Due to the International Break I was going to skip this weeks installment, but then I watched Italy's two games and thought, "Hey, same team different kit", so figured I'd write my usual column anyways. A story of heads, shoulders, knees, and erm...wasps.
The first "story" to break this week basically ended before it began.
Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro reportedly failed a drugs test. As more and more details emerged, it basically became a non-story. Everyone knew he'd fail the test, as he was given a cortisone-based shot to treat a wasp sting.
With the substance being banned, the club's doctors lodged the incident with the National Team medical staff. This was an error as they should have reported it to the FIGC. This resulted in the FA clearing the player, but expect the club to be punished financially sometime soon.
The next story was far more important to fans of the Bianconeri.
Claudio Marchisio has undergone surgery to repair a small tear in his right meniscus. This will leave him sidelined until around the middle of November. With must-win games against Fiorentina in the league and two vital Champions League games, Juve must hope that they can gain positive results without a player who has fast become the heart-beat of the side.
Just as fans came to terms with this latest injury, Gigi Buffon revealed a similar issue with his own knees. The talismanic keeper seemed confident, however, of managing the injury until after the Inter game in December.
This would give him the winter break to recover, meaning no important games would be missed. Many Bianconeri, myself included, pray he is right. That's not to say Alex Manninger isn't a very good keeper in his own right, just that he, like most, isn't Buffon.
Finally, after the longest of weeks, a game took place. The team fielded by Lippi in Ireland contained six Juventus players: Buffon, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso, Camoranesi, and Iaquinta. Their experience and familiarity being vital in the deciding game.
Buffon, Chiellini, and Grosso played in the same form as they have done for Juventus recently. Buffon was excellent and shoulders no blame for either goal. Chiellini was solid as ever, and Grosso was assured in defence while providing an outlet going forward.
Sadly, Legrottaglie was lacking the same form, conceding too many needless fouls including the one leading to the first goal. If Cannavaro cements his place alongside Chiellini in domestic football, Lippi will have no option but to look elsewhere when selecting his squads in future.
Camoranesi will have done his chances of going to South Africa no harm with a great display of attacking football. One of Italy's better players on the night, he took his chance well, powering a header past Given for the first equaliser.
Vincenzo Iaquinta also played well, despite a pretty poor first half.
After the break, he was unlucky to have a goal ruled out for off-side, but he worked away, finally coming up with the pass to set up the equaliser for Gilardino.
With those goals securing the Azzurri's place at the top of the group and guaranteeing qualification, it was no surprise Lippi chose to rotate the team for the Cyprus game. What was a surprise was how far that rotation went, and the crowds reaction to the performance.
The team selection was a completely different XI, meaning only Gila kept his place, and scored a remarkable hat-trick to secure victory, and worry Juve fans when they face his Fiorentina this weekend.
The only Juve player to feature was Cannavaro, who was returning from suspension. He put in a below-par performance, which showed the lack of games he's played this season. This too is a worry for Juventus, as Legrottaglie's poor form means a difficult choice for Ferrara come Saturday evening.
Another interesting aspect to Saturday's huge matchup is Felipe Melo and the money la Viola got for him.
The player was vital to Fiorentina's run to fourth last season, his form tempting Juve to part with almost £20 million for him. The intrigue comes with the fact that a large part of the money was given back to Juve for Zanetti and Marchionni. Add in returns to former clubs for Mutu, Chiellini and Prandelli, and a storied rivalry grows ever deeper.
All eyes will be on this game, with Juve winless in four games.
Let's hope Ferrara can restore some of the early season magic and provide another night to remember in Turin.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Monday, 31 August 2009
Roma v Juventus: In Review
Juventus headed to the capital for week two, a tough test away to Roma before the International break. After Inter’s emphatic 4-0 mauling of Milan in the Derby, it was important Ciro Ferrara and his team answered with another good performance.
A typically loud and passionate crowd packed the sold out Olympico, hoping to see the Giallorossi respond following the opening day loss to Genoa. Julio Sergio, Mexes and Simone Perrotta came into the line-up for Roma. Juve made just two changes, Poulsen dropping to the bench to give Felipe Melo his debut after suspension, with Paolo De Ceglie replacing the injured Hasan Salihamizic.
Juventus started quickly, just as last week against Chievo, with Amauri and Tiago coming close to opening the scoring. The partnership of Amauri and Iaquinta looked in fine form, causing panic in the Roma defence almost every time one had the ball, the big Brazilian in particular looking dangerous. The constant barrage of attack made Roma look like the away team, a major accomplishment in one of European Footballs last real cauldrons.
The uncertainty in the Giallorossi backline finally brought the opening goal. Cassetti panicking on halfway, the ball stuck between his feet, Diego stole the ball and ran deep into the penalty area before cooly stroking past Julio with the outside of his right foot. A great slalom run and finish, bringing to mind numerous goals by another player of the same name!
Prior to the game Coach Ciro Ferrara instructed his team to be on their guard at set-pieces, as Roma have developed a habit of taking them quickly. His warning went unheeded, as immediately following the opener, the scores were levelled in spectacular fashion by Daniele De Rossi. A foul inside the Juve half gave them a free kick, a short pass to De Rossi and he unleashed a terrific shot past a stunned Gigi Buffon. Melo and Tiago too busy arguing with the official to notice the kick had been taken, Buffon was still trying to organise the defence.
Diego continued to torment Roma with his running and vision, one pass forcing Julio into a great save to claw an Amauri header off the line. The home side resorted to fouling Diego, bringing him down a number of times. One such foul from Perotta saw the two go nose to nose, the Brazilian visibly angry at his treatment. This seemed to take Juve’s new maestro out of the game for a while, letting Roma gain a foothold at last. They were unfortunate to go into halftime level, Jeremy Menez sending the totally unmarked Totti through on goal. Totti against Buffon in the one-on-one situation, a certain goal for Roma, but the worlds best keeper stuck out a hand to make a fantastic save.
Juve started the second half just like the first, taking the game to Roma. Amauri forced a save out of Julio Sergio at the near post, Iaquinta pounced on a defensive error to charge into the box, the finish was deflected over the bar by Riise's slide. Camoranesi replaced the injured Marchisio, but still Juve dominated. Julio Sergio parried another Amauri header, and the Bianconeri finally managed to break through moments later with Diego's second of the game. He was sent through by a great Iaquinta backheel, then turned Mexes inside out on the edge of the area and thumped a low, hard shot into the far corner. Sensing that was going to be enough the Juve players poured off the pitch and celebrated under their fans in the curva, Melo in particular enjoying himself!
Roma fought bravely for an equaliser, Vucinic and Menez coming close. Legrottaglie came on as Juve tried to hold them off but Totti drove a low left-foot shot past Buffon, but it cracked the base of the post. Ferrara took more action, Diego making way for Christian Poulsen. Five minutes of stoppage time seemed to last an age as Roma still lay
siege to Buffon’s goal but Melo settled the finally sealed the win on the counter, marking
his official debut with a well-taken goal, running from the centre circle to finish low past Julio Sergio from outside the area with his left foot.
Six points from six then, and the first fixture after the break being Lazio away. Juve looked at home in the capital, so lets hope for the same result in two weeks time!
Juventus Ratings
Buffon 6.5, Grygera 6, Cannavaro 5.5, Chiellini 6.5, De Ceglie 6 (Legrottaglie 5);
Tiago 5, Felipe Melo 7, Marchisio 6.5 (Camoranesi 6); Diego 8 (Poulsen 85);
Iaquinta 6, Amauri 7.5
A typically loud and passionate crowd packed the sold out Olympico, hoping to see the Giallorossi respond following the opening day loss to Genoa. Julio Sergio, Mexes and Simone Perrotta came into the line-up for Roma. Juve made just two changes, Poulsen dropping to the bench to give Felipe Melo his debut after suspension, with Paolo De Ceglie replacing the injured Hasan Salihamizic.
Juventus started quickly, just as last week against Chievo, with Amauri and Tiago coming close to opening the scoring. The partnership of Amauri and Iaquinta looked in fine form, causing panic in the Roma defence almost every time one had the ball, the big Brazilian in particular looking dangerous. The constant barrage of attack made Roma look like the away team, a major accomplishment in one of European Footballs last real cauldrons.
The uncertainty in the Giallorossi backline finally brought the opening goal. Cassetti panicking on halfway, the ball stuck between his feet, Diego stole the ball and ran deep into the penalty area before cooly stroking past Julio with the outside of his right foot. A great slalom run and finish, bringing to mind numerous goals by another player of the same name!
Prior to the game Coach Ciro Ferrara instructed his team to be on their guard at set-pieces, as Roma have developed a habit of taking them quickly. His warning went unheeded, as immediately following the opener, the scores were levelled in spectacular fashion by Daniele De Rossi. A foul inside the Juve half gave them a free kick, a short pass to De Rossi and he unleashed a terrific shot past a stunned Gigi Buffon. Melo and Tiago too busy arguing with the official to notice the kick had been taken, Buffon was still trying to organise the defence.
Diego continued to torment Roma with his running and vision, one pass forcing Julio into a great save to claw an Amauri header off the line. The home side resorted to fouling Diego, bringing him down a number of times. One such foul from Perotta saw the two go nose to nose, the Brazilian visibly angry at his treatment. This seemed to take Juve’s new maestro out of the game for a while, letting Roma gain a foothold at last. They were unfortunate to go into halftime level, Jeremy Menez sending the totally unmarked Totti through on goal. Totti against Buffon in the one-on-one situation, a certain goal for Roma, but the worlds best keeper stuck out a hand to make a fantastic save.
Juve started the second half just like the first, taking the game to Roma. Amauri forced a save out of Julio Sergio at the near post, Iaquinta pounced on a defensive error to charge into the box, the finish was deflected over the bar by Riise's slide. Camoranesi replaced the injured Marchisio, but still Juve dominated. Julio Sergio parried another Amauri header, and the Bianconeri finally managed to break through moments later with Diego's second of the game. He was sent through by a great Iaquinta backheel, then turned Mexes inside out on the edge of the area and thumped a low, hard shot into the far corner. Sensing that was going to be enough the Juve players poured off the pitch and celebrated under their fans in the curva, Melo in particular enjoying himself!
Roma fought bravely for an equaliser, Vucinic and Menez coming close. Legrottaglie came on as Juve tried to hold them off but Totti drove a low left-foot shot past Buffon, but it cracked the base of the post. Ferrara took more action, Diego making way for Christian Poulsen. Five minutes of stoppage time seemed to last an age as Roma still lay
siege to Buffon’s goal but Melo settled the finally sealed the win on the counter, marking
his official debut with a well-taken goal, running from the centre circle to finish low past Julio Sergio from outside the area with his left foot.
Six points from six then, and the first fixture after the break being Lazio away. Juve looked at home in the capital, so lets hope for the same result in two weeks time!
Juventus Ratings
Buffon 6.5, Grygera 6, Cannavaro 5.5, Chiellini 6.5, De Ceglie 6 (Legrottaglie 5);
Tiago 5, Felipe Melo 7, Marchisio 6.5 (Camoranesi 6); Diego 8 (Poulsen 85);
Iaquinta 6, Amauri 7.5
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
In review: Week One
So, the talking is over, its time to put up or shut up. After a summer of debate, transfers, petty squabbles and the usual hirings and firings, the season is finally underway. The first weekend of Serie A gave us a few hints as to what the season may hold for a number of clubs.
The undoubted surprise of the opening weekend came at the San Siro, Milan. Inter were hosting newly promoted Bari. In the build to to their first game, coach Jose Mourinho was finding new targets all week, aiming to build his usual siege mentality. He started off with Lippi's prediction that Juve would beat Inter to the title and his need for a trequartista, and ended, bizarrely with a rant about Islam, Cambiasso's injury and the lack of a trequartista.
The game was a battle from the off, Bari pulling Inter's defence all over the pitch, and they were fortunate to scrape a draw in the end. Inter took the lead thanks to a very generous penalty, which Eto'o looked almost embarrassed to take.
Cambiasso's absence was a huge miss to them, his character and will to win vital to the champions. Taking Sulley Muntari off after 29 minutes seemed extreme, as did blaming the Muslim player's observance of Ramadan, when he was clearly seen drinking while sat on the bench. The trequartista issue seems to have become essential to Mourinho, although finding one is proving difficult, with Cassano seemingly off limits and Sneijder changing his mind as often as Jose is on TV.
Across town, something off a renaisance seems to have hit Milan. A dire preseason of losses, both on and off the field, seemed to point to a season of turmoil and trouble. An impressive performance against Siena will calm the waters, as will assured performances from Thiago, Pato, and most importantly, Ronaldinho. Creating both goals, the former world player of the year looked every inch (and a few more around the middle!) his old self.
While Inter won't give Milan the space a hapless Siena did, the Derby this weekend looks a lot more interesting than it did two weeks ago.
Licking their lips at the prospect of a struggling Inter, Ciro Ferrara's new look Juve jumped into life at home to Chievo. Racing out of the blocks from the first whistle, they continued running until the tough preseason regime took its toll in the second half. Before visibly tiring however, the Old Lady put in a great performance, debutant Diego at the heart of everything going forward, while Cannavaro looked solid in defence.
A well executed set piece led to Iaquinta's header, with Chievo fortunate not to lose much more heavily. The Veronese did create a few chances, but Juventus had enough to hold them off comfortably. The likely addition of Fabio Grosso should provide the one thing lacking from this game, width.
Palermo, Napoli, Genoa, and Roma served up two entertaining games. All four had plenty of chances to win, with Palermo and Genoa holding onto three precious points. The first week had plenty of excitement everywhere you looked.
Every game in Serie A had goals, Inter didn't win, Milan did. Juve were, well, Juve. Genoa are top. Roma, Inter, and Fiorentina are all in the bottom half. The unpredictable, always entertaining, never dull Serie A season has begun!
This time next week the squads will be completed and the European Group stages will be drawn. With the Milan derby and Roma versus Juventus, we should have a much clearer idea of what the season may bring.
The undoubted surprise of the opening weekend came at the San Siro, Milan. Inter were hosting newly promoted Bari. In the build to to their first game, coach Jose Mourinho was finding new targets all week, aiming to build his usual siege mentality. He started off with Lippi's prediction that Juve would beat Inter to the title and his need for a trequartista, and ended, bizarrely with a rant about Islam, Cambiasso's injury and the lack of a trequartista.
The game was a battle from the off, Bari pulling Inter's defence all over the pitch, and they were fortunate to scrape a draw in the end. Inter took the lead thanks to a very generous penalty, which Eto'o looked almost embarrassed to take.
Cambiasso's absence was a huge miss to them, his character and will to win vital to the champions. Taking Sulley Muntari off after 29 minutes seemed extreme, as did blaming the Muslim player's observance of Ramadan, when he was clearly seen drinking while sat on the bench. The trequartista issue seems to have become essential to Mourinho, although finding one is proving difficult, with Cassano seemingly off limits and Sneijder changing his mind as often as Jose is on TV.
Across town, something off a renaisance seems to have hit Milan. A dire preseason of losses, both on and off the field, seemed to point to a season of turmoil and trouble. An impressive performance against Siena will calm the waters, as will assured performances from Thiago, Pato, and most importantly, Ronaldinho. Creating both goals, the former world player of the year looked every inch (and a few more around the middle!) his old self.
While Inter won't give Milan the space a hapless Siena did, the Derby this weekend looks a lot more interesting than it did two weeks ago.
Licking their lips at the prospect of a struggling Inter, Ciro Ferrara's new look Juve jumped into life at home to Chievo. Racing out of the blocks from the first whistle, they continued running until the tough preseason regime took its toll in the second half. Before visibly tiring however, the Old Lady put in a great performance, debutant Diego at the heart of everything going forward, while Cannavaro looked solid in defence.
A well executed set piece led to Iaquinta's header, with Chievo fortunate not to lose much more heavily. The Veronese did create a few chances, but Juventus had enough to hold them off comfortably. The likely addition of Fabio Grosso should provide the one thing lacking from this game, width.
Palermo, Napoli, Genoa, and Roma served up two entertaining games. All four had plenty of chances to win, with Palermo and Genoa holding onto three precious points. The first week had plenty of excitement everywhere you looked.
Every game in Serie A had goals, Inter didn't win, Milan did. Juve were, well, Juve. Genoa are top. Roma, Inter, and Fiorentina are all in the bottom half. The unpredictable, always entertaining, never dull Serie A season has begun!
This time next week the squads will be completed and the European Group stages will be drawn. With the Milan derby and Roma versus Juventus, we should have a much clearer idea of what the season may bring.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Juvenus v Chievo: In Review
Week One in Serie A saw Chievo travel to Juventus, where new coach Ciro Ferrara was looking to inspire his revamped squad to getting a good start following Inter's home draw with new boys Bari.
Juventus started this match with a number of selection problems. Ferrara decided not to risk his captain, Alessandro Del Piero, resting him from the squad to protect his bad back. Amauri partnered Iaquinta in attack, ahead of debutant Diego. In goal, Buffon, protected by Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini and Salihamizic, selected ahead of Molinaro. Tiago was in midfield, flanked by Poulsen and Marchisio due to Sissoko's injury and Melo's suspension.
Juventus came flying out of the blocks, with Chiellini going close with a shot early on. Diego was at the heart of everything Juventus did going forward, and was assisted ably by the rehabilitated Tiago, the Portuguse looking assured in possession and determined to repay the faith shown in him by Ciro Ferrara.
After a number of fouls on Diego, a free kick swung in from the wing was met by Iaquinta, who's excellent header nestled in the far corner of the net, 1-0 Juve.
Pinzi and Pellisier went close for Chievo, before Iaquinta brought a great save from Sorrentino at the other end, after some excellent work down the right by Amauri. A good cross from Diego was then headed over by Chiellini.
The pace of the game dropped towards halftime, as both teams became eager for the whistle. Salihamizic picked up a knock in a challenge and was replaced by Paolo De Ceglie as the second half began.
Early on the second half was much slower tempo than the first, as both teams searched for an advantage, before Pellisier went close. That seemed to stir Juventus back into action, Diego again driving them forward, playing in Amauri who was unfortunate to see his attempt come off the post.
Diego was next to come close, chesting down after some scrappy play, his volley rising just over the bar, much to the relief of the stranded Sorrentino. Another lull in play brought cries of "Pavel, Pavel Nedved, Nedved" from the bianconeri faithful. The man in the Czech's old number 11 responded by blazing a shot way over the bar.
Primavera squad player Luca Marrone was then brought on for the impressive Tiago, in an amazing show of faith from rookie Juve coach Ferrara. Sebastian Giovinco and Martin Careces will hope to benefit from that faith in games to come. Juventus continued to work hard, pressing Chievo all over the pitch, perhaps trying to force an error their best way of securing a second goal.
Camoranesi came on for Diego on 88 minutes and the diminutive Brazilian can be very happy with his debut, impressive, full of the running and creativity sadly missing last term. The game was fizzling out by this point, a great cross from Luciano just evading Pellisier and providing a heart stopping moment for the Juve defence.
Juventus held on, Chievo's stubborn effort will cause teams problems this season, but Juve always seemed to have a couple of gears left in reserve. Those will be needed in the coming weeks, but overall Ferrara's man can be pleased with their first weeks work in Serie A.
Ferrara himself will have learnt plenty about his team today. His positives will be the clean sheet, his well functioning midfield and a seemingly faultless debut from Diego. The fullback issue now seems the biggest concern, with Grygera and Salihamizic failing to provide the width, an essential part of the new 4-3-1-2 formation.
So, with three points in the bag its onto the next game, where the Giallorossi will provide a much sterner test. Here's hoping Juventus have another good performance in the capital.
Juventus Ratings
Buffon 6, Grygera 5.5, Cannavaro 6, Chiellini 6.5, Salihamizic 6 (sub 46 De Ceglie 6), Poulsen 6.5, Tiago 7 (sub 75 Marrone 5.5), Marchisio 6, Diego 7.5 (sub 88 Camoranesi), Amauri 7, Iaquinta 7.
Juventus started this match with a number of selection problems. Ferrara decided not to risk his captain, Alessandro Del Piero, resting him from the squad to protect his bad back. Amauri partnered Iaquinta in attack, ahead of debutant Diego. In goal, Buffon, protected by Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini and Salihamizic, selected ahead of Molinaro. Tiago was in midfield, flanked by Poulsen and Marchisio due to Sissoko's injury and Melo's suspension.
Juventus came flying out of the blocks, with Chiellini going close with a shot early on. Diego was at the heart of everything Juventus did going forward, and was assisted ably by the rehabilitated Tiago, the Portuguse looking assured in possession and determined to repay the faith shown in him by Ciro Ferrara.
After a number of fouls on Diego, a free kick swung in from the wing was met by Iaquinta, who's excellent header nestled in the far corner of the net, 1-0 Juve.
Pinzi and Pellisier went close for Chievo, before Iaquinta brought a great save from Sorrentino at the other end, after some excellent work down the right by Amauri. A good cross from Diego was then headed over by Chiellini.
The pace of the game dropped towards halftime, as both teams became eager for the whistle. Salihamizic picked up a knock in a challenge and was replaced by Paolo De Ceglie as the second half began.
Early on the second half was much slower tempo than the first, as both teams searched for an advantage, before Pellisier went close. That seemed to stir Juventus back into action, Diego again driving them forward, playing in Amauri who was unfortunate to see his attempt come off the post.
Diego was next to come close, chesting down after some scrappy play, his volley rising just over the bar, much to the relief of the stranded Sorrentino. Another lull in play brought cries of "Pavel, Pavel Nedved, Nedved" from the bianconeri faithful. The man in the Czech's old number 11 responded by blazing a shot way over the bar.
Primavera squad player Luca Marrone was then brought on for the impressive Tiago, in an amazing show of faith from rookie Juve coach Ferrara. Sebastian Giovinco and Martin Careces will hope to benefit from that faith in games to come. Juventus continued to work hard, pressing Chievo all over the pitch, perhaps trying to force an error their best way of securing a second goal.
Camoranesi came on for Diego on 88 minutes and the diminutive Brazilian can be very happy with his debut, impressive, full of the running and creativity sadly missing last term. The game was fizzling out by this point, a great cross from Luciano just evading Pellisier and providing a heart stopping moment for the Juve defence.
Juventus held on, Chievo's stubborn effort will cause teams problems this season, but Juve always seemed to have a couple of gears left in reserve. Those will be needed in the coming weeks, but overall Ferrara's man can be pleased with their first weeks work in Serie A.
Ferrara himself will have learnt plenty about his team today. His positives will be the clean sheet, his well functioning midfield and a seemingly faultless debut from Diego. The fullback issue now seems the biggest concern, with Grygera and Salihamizic failing to provide the width, an essential part of the new 4-3-1-2 formation.
So, with three points in the bag its onto the next game, where the Giallorossi will provide a much sterner test. Here's hoping Juventus have another good performance in the capital.
Juventus Ratings
Buffon 6, Grygera 5.5, Cannavaro 6, Chiellini 6.5, Salihamizic 6 (sub 46 De Ceglie 6), Poulsen 6.5, Tiago 7 (sub 75 Marrone 5.5), Marchisio 6, Diego 7.5 (sub 88 Camoranesi), Amauri 7, Iaquinta 7.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Opening Day
"There is no sports event like Opening Day of baseball, the sense of beating back the forces of darkness and the National Football League." - George Vecsey
So, here it is, Opening Day. There really is nothing like it, no matter what your sport, nor your team.
Everyone starts level on points, everyone's thoughts are of what the season ahead will bring, nobody thinks of losing, relegation or disaster. Here is your last chance to dream, your last day in denial, the last hiding place.
Tomorrow, everything changes. After the first game the favourites are decided, the winners and losers, coaches are made or broken, transfers successes or failures.
While everyone agrees you don't win the title in the first few weeks, you can certainly lose it. This is particularly true of Serie A, where leads are rarely opened up, even more rarely blown.
'It's a game we've got to win. It's also a game we've not got to lose.' - Graham Taylor, former England Manager
The belief of fans of all 20 teams, is there on Opening Day in a way it never is during the regular season. Fans of Siena, Bologna, and Bari will head to their games against Milan, Fiorentina and Inter dreaming that they may spring the surprise story of the first day.
There always is one, a fairytale that carries on that little longer for one team, that dream that starts to come true.
A look at Burnley beating Manchester United in their opening home game of the English Premier League season gives hope to the little guy, that supporting your team against the odds can pay off.
"I began by playing for the biggest club in the Lorraine region , went on to the biggest club in France and ended up with the biggest in the world." - Michel Platini, Nantes, St Etienne and Juventus
So we arrive at Juventus, starting the season her fans hope will be "the one." That finally Calciopoli and all its ills can be a part of history, rather than still feeling its effects, that Inter can finally be caught, that we can once again bear the Scudetto Shield on our shirts.
The pain of the season in Serie B will never truly leave us until we are champions again, the players who stayed will never feel vindicated until we once again can be the best.
Returning Juventus to their rightful place atop Serie A was a common mantra among those who remained loyal to the shirt, the reason Nedved struggled to walk away.
"Juve will always be Juve. There are a number of teams that have a winning spirit built in, and Juventus are one of them." - Emilio Butragueno, Spain
Claudio Ranieri could never understand, he lacked that Spirito Juve that never dies, that can never be explained, but that Ciro Ferrara has in abundance, so too Alessandro Del Piero.
The fans hope Diego and Melo have captured it too, that their Brazilian flare doesn't wilt and die in the ferocious spotlight that comes with the black-and-white shirt.
That Amauri can play a full season in the form he started the last, that Iaquinta can start this term like he finished last, that Trezeguet can recapture his poaching skills, that Cannavaro can play like the "Berlin Wall" we admired so much, that Chiellini can grow into his potential, and that Buffon and Del Piero will be, well, Buffon and Del Piero.
We hope the club have struck the right balance, that a new manager, new formation and new players can bring a return to the old days, of victory and success, of Scudetti and Coppa, a third star on the shirt, a European Cup in the cabinet.
So here we are, Opening Day, full of hope, dreams, expectations and willing our team to victory.
"I'm proud to be a "juventino", to be a "bandiera", like you define me to be often, in reality I'm just a small part of a big black & white "bandiera" (flag) that grows with the years and if you look closely your name is part of it... To continue making this "bandiera" grow we need everybody: let's stay united." - Alessandro Del Piero
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