White”. Lichtsteiner with Krasic provides a deadly combination on the right flank. The lack of over-lapping runs of fullbacks in these areas for a few seasons is now completed.
Frederik Sørensen was fairly impressive last season. He is very young and talented. Naturally a centre back, he was frequently used as a right back last season. Sorensen was initially a loan deal, now made permanent for a fee of 0.5 M€ transferred from Lyngby.
Marco Motta was very inconsistent with Juventus last seasons. Initailly regarded as one of the hot prospects for the future, the former Roma man was very poor last season. Although, Juventus seem to have kept faith in him and make his loan deal a permanent one. Udinese agreed for a fee of 3.75 M€.
The Swiss guards Lichtsteiner and Ziegler are undoubtedly quality signings. Sorensen is definitely a decent signing considering the fee involved to be low and despite being young he showed glimpses of brilliance last season. However, the signing of Marco Motta seems to have raised the eyebrows of many Juventinos.
The Swiss duo-Lichtsteiner and Ziegler.
Midfield
The era established by the likes of Nedved and Cameronesi has ended. In the past few seasons Juventus have experimented by splashing huge amounts on Diego and failed miserably. The quality of midfield in the past couple of seasons has been
mediocre. Players like Sissoko and Tiago Mendes were very poor and earned the name “mercenaries” by the fans. Juventus have although offloaded the mediocrity in midfield and added immense quality.
Claudio Marchisio renewed his contract with Juventus,this summer. Marchisio is one of the future stars of the La-Nazionale. On being one of the best players in the Azzurri’s Toulon winning tournament in ’08, he is a very gifted player. Although, being played out of position throughout last season, he showed glimpses of the magical skill he possessed. Clearly, he will be employed in the centre of the midfield by Conte. A mutual understanding between Marchisio and Juventus will definitely help both of them in the long run. This season definitely looks as the season Marchisio will set a stage in Italy.
Andrea Pirlo, the “Maestro” was one of the early signings Juventus made in this summer mercato. After a mediocre season under Leonardo and an injury hit season under Allegri, Pirlo’s future with Milan was doubtful. Juventus bought him on a free transfer.Even at his age, Pirlo does possess an immense technique and skill. Pirlo has been a focal point of the Italian National Team’s success always. He does come with a reputation tag that helps to boost the confidence in the Juventus squad. However, owing to defensive lapses Conte will have to make sure Pirlo is covered well defensively. The success of Juventus this season pretty much depends on Pirlo’s consistency. He has been brilliant in his pre-season games for Juventus and the summer friendlies for the Italian National Team.
Arturo Vidal looks to be the best buy of the season. Juventus decided to splash a fee of 10.5 M€ on the Chile midfielder. Under the eyes of powerhouses like Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Arsenal, Juventus bought Vidal from Leverkusen. It looks out to be the steal of the mercato.Vidal has been one of the best players for Leverkusen and Bundesliga last season, helping them to finish as runners up. He was an influential player for Chile. He is a brilliant centre midfielder who does possess versatility to play anywhere in midfield. He can also play in the fullback position. Vidal has lots of work rate and a channeled vision. He is a very sensible player whose shooting is magnificent. This is what Juventus needed a couple of years back. It is quite intriguing to know the area where Conte will employ Vidal.
Simone Pepe was one of Luigi Del Neri’s signings last year. He was brought on loan from Udinese. He is a very versatile midfielder who does possess immense work rate. After a poor season, Juventus have kept faith in him and made his loan deal a permanent move. A fee of 7.5 M€ was spent to bring Pepe from Udinese. By the looks of it,he will be back up to Krasic.
Michele Pazienza was a free transfer,bought from Napoli. A very good defensive midfielder, a game breaker rather.He has a good vision and plays a sensible game. One of the earlier signings Juventus made, he will be used as a back up.After a successful season with Napoli, he decided to give up Champions League football to join Juventus. The arrival of him led to the departure of Tiago Mendes and Mohammed Sissoko.
The renewal of Marchisio was completely justified. The signings of Pirlo and Vidal were brilliant as well. Pazienza’s signing is fairly impressive as well. Although, the fee spent on buying Pepe shows signs of desperation.Pepe was certainly an unnecessary signing considering the fee involved as well.
Vidal makes his mark by scoring a 35 yarder in the Trofeo TIM Cup against Milan
Attack
The front line of Juventus has been disappointing in the few seasons. Although, last season Quagliarella and Matri were good in their respective half season, in their absence the team struggled. Lack of pace up front was generally the problem.The presence of high salaried Amauri and injury prone Iaquinta has proved the frontline of Juventus is also very mediocre.
Alessandro Del Piero renewed his contract with Juventus for another year.The talismanic striker wishes to play till his age is 40. At 36 now, he is still very good.As referred by the Juventinos he was the “first signing” of Juventus this mercato. He is one of the lowest paid players in Juventus presently. He is a symbol of Juventus and the Italian Serie-A. It would definitely be very depressing not to have see him being a part of a Juventus side that have moved to their new stadium. Will this be his last year?
Alessandro Matri was instrumental in the second half of last season with Juventus. Scoring 9 goals and providing a few assists in his 16 games with Juventus last time around, he rightfully earned a cap for Italy and scored as well against Ukraine. Juventus decided to keep faith in him and make his loan deal permanent. A fee of 15.5 M€, payable in 4 years took him from Cagliari to Juventus. He is a player, who at times gives glimpses of the evergreen “Trezegol”. He is a classic poacher and very good in the air. A good signing, indeed.
Fabio Quagliarella suffered a career threatening knee injury against Parma last season that would keep him out of action for about 6 months. In his 17 appearances for Juventus, he scored 9 goals. Juventus have redeemed their faith in him and decided to make his loan deal permanent as well. A fee of 10.5 M€ was paid to Napoli to bring him to Juventus. He does possess great technique and skill with immense workrate.
Mirko Vu?ini? was bought from Roma after paying a fee of 15M€ . On losing out Aguero and Rossi,”The Black & White” decided to splash their money on the Montenegro striker. The vacant left flank is now occupied by Vucinic. He is a very versatile player who can play anywhere up front. A gifted player, who on his day will be of great service to the team while otherwise he can be the reason for his team’s failure. It is definitely a step down considering bowing out to Rossi or Aguro, but Vucinic comes for a comparatively lesser fee and loads of Serie-A experience in his bag.
Vucinic signs for Juventus
Matri and Vucinic were quality signings. Quagliarella is a decent signing, nevertheless. The renewal of faith in Del Piero was a good decision. The attack now comprises of Matri, Quagliarella,Vucinic, Amauri, Iaquinta, Toni and Del Piero. Amauri and Iaquinta will definitely move out of Juventus this mercato.
Juventus have spent over 70M€ this mercato.A couple of more signings would definitely be done. The perfect partner of Chiellini is still in pursuit. The likes of Lugano and Alex are linked to Juventus. A left midfielder is required as well.Vargas is also strongly linked to Juventus. Should Conte not go for a left midfielder, Pasquato will be tipped to start there or he will be back up to the one making his way in.
As a passionate football lover, the sight of Buffon-Pirlo-Del Piero playing for Juventus does excite me.