A couple of weeks ago, in my Serie A jubilation as the “theatre of human emotions” (it’s always good to quote yourself), I had described Del Piero as the Italian league’s tragic hero, lost in the nostalgia of old glory days, as Juventus drew 3-3 against Siena, 19th. So it was no surprise to see Juventus lose 3-1 against Napoli today. Diary of a downfall.
It all had started it out quite well. In a year of crisis, Juve opted for the in-house solution of keeping Ciro Ferrara, living legend of the club and open Lippi follower, as coach, after bringing the team to a Champion’s League spot in a desperate last-moment-move from the 2008-2009 season. The results were good and Juve presented itself as a strong pretender to Inter’s throne after its Serie B hiatus. Buffon was still incredible, Diego was given time, Melo was breaking legs, Amauri scored and when he didn’t, Del Piero came in to save the day with a free kick or two. Voila, that’s about it. For when Bayern came to traumatize a whole population 4-1 at the Delle Alpi and simultaneously send Juventus out of the Champion’s League within the group stages, fate turned sour. At the inverse of Leonardo’s crescendo path, Ferrara saw his team fall from second to fifth in the Serie A. By then, early 2010 that is, Buffon was injured, Melo became the fraud we all know he is and Del Piero came back in the starting line up. Ferrara left for Zaccheroni, a semi successful figure.
Famous for its grinta and indestructible defence, Juve have now lost all identity. And you don’t have to look very far to understand. Each game is approximately the same for the Bianconeri: obtain an early lead thanks to your old guard (Iaquinta, Amauri, Trezeguet or Del Piero are all interchangeable here), keep the score in your favour until the end of the first half and during the second, witness the collapse. From Grygera’s assists to the opponent’s strikers, through Cannavaro’s red cards, to goalkeepers’ mistakes, Juve systematically shoot themselves in the 22 feet present on the field. As a symbol, take their elimination from the miserable Europa League, where the Bianconeri weren’t able to preserve a two-goal advantage against the thenth of the Premier League. A scandal. Their usual 4-4-2 has given way to a confusing and inefficient 3-5-2 compromising their defensive solidity that had paved the way to International successes. And it’s not the five midfielders who will bring the goals needed. In fact, Juve struggle to get chances during games, limiting themselves to two or three per game, and if they score at all it is thanks to the realism/experience of their frontline. Add to that Melo’s and Zebina’s dazzling display of middle fingers to their own fans, and you’ve got a major case of “dying club”.
Because the trauma runs much deeper than the field performances (Word keeps on asking me to revise fragments, but I’ll use creativity as an excuse). Since the Calciopoli, where Juve’s then chairman Luciano Moggi was found guilty of fixing just about every game through his all mighty connections to referees and other officials, Juve’s face has changed. In a league where traditions and families are common currency, Jean-Claude Blanc’s nomination as new chairman produced tingles (and not the kind Megan Fox brings about). The multitask man, previously involved with tennis, automotive sports, cycling, and his suitcases seemed inappropriate for a club where the love and passion of classy, elegant football had been its triumphant recipe over numerous years (see: Gianni Agnelli, l’Avvocato). This is where Juventus’ face has changed. A crappy transfer agenda: the return of Cannavaro, the instant decision to buy Felipe Melo after the Confederations Cup, the obsession with Diego (now on the bench), selling Molinaro and Marchionni, two young Italian hopes now flourishing in other teams, all speak for themselves. The lingering and disrespectful decision to drag Ferrara into an Italian mess translate the inability of the Frenchman to cope with tense situations, gift of the utmost importance in a big European Club. Then nominating Zaccheroni and his fake tactics as coach… It might be clean, as opposed to Moggi’s methods, but it is in no way worthy of Juventus’ name (yes it’s easy to judge when you write, who knows how low the club would have gone with me in charge?) Jean Claude Blanc was even advised by his friend and UEFA president Michel Platini to surround himself with more people from the milieu in order to make the right decisions at the right time*. Smells lousy.
So what does the future hold for Juventus? Well, after many outcries and accusations, Blanc has been partnered up with Roberto Bettega, an ex-Juve player and 1982 World Cup winner. Most naturally, a very experienced man when it comes to the closed European football world. He has set some things back to normal, like cutting short any rumors of Buffon leaving this summer (whether true or not, a club of Juve’s standards doesn’t let his star player be subject to such rumours, just see Bayern and Ribery, Milan and Kaka, so on so forth) as a sign of renewed professionalism. Unfortunately for the players though, a big turnover in the squad is expected. With many end of contracts approaching (Iaquinta, Grosso, Camoranesi…) and other disappointments (do I need to do this again? Diego, Melo, Poulsen…), few are the players to have a registered ticket for next season. The team will probably rebuild itself around Chiellini, defence colossus, and Marchisio, Italian Gerrard to-be, the only two players who have lived up to expectations this season and often Bianconeri saviours too. Symbolically, both these players come directly from the Ranieri era, maybe the last competent man on the Juve bench, and disgracefully fired. Who knows how long it will be until we see Juve back on top? Do they only get what they deserve?
But not to worry too much, as for next season we will still be able to see Del Piero smoke keepers with deposited free kicks amidst maybe disastrous results, a joy that only Juventus can bring about.
TFO
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